NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Jonathan Stewart is the counterweight to DeAngelo Williams' vocal criticism of new Giants general manager Dave Gettleman.
Once upon a time, all three were together with the Carolina Panthers. While Williams hasn't held back in voicing his dislike for Gettleman, Stewart has followed Gettleman to New York.
The Giants signed Stewart to a two-year, $6.9 million contract on Tuesday.
So what does the 30-year-old running back see in Gettleman that Williams doesn't?
"I think really just looking at Dave Gettleman's history and how he's been able to build teams into winning teams and good culture and a good environment," Stewart told WFAN's "The Afternoon Drive" on Wednesday. "I've seen it first-hand, him coming to Carolina and doing it.
"I think Dave is a straightforward guy. He calls an ace an ace, a spade a spade. I think in any type of business that you run, you want that. You don't want anyone to beat around the bush, and I think he's been successful in that, and he's got the résumé to prove that his message works. I'm just honored to be one of those guys that he expects to come in and perform for him."
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That's a far cry from how Williams feels about Gettleman, whom he once called a "snake" on Twitter. Gettleman was behind the decision to release Williams in February 2015.
"I've been here for nine years. I've played through injuries. …. You give everything you possibly can for an organization, and the way that they let you go is, 'Hey man, you out of here,'" Williams told WFAN in January. "They let Steve (Smith) go through a text message."
When asked then what advice he'd have for Giants players, Williams said: "He is your problem now. ... Be very cautious because he's one of those guys (who) once he gets his guys in there, then he'd develop that relationship with them. He's not trying to develop a relationship with the guys that are already there because he doesn't know them."
Stewart, meanwhile, will join a backfield that also includes Paul Perkins, Wayne Gallman and possibly Saquon Barkley if the Giants select the much-hyped Penn State product in next month's draft.
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Stewart, who rushed for 7,318 yards in his 10 seasons with Carolina, said he has no problems sharing a backfield and mentoring a rising star such as Barkley.
"I'm going in my 11th year," he said. "I've experienced a lot when it comes to this game of football. Been on some winning teams; been on some losing teams. I've been a part of good locker rooms, and I think I can definitely provide insight on what it is to be a pro."
More often than not, running backs on the wrong side of 30 see a steep decline in their play, and Stewart's yards-per-carry average has fallen from 4.1 to 3.8 to 3.4 over the past couple of years.
But he said stats sometimes can be misleading.
"My body's healthy. I'm fresh. I feel good," he said. "So there's no reason why I shouldn't have a successful season this year, and I'm looking forward to proving a lot of people wrong."
To listen to the interview, click on the audio player above.
