It is being reported that the New York Giants will cut middle linebacker Antonio Pierce. Pierce was their on-field leader and signal caller for the past 5 seasons which include a Super Bowl win in Super Bowl XLII. I can't say that this is a move that shocks me. Pierce was starting to show his age the past two years playing in pass protection and tackling. His tackles dropped significantly since 2006. Running backs were starting to run by him as he began to slow this year prior to his season ending due to injury.
I will be forever grateful to Pierce for how he lead the defense to that memorable Super Bowl in 2007. I wish him well in his future in the NFL, someone will sign him.
But I think this move is the right one for the Giants to make taking into account the collective bargaining agreement. The Giants need to make a move to get younger, and this is a great start. I believe Jonathon Goff played well in the time he was given and would like to see more of him in the coming year. The Giants need another outside linebacker to play opposite of Michael Boley. Boley, when healthy, played well last season and was their best pass defender at the linebacker position. I believe the Giants will look in the draft to pick up some linebackers who can step up.
I have searched through many draft sites and found that most have the Giants selecting either Brandon Spikes from Florida or Rolando McClain from Alabama. Considering the big Gator fan I am I would love to see the Giants take Spikes, but I think the better fit would be McClain. Much faster and much more versatile, but not the tackler Spikes is. But tackling can be taught, speed can't.
The Giants should also look into terminating the contracts of Rocky Bernard and Fred Robbins. Both veterans who's contracts can be dumped to pursue younger players on the defensive line. Let Jay Alford and Barry Cofield, both very good young players, get the starting job next year and bring in some other players to compete with them.
While we are on the topic of the Giants, one guy I would love to see in a Giants uniform is Bob Sanders. Assuming the Colts terminate the final 2 years of his contract, I think he would be a PERFECT fit to play opposite Kenny Phillips at safety. Sanders can show the young Phillips the ropes of the position and, assuming he's healthy, still contribute as one of the best tackling safety's in the league. Michael Johnson is a good safety, but not yet ready to be a starter every week. I believe he will benefit from Sanders' presence as well.
Jerry Reese has some tough and interesting decisions to make in the coming weeks. We'll have to wait and see what he does and react to it as it happens.
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