PIERCE POISED TO SIGN WITH GIANTS

skins4l1fe · Post by **skins4l1fe** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:18 pm

profootballtalk reports:
The NFC East linebacker shuffle will continue.

In past years, guys like Jeremiah Trotter and Jessie Armstead jumped from one NFC East squad to another, with both coming to the Redskins.

This time around, the linebacker is walking from Washington to New York.

A league source tells us that the Giants soon will sign free-agent linebacker Antonio Pierce to a six-year contract worth up to $25 million.

Pierce, an undrafted free agent signed by the Redskins in 2001, had 112 tackles, one sack and two interceptions in 2004, his fourth season as a pro. He is generally considered to be the top linebacker available in free agency this year

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:20 pm

Wow. That would be a big deal for NY, and a huge loss for us.
If it happens, the team has no one to blame. They had every opportunity to get it done.
Still...25 mil ?

Smithian · Post by **Smithian** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:20 pm

I know... You beat me too it... :cry:

oafusp · Post by **oafusp** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:21 pm

A Giants fan stopped by earlier and said the Gnats were about to sign Kendrell Bell.
http://www.the-hogs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11520

Take what the media says with a grain of salt over the next few days. Don't believe it until you hear it is a done deal.

I also heard that the Chargers were interested in Peirce....this came from Pierces mouth in an interview today.

air_hog · Post by **air_hog** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:23 pm

yeah, i heard they are going after Kendrell Bell too.

hopefully they get him, so we get back #58.

fredp45 · Post by **fredp45** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:26 pm

I don't want Pierce if it would cost 25 mil over 6 years, forget it...let's wait and see if Barrow can play or if someone gets cut post June 1... We could move Washington inside too, or we could see if Clinton Smith is ready to play...

oafusp · Post by **oafusp** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:28 pm

If he does go I will be bitter.

He said, all he wanted was a $5-8 million bonus. Not bad for a young guy, stretch the bonus over 6-7 years.

And to think the 30 year old Dexter Coakley got a 5 year $15 million dollar deal in the early hours of FA.

Great Natale · Post by **Great Natale** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:30 pm

Face it guys "WE BLEW IT" He is not worth that much to us for
A) He only has one season he proved himself in
B) He can be adequately replaced by Barrow/Lemar.

IF this is true...if wish him the best of luck. I don't even mind him going to the Giants. They suck!!!!

oafusp · Post by **oafusp** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:33 pm

Remember when he got a penalty for barking like a dog during a field goal!

ROTFALMAO

If he leaves the Skins I will remember that as his legacy.

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:33 pm

For $25m on a 6-year deal... they can have him.

The transition tag for a linebacker... the average of the TOP 10 linebacksers in the league is just a hair above $5M per year.

... if there's any truth to that rumor then I can certainly understand why he hasn't been re-signed by the Redskins. That's a lot of bread for a backup who had one great season in a system defense.

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:33 pm

Great Natale wrote:A) He only has one season he proved himself in
B) He can be adequately replaced by Barrow/Lemar.

I'm not touching that statement on Barrow.

...and that one good season...is it worth 5 mil per ? If his play last year was any kind of indication, I'd probably have to say "yeah".

air_hog · Post by **air_hog** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:36 pm

he might not have the most athletic ability and lemar marshall might be as good as him

but he runs our D like no other. He's got the mental part of it down, and every good team needs a strong leader.

oafusp · Post by **oafusp** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:41 pm

Here we go....LINK:
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs ... 8/SPORTS01

At least for the opening days of the free-agent period, which began at 12:01 a.m. today, the Giants have confined themselves to two areas of need â€” the offensive line and linebacker.

While they may well address other areas like wide receiver or cornerback down the road, salary cap permitting, the Giants' first intention was to find either a right or left tackle and a middle linebacker. To that end, it was anticipated that general manager Ernie Accorsi's first phone calls would go to the representatives of Buffalo left tackle Jonas Jennings, Jets right tackle Kareem McKenzie, Pittsburgh linebacker Kendrell Bell and Washington linebacker Antonio Pierce.

In addition, discussions had opened with Jay Fiedler, the released Dolphin who would come as Eli Manning's backup. The Giants appear willing to give him more than a $1 million signing bonus for a long-term contract.

