Gettleman ready to embrace analytics: 'We've hired 4 computer folks'
New York Giants general manager David Gettleman said Tuesday that his disdain for analytics is a thing of the past.
"I know this is going to sound crazy, but I met with a big analytics guy," Gettleman told reporters, including Kimberley A. Martin of Yahoo Sports. "I'm gonna learn from my mistakes."
"We've hired four computer folks - software - and we're completely redoing our back end of our college and pro scouting systems," the 68-year-old added, per SNY.
Under Gettleman, the Giants have been one of the more resistant franchises to advanced data, preferring to rely on traditional scouting methods to evaluate players. Despite widespread criticism of his performance, the Giants elected to bring Gettleman back for a third year.
To begin 2020, Gettleman will be tasked with finding a head coach to replace Pat Shurmur. He shut down theories that he'll be an undesirable boss for potential candidates.
"I don't understand the notion that I'm tough to work with," he said. "I think it would be from people that don't know me. Obviously, as we move forward in the coaching search - it's the dating game, and there will be that opportunity for them to look me in the eye and say, 'Hey Dave, what up?' So I don't understand that, I really don't."
New York is 9-23 in two campaigns under Gettleman, though part of his first season was disrupted by treatments for lymphoma. His signature moves include trading Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns, drafting Daniel Jones sixth overall, and acquiring Leonard Williams from the New York Jets.
Williams, a pending free agent, cost the Giants two draft picks, but Gettleman maintains that getting the defensive lineman early was worth the price.
"He wants to be here," Gettleman said. He added, "We feel - and he's proven - he's disruptive in there. He improved our rushing defense with him in there, and he buzzes around the quarterback, we just gotta get him to finish now. But bottom line is we felt it was worth the deal. The juice was worth the squeeze."
Previously, Gettleman posted a 51-28-1 record as the Carolina Panthers' general manager from 2013-17, building the team that challenged for Super Bowl 50.