New Giants GM Dave Gettleman began re-shaping the team with "swift and decisive force" on Saturday, firing VP/Player Evaluation Marc Ross among several other roster moves, according to Paul Schwartz of the N.Y. POST. Ross had been with the Giants since '07 and was "closely aligned" with former GM Jerry Reese, who was fired Dec. 4 along with coach Ben McAdoo. Ross ran the college scouting department and was the "point-man for the NFL draft preparation." He was "not expected to be part of Gettleman’s new management team but in situations such as this, the top college evaluator is often retained until after the draft." For those worried "hiring Gettleman would not spark the 'wholesale changes'" President & CEO John Mara "insisted were necessary with a 2-13 team, this sends a clear message: This is not business as usual" (N.Y. POST, 12/31). Schwartz notes Gettleman yesterday "walked into the final team meeting of the season, introduced himself to the Giants players and proceeded to tell them this franchise needs to get back to winning." Then he "talked about change." He also told the Giants "not to fear the changes that are about to rain down upon the organization." Giants LB Devon Kennard: "It’s a new sheriff in town, and he’s gonna run things the way he wants to run things" (N.Y. POST, 1/2). THE MMQB's Peter King wrote it is "stunning how far the Giants have fallen, in both talent and character." King: "Shameful, really." That is why Gettleman, who is "not afraid to play the disciplinarian, was an easy choice" for Mara and Chair Steve Tisch. Gettleman has to "come in and clean up a mess" that Reese made and McAdoo "couldn’t fix" (SI.com, 1/1).
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| Maccagnan (l) and Bowles are now both under contract through the '20 season |
STAYING THE COURSE: The Jets on Friday "announced contract extensions" for coach Todd Bowles and GM Mike Maccagnan. In N.Y., Daniel Popper cited a source as saying that "both extensions are for two years," meaning Bowles and Maccagnan are now under contract through the '20 season. Jets DE Leonard Williams said of Bowles' extension, "This is all about stability. He knows where we’re going, and he’s going to take us there" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/30). ESPN.com's Rich Cimini noted Jets Owner Woody Johnson and Chair & CEO Christopher Johnson, who is the acting owner while Woody is U.S. Ambassador to the U.K., "departed from their usual philosophy" with Bowles' extension. The Johnsons are "betting on potential," as they "see promise and, for a change, they're willing to endure the growing pains of a long-term rebuild." It is a "leap of faith for ownership" (ESPN.com, 12/31). Also in N.Y., Roger Rubin wrote the Johnsons made an "unwavering declaration Friday it has the leaders to return the team to the postseason," despite a 5-11 record in '17 (N.Y. POST, 12/30).
CAN'T PLEASE EVERYONE: CBSSN’s Adam Schein said he "hated" the moves both the Jets and Giants made. Bowles "has no idea how to manage a football team." Schein: "Here is what's going to happen: 365 days from now, you know what we're going to be talking about? Todd Bowles, poor game management. Is he on the hot seat? They win six games, seven games, is he the right guy to get the Jets to the playoffs? Spoiler alert, he’s not." Meanwhile, the Giants had a "great opportunity to hire someone with no Giants ties," but they instead brought back Gettleman. Schein: "They needed to bring in someone with a fresh set of eyes, a fresh voice." He added, "We will be back here next year” (“That Other Pregame Show,” CBSSN, 12/31).
