Mara believes in GM Gettleman
John Mara understands there is great unrest when it comes to the state of the Giants and the ability of general manager Dave Gettleman to lift the franchise out of its recent losing ways.
As the co-owner of the team, Mara gets it. He just does not agree.
“I think the best thing for me about Dave is he makes decisions he feels are in the best interest of the franchise and he doesn’t give a damn what people think about it, be it the media or be it fans or anybody,’’ Mara said Tuesday. “He has the courage of his convictions and you have to have that. He set about to try and rebuild this team and change the culture a bit in the locker room. I think our last two draft classes are pretty strong and that’s what gives me confidence moving forward. I think we’re moving in the right direction.
Under Gettleman’s direction, the Giants traded away Damon “Snacks’’ Harrison and Eli Apple during the 2018 season and later shipped out Olivier Vernon to the Browns. Gettleman did not value Landon Collins as a difference-making safety, did not offer him a deal or put the franchise tag on him and watched as Collins signed with the rival Redskins. In the most controversial move of all thus far, Gettleman, after stating he “did not sign Odell to trade him,’’ did just that, sending Odell Beckham Jr. to the Browns for two draft picks (Nos. 17 and 95) and safety Jabrill Peppers.
It was enough to label Gettleman in league circles as out of touch or incapable of dealing with disparate personalities on his roster.
“I wouldn’t say there was never any doubt in Dave’s ability or in what is motivation was or what his skill level was,’’ Mara said. “You don’t like to see all that talent go out the door, but let’s face it, we’ve had one winning season, in ’16. The other five or six years have not been so good since we won the last Super Bowl. So we needed some drastic changes and he had the courage of his convictions.”
Mara thus far likes what he sees with this year’s team, but that optimism can fade when the season starts and losses mount.
“I’m not very patient, I take the losses pretty hard but I understand you got to make decisions that are in the best interest of your team in the long run and not worry about the short term,’’ Mara said. “It doesn’t make it any easier when you’re losing these games. I understand what he’s doing and I think he’s headed in the right direction.’’