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Former Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said team needs a big-time tight end.

(Jim O'Connor/USA Today)

Former Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride revealed some interesting thoughts about the 2013 season on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday night.

Gilbride, who insisted that it was his decision to retire - "Sometimes it reaches a point where you have to say 'Enough is enough' and I think I reached that point this year" - touched on a variety of subjects.

• On the offensive line: "We had been concerned about depth in the offensive line for a while now. That group has aged." He added that the problems along the offensive line "made it impossible for (Eli Manning) to function.

"He's not a scrambler. You give him some help and he's proven he can win a championship."

Gilbride also said that protection problems forced him to use more three-step drops and play-action (and opposing defenses soon caught on) instead of five- and seven-step drops, which are Manning's strength. He said addressing the offensive line must be the team's top off-season priority.

• On Mike Sullivan: He said the former Giants assistant would be a "good choice" to replace him, especially if the Giants want "a seamless transition."

• On tight end Brandon Myers: He said Myers would be a good No. 2 tight end. He said the Giants need a bigger, faster tight end and there's "no question" they'll "bring in some people" (i.e. a veteran) at the position.

• On the wide receivers: He said slot receiver Victor Cruz had an outstanding season and it was even more impressive because "it became readily apparent to defenses we weren't playing well on the outside positions."

• On the running backs: He said the Giants need a "bell cow" at the position.

• On left tackle Will Beatty: "I think there's no question (Beatty) has the physical skills to play the left tackle position."