By James Kratch | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Giants' decision to hire Dave Gettleman as their new general manager will be criticized by many as more of the same.

When general manager Jerry Reese and head coach Ben McAdoo were fired on Dec. 4, Giants co-owner John Mara said wholesale changes were needed. It will be difficult to view Gettleman's hire as that for many given his close ties to the organization.

Gettleman spent 15 years with the Giants' organization before becoming a general manager with the Panthers in 2013. He was the runner-up to Reese when the Giants made their last GM hire in 2007 following Ernie Accorsi's retirement.

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Many fans and observers will see this as nothing more than the Giants maintaining continuity and making the comfortable hire. The quibble, of course, is that continuity has produced a 41-54 record with one playoff appearance in the six seasons since the team won Super Bowl XLVI.

However, Gettleman and Reese do have significant differences. Here are five ways the two men are different, and why the Giants' decision to hire Gettleman may bring more change than first meets the eye:

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Team-building philosophy:

Gettleman believes winning teams are build from the lines out. During his time as Panthers general manager, he placed emphasis on the offensive and defensive lines, as well as more importance on positions like linebacker and tight end - spots Reese was often criticizing for not giving enough weight to.

Reese, on the other hand, tended to lean more toward skill players, whether they be cornerbacks and safeties on defense, or receivers and other weapons on offense. One of Gettleman's top priorities will be to rebuild the Giants' offensive line and add depth on the defensive line, as well as address the team's linebacker situation.

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Football background:

Reese came from a scouting background and worked his way up through the Giants' organization as a scout, mainly focusing on college players and the NFL Draft. Gettleman has a pro personnel background, working on professional scouting. He has more draft experience now, though, due to his time as Panthers GM.

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Media relations:

Reese had a contentious relationship with the local media. He often appeared uncomfortable in press conference settings and got defensive frequently when faced with direct and tough questions. He most notably lost his cool when discussing the team's poor draft record in 2015 and the Josh Brown domestic violence situation in 2016.

Gettleman, on the other hand, is much more comfortable fulfilling his media responsibilities and has an outgoing, friendly demeanor in press conferences. Reese's front-facing image became a drag for him at the end of his tenure, and the Giants needed to make sure their next general manager could act as a more effective spokesman for the team. Gettleman will be able to handle that role.

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Player relations:

This will be an area that gives some Giants fans who are down on the hire pause. Gettleman had several high-profile dust-ups with veteran players when it came to financials. When he was fired by the Panthers in the summer, reportedly in part due to poor relations with certain star players, many big names were vocal in their public condemnations of Gettleman. Reese, on the other hand, was known to have good relationships - if not public ones - with players.

Gettleman has taken a hard-line stance with contract negotiations before, so that will be something to watch when the time comes to talk extensions with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and safety Landon Collins.

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NFL Draft flexibility:

Reese was often criticized for his inability, or refusal, to work the board during drafts. The Giants never traded down during his tenure. While they traded up on a handful of occasions, the only move up the board of note was to secure Collins in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Reese also stood pat the last two drafts when known Giants targets were taken ahead of him (and his inaction has since blown up in the case of Eli Apple).

Gettleman was by no means a wheeler and dealer as Panthers GM, but he did show more draft flexibility than Reese and made several high profile moves up the board with Carolina to secure players he had targeted, rather than sitting idly and allowing other teams to grab them. A look at his deals and philosophy can be found here.

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Michael Conroy | AP Photo

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More on Gettleman hire:

• Giants hire Gettleman: Press conference set for Friday

• Gettleman vs. Reese: How do their draft classes compare?

• Head coach: Will Gettleman target Panthers' Steve Wilks?

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TALK IS CHEAP: The Eli Apple saga

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James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.