New York Giants GM addresses Eli Manning, OBJ, O-line
By Henry Buggy
The G-Men introduced newly appointed general manager Dave Gettleman on Friday.
The New York Giants longtime personnel executive and former Carolina Panthers general manager wasted no time addressing some of Big Blue’s biggest questions.
While Gettleman would not give a clear-cut answer on some issues, the Giants fourth general manager since 1979 did layout his blueprint for how to turn around the franchise, via New York’s team website.
"“In terms of team building, I’m old fashioned. Offense scores points, defense wins championships. There’s been six matchups, I believe, in the Super Bowl of No. 1 offenses versus No. 1 defenses and the defenses have won five of the six. So, I truly believe in that. I’m going to say this right now, style of offense has changed; obviously there’s that college influence, so obviously the style of defense has changed to a certain degree. But, at the end of the day, it’s the same three things you had to do in ’35 that you got to do now in 2018. You got to run the ball. You got to stop the run. You got to pressure the passer. Everywhere I’ve been and with the great teams that I’ve been associated with – those were three very big staples.”"
Those three staples were key in Big Blue’s last two Super Bowl winning seasons. The Giants have not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Gettleman’s last year in New York, 2012.
New York Giants
It Starts Up Front
It’s no secret Big Blue’s offensive line is the team’s biggest weakness in 2017. The Giants have struggled to fill the voids at both left and right tackle for multiple seasons under former general manager Jerry Reese. And arguably New York’s two best offensive lineman, Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg, are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents this offseason.
"“Tom Coughlin said it to me my first year, his first when he came in here. He said big men allow you to compete, and that’s really just so true. The o-line and the d-line, I believe in the hog mollies. We’ve had some great groups here, had great groups everywhere I’ve been, and we’re going to get back to that. They do allow you to compete.”"
Gettleman didn’t shy away when asked about Big Blue’s issues up front.
"“We’ve got to fix the o-line, let’s be honest. Let’s not kid each other. I told you at the top, big men allow you to compete and that’s what we’ve got to fix.”"
The Giants new general manager has decisions to make with both Pugh and Richburg in free agency, and he must decided whether the franchise should pick up Ereck Flower’s fifth-year option on his rookie contract.
Manning To Return In 2018?
While offensive line is clearly the top priority in rebuilding New York’s roster, Gettleman also addressed Eli Manning’s future with the team.
"“I haven’t had access to tape and I’m not avoiding the question, but obviously you got to look at the film. You got to see what’s cooking, and listen, Eli has won a lot of games. He’s a great competitor. He’s very intelligent and he and I are going to talk and if what I saw (against) Philadelphia was not a mirage, and I don’t believe it was, then we’ll just keep moving.”"
When asked again if Manning would be New York’s starting quarterback in 2018, Gettleman responded, “well, as of now, yeah.”
Keeping No. 10 won’t stop Gettleman from selecting a quarterback in this year’s draft though.
"“You can never have too many great players at one position. I mean, you think about us – we got (Michael) Strahan and Osi (Umenyiora) and we’re drafting (Justin) Tuck and we’re drafting (Mathias) Kiwanuka and people are looking at us like we have brain damage.”"
OBJ’s Contract
The G-Men were without their best offensive weapon for a majority of the season, and Odell Beckham Jr. already made it clear what he’s looking for in his next contract. The three-time Pro Bowl receiver said he want’s to be the NFL’s highest-paid player prior to the 2017 season.
Gettleman knows what Beckham brings to the table, and was asked whether he believes the star receiver can be part of the solution moving forward.
"“It makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it? Ernie [Accorsi] taught me something a long time ago: don’t quit on talent. Don’t quit on talent.”"
Beckham is set to enter the fifth-year option of his rookie contract in 2018.