Gettleman is particularly impressed that Williams played in all 71 games in his Jets career, starting all but one of them.

"When you're building your team, especially in the offseason, you count on guys to be available," Gettleman said. "When you get into a situation where you can't count on a guy, how do you plan? The best ability sometimes is availability. Leonard has been available his whole career. We just think that he has plenty of upside, he's athletic, he can run.

"The other thing we love about him is he plays strong, he plays as powerful. He's a really good athlete. He chases the ball all over the place. He's running. Especially when your linebackers can corral those guys and they make them stop and futz around, and you get these big ol' hog mollies coming from behind, you're going to get some balls out. That's another thing about Leonard that really makes him special."

Williams can become a free agent after this season, but Gettleman would like him to be a long-term member of the Giants.

"We gave up a three and a five. Our goal is to sign him long-term. He's only 25-years-old. And obviously talented. He's a piece you can build around."

Gettleman also likes the fact that the trade is an interesting footnote in Giants history, because it is just the second ever consummated between the Giants and Jets. The first, however, was voided.

On Aug. 23, 1983, the Giants traded center Chris Foote to the Jets for a draft choice. But the Jets released Foote six days later, nullifying the trade. Foote re-signed with the Giants on Sept. 12 and he played in 11 games for them that season.