The Giants named Dave Gettleman as their new GM, continuing the trend of not hiring a GM from "outside their organization in 40 years," according to Paul Schwartz of the N.Y. POST. Gettleman was fired in July as Panthers GM after four seasons, but he worked for the Giants from '98-'12 "in their pro personnel department." The hire is a "popular move inside the building," as Gettleman was "well-regarded as a personable, behind-the-scenes" exec during his previous run with the franchise. He becomes just the fourth GM for the Giants since '79 as he replaces Jerry Reese, who was fired earlier this month. A source said that Kevin Abrams, who has been the assistant GM the past 16 years, is "expected to remain in that role." Abrams, who has been the interim GM after Reese was fired, was "one of four candidates interviewed" for the GM position. In addition to Abrams and Gettleman, the Giants interviewed team VP/Player Evaluation Marc Ross and ESPN's Louis Riddick (N.Y. POST, 12/29). In Newark, James Kratch notes Gettleman "was a runner-up" when Reese received the Giants GM role in '07. Gettleman "has a close relationship with former Giants GM Ernie Accorsi, who consulted the team" during their recent GM search (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/29). In N.Y., Zach Schonbrun notes this is the "second time Accorsi has selected Gettleman" as a GM. Gettleman "got the job" with the Panthers in '13 "on Accorsi’s recommendation" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/29). NBCSN's Chris Simms said Gettleman's hiring "was pretty much a done deal about two weeks ago." The Giants were "going through the interview process as charades, to look like they were doing the right thing" ("PFT," NBCSN, 12/29).
MOVING QUICKLY: In N.Y., Gary Myers notes Gettleman last week entered his meeting with Giants President & CEO John Mara, Chair Steve Tisch and Accorsi as the "overwhelming favorite" to be the new GM and then "proceeded to blow them away." By the time he "walked out the door, the decision was all but final." Now that Gettleman is in place, he will be "able to act on his ready list of coaches Sunday night." There could be "at least 10 coaches fired on Black Monday and the competition for candidates will be intense." If the Giants were "still interviewing GMs next week, they would have fallen behind setting up interviews" with potential coaches. Myers writes the Giants "made the right decision" by hiring Gettleman, as this was "not a job for a first-time GM" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/29). ESPN's Doug Kezirian said, “There is a stench with the Giants right now. Someone with instant credibility needs to command that organization" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 12/29). SI.com's Conor Orr wrote bringing in Gettleman was "something the Giants needed to do." He is "perfectly suited for a franchise approaching a massive transitional phase" (SI.com, 12/28).
THE GIANT WAY: On Long Island, Bob Glauber writes the Giants "went for the safe choice" with Gettleman. With a chance to open up the search for a new GM and "get some fresh perspective from a diverse list of candidates around the NFL, the Giants instead turned to a familiar face." Gettleman is "family for the Giants" (NEWSDAY, 12/29). NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said, "The way the Giants do things is keeping it within the family. Every coach hire they make, every personnel hire seems to be someone with Giants ties who knows the way the organization works, and potentially someone who would not come in and change everything and fire everyone" ("NFL Total Access," NFL Network, 12/28). ESPN's Jason Fitz noted Gettleman is "familiar with how you run things." Fitz: "You have a long-standing relationship with him. You are on the same page right away” (“Golic & Wingo,” ESPN Radio, 12/29). In Charlotte, Jourdan Rodrigue notes Gettleman will "join an organization he's all too familiar with" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 12/29). In N.Y., Steve Serby notes Mara "promised 'wholesale' changes" when he fired Reese and coach Ben McAdoo, but Gettleman "would qualify to some fans as a member of the Old Boy Network" (N.Y. POST, 12/29). Also in N.Y., George Willis writes Gettleman "offers a certain comfort that he knows the job." The Giants "didn’t really look at a large sample size of potential replacements," and it "feels like Gettleman was the choice all along and the rest was just a charade" (N.Y. POST, 12/29).
GETTING A SECOND CHANCE: NFL.com's Austin Knoblauch noted the Panthers firing Gettleman this summer "came as a shock" to the NFL community. He "capably steered the Panthers out of salary-cap hell upon his arrival in Carolina and worked wonders with coach Ron Rivera, finding affordable talent and successfully adding star players through the draft." He was named '15 NFL Exec of the Year after the Panthers went 15-1 and made Super Bowl 50 (NFL.com, 12/28). In New Jersey, Art Stapleton notes Gettleman "made mistakes" as the Panthers GM, but the Giants are betting he "will be a better GM than he was with the Panthers." Gettleman was able to "sign core star players" QB Cam Newton, LB Luke Kuechly, LB Thomas Davis and TE Greg Olsen to long-term deals, but his dealings with big-name players "ultimately led to his departure in Carolina" (Bergen RECORD, 12/29). In DC, Des Bieler notes some high-profile former Panthers who "felt mistreated" by Gettleman "publicly cheered his dismissal" earlier this year (WASHINGTON POST, 12/29).
