What concerns me most about the current state of the Giants has nothing to do with Pat Shurmur, Saquon Barkley’s health, the struggling offensive line, DeAndre Baker or the ball security of Daniel Jones. What troubles me most is the lack of accountability from the general manager’s office about where the Giants stand during this bye week.
We should have heard from Dave Gettleman this week. We should have heard from the leader of this storied NFL franchise about what he thinks about a 2-8 record and a six-game losing streak. We should hear from Gettleman what has gone wrong and what, if anything, he thinks is going right.
Instead we have heard nothing. Nothing from Gettleman. Nothing from co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch. Nothing from any decision makers other than Shurmur, the embattled head coach, who is left on his own to fend off the critics.
We understand Gettleman has never spoken to the media during the bye week. He didn’t do it when he was the general manager with the Panthers and hasn’t done it during his two years with the Giants. The Giants GM hasn’t spoken with reporters since the beginning of training camp in late July. That may be his way of doing things, but is a sad succession to the office he holds.
George Young, who should be in the NFL Hall of Fame, answered every message. Ernie Accorsi was cut from the same cloth. Even when social media was emerging Jerry Reese always had a bye-week session with the media, even in the darkest of times.
It’s part of the reason the Giants were viewed as one of the best-run organizations in professional sports. There was a sense of transparency. There was a connection with the fan base. Even Mara and Tisch, the co-owners that inherited their fathers’ passion for victory, weren’t afraid to voice their opinions.
Mara was clearly steamed as he left MetLife Stadium without acknowledging reporters following a 34-27 loss to the Jets last Sunday. Normally, Mara would have said something by now. He hasn’t. No one but the players and coaches have.
Look around town and the leaders of other franchises, for better or worse, have stepped forward. Whether you agree or disagree with how Steve Mills and Scott Perry hijacked the Knicks’ postgame press conference last week after a loss to the Cavs, at least they at the urging of owner Jim Dolan voiced their frustration. Ill-advised and poorly executed? Perhaps. At least they faced the media with an opinion. They spoke to their fan base.
Even the Jets look better than the Giants. CEO and Chairman Christopher Johnson, who often chats with the media during practices, announced head coach Adam Gase was returning next season. You can agree, disagree or suggest Johnson should have waited, but at least ownership made public its support of the head coach. Meanwhile, when was the last time you didn’t hear from Yankees GM Brian Cashman for the whole season? Never.
Gettleman is visible at practices and after games, but “hello” and a nod is about all you get. Giants fans deserve more. You can’t hide from 2-8.
Players have to stand at their locker week after week and offer support for their coaching staff and their teammates. They are asked to be accountable to the franchise, the city and each other. The GM should be held to the same standard.
There are plenty of good things for Gettleman to point out: the progress of his prized first-round draft pick Daniel Jones, the development of defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence and production from players such as Golden Tate and Darius Slayton.
Sure, there are hard questions to answer about his faith in Shurmur, the status of the offensive line and whether changes need to be made on the staff. But answering tough questions in a tough city has always been part of the job since the George Young era. At least it was until Gettleman arrived.
For more on the Giants, listen to the latest episode of the “Blue Rush” podcast: