Video: Antonio Pierce Talks to ESPN About Giants’ Win
After the game, Antonio Pierce spoke to ESPN about the Giants’ win.
Archive for the ‘Antonio Pierce’
Sept. 4th, 2008 - GAME DAY!!
Already this morning, I’ve been perusing the fan sites and blogs. I’m so eager for the game tonight.
One article by the Associated Press caught my eye. In it, they asserted that the new Redskins presented new problems for the New York Giants. Well, let’s hope so.
I don’t know about the rest of you guys, but I still have a hard time believing that the Giants are the Super Bowl champs. That goal line stand the Giants put up against the Skins seemed to spark their playoff run. In fact, during my interview with the DieHard Giants blog, I said as much. Defense is a state of mind. Any defense, regardless of the innate talent level that is present, that can adopt the attitude of, “we shall not be moved,” is going to be extremely hard to overcome.
So, while I acknowledge the talent they had on their defense last year, I don’t believe they were as good as they actually played during the playoffs, and especially in the Super Bowl. They just played lights out. It was sick.
But that was last year. They welcome our Skins tonight, and I’m expecting us to win. How could I not. I’m an optimist, remember.
The Associated Press believes that the Redskins have an advantage because of new head coach Jim Zorn. The figure that since no one has any film on him, and a database of how he calls games based on down and/or yardage, the Giants welcome the Skins with one hand tied behind their back. Hmmm… I’m not that much of an optimist. The Giants are going to bring the “rain.” They will attack Jason Campbell from all angles to rattle him early.
How Jim Zorn handles that pressure in his play calling will determine how well Jason Campbell fares.
Still, even the Giants players are indicating a hint of hesitation. Antonio Pierce is quoted as saying, “They showed a little bit, but they are working on other things and probably game planning against us a little, just like we’ve been doing against them. After the first 15 plays we’ll know what their game plan is and what their state of mind is,”
I wonder if he really believes that. Can any successful coach in the NFL be so locked into a game plan that it doesn’t change even after the other team figures it out? Hmmm… I don’t think so.
Joe Gibbs, as Clinton Portis stated, used to have the mindset that this is what we are going to do. Until they stop it, we’re going to keep doing it. And, in his first stint with the team, I recall that was mostly successful. But, as Gibbs came to realize early on in his second stint, the game is so much more fluid today. The defenses are so much more complex. And, as Portis stated, more often than not, defenses were able to stop whatever plans the Redskins had.
So, what exactly are the new wrinkles that the Redskins will offer this season? Well, for one, and perhaps the most crucial wrinkle, is the fact that Jason Campbell will not have the opportunity to audible. That’s right Skins fans. Imagine that. What a novel concept.
In the past, if the Skins came up to the line and looked over to see the defense aligned perfectly to stop the play they had called, they were expected to simply “man up” and execute; beat your man one on one, and let the dust settle where it may. If everyone wins their personal match up, we win the battle.
And in truth, that is a valid assessment. But, America would still be a colony of Britain if we insisted on following that game plan in the Revolutionary War. And, each and every season is a war, in a manner of speaking. Each game is a battle. And, each play is a specific skirmish in that battle. Who ever wins the most skirmishes, wins the battle. Whoever wins the most battles, wins the opportunity to fight the next war: the playoffs.
So, as we prepare for battle tonight, let’s hope we can be smart, creative, and out strategize and maneuver our opponent.
It’s game day!
Giant Captains of 2008
For the second year in a row, Tom Coughlin elected 5 Team Captains and they are as follows: QB Eli Manning, WR Amani Toomer, MLB Antonio Pierce, T Fred Robbins, and P Jeff Feagles.
Manning, Pierce, and Feagles were also captains in 2007. Toomer replaced O’Hara on offense, and Robbins replaced Strahan on defense.
If the Coach implemented Team Captains in 2007 and they won the Super Bowl then why not implement Team Captains in 2008. Congrats to chosen ones.
Antonio Pierce on PFT’s All-Turd Team
Our boys over at ProFootballTalk.com assembled their 2008 All-Turd Team (Defense). The requirements for consideration are one or more arrests, one or more violations of the league’s substance abuse policy, one or more violations of the league’s steroid policy, one or more holdouts while under contract, one or more flagrant acts of rudeness and/or stupidity, and/or anything else that makes us think that there’s good cause for the player to be included on the squad. Only one Giant made the list.
- Antonio Pierce - “Pleads guilty to animal neglect.”
Congrats to Antonio for making the 2008 All-Turd Team. That’s quite an achievement.
