TAPE DELAY
UPON FURTHER REVIEW, GETTLEMAN WANTS TO LOOK AT FILM BEFORE DECIDING ELI FATE
The tape is not going to lie, and what it tells Dave Gettleman will determine what happens next with Eli Manning.
During his introductory press conference Friday, the new Giants general manager said he would move forward with Manning unless what he saw in the Week 15 loss to the Eagles was “a mirage.’’ Sure enough, that was, by far, the most productive game of the sad season for Manning, and one or two strong grades amid a bunch of failing marks is not going to cut it, not even for someone with Manning’s pedigree.
As a result, there are no promises Manning, who turns 37 Wednesday, will return for a 15th season with the Giants. Not until Gettleman studies what really went down with the franchise quarterback in 2017.
“I’ve got to sit down and study tape,’’ Gettleman said Tuesday on WFAN. “I’m gonna study the tape on Eli, I’m gonna study it chronologically. I only was able to watch a couple of Giants games front to back and one of ’em happened to be the second Philly game. The guy that I saw that day was a guy that helped put two rings on my fingers.’’
As he pours over game after game, Gettleman is sure to see some unsightly Manning moments as he operated behind an ever-changing and usually underperforming offensive line, often had little or no ground game to balance out the attack and frequently had backup or practice squadtype receivers as targets. There was also plenty of substandard play from Manning and Gettleman is going to have to sort out where to parcel out the blame for the offensive contributions to a 3-13 season.
Gettleman is a noted film-watcher. As Panthers GM, he said he viewed 28 games of offensive lineman Michael Oher from 2012-14 after Oher was cut by the Titans and entered the open market. The study session consumed nearly three days before the decision was made to sign Oher, who moved in as the Panthers starting left tackle and helped them get to a Super Bowl.
“It’s about the film work, it takes time, you got to be objective, you can’t look at it with any emotion,’’ Gettleman said. “It’s business. Every decision we make here is going to be in the best interest of the New York football Giants.’’
If Manning does not receive a passing grade, Gettleman will likely be forced to take a quarterback with the second pick in the NFL draft.
“When I finish my film work that’s what’s gonna tell me which way to go,’’ Gettleman said. “Let me tell you something, you can talk about this guy, you can talk about that guy, it’s what’s going on between the white lines. The film, it’s not pretty, it’s not a quick view.’’
Gettleman said since he was hired he and Manning have talked briefly “a couple of times’’ and a more extensive sit-down will come soon. Manning on WFAN said, “Hopefully we’ll do it soon. I’m just kind of waiting to see when he’s ready.’’
Moving on from Manning, if it comes to that, will not be met with widespread approval from Giants fans, but Gettleman is not in that mindset. “At the end of the day it’s about winning,’’ he said. “That’s why I’m here.’’
Another decision awaiting Gettleman is how to deal with Odell Beckham Jr.’s contract, as the star receiver, coming off surgery to repair a fractured ankle, is currently on the books for $8.45 million this season after the Giants picked up his fifthyear option.
“He and I had a nice conversation on Saturday and we’ll just move forward,’’ said Gettleman, who called Beckham “a very gifted player for his position. There’s no doubting the talent.’’
As for a new deal for Beckham, Gettleman said, “I don’t discuss negotiations, I don’t discuss timelines, I don’t discuss contracts. That’s very personal.’’