Giants Release Pierce

[Giantone]

Originally Posted by SkinzzFan

No thanks. He's 32, had a pretty serious neck injury last year and seems to have lost a step. This would be a step back. We need an infusion of youth on both sides of the ball.

.............and now you know why the Giants cut him.

[Ruhskins]

Some info on Pierce's release and his health. I'm sure someone will pick him up.

NY Giants release linebacker Antonio Pierce | New York Giants: NJ.com - - NJ.com

[12thMan]

I'm in agreement with everyone else, AP has been falling apart the last two seasons. It really points to the fact of how durable London Fletcher is. But I think Pierce can come back, but I think he'll continue to have some lingering health issues.

[SmootSmack]

Wouldn't totally surprise me to see Pierce return home to California and reunite with Greg Manusky in San Fran

[GusFrerotte]

32 and a bulging disk in the neck, not a great combo to get excited about. We have, what 5 draft picks? Draft a MLB.

[GMScud]

He's fat and he's lost more than a few steps. I doubt he'll ever be a player of significance anymore. As for him coming back here, I say hell no.

[T.O.Killa]

He will probably be on the Patriots next year.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

He will probably be on the Patriots next year.

Good call actually. I've heard the LB is a big priority for them this offseason.

Also, according to Pierce, his neck has healed to 100%. He said the results of MRI he just had on the neck were "perfect."

Fantasy Football Breaking News - Rotoworld.com

[tryfuhl]

I'd be interested in who said no because of the neck said they wouldn't mind Samuels returning.

[MTK]

Well Samuels and Pierce don't have the same injuries, you would have to judge both on their own.

[Dirtbag59]

Per ESPN Insider:

Joyner: Pierce could play in 3-4
1:32
PM ET
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."

[Son Of Man]

We already have an older MLB and do not need another one. If HB is not the heir apparent to London, then we need to find a younger project player in the later rounds of the draft to groom behind him. Pierce doesn't have a place here.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Well Samuels and Pierce don't have the same injuries, you would have to judge both on their own.

Yeah that was kind of the point, Samuels' is degenerative and some guys are saying let's see about bringing him back. Pierce's is more of an alignment issue.

[Ruhskins]

So people don't want Pierce because he's too old (and people for some reason believe we're going to break the bank for him), they don't want Dansby because he'll cost too much money. So any other ideas for getting a decent ILB that doesn't include giving up picks on a trade (for RFAs, which I'm sure someone will bring one up) or using our #4 pick on a defensive player?

[CultBrennan59]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

So people don't want Pierce because he's too old (and people for some reason believe we're going to break the bank for him), they don't want Dansby because he'll cost too much money. So any other ideas for getting a decent ILB that doesn't include giving up picks on a trade (for RFAs, which I'm sure someone will bring one up) or using our #4 pick on a defensive player?

you bring in larry foote on a short deal (1-2 years) to teach the defense to our pro's and since he knows Lou Spanos from Pittsburgh. With our second round pick, if theres a LB like Spikes or Jerry Hughes who fit the 3-4 perfectly, and there aren't any OLineman(which I highly,highly doubt, there will most likely be a few guards and tackles and center worth of our second) then you get one of those guys.