Saturday’s Giants News: Final Mini Camp Report
So the Giants have concluded their final day of Mini Camp. The next 40 days or so are going to be much quieter since not much will be going on until they go up to Albany for training camp. I’m sure we’ll continue to hear about Burress and Shockey until it’s resolved. For now, Justin Tuck is expected to replace Strahan at left defensive end rather than moving Mathias Kiwanuka back up to the D-Line.
NFL.com is running a video called ‘Top 10 comebacks’. Big Blue made the list twice, once on the winning end and once on the losing end.
- No. 9: Giants 17-point comeback over the Eagles in 2006.
- No. 3: 49ers 24-point comeback over the Giants on Wild Card Weekend in 2002. This game just broke my heart. I was up at Mohegan Sun watching the game in one of the bars, and I had to drive back to Long Island so depressed.
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com believes that Michael Strahan may come back if the Jints call him and say that they need him back when the season is about to begin.
Giants.com:
Born to lead - Michael Eisen expects Antonio Pierce to take a bigger role as a leader for this team now that Strahan retired. Pierce said,
I don’t feel that respect amongst the league. Talking to other guys throughout the league a lot of them said, ‘You guys played a hell of a game.’ A hell of a game - so the other 16 games in the regular season and the three playoff games really didn’t do anything for us. You hear that amongst players. We played a good game at the right time. Your quarterback got hot at the right time, your defense started playing ball at the right time. All those things are being said and heard, and that is fine and dandy. We have to do it again and the only thing we are shooting for is to win our division and get to the playoffs.
We are the underdogs again. We are not even picked to win our division, so there is nothing that has changed. The only thing that we have is the title of having the Super Bowl championship, of being the most recent Super Bowl champion. We are still the underdogs, and I think going into it we will probably be underdogs even at home again.
I know what they are saying, but I don’t worry about that. I am going to go about my business the same way I did last year. When Strahan wasn’t here for the whole OTAs, mini-camp, and training camp it was already starting to go that way last year. He came back and he picked up right where he left off. Obviously, he is not going to be here this year. But I am just going to do what I normally do, go about my business the same way. Obviously, I am going to be a little more vocal and I am going to have to be the guy to get after the guys a little bit more if need be.
I know AP loves to use the ‘underdog’ and the ‘us against the world’ mentality to prove everybody wrong. I think that the media is retarded for saying that the Road Warriors are not the team to beat, but maybe it will benefit the team in a positive way this year just like it did last year. Also, AP was the biggest leader on the team last season anyway. Not just on the field, but he represented the team off the field as well (i.e., his weekly spot on WFAN). He did a great job doing it also. He does need to increase his role as a leader now that Strahan is gone. It is funny how a guy like Pierce can become a leader because he was an undrafted free agent signed by the Redskins. The Giants got him and he’s already been one of the leaders of the defense. There are others guys who have been around much longer, but where are they?
Mini Camp Report Day Three (Video) - John Schmeelk and Michael Eisen discussed day three of this week’s Mini Camp.
Fierce Pierce Report (Video) - John Schmeelk had a Q&A Session with Antonio Pierce.
6.13 DC Steve Spagnuolo (Video) - The media asked Steve Spagnuolo about moving forward without Strahan.
OC Kevin Gilbride (Video) - The media asked Kevin Gilbride about Shockey and Burress not being out there on the field.
WR Amani Toomer (Video) - The media asked Amani Toomer if he thinks it makes a difference that he was the only one out there for Eli Manning to throw to.
Head Coach Tom Coughlin (Video) - The media asked Tom Coughlin about this week’s Mini Camp.
QB Eli Manning (Video) - The media asked Eli Manning about this week’s Mini Camp.
RB Brandon Jacobs (Video) - The media asked Brandon Jacobs if they have a different attitude this year since they won the Super Bowl.
CB Sam Madison (Video) - The media asked Sam Madison what he thinks about Plaxico’s contract dispute.
WR Sinorice Moss (Video) - The media asked Sinorice Moss what we should expect from him this year.
New York Daily News:
O’Hara: Media misinterpreted me - Shaun O’Hara had this to say to the media.
I thought it was quite humorous that all these intellectuals with pens and recorders could totally miss the point that was made yesterday I was frustrated with the media. I never once criticized anybody or any teammates. So you guys missed the point on that one. I was asked a general question about players in general. It had no relevance whatsoever to anybody. (It was) a general question about players wanting more money and new contracts. I’m always going to side with the players when they want more money. You have to handle your business. But what I said was that in my opinion that there was a right way to do things. I’m not talking about those guys (Shockey and Burress). I never was talking about those guys. I was speaking in general terms, my belief about the way I would handle it.
