Giants bring on Gettleman as GM
The New York Giants are turning their rebuilding process over to an old hand who believes in old-time football.
The Giants hired former Carolina executive Dave Gettleman as their general manager yesterday, bringing back a 66-year-old who spent 15 seasons with the franchise before going to the Panthers and helping them get to the Super Bowl in 2015.
Gettleman, who helped the Giants build strong offensive and defensive lines during his tenure, will be introduced at a news conference today.
“Given where we are as a team, we thought it was important to bring in someone with experience as a general manager and a proven track record,” co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch said in a statement. “Dave’s experience is unparalleled. He did an outstanding job as general manager in Carolina, and he was vital to our success during his tenure here. Dave is going to bring his own approach to our organization in how we draft and acquire players through free agency.”
Gettleman was Carolina’s general manager from 20132016. He was fired after the team missed the playoffs following their Super Bowl appearance. He upset fans with his player moves, cutting receiver Steve Smith before the 2014 season and running back DeAngelo Williams in 2015, then allowing cornerback Josh Norman to become a free agent in 2016 after rescinding the franchise tag. Norman signed with Washington.
Gettleman will be the Giants’ fourth general manager since 1979, following
George Young, Ernie Accorsi and Jerry Reese, who held the job for 11 seasons before he was dismissed on Dec. 4 along with coach
Ben McAdoo.
Gettleman’s first job will be to hire a head coach. Interim coach and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who replaced McAdoo, has been promised an interview.
Bills get safety
The Buffalo Bills activated safety Colt Anderson after he missed the past 11 weeks with a broken forearm. The Bills released safety Trae Elston. Buffalo is 8-7 and still in playoff contention in preparing to close its season at Miami on Sunday.
Anderson has been out since getting hurt in a 23-17 win at Atlanta on Oct. 1. Injuries hampered the eighthyear player’s two seasons in Buffalo. He appeared in just two games with the Bills in 2016 before a season-ending arm injury . . . .
The New Orleans Saints placed edge pass rusher Hau’oli Kikaha on injured reserve with an ankle injury, ending his season. New Orleans filled his spot by bringing back Kasim Edebali, who spent the previous three seasons with the club. Kikaha had four sacks, four tackles for losses and had one pass defended.
Christmas jeer
Saints rookie running back Alvin Kamara says the NFL fined him $6,079 for wearing Christmas-themed red cleats with white trim during last Sunday’s victory over Atlanta . . . .
Larry Fitzgerald is staying mum on his playing future with the Arizona Cardinals. The wide receiver’s resume is packed with Hall of Fame-caliber statistics accumulated over 14 seasons with the Cardinals and, at age 34, he’s still playing at a high level.
His uncertainty matches big questions with other Cardinals, including whether coach Bruce Arians will stick around for a sixth season, and whether quarterback Carson Palmer will be back from a mended broken arm at age 38 . . . .
Browns Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas says Cleveland’s coaching situation will have no bearing on his decision whether to keep on playing. Thomas played in just seven games this season before tearing his left triceps on Oct. 22 and undergoing season-ending surgery. The 10-time Pro Bowler had never missed a snap in his career, playing 10,363 straight.
The 33-year-old put off his decision on continuing his career because he didn’t want to be a distraction to the Browns, who are one loss away from becoming the second 0-16 team in league history.