NYDN: Bober holds bottom line

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Bober holds bottom line

Weighs future as Giant

By RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/story/142431p-126203c.html

PAINFUL: Chris Bober likes Giants but doesn't want to repeat this season.

Nine different offensive linemen have already played for the Giants this season, including seven different starters. And both those numbers figure to grow Sunday when the line undergoes yet another major overhaul.

So it's hard to blame Giants center Chris Bober for yearning for a little stability at his position. And it's easy to understand why the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent says the Giants' chaotic offensive line situation could play a part in determining where he plays next year.

"You think about that," Bober said. "That's something that's on my mind. You definitely want to play for a place that puts a priority on the offensive line....That's the kind of team I want to be a part of."

The Giants believe they could be that kind of team as soon as next season, but re-signing Bober will be a key to their reconstruction plans. They have left tackle Luke Petitgout and left guard Rich Seubert locked into long-term contracts and have high hopes for rookie right guard David Diehl. They also plan to scour the free-agent market for a veteran right tackle to complete the line.

If the 26-year-old Bober leaves, the Giants would obviously also need a center. They did try to sign him to a long-term contract last offseason, but as Bober put it, "While we talked a little bit about numbers they never really talked seriously about getting me done."

The Giants' priority then was Seubert, who agreed to a four-year, $8.8 million contract extension. Bober apparently was looking for a similar deal, but the Giants weren't offering him anything in that range.

So now, after splitting his time this season between center (seven games) and right tackle (five) while trying to hold together a line filled with rookies, Bober can't help but think ahead to his unrestricted free agency. Despite being from Nebraska, Bober said he loves playing and living in the New York area and hopes he will be back next season. But he honestly doesn't know what the future holds.

"It's hard not to think about that," he said. "We've got four games left so I've got four games left with the Giants. I'm going to go out there and play my hardest. I want to help the team win, but I'll continue to put myself in a position that'll benefit my situation this offseason."

The 6-5, 305-pound Bober figures to be an attractive free agent. But it's impossible to tell how much the line struggles will hurt his situation - especially since it figures to get worse with rookie guard Wayne Lucier (knee) on injured reserve and Petitgout (back) likely to miss another game this week.

Giants coach Jim Fassel would not disclose his line plans yesterday, but he doesn't have many options. Bober figures to be surrounded by some combination of rookie guards Diehl and Scott Peters, rookie tackle Jeff Roehl, or first-year tackles Ian Allen and Jeff Hatch. It's possible he won't know his linemates until a few hours before the game.

"You definitely don't want to have to deal with that every year," Bober said. "That's one factor. I don't know how big of a factor it is, but it is definitely a factor."