Giants cut linebacker Antonio Pierce, injured heart and soul of defense
BY Ralph Vacchiano
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Thursday, February 11th 2010, 2:03 PM
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Antonio Pierce, the heart and soul of the Giants’ defense for most of his five years with the franchise, is officially an ex-Giant now.

The 31-year-old middle linebacker was officially released by the team today, according to a person familiar with the transaction, in a difficult, but hardly surprising move. Pierce, who was informed of the move this morning, confirmed the move in an e-mail.

The Giants are expected to officially announce it later today.

Pierce’s status has been in doubt ever since he suffered a herniated disc in his neck that caused him to miss the final seven games of last season. Due to that injury, his age, and the fact that he was due $4.75 million in salary in 2010, he figured to be expendable in the Giants’ defensive overhaul.

Still, the decision couldn’t have been an easy one. After signing a six-year, $26 million contract with the Giants as a free agent in 2005, Pierce almost immediately became the captain and leader of the Giants’ defense. He also was a force on the field at times, recording 107 tackles in 2006 and making his lone Pro Bowl as an alternate.

In 2007, Pierce was one of the emotional leaders of the team during its charge to the Super Bowl XLII championship. The Giants played that season with a huge chip on their shoulders and an us-against-the-world mentality, which they took largely from him. Pierce’s play, though, had declined in recent years and there were indications that even if he hadn’t gotten hurt the Giants were planning to explore their options before next season.

Second-year pro Jonathan Goff got a brief tryout as Pierce’s replacement during this past season, though it is more likely the Giants will find Pierce’s replacement in free agency or the draft.

Meanwhile, it’s not clear what’s next for the 6-1, 238-pound Pierce, who has played nine NFL seasons after making the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2001. It seems clear, however, that he still wants to play.

“I’m doing great, feeling great,” Pierce said in an e-mail. “Looking forward to endless possibilities. Loved every moment as a NY GIANTS.”

I would much rather have Foote back than sign Pierce.

A neck injury is pretty scary and I think it'd be easier to come back from Larry Foote's foot injury opposed to a neck injury.

A neck injury is exactly why we nor anyone else ever signed Al Wilson. . .

I would much rather have Foote back than sign Pierce.