David Diehl (Joseph E. Amaturo )
SAYONARA?: Veterans Corey Webster (above) and David Diehl (inset) might not remain Giants, though coach Tom Coughlin wants both players to return. (Reuters; Joseph E. Amaturo (inset))
Coach Tom Coughlin says “I want ’em all’’ when asked about his own free agents but acknowledges that’s not going to happen. How much the Giants have to spend depends on their salary cap situation, which is directly tied to a pair of veterans, cornerback Corey Webster and offensive lineman David Diehl.
Both players are coming off poor seasons entering the final year of their contracts. Both started in Super Bowl XLII and again in Super Bowl XLVI, but their returns to the Giants are not guaranteed.
Webster’s salary for the upcoming season is $7 million and he’s scheduled to count $9.8 million against the cap. Diehl, 32, is scheduled to make $4.475 million in salary and his cap hit is around $6.9 million. It is virtually impossible for the Giants to bring Webster, 31, and Diehl back at their present salaries.
Coughlin steers clear of money issues, but said he wants both players to return for the 2013 season.
“I do,’’ Coughlin yesterday told The Post before a signing at Barnes and Noble on Fifth Avenue for “Earn The Right To Win,’’ his new book. “I think there’s no doubt they can definitely help the team. I do want them back. They can still contribute.’’
It is highly likely the Giants will ask Webster and/or Diehl to take a pay cut in order to remain on the roster. Free agency begins next Tuesday and the Giants have a load of their own players to consider in what can be an unsettling situation.
“I always look at it the other way,’’ Coughlin said. “First of all I don’t ever want to lose any player, it’s not in my nature, I want ’em all, but as Ahmad [Bradshaw] said, it’s a business. Change is inevitable, so you approach it in such a way and try to be an optimist. Try to think about how we can help our football team through free agency, through the draft to recapture some of what has been lost, in a healthy way.’’
Victor Cruz is a restricted free agent and not likely to go anywhere — a team would have to sign him to a lucrative contract the Giants opt not to match and that team would then forfeit a first-round draft pick to the Giants. Thus far, the Giants have had a hard time getting Cruz to agree on a long-term deal. If he returns on a one-year tender of $2.9 million, will Cruz be happy?
“Let’s face it, he’s had a lot of people pulling and tugging at him ever since he came into the league because of the nature of his story,’’ Coughlin said. “He’s a great kid. It’s the ability to focus and concentrate. As it’s been said, there’s a time for business and there’s a time for production.’’
Asked if he thinks Cruz will be back, Coughlin said, “I certainly believe he will and hope he will.’’
As for backup quarterback, David Carr will test the open market to see if he can find somewhere to compete for playing time, but Coughlin said he hopes Carr finds his way back to the Giants.
“I like the room with he and Eli [Manning] and whoever else is in there,’’ Coughlin said. “Don’t forget there’s another side to David Carr. David Carr can run, he’s fast, he’s athletic, no matter who we’re going to play he can be the opposition’s quarterback and do it very well. He does a good job of it. He runs the option.’’