The left side of the Giants offensive line hit free agency all at once this offseason, but the team won’t have to find a replacement for either player.
Kim Jones of the NFL Network was the first of many to report that left guard Kevin Boothe has agreed to a one-year deal to remain with the team for the 2013 season. Boothe joins left tackle Will Beatty as the owner of a brand new deal, although Beatty’s was a longer term commitment than the one Boothe got from Big Blue.
Boothe had a very strong year as a run blocker in 2012 and avoided penalties, but early reports of interest from other teams never materialized into much in the way of visits or offers for Boothe. It’s an important retention for the Giants, who now don’t have to look for a starter at guard while they decide whether or not they want to roll with David Diehl for another year at right tackle.
If they do, they’ll bring back their entire offensive line from the 2012 season. There were points last season when that seemed like an unlikely and/or unwise decision, but the Giants obviously liked what they had on hand.
