Why Dave Gettleman isn't GM of the Giants

[Mr. Scot]

Turns out the same guy who helped him get the GM job in Carolina is partly responsible for him not getting the Giants gig.

How the Giants rejected golden touch GM Dave Gettleman
 

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Dave Gettleman dreamed the dream, fought the good fight, enjoyed his victories, crafted a fine career in NFL personnel, largely unknown outside the circle but appreciated by his employer. Respected, yet unfulfilled.

It was time to give it up, to step off the carousel that kept spinning without him going anywhere. It was time to face reality: He never was going to be a general manager in the NFL.

“Look at the ages of these general managers that were getting hired,’’ Ernie Accorsi, the former Giants general manager, told The Post. “Dave was 61. He knew the chronology of his age.’’

Gettleman is now 64 and headed to his seventh Super Bowl — his first as an NFL general manager. His Panthers are 17-1 and favored to beat Peyton Manning and the Broncos in Super Bowl 50.

 

 

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The Giants feel a part of them will be out in Santa Clara, Calif.: Their loyal, 15-year executive who livened up their offices with his thick Boston accent — he also could turn a phrase in Yiddish, befitting his Jewish upbringing — as he spit tobacco into a cup, preferred too-short shorts over his too-large stomach and wore flip-flops whenever possible.

“I couldn’t be happier for him that he’s having this kind of success now,’’ Giants co-owner John Mara said.

 

 

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Gettleman prefers to stay out of the limelight, but he will receive plenty of attention this week — a journey he gave up on because he believed he never would have the chance, having been passed over four times for jobs he thought were within his grasp.

Heck, the Giants even passed over him. He had been an invaluable director of pro personnel, scouring the NFL for players. Mara and Accorsi were amazed when Gettleman recited the name, strengths and weaknesses of the fifth cornerback on the Seahawks without referencing his notes or turning on his laptop.

“He was undefeated with us on free-agent signings,’’ Accorsi said. “Whether it was a star like Plaxico [Burress] or Antonio [Pierce] or whether it was Shaun O’Hara and people like that. When we signed Antonio Pierce, he was playing the outside. We signed him as a middle linebacker, Dave was convinced he could play middle linebacker.’’

 

 

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Accorsi was set to retire after the 2006 season and hoped his replacement would be from in-house, touting Gettleman, Jerry Reese — who ran the NFL Draft — or Kevin Abrams, the salary-cap expert. Accorsi admitted he pushed Reese hardest of all, and Reese got the GM job.

“And I felt sorry for Dave on the thing, I don’t think it was an easy decision for John Mara or the Tisch’s,’’ Accorsi said. “When Jerry got it, I could tell Dave was down. I said to him ‘Look, I have no idea if I’m ever going to be able to deliver on this, but if I possibly can take care of you, I will.’ ”

Lo and behold, Accorsi found a second career as a consultant, helping NFL teams find and hire head-coach and front-office candidates. The Browns needed a GM in 2009, and then-owner Randy Lerner sought Accorsi’s advice. Accorsi recommended Gettleman, but George Kokinis got the job — and lasted just six months. Gettleman interviewed with the Chiefs, but the GM position went to Scott Pioli. In 2010, Accorsi again pushed Gettleman on the Browns and thought this time would be the charm. Instead, they hired Mike Holmgren.

 

 

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Gettleman walked into Mara’s office and told him he wanted to take a step back, asking Mara to promote assistant Ken Sternfeld, requesting to take more of a part-time role. Gettleman looked in the mirror. He was 61 and no one was going to name him their general manager. He might as well go quietly.

“He had gotten to the point where he thought that his chances of being a general manager were non-existent,’’ Mara said. “He had missed out on so many events with his own family. He actually got quite emotional telling me about it.’’

The Panthers fired GM Marty Hurney midway through the 2012 season, and owner Jerry Richardson called on Accorsi to help find the right man to lead his franchise. Accorsi provided four candidates and made it clear his first choice was Gettleman. Richardson and Gettleman hit it off right away, and the rest is history as the Panthers head to the Super Bowl.

“He is a great example of never giving up on your dreams,’’ Reese said.

“Professionally I feel great about recommending him, but personally I feel much better,’’ Accorsi said. “I couldn’t have been any happier for anybody than I was for him.’’

 

 

[Cary Kollins]

The Panthers wouldn't be sniffing a Super Bowl at this point with anyone else but Gettleman.

[The Huddler]

i fuging love Gettleman

 

I fuging love him

 

I hope he lives a long, long time. 

[Mr. Scot]

I get the impression the writer thinks the Giants went with the wrong choice.

Didn't overtly say it, but if you read between the lines...

[csx]

Not that I care but there were people suggesting at the time (when looking for reasons to complain) that Acorsi just hooked his buddy up. Well, in a way that was true based on this.

[Jangler]

The best thing is nobody saw us coming all year. Just us. It really has been a great 5 years, and it's just starting.

[DeeJay]

People only hate Gettleman because he got rid of smitty, Yeah I was sorta mad to but business is business 

Still hope smitty retires a panther, gettlemen is a special person, he'll be here for 10 more years, 

[5158Poundin]

Best move ever to make Gettleman our GM.  I didn't see his vision the first year to be honest, but I have grown to love and respect everything he has done for this franchise.

We are blessed with Gettlemagic and hope to remain so for many years.

[UKPanther94]

There is no front office official that gives a better interview than Gettleman, i could listen to him for hours

[Bartin]

2 minutes ago, UKPanther94 said:

There is no front office official that gives a better interview than Gettleman, i could listen to him for hours

You hear that from fans of other teams as well. Whenever he does his combine press conference the common refrain on Twitter is "I could listen to this guy talk football all day."

[Clicheking]

An other reason I think we have an advantage in the Superbowl is Gettleman. People forget he "turns off" his typical Gm duties during the playoffs, like scouting free agents, college players, etc and takes it back to he's Director of pro personal scouting days. In other words he helps Ron and crew review and breakdown down film for the post season and create gameplans. By all accounts he was the best in the league at doing so.........May God help Denver

[NanuqoftheNorth]

34 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I get the impression the writer thinks the Giants went with the wrong choice.

Didn't overtly say it, but if you read between the lines...

Yeah, and with good reason.

Panthers are at least a year ahead of schedule.

Should finally be out of cap hell this off season.

Then Gettleman can show what he is capable of without one hand tied behind his back.

[jayflip]

Love the part about nipple shorts. 

[jackson113]

We need the Gettleman soundboard for this thread.