Gettleman assesses himself as Giants GM: 'Not good enough'

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman, under intense scrutiny in the wake of a disappointing season that led to the firing of coach Pat Shurmur, conceded Tuesday that his job performance over the last two seasons was “not good enough.”

Gettleman has seen the Giants win nine games over his two seasons in charge, and many felt the 68-year-old should have been fired along with Shurmur after New York lost to Philadelphia on Sunday to finish a 4-12 season.

Speaking for almost 30 minutes in his first meeting with the media since training camp, Gettleman was asked to grade himself over the last two seasons.

“Really, it hasn’t been good enough," he said. “It will get better.”

Gettleman spent much of his time at the podium defending his moves and accepting blame for what has gone wrong.

He was grilled over the trade to acquire defensive lineman Leonard Williams from the Jets in late October. It cost the Giants a third-round draft pick in 2020 and a conditional fifth-rounder in 2021.

What made the move questionable is that the 25-year-old Williams is eligible to become a free agent. Gettleman said Williams told him Monday that he wants to stay. The conditional fifth-rounder would become a fourth if Williams signed with the Giants before free agency.

Gettleman said the trade allowed the Giants to evaluate Williams. They believe he can help stop the run and pressure the quarterback, two keys he feels necessary to winning.

Gettleman also was questioned about his decision to trade Odell Beckham Jr. to Cleveland in March after signing him to a new $90 million contract before last season, his decision to keep Eli Manning after the 2017 season and his failure to talk to the media this season, leaving Shurmur to field the tough...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Gettleman-assesses-himself-as-Giants-GM-Not-14942398.php