Ralph Vacchiano stated that O’Hara, ” has been a consummate professional with the media ever since he joined the Giants. He has earned our trust and the benefit of the doubt, so I’ll believe him that his intent was not to specifically attack two teammates. Only he knows for sure and I’m not going to try to interpret what was in his head.” With that said, Vacchiano included the transript of the interview and O’Hara did respond to the question specifically about Burress. I don’t think O’Hara should back down from what he said. He is the captain because he says the right things about the team.
The Star-Ledger:
Coughlin: Shockey an ‘issue’ - Mike Garafolo pointed out that Coughlin said that, “There is an issue.” when asked about Shockey’s mental state after practice, “but it’s not something that would prevent him from working.”
Final minicamp practice report - Mike Garafolo lets us know who impressed him on the final day of Mini Camp.
Rosenhaus cryptic about 80, 17 - Mike Garafolo provided the transcript from Drew Rosenhaus. As usual, Rosenhaus didn’t have much to say about his clients.
Monday’s Giants News: More Strahan Articles
NFL.com put together a video clip on Strahan’s retirement. In it, Giants players react to news of Michael Strahan’s retirement after an offseason practice. To view this video, click here.
A little while ago, GM Jerry Reese joined the ‘Mike and the Mad Dog’ show to talk about the latest Giants news including Michael Strahan’s retirement. To hear the interview in it’s entirety, click here.
Giants.com:
Michael Strahan retires - John Mara had this to say about Michael Strahan’s retirement announcement,
Michael called me earlier this morning to tell me he had decided to retire. I told him I was disappointed and that I knew he could still play at a very high level and we were hoping to have him back. But I certainly understand his decision. I told him he’s been a great Giant. He thanked me for everything the organization has done for him. I said, ‘I think you’ve done more for us than we can ever do for you.’
Various other players had quotes in the article as well.
Eisen’s Insight (Video) - Michael Eisen and John Schmeelk discuss Strahan’s retirement.
DE Osi Umenyiora (Video)
DE Justin Tuck (Video)
LB Mathias Kiwanuka (Video)
WR Amani Toomer (Video)
QB Eli Manning (Video)
OTA Report: Wide Receivers (Video)
New York Post:
SHOCKEY’S MINI-DRAMA - Paul Schwartz wonders if Jeremy Shockey will attend mini-camp.
The Star-Ledger:
Runyan, McNabb say goodbye to Strahan
Correction: Presser at 11:30 tomorrow - Michael Eisen announced that the Giants will hold a press conference for Michael’s retiredment at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow.
Strahan’s new team? Probably FOX
Strahan’s decision not about money
Umenyiora on Strahan: ‘He’s going to miss us’
Tuesday’s Giants News: OTAs
NFL.com had a poll where over 200,000 fans ranked all 32 teams for the 2008 season. Here are the results:
- Patriots - Core of team returns to avenge Super Bowl loss after perfect regular season.
- Colts - Core of Super Bowl XLI team is still intact. Dwight Freeney should be ready for season.
- Cowboys - Talented squad only got better during offseason with Pacman Jones, Zach Thomas.
- Giants - Competition in NFC East should be tough as Super Bowl champs look to go back-to-back.
Who knows how this stuff works? Big Blue is obviously the team to beat. If you want your team to be No. 1 then beat the Champs.
According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, ”Cowboys cornerback Pacman Jones has received permission from the NFL to participate in offseason workouts, training camp, and the preseason. However, he has not yet been reinstated to participate in regular-season games.” It seems like Pacman may make it back into the NFL which is a shame.
Florio also reported that Terrell Owens will remain as a Cowboy because, “Owens, we’re told, will receive a signing bonus of nearly $13 million. In all, he’s under contract for four years, and he’ll earn $34 million.” Now we have to face this moron twice a year for four more years.
Giants.com:
Tuesday’s OTA Report - Michael Eisen pointed out that Amani Toomer was one of the more visible players on the field today.
Giants Bolster D-Line - Michael Eisen announced that the Giants signed DE Renaldo Wynn which other media outlets reported yesterday. Eisen included a whole bunch of information about Wynn.
- Michael also reported that the Giants placed linebacker Keith O’Neil on their reserve/retired list.
New York Daily News:
Eli & Amani rekindle their chemistry - Ralph Vacchiano also covered the Giants OTAs. Vacchiano also noted that:
- Jeremy Shockey, Plaxico Burress, Osi Umenyiora, Antonio Pierce and Michael Strahan did not attend. AP is still on his honeymoon, and who knows where the rest of them were…
- David Tyree did not participate, though he was inside Giants Stadium doing rehab work for his knee. “Tyree said his knee feels good and his rehab is right on schedule. He expects to be ready for the start of training camp.”
