Gett This House In Order
New York Giants: David Gettleman Named New General Manager ... And I Couldn't Be More Happy.
My genesis as a Giants fan occurred while Andy Robustelli (1974-1978) still served as general manager. But I do not remember much, if anything, about him.
I vividly recall, however, the day the Giants hired George Young, and his 18-year tenure as general manager.
From 1994 through 1997, Ernie Accorsi served as assistant GM under George Young. Upon his retirement after the 1997 season, Young appointed Ernie Accorsi to succeed him as next general manager of the Giants.
Jerry Reese likewise began working for the Giants in 1994 as a college scout. In 1997, he was elevated to pro scout by George Young. In 2004, Accorsi made him director of player personnel. Upon his own retirement after the 2006 season, Ernie Accorsi named Jerry Reese general manager.
It was also Ernie Accorsi who originally brought David Gettleman into the New York Giants fold as a scout back in 1998. He was elevated the following year and served as pro personnel director through the 2011 season. In 2012, Jerry Reese promoted him to senior pro personnel analyst.
When the Carolina Panthers were in search of a new general manager, they brought in Ernie Accorsi as a consultant, whom recommended Dave Gettleman. Gettleman in turn served from 2013 through 2016 as general manager of the Panthers, posting a 40-23 regular season record over his four years. The Panthers made three straight playoff appearances under his stewardship, and after posting a 15-1 record in 2015 opposed the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl Fifty.
After co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch moved to release Jerry Reese and former head coach Ben McAdoo, they similarly consulted Ernie Accorci, who once again recommended Dave Gettleman (whom in 2016 experienced a falling out with Panthers managing owner Jerry Richardson).
His interview effectively ended with haste the Giants search for Jerry Reese's replacement. And now David Gettleman becomes the fourth lineal general manager of the New York Giants during my lifetime.
Simply put, I love the move!
This is not just another typically safe in-house selection. Dave Gettleman's resume speaks for itself. He has been a part of four different Super Bowl contending organizations. He has scouted or served as general manager for two different AFC champions, and two different NFC champions. All told, he's been associated with nine Super Bowl appearances:
- Buffalo - 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993.
- Denver - 1997.
- NYG - 2000, 2007, 2011.
- Carolina - 2015.
Gettleman began his NFL career scouting for the Buffalo Bills in 1986, and through the 1993 season. For those of you still too young at the time, or not yet born, those Bills were frighteningly stacked with Hall of Fame and Pro Bowl caliber talent, whom together won four consecutive AFC championships.
From 1994 through 1997, Gettleman then served as a scout for the Denver Broncos. Denver went 7-9 during his first season associated with the organization, then followed with an 8-8 record during his second. The Broncos elevated to 13-3 in 1996, then posted a 14-2 record in 1997 en route to winning Super Bowl XXXII.
Then began his first stint in East Rutherford. He was on staff during the Giants Super Bowl run of 2000, and for both their 2007 and 2011 championship seasons.
Said another way, the man understands winning. Moreover, he understands New York Giants football.
Jerry Reese was widely criticized for his failure to effectively rebuild the offensive line, and poor drafting overall. And while it's true that not one player from the 2011 and 2012 drafts presently play for the Giants, to be fair, Gettlemen and Marc Ross, were still a part of that process.
Since 2013, the Reese and Ross connection have arguably hit on a few players (some more debatable than others): Justin Pugh, Odell Beckham Jr., Weston Richburg, Landon Collins, Sterling Shepard, B.J. Goodson, and most recent addition, Evan Engram.
A few of their more notable busts are proving to be Eli Apple, Ereck Flowers, and newly departed Bobby Hart.
Point being, Jerry Reese, Marc Ross, the entire scouting department, and extended staff, indeed left much to be desired.
And so, here we are.
Prior to interviewing Dave Gettleman, the Giants previously extended their very first interview opportunity to Marc Ross. On board since 2007, Ross spent his first six years with the organization serving as their director of college scouting, and for the last five years has served as the Giants vice president of player evaluation.
The New York Daily News suspects his interview did not go very well, because on Saturday David Gettleman fired Marc Ross.
At the very least, one should immediately ponder the future of Ken Sternfeld (director of pro personnel) as well.
David Gettleman does not operate in grey zones. His decisions, rather, gleam with conviction.
He refuses to pay one dollar beyond what he thinks is their fair market value, and certainly won't pay for past performance late in careers. In fact, he'd rather cut a player too early than too late, and is quick to eliminate malcontents from his locker room. Look no further than his treatment of former Panthers favorites Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams, Jon Beason, and Josh Norman.
Speaking of which ... I hope Odell Beckham Jr. is paying attention. Or, maybe he should call right tackle Bobby Hart. It was reported during Sunday's Giants/Redskins telecast on FOX, that Bobby Hart allegedly refused to play in Sunday's meaningless game. Dave Gettleman in turn waived him.
During his introductory press conference, Gettleman listed among his top his priorities: rebuilding the offensive line; reestablishing the running game; and rebuilding the defensive line. If you look at his team building in Carolina, he consistently maintained a strong presence at linebacker as well.
Is Dave Gettleman set on bringing back the good old days of Smash Mouth?
That remains to be seen.
But he did say rather matter of fact, his goal is to kick ass.
