Thaindian News

By Madhuri Dey
New York, Feb 12, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The New York Giants have let go of their middle linebacker, Antonio Pierce. Antonio Pierce had been the quarterback of the team for the last five years. The position of the veteran player was put in jeopardy after he suffered from a grave injury in the neck in 2009. Following the injury, he was not able to take part in seven games in the entire season, and as a result of his absence, a key player in the team, the New York Giants lost 427 points. Although he was not actually released after the injury, the chances of his staying in the team had indeed become quite slim.

In fact, Antonio Pierce’s being released from the team does not come as much of a surprise, considering Bill Sheridan, the defensive coordinator and Mike Waufle, the defensive line coach, were fired after the New York Giants slipped far down in the ladder following the unfortunate neck injury. However, the injury was not the only factor that played its part; in 2008, Antonio Pierce had been in the spotlight for having taken Plaxico Burress’ illegally possessed gun with him to New Jersey. Before that, he had himself driven the player to the hospital, who had shot himself with the same gun. That time around, he was not indicted, but the incident left a bad impression on the team.

The most important factor had obviously been the poor ratings of the team in NFL this season. The former captain and Pro-Bowler commented that he did not have any resentment against the team for having made this decision. It has not yet been decided who would be playing in his position.