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During his weekly interview with ESPN Radio today, David Diehl became the subject of a bit of ribbing by host (and my SNY colleague) Brandon Tierney, who reminded Diehl the Giants have been running the ball well without him in the lineup.
Diehl went along with the joke, though one could almost hear his pride bubbling up inside once again, especially since he’s been itching to get back in the lineup after missing the last four games with hip and hamstring injuries.
“That’s fine, that’s fine,” Diehl said in response to Tierney’s joke. “I think over the last eight years that I’ve been here we’ve won a lot of games with me playing. So I’m ready to go, I’m feeling great. I’m just excited to be able to go out there, help my football team in this stretch and win football games.”
Though it’s no shocker, given the fact he practiced in a limited capacity all of last week, Diehl confirmed he’ll be back this Sunday against the Vikings.
“I’m actually doing excellent. Rehabbing, everything’s been going awesome,” he said. “I made a lot of progress last week and I thought I was going to have the opportunity. I was close but I just wasn’t there.
“But I’m playing this weekend.”
Given Shawn Andrews’ lingering back issues, it would seem Diehl will be back to spot at left tackle. That’s a good thing for the Giants, on account of Will Beatty’s struggles on Sunday (two holding penalties, two other holds that could have been called and a false start) and the presence of Vikings defensive end Jared Allen.
It remains to be seen if center Shaun O'Hara will make it back this week and reunite the opening-day offensive line for the first time since Week 7. O'Hara said today he'll "try to do more this week."
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2010/12/giants_david_diehl_im_playing.htmlchyeah.