Giants release emotional leader Pierce

Antonio Pierce had immodest goals when he became a Giant in 2005.

"When I came to New York, I wanted to be a dominant player and help this organization win a championship, which we did in Super Bowl XLII," Pierce said.

"I wanted to be a leader and I did that and was voted a captain for three years and another two years when we didn't have captains and I was still out there. I wanted to be a guy who always led by example, a guy you could count on every day. You never had to worry if A.P. was going to be at practice or if he was going to show up for the game. I was going to be there."

But he no longer will be. At least not for the Giants.

Yesterday, the team released Pierce, the literal and emotional centerpiece of its defense for five seasons. It was a move that was expected because the 31-year-old had one year remaining on his contract, missed the last seven games of the 2009 season with a bulging disc in his neck and saw his production slip in the last two seasons.

Still, Pierce left his mark on the team.

"When we brought him in here, we were interested in A.P. for all of the dimensions he brought to the table," coach Tom Coughlin said, listing his leadership and intelligence as those qualities. "He has worn that Giant uniform very, very proudly."

In five years with the Giants, Pierce had 537 tackles, seven sacks, six forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and four interceptions. He led the team in tackles three times.

"I'm very confident there will be a number of teams interested in signing Antonio," said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, adding that a recent MRI showed that Pierce's neck is in good shape and that he is "ready to play."

Jonathan Goff filled in for Pierce for most of the time he missed in 2009 and is the most likely candidate on the current roster to play the position in 2010. But with Goff far from dynamic at the position, the Giants could explore other options through free agency or the draft.

The Cardinals' Karlos Dansby is expected to be the biggest name at the position on the free-agent market. Two high-impact middle linebackers - Brandon Spikes (Florida) and Rolando McClain (Alabama) - could be available when the Giants make their first-round pick in April.

When Pierce signed with the Giants after four years with the Redskins, he relished playing against his former team. His departure from the Giants comes with far less negativity.

"I appreciate everything the Giants' organization has done for me," Pierce said. "I told both Tom Coughlin and Jerry Reese when I sat in front of them that I have no animosity, I have no anger. It's nowhere near that kind of situation.

"I have nothing but very strong love for the New York Giants," he added. "Obviously, I wanted to end it when my contract ended, but it didn't. It ended a year early. But I have no regrets. I have nothing to look back on and wish I had done it differently. Now it's time to look forward at the possibilities that I have."