The most interesting of the initial group are the two linebackers. In his first season as a regular starter, Pierce became a key piece in the Redskins' third-ranked overall defense and second-ranked run defense with 160 tackles from the middle spot. Bell is a two-time Pro Bowl selection who has proved he can both rush the passer and stop the run from the Steelers' 3-4 alignment.

But Bell comes off a year in which a hernia kept him out for all but three regular-season games. Still, neither Bell's health issues nor Pierce's relative inexperience will keep the Giants from throwing good chunks of their approximately $8 million of cap space at them.

Though released Tennessee wide receiver Derrick Mason remains a possibility, he is reportedly asking for $4 million, which may be too steep for the Giants. A league source indicated they may even put off the need at receiver until the draft.

While they pursue outside talent, the Giants also plan to try to re-sign some of their own. Tight end Marcellus Rivers, running back Mike Cloud, fullback Jim Finn, defensive lineman Lance Legree and quarterback Jesse Palmer are all expected to get offers. But former first-round running back Ron Dayne is not expected to return, nor is kicker Steve Christie.

Better yet
http://news.google.com/news?q=antonio%2 ... a=N&tab=wn

I only see speculation....nothing firm....yet.

truskinsfan18 · Post by **truskinsfan18** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:47 pm

I would be so mad if Pierce ended up with the giants...I dont understand Pierce is he playing mind games, i thought yesterday in a thread someone said pierce is optimistic for going to the skins, and now next day hes optimistic for going to giants, what is this, im lost someone help me out

Chris Luva Luva · Post by **Chris Luva Luva** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:47 pm

The Giants would be dumb to pay that much for him. He's great & all, I want him here but he's not worth 25mil. I think Im going to call bull on this rumour.

eread · Post by **eread** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:56 pm

Please tell me that Jake has a job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

fands57 · Post by **fands57** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:58 pm

Pierce is definitely a Giant.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3433974

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 10:59 pm

eread wrote:Please tell me that Jake has a job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You posted this twice, and I didn't "get" it either time.
:hmm:

Redskins4Life · Post by **Redskins4Life** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 11:11 pm

tcwest10 wrote:
eread wrote:Please tell me that Jake has a job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You posted this twice, and I didn't "get" it either time.

I think he means that usually Jake is the first one to post these kinds of stories or at least gives insight on whats going on, but hes not here, so hes hoping that his reason for not being here is that he has a job.... And if Pierce leaves I can't say I wish him the best because he went to the rival Giants, and I hope it turns out that hes just a system linebacker

ejay183 · Post by **ejay183** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 11:13 pm

I really liked Pierce, i thought he was our long term answer at MLB. Now I will be crushed twice a year when we beat the Giants and Pierce will realized he should have stuck around with us.

njskinsfan · Post by **njskinsfan** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 11:15 pm

I have two words for you guys ..... SHAWN BARBER !

It is the same situation. We could not afford Barber and another team could. i believe KC gave Barber a 5-yr. 25-30 million dollar contract.

"The Daniel" will give him a fair deal.. just like Smoot. If they want to stay, they will stay. If they don't, via con dios.

Or as the Greaseman would say ....... AMF

BringThePain! · Post by **BringThePain!** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 11:16 pm

here it is:

Sources told FOXSports.com that the Giants have come to terms on a deal with Washington Redskins MLB Antonio Pierce, a huge loss for their division rivals Redskins. Pierce also had interest from the Chiefs and an offer from the Vikings, who jumped into the fray today.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3433974

Product of the system... My 2 cents

.. we can find someone to fill his shoes..

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 11:20 pm

If it's true...I have to believe that we let him get away because there is a Plan B. If he were that crucial to the plan, he'd have been franchised.

BossHog · Post by **BossHog** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 11:21 pm

The deal is a six-year deal worth $26 million and includes a $6.5 million signing bonus, a tremendous figure for the up-and-coming linebacker. The structure of the deal is also done in a way to benefit the Giants salary cap and gives them some wiggle room over the course of the deal. Pierce has not yet signed but the agreement is in place.

Good for AP... but I certainly won't fault the Redskins for not paying him that price. That's a lot of coin for his still relatively unproven services.

Smithian · Post by **Smithian** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 11:25 pm

oafusp wrote:Remember when he got a penalty for barking like a dog during a field goal!

If he leaves the Skins I will remember that as his legacy

What game?