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Dave Gettleman on Saquon Barkley, offensive line, Daniel Jones

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By: Ed Valentine

Dave Gettleman | Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Giants GM speaks on Sirius XM NFL Radio

New York Giants GM Dave Gettleman has yet to hold a ‘state of the Giants’ press conference with New York media, something that has become a bit of an an annual tradition. Gettleman, though, spoke Tuesday to Bob Papa and David Diehl on Sirius XM NFL Radio.

Here are some of the takeaways.

Saquon Barkley’s recovery

Gettleman echoed coach Joe Judge, reiterating that the Giants want to be careful with the star running back. Gettleman pointed out that he was with the Denver Broncos organization when Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis had his career cut short by recurring knee and other injuries, and he doesn’t want to be part of watching that happen to Barkley.

“We went to be smart with Saquon,” Gettleman said. “:He’s really done a great job with the rehab. He just has this real mature, taking care of business mentality right now.”

Offensive line development

Gettleman, of course, was asked about the state of the unproven offensive line.

“We like the starting group,” Gettleman said.

“We’re young all the way across the front. It’s kinda like … the only way you’re going to get better is to get between the white lines and play.

“One of the things people have to understand is we’re in the NFC East. If you don’t have inside power it’s going to be a long year for you. Last year this young group showed, we were 4-2 in the NFC East, could have just as easily been 5-1, we weren’t. We were 4-2, we played with Washington’s, Philly’s and Dallas’s inside power and these guys, they’re getting better. I feel good about this group.”

Gettleman acknowledged that the depth, impacted by the retirements of Zach Fulton and Joe Looney, needs to addressed.

“Obviously we’ve gotta keep working the back end over, you’re never done tinkering with your roster,” Gettleman said.

“Everybody wants decisions made yesterday. Can we please get in pads and play a game? Can we try that on for size?”

Here is Gettleman’s reaction to the decisions by Fulton and Looney, as well as linebacker Todd Davis.

“A lot of the guys that are retiring, I’m sorry, but this pandemic gave a lot of people a different way of looking at life and the guys we had, those two guys and don’t forget Todd Davis, seven-plu8s year vets, very smart guys, obviously were smart with their money and had second careers, thoughts about a second life. I think it’s really a big function of this pandemic, I really do. It’s just different.

“They were great guys, really smart. They made the decision that was best for them, so we keep movin’. Yes it makes it interesting for us in the front office, but we keep doing our thing.”

On Daniel Jones’ third season

Giants fans are waiting for, hoping for, maybe even demanding in some circles, a third=year leap from Jones similar to the one Josh Allen took for the Buffalo Bills last season.

“This is an important year for Daniel, important year for us. What can I tell you? I’m stating the obvious. I have great confidence, great faith in him … I have great confidence in Daniel Jones,” Gettleman said.