The Antonio Pierce question.

Everyone knew it had to happen eventually.  At some point, the Giants were going to have to make the difficult decision and break it to him.  They did it this week when the Giants released Linebacker Antonio Pierce.

To those unfamiliar with AP, let me break it down for you.  AP was the leader of this team no doubt.  Want to know how much of a leader he was?  Last season when he went down with the neck injury that made Giant officials question his effectiveness from there on out, he’s the first guy that greeted teammates after a big play.

Now why is that such a big deal?  In the team dynamic of sports, there is no greater ideal existent in a leader than cheerleader.  See?  The word leader is embedded in there for a reason.  No matter what you may think of that word, i mean it in no disrespect to AP.  He was their number one fan.  A  consummate pro.  But that scene of him hi-fiving the guys and giving them pats on the butt and trying to keep their heads up is such a huge sign of his commitment to the team.

He wasn’t sitting around looking sad about not playing.  He wasn’t upset over his situation and making comments about how there was no hope.  He did his rehab but he was always on the field.  For most NFL players the field is what matters.  Locker rooms are private sanctuaries that even the most skilled writer would have a tough time personalizing.

My lasting image of AP was the Super Bowl season in 2007 when reporters were crowding around the Giants and questioning them about their second consecutive loss.  AP, with blow horn in hand, kept ringing it every time a reporter asked a question that he didn’t like.  Sure it was immature but symbolic of how they were going to stick together as a team and not listen to the criticism.  Their defense had just given up 80 points in two games with a first year defensive coordinator and the wolves were descending and AP would have none of it.  Choosing rather, to believe in his rookie D-Coordinator’s system and not fall into the media’s trap of playing who’s at fault.  That D-coordinator is Steve Spagnuolo and we all know how Tom Brady and the formerly 18-0 Patriots feel about Spags’ defensive philosophy.

A leader isn’t necessarily your best player but he’s certainly high on the list of important players.  As a middle LB, his responsibilities included being coach on the field.  The captain who had to make all the right reads and put the rest of the players in the right position to make plays.  But it was that responsibility that may have led to his release.  The last two seasons the NFL has seen a huge infusion of talented Middle Linebackers starting with Mr. Patrick Willis in San Francisco.  Fast, physical and smart, he’s been the poster child for newer incoming players.  However whereas intelligence was paramount at the position, speed is what killed AP.  He didn’t have it.  Another lasting memory I have is in 2008 when the Giants played the Eagles and Brian Westbrook caught a simple check down pass and completely breezed right by AP and in for a touchdown.  That play symbolized AP to a tee.  He saw the play coming, broke for it as fast as he could, but couldn’t get there in time and was beat.  That can’t happen and its not fair for the Giants to be that weak in such a critical area.

Who are the possible replacements?  The draft is always an area to find a MLB but who is projected as an impact MLB right away?  I trust Jerry Reese as he’s unearthed some beautiful finds in the draft before and undoubtedly will do his due dilligence but Jerry might want to look at the unrestricted FA pool.  With the new cap rules, certain players will be locked into their teams but some won’t.  One of those will be Karlos Dansby.  Now, its perfectly likely that Arizona might franchise tag him again, and under the new rules if they don’t sign a CBA, they have the ability to tab two players with the franchise sticker, but its more than likely the Cards might find it in their best interest to let Dansby walk.  He would be nice but his speed isn’t such a bigger plus over AP’s that I see the Giants necessarily giving up draft picks to get him if he’s tagged.  Therefore I see the Giants looking at the draft and possibly getting Brandon Spikes from Florida.  Mid season he was a first round pick projected by Todd McShay and the draft guru Mel Kiper, he’s now looking at the second round unless he performs spectacularly in the Combine.  You know the place where if you can run real fast and run through cones quick or hit tackle dummies really well and lift a lot of weight a lot of times you will be a future hall of famer in waiting?

Well, the Giants will be looking for a replacement in the draft I would venture to guess but the void will truly be felt in the locker room.  The Giants have no leader.  Not a single one.  Eli Manning is too Mayberry looking to be taken seriously by anyone though he has the chops.  Osi Umeniyora is too busy lobbying to be a starter on the team and letting everyone and anyone know that he will NOT take a reserve role.  Justin Tuck is too busy doing Subway ads with an ever expanding Jared (take it easy on the meatball sub there guy), and Michael Strahan who adorably is a homer for his former team on national television.  Who else is on the roster that you could foresee stepping up and being that leader to ring a blowhorn in a reporter’s ear if the Giants get off to a slow start with a first year defensive coordinator?  Who’s going to step up and assume the mantle of leadership on this team?  Training camp should be interesting this year if for no other reason to see who’s packing the stones to step up.

At least we knew what the Giants had in AP.  He was the unquestioned leader and even shared the duties (hee hee) with Michael Strahan during his final season.  Who’s going to emerge?  Only two hundred odd days till next season starts.  Let’s see.