- Derrick Ward “said he’s 90-95% healed from his broken fibula and isn’t limited at all in what he can do on the field.”
- Mathias Kiwanuka “said he’s getting closer to 100% too and didn’t seem limited on the field.”
New York Post:
The Star-Ledger:
Giants announce Wynn signing - Mike Garafolo included Jerry Reese’s and Tom Coughlin’s thoughts on the signing of Renaldo.
More on the Wynn signing - Mike Garafolo explains why the Giants didn’t sign Wynn until June 1 when Wynn first visited the Giants in mid-May. Garafolo’s conclusion is, “Wynn’s signing on June 1 means he won’t impact the Giants’ chances for compensatory picks in next year’s draft.”
Burress is One of NFL’s Best Free Agent Signings
Jason Feller of NFL.com created a list of the ’Best annual signings in the first 15 years of free agency’. The list includes what Feller deems is the best free agent signing for each year since 1993 as well as an honorable mention, or two. In 2005, Jason has the Giants signing of Plaxico Burress to a six-year deal worth $25 million as the best free agent signing of the year along with this reason:
The talented wideout had seen his production drop two straight years amid injury woes and perceived attitude issues in Pittsburgh. Such a background does not usually make a player highly sought after, but Burress was young and skilled enough that the Giants decided to gamble on the playmaker and it has paid off handsomely. He caught the winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII and is one of the best receivers in the game.
Also in 2005, Feller has the Giants signing of Antonio Pierce as an honorable mention. Both Burress and Pierce remained on the team and were an integral part of the Super Bowl run. Great job Giants!
Check out the rest of the article if you want to know who else made the list. There are video highlights of each player.
Friday’s Giants News: OTAs Begin
After a celebration at Tiffany & Co. last night, the G-MEN had to show up for OTAs today. I look forward to hearing how things pan out in the OTAs in the days and weeks to come.
Giants.com:
Players return to field - The Giants today held the first of their six OTAs (organized team activities).
Newsday:
Giants receive Super Bowl rings at Tiffany’s celebration - Tom Rock wrote, “just under four months after their victory in Super Bowl XLII, the Giants received their championship rings in a private ceremony at Tiffany & Co. last night.” Then, “one by one they would stand in front of the wood-paneled wall, holding the silver Lombardi Trophy in one grip and wearing a freshly minted Super Bowl ring on the other.” That must weigh a ton, huh? Antonio Pierce was unable to make it because he’s on his honeymoon. Jeremy Shockey was unable to make it because if he can’t practice with the team then how can he make it to pick up his ring?
New York Daily News:
New York Post:
New York Times:
The Giants Receive Their Super Bowl Rings - The New York Times doesn’t write articles when news about the Jints occur, but they do when when the Champs pick up rings at Tiffany & Co.
The Star-Ledger:
A few glimpses at the rings - Mike Garafolo included some pictures of the Super Bowl XLII rings.
Giants’ finger of fate rings true at Tiffany’s - Mike Garafolo described, “the rings, which were produced at a discounted price of about $5,500 each, feature three Lombardi trophies on the top — one for each of the franchise’s Super Bowl titles — as well as the words “Eleven Straight on the Road” on the shank. The Super Bowl XLII logo, the final score (17-14) and the date of the game adorn the opposite shank.”
Live from the red, er, Big Blue carpet - Mike Garafolo takes us through the event last night live at Tiffany & Co.
Tuesday’s Giants News: The Best Game Ever
According to Reid Cherner and Tom Weir over at the Game On! blog on USAToday.com interviewed the author, Mark Bowden, of a book titled The Best Game Ever which is a book about the 1958 NFL Championship game that the Baltimore Colts won in overtime against the New York Giants. Here is one question posed by Cherner:
Did the players make the game or the game make the players?
The players definitely made the game. You see how a player like Sam Huff with his talent is in search of a role on the football field. And you get a brilliant coach like (Giants defensive coordinator) Tom Landry who sees a player he can use and uses him a new way and I think that is a good example of the player providing the impetus for a complete restructing in football. The 4-3 defense was invented by Landry around Sam Huff. Also Raymond Berry. Here is a guy who sees an opportunity with the invention of wide receiver to turn himself into a professional athlete. His success raises (Johnny) Unitas, raises the Colts and also revolutionizes the way players prepare to play the game. I think his obsessiveness about preparing has been institutionalized in pro football.
The Star-Ledger:
Another Giant gets hitched - Mike Garafolo reported that Jocelyn Maldanado and Antonio Pierce got married in Hawaii over the weekend. Jocelyn is the host of “Mets Weekly” on SNY and has been known as Jocelyn Pierce since Spring Training. Die Hard Giants Fan would like to congratulate the Pierce’s.
