Antonio Pierce Linebacker
One of the worst defensive seasons in New York Giants history claimed another victim – middle linebacker Antonio Pierce.
The Giants on Thursday released the 31-year-old veteran who quarterbacked the defense for the past five years in a tenure that included four trips to the playoffs and a Super Bowl victory over the previously undefeated New England Patriots in February 2008.
Pierce’s status with the team was put into question this season when he suffered a neck injury, forcing him to miss the final seven games of the season, a year in which the Giants surrendered 427 points.
Defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan and defensive line coach Mike Waufle were fired after the season and Pierce, who signed a $26 million contract as a free agent in 2005, was let go a month later.
Pierce also had one major off-the-field problem with the Giants. He drove a wounded Plaxico Burress to the hospital in November 2008 after the star receiver shot himself in a New York City nightclub and then took Burress’ unlicensed gun back to New Jersey.
A grand jury opted not to indict him this past summer, but the incident, which led to Burress being sent to prison, was a burden for Pierce and the team for almost a year, even though Giants president John Mara openly defended Pierce.
Tags: Antonio Pierce, Bill Sheridan, Bowl Victory, Coach Mike, Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Line Coach, Free Agent, Grand Jury, Mara, Middle Linebacker, New England, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Old Veteran, Plaxico Burress, President John, Seven Games, Star Receiver, Super Bowl, Tenure
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