Pre Draft Presser with GM Dave Gettleman

[Mr. Scot]

About 28 minutes. Pretty cordial in tone and he seems to know all the local reporters' names now. Did at one point offer a little criticism of some of their emphasis, specifically the repeated discussion of how many times the team lost close games. Gettleman doesn't view that as suck a big deal.

On the whole, Gettleman was not as vague as you might have predicted. Certainly, he didn't give away any secrets, but he actually made some attempts to answer questions.

Highlights:

- Confirmed that he was indeed involved in the Giants drafting; was in the war room; attended all meetings; evaluated players for Jerry Reese at his request; handled the trade phone on Draft day.

- Watched film of draft prospects on his own (this man is clearly a football junkie)

- Talked about being a long time pro guy; said free agency is "not a mystery" to him

- Said after 28 years, he thinks he knows who can and can't play in the league

- Has been in draft meetings with all staff every day since last Thursday

- Currently finalizing the draft board; working out differences in players that are very close in their grades

- Confirmed that final say in all draft decisions belongs to him, but wants to take everyone's opinion into consideration so he can make an informed decision

- Regarding draft picks, asks the questions "Does he fit? Does he upgrade us?"

- Plans to "go with his instincts" on who will make the Panthers better

- Said last year there were "starter ability players" as far down as the third round

- Wants starters in the first two rounds of this year's draft, contributors in the later ones; would consider this a successful draft

- Says players must both have value and fit the system; cannot give on either one

- Believes in BPA and thinks the Panthers have done enough in free agency to be able to pick BPA in this draft

- Marv Levy taught him that the answer is often already on the roster

- Discussed Josh Norman; says he has talent but needs to be developed; believes benching last year did him good

- Likes the players they have in the secondary, but would not shy away from a good pick in that area if it fell to them

- Believes that as of right now, the team has "no major holes"

- Stated that after watching the tape of the last six games of 2012, doe not believe that the wins were "fool's gold"

- Chided the writers a little for what they've said about close games being lost

- Has been thinking and planning for years about what he'd do if he got a GM job

- Said you have to be careful about trading down because you can "talk yourself out of a really good player"; asked "Do you want a dollar or do you want three dimes? I'll take the dollar"

- Used 28 of 30 allowed draft prospect visits; left two open in case they needed last minute rechecks

- Reiterated that "big men help you compete" and says they will definitely be taking a look at the "Big Hog Mollys" :blink:

- Wants offensive linemen who can handle opposing DL without needing help

- Says a lot of the one year deals are because guys want to take a chance on "hitting it big"

- Stated there were a few free agents they would like to have signed but couldn't get a deal done (translation: they didn't cave)

- Believes the draft is very deep at DT and at DB; doesn't seem quite as high on the OL beyond the big three but still thinks that position is deep too (makes me think he's not dead set that he has to take those positions high)

- Believes Wonderlic scores can be deceiving; considers it "somewhat of an indicator" but trusts interviews with the players more

- Says he has formed a good working relationship with the team's scouting staff; said conversation got "pretty free wheeling" about five or six days in and that "you can't have a thin skin" in that area; seems pretty high on (director of college scouting) Don Gregory

- Was respectful when discussing predecessor Marty Hurney

- Expects Drayton Florence to be able to compete for a starting job

- Said Jerry Richardson is "involved" in draft planning and that he has a lot of football wisdom; says meetings with Richardson don't last long because both are "very direct"; called him "a blessing"

- Does not seem at all inclined to trade up

- Was asked about the events in Boston; commented on "man's inhumanity to man" and called it "scary"

[SCP]

He also reiterated when asked about the Panthers staff that he "won the lottery".

[The Golden Child]

It didn't sound like a trade back in the 1st round was something he was actively pursuing.

[Munch4455]

Did anyone else pause for a second, and were like "WTF is a player with 'Staata Ability'"?

[rayzor]

good write up, but it's 'dimes', not 'times'.

also, i'd go so far as to say that he was glowing about norman's progress. he came back different. now he has talent.

[La Pantera]

I REALLY like Gettlmen. I think he is the catapult that will launch this franchise into contention

[Mr. Scot]

good write up, but it's 'dimes', not 'times'.

also, i'd go so far as to say that he was glowing about norman's progress. he came back different. now he has talent.

Typo on my part. Fixed now.

It didn't sound like a trade back in the 1st round was something he was actively pursuing.

Didn't sound to me like he was interested in trading in either direction.

Hurney loved to trade. Gettleman doesn't seem to be as high on the idea.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Any indication on how his digestive system is adjusting to the Egg Bo Biscuit diet?

[CharlottePanther]

Ok beleve or not i still get confused, so can someone please clarify.. "Trading up" does that mean like if we are pick 14 and want to move into the top 5, is that "trading up" or "trading down" in the draft?

[Kuech the Sneak]

I like the comment about getting o-lineman that don't need help. Gotta have hogs that can win one on one matchups

[The Golden Child]

He's a lot of fun to listen to. He knows exactly what he's doing. Let's see what he does a week from today..

[La Pantera]

good write up, but it's 'dimes', not 'times'.

also, i'd go so far as to say that he was glowing about norman's progress. he came back different. now he has talent.

I fully expect Norman and Alexander to be the two most improved guys on D.

[Mr. Scot]

Ok beleve or not i still get confused, so can someone please clarify.. "Trading up" does that mean like if we are pick 14 and want to move into the top 5, is that "trading up" or "trading down" in the draft?

Moving to a higher pick is "trading up".

[rayzor]

Ok beleve or not i still get confused, so can someone please clarify.. "Trading up" does that mean like if we are pick 14 and want to move into the top 5, is that "trading up" or "trading down" in the draft?

it gets confusing.

not going to make it worse.

he was saying that if you are sitting on 14 and you want to trade that for a later pick and pick up another later pick or two that you might be exchanging a dollar for three dimes or basically giving up a really talented player for 2-3 players who could be ok and you might lose out on someone special. better to get a great player who will be around and starting for a long time rather than a couple guys who might contribute a little bit for a couple years.