KEVIN BOOTHE: Inks one-year deal. (Neil Miller)
It is clear the Giants are thinking about and striving for continuity on their offensive line heading into the 2013 season. That’s why they made the re-signing of left tackle Will Beatty a priority and got that done before free agency. And that is why they yesterday re-signed left guard Kevin Boothe to a one-year deal.
The Giants went about these deals in very different ways.
Beatty, the team’s top priority, got a five-year, $38.75 million deal before the start of free agency, by far the most lucrative contract the Giants have written this offseason. Boothe, 29, started all 16 games in 2011 — he’s started 22 consecutive games, counting the four-game 2011 postseason run — but was offered only a one-year deal. He took a look on the open market, saw nothing better, and signed.
“I think you owe it to yourself to put yourself out there,” Boothe said. “The entire time I wanted to return to the New York Giants, and fortunately they wanted me back.”
It now appears the line is set, or at least four-fifths of it, anyway. The only spot possibly in flux is right tackle, where David Diehl remains on the roster and has yet to be asked to take a pay cut. Sean Locklear supplanted Diehl last season before going down in December with a torn ACL. James Brewer, entering his third year after barely playing his first two seasons, is the only other right tackle consideration on the roster.
Last season the offensive line allowed an NFL-low 20 sacks and the running game was improved by 27.2 yards per game from the 2011 Super Bowl season, averaging 116.45 rushing yards per game.
“Kevin is a pro’s pro and we’re happy to have him back,” general manager Jerry Reese said of Boothe. “His return will provide experience, versatility, competition and depth on our offensive line.”
Boothe started his NFL career with the Raiders as a sixth-round draft pick and actually started 14 games as a rookie. He came to the Giants in 2007 and was a spot starter until 2011. In addition to left guard, he has also started games for the Giants at center.
“We’re constantly looking to improve,” Boothe said. “This season, that doesn’t change. We’ll have most, if not all, of the pieces back together and we’re looking forward to getting back to work and having a successful season — more than last year.”