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Per ESPN Insider:

Joyner: Pierce could play in 3-4
1:32
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Antonio Pierce | Giants | Interested: Rams?, Dolphins? Top Email

During the New York Giants' season-ending news conference, GM Jerry Reese did not seem too enthusiastic about Antonio Pierce's prospects moving forward. On Thursday, the expected decision became official: the Newark Star-Ledger reported that the team released Pierce, confirmed via email from the veteran LB to beat writer Mike Garafolo.

Jonathan Goff will certainly be in the mix to start next season for the Giants, but Karlos Dansby could be an option, and the team will also scout collegiate options quite extensively prior to the draft.

What about the market for Pierce? His agent Drew Rosenhaus tweeted on Thursday with the kind of optimism we've come to expect: "Antonio Pierce is a free agent and there is great interest in signing him now that he's healthy. His back has improved and he's ready to go!" If he can prove that his injury troubles are truly behind him (or at least being managed), we could see the Vikings take a look, given their own uncertain future at MLB after the injury to E.J. Henderson. If Pierce can convert to a 3-4 ILB, there might be a job for him with the Pats (Albert Breer of the Boston Globe notes the issues with that), Cowboys or Dolphins, too. Beat writer Armando Salguero tweeted on Thursday afternoon that Pierce could be a fit for the team's "Acorn" position. As the speculation continues, NFC East blogger Matt Mosley thinks perhaps a reunion with his old defensive coordinator will take place and he could end up with the Rams.

We asked the Football Scientist KC Joyner how well Pierce would adjust to being an ILB in a 3-4 defensive scheme, and here's his take:


KC Joyner
Pierce could be the "finisher"
"Pierce might be a good fit in a 3-4 if he were put into the right role. 3-4 fronts usually have one LB who pursues running plays and attempts to funnel things back to the other inside LB to make the tackle. Pierce may not have the requisite speed to fill the pursuit role but he does have solid tackling skills that make him a good fit for the finisher role."