ALBANY — They’re here — as always.
So much attention each and every day at training camp is devoted to who is not available. The roll call of who’s out is always a hot topic. It’s a call that never includes Barry Cofield and David Diehl.
“It’s part of being a football player,” Diehl said yesterday, “part of being an accountable guy, no matter what, you got little nicks, bumps, whatever, your job is to be out there.”
The Giants have turned the corner on training camp, past the midway point and, as usual, Diehl and Cofield haven’t missed a thing. As the offensive line shifts and rotates with starters missing days with minor ailments, Diehl hunkers down at left tackle and on occasion inside at left guard. As the defensive line rests certain players on certain days, Cofield never budges from his spot at defensive tackle.
Diehl arrived in 2003 as a fifth-round pick from Illinois and since then has started all 112 regular-season games and seven more in the postseason. Cofield hit the scene in 2006 as a fourth-round pick from Northwestern and has started 62 of a possible 64 games, plus all six in the postseason. He did not start one game in 2007 on a technicality — the defense began in a sub-package — and was held out the 2008 regular-season finale as a precaution because of a sore knee, an absence he still regrets.
“I was on the field . . . ready to practice and [Tom] Coughlin grabbed me out of stretches and told me I wasn’t going,” Cofield recalled. “I was disappointed but we had a chance to repeat so I was willing to put my own agenda aside. That’s what I’ve done since day one.”
A year ago, Cofield was on a one-a-day schedule in camp coming off knee surgery. Other than that, he never misses a practice. Diehl is such an iron man that you can count on one hand (and still have some fingers left) how many practice snaps he has missed in seven years.
The two workhorses on the line appreciate each other.
Diehl: “Look how many games Barry started and played, you definitely respect another tough Big Ten guy. You notice that. You notice when guys are fighting through stuff.”
Cofield: “I see consistency. He practices against some great defensive ends. He may not win every time but he’s always showing great effort. There’s been a lot of talk about him losing his job and he never hangs his head. He comes to work every day and does his best.”
Neither is too keen on heavy analysis as to their remarkable durability. Why jinx a good thing?
“It’s a lot of luck, sometimes you have a devastating injury, there’s nothing you can do about it,” Cofield said. “Some of it is a mentality that you go to work every day. You may not feel your best, you may not be energetic every day but you put on your helmet and you go.”
Both are appreciated by the coaching staff for their dependability, but only one of them has been shown financial love. Diehl was awarded a six-year, $31 million contract extension prior to the 2008 season. When Cofield’s original rookie deal ran out after last season, he was given a one-year tender for $1.76 million. He is frustrated that the Giants haven’t seen fit to make a commitment to him.
“That’s the difference between me and a lot of guys,” Cofield said. “I’ve started a lot of games, played a lot of snaps haven’t got that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I’m being patient.”
Diehl said he realizes the value Cofield provides.
“If he does his job and stays healthy he’ll get what he deserves,” Diehl said. “Good things happen to good people. I have a good feeling that he will.”