Giants co-owner John Mara has been blunt at times over the last three seasons as his team has gone a combined 12-36 while going through two head coaches.

One of the main issues that has plagued the Giants has been their offensive line, and Mara -- who said he believes the team is "on the right path" -- was fully on board with Dave Gettleman's decision to go heavy on offensive line prospects (including No. 4 overall pick Andrew Thomas) in the 2020 NFL Draft.

"These guys gotta prove themselves as players, but that was the focus going into the draft," Mara told Steve Serby of the New York Post. "It's something I've been banging on them for a while, we really had to get this fixed once and for all.

"In football, once you have the quarterback, you better have an offensive line. It sets the tone for the rest of the team, and if you're not blocking for the quarterback or for the running back, then you have very little chance."

Mara also weighed in on his decision to keep Gettleman, saying he is "absolutely" glad he brought him back after his future with Big Blue was very much in doubt after the season ended.

And you can count Mara among those who are not miffed with Gettleman's decision to trade two draft picks for Leonard Williams during the middle of the 2019 season.

"Leonard Williams is better than any player we could have drafted in the third round this year, that much I will say," Mara said. "And we hope at some point to get him signed."

Gettleman has maintained since trading for Williams that the expectation is that the Giants will sign him long-term. And Williams said shortly after being acquired that he was open to an extension. But the two sides were unable to reach an agreement earlier this offseason, leading the Giants to place the franchise tag on Williams.

Williams signed his franchise tender on April 22, but filed a grievance against the Giants soon after due to the fact that they tagged him as a defensive tackle instead of a defensive end.

Video: Dave Gettleman and Joe Judge talk drafting defense

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