For Pierce, a 'Scoop And a Score'
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
September 4, 2004
The football popped out of Michael Vick's arms and it lay on the ground waiting. It was Antonio Pierce who scooped up the fumble and ran to the end zone for an easy touchdown.
"It felt like a tennis ball and I just wanted to make sure I didn't fumble it myself," Pierce said.
Antonio Pierce had never played middle linebacker in a game prior to the 2004 preseason. (Mitchell Layton Photo)
The Redskins' versatile linebacker has started four of the Redskins' preseason games in the middle. Since he signed with the Redskins as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2001, he has played all three linebacker positions.
And he has impressed the new defensive coaching staff.
"I think it speaks volumes for Antonio's versatility that he can fit in all of the linebacker positions," assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams said. "Linebackers need to be the heart and soul of your special teams and your defense anyway. He's the ideal guy because he can run and hit and play all three."
Said Pierce: "I look at it like this: Whenever coaches put me in, I'm going to give whatever I have, whether it's at middle, weak-side or strong-side. I want to play--and coaches are giving me the opportunity to play."
In three NFL seasons, Pierce has played 40 games with 10 starts, logging 89 tackles, one interception and one sack. He was thrown into the fire his rookie, starting eight games in place of injured starter Shawn Barber. A year later, the team signed Jessie Armstead and Jeremiah Trotter, and Pierce was relegated to backup.
This preseason, Pierce has replaced veteran Mike Barrow in the starting lineup. Barrow has tendinitis in his left knee and has not practiced for several weeks. His status is uncertain for the regular season opener on Sept. 12, although team officials were optimistic he'd be able to return to practice this week.
In Barrow's absence, Pierce has picked up the defense quickly enough to call defensive signals.
"The middle linebacker makes a lot of calls to help the defense get in a better situation," Pierce said. "I appreciate it and I'm taking that responsibility on. For however long I can hold things up until Mike Barrow comes back, I'll do my best."
His touchdown in Friday's game was more being in the right place at the right time. LaVar Arrington had sacked Vick and forced the fumble. Pierce was the first of several defenders to scoop up the ball.
"LaVar made a great hit on the quarterback and knocked the ball loose," he said. "I was there to just scoop and score.
"It feels good. I wish it were a regular season game. I wish it were something that counted. But I'll take it. It's something that'll motivate me as we get ready for Tampa Bay."
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