Giants GM Dave Gettleman and assistant GM Kevin Abrams spoke on a conference call on Monday afternoon.

Here are the takeaways...

Why did Leonard Williams get the franchise tag instead of transition tag?

"What it came down to was we felt very good about our cap space," Gettleman said, adding that it was "more prudent" to use the franchise tag over the cheaper transition tag.

Before placing the tag on Williams, Gettleman had said he was prepared to let him walk if that was in the best interest of the team, noting that he had the "rhino" hide to be able to deal with it had he let him leave for nothing after trading two valuable draft picks for him last season.

On Nate Solder and the offensive tackle situation

"At the end of the day, we signed Cameron Fleming. ... I know this sounds crazy, but -- number one -- we've got faith in Nick Gates, a kid we signed two years ago (as a) free agent out of Nebraska. He missed his rookie year, he was on IR, but last year he (showed) a lot of promise. We're excited about him. ... Nate had a rough year last year. Nobody is denying it. Certainly he is not."

Gettleman added that "after the '18 season, nobody was talking about Nate Solder," but also cited the depth of the tackle talent in the upcoming NFL Draft as a way to potentially infuse talent.

How does he feel about the pass-rush?

"There's more work to be done," Gettleman said, while also lauding the addition of linebacker Blake Martinez.

Gettleman also talked up Kyler Fackrell, noting that he had double-digit sacks a few seasons ago.

"You just gotta keep building. We're excited about the draft, there's good players there. And we're just gonna continue to get better."

Why is the team not in position to sign a player like Jadeveon Clowney?

"Part of the tightrope you walk on is short-term and long-term. Part of the long-term is we've got some good young players right now," talking about the team's potential need to re-sign Evan Engram and Jabrill Peppers.

"After another year, you're gonna be banging on me about Saquon (Barkley)."

Gettleman went on to explain that the "collaborative decision" right now is to place an emphasis on potentially retaining their own players than going after a high-priced free agent such as Clowney.

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