Giants GM Dave Gettleman: Eli Manning ‘can still make all the throws’

INDIANAPOLIS — Pat Kirwan began the interview with New York Giants General Manager Dave Gettleman on Movin’ The Chains this way: “First time it’s third-and-5, is it Eli to Odell?”

“Hopefully, it’s a first down,” Gettleman said on the SiriusXM NFL Radio set with Kirwan and Jim Miller at the NFL Scouting Combine. “First-and-10!”

‘In my mind, there’s been this negative narrative on Eli for the last four or five years’

Gettleman proceeded to explain that, even with the history of success with receiver Odell Beckham Jr., quarterback Eli Manning has been subjected to criticism because of the team’s overall struggles in multiple seasons.

“I’ve done studies, if you’re on your back, it’s really hard to complete a pass.”

“In my mind, there’s been this negative negative narrative on Eli for the last four or five years,” Gettleman said. “It’s part and parcel (to the fact) they weren’t winning. They only had the one winning year, and I understand that.

‘Once the O-line got settled down this year, in the second half of the season, (the offense improved)’

“But football’s the ultimate team game. And I’ve done studies, if you’re on your back, it’s really hard to complete a pass. Once the O-line got settled down this year, in the second half of the season, (the offense improved). And you watch Eli, he can still make all the throws.”

Still, Gettleman, while offering no specifics about the Giants’ draft plans, kept the door wide open to looking for help at all spots.

‘I’ve got to be honest, I don’t know if I’ve seen the draft this deep in a long time’

“Listen, if you’ve got a great player in a position and the draft comes up and there’s a great player at the same position right there staring you in the face, you’ve got to take him,” he said. “There’s going to be a time when that guy’s gone. … I’ve got to be honest, I don’t know if I’ve seen the draft this deep in a long time. We have 10 picks right now and I’m thrilled.”