New York Giants Cut LB Antonio Pierce | 2010 NFL Free Agency

It seemed inevitable that the New York Giants were slated to make some big changes to their once dominant defensive group. With the ever present expectations for strong defensive play, the Giants failed to produce a defense that was worthy of helping their organization win a Championship or make the playoffs.

Not only did the Giants defense fail to have a productive year, but they embarrassed themselves in the final two games of the season by getting blown out by the Panthers and Vikings. No doubt the biggest disappointment was their loss (score 44-9) to the Panthers, as the Giants played their final game in the Meadowlands in front of their home crowd.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin sent a message to his team in the final week of the season by benching star defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora. Just the week before, Umenyiora wondered out loud to the press if he had played his final game in New York.

Time For Change

At the end of the season the Giants fired their first year defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan and hired former Buffalo Bills intern head coach Perry Fewell.

Hiring Fewell was just the beginning of the hopeful turnaround in New York as the team is now shredding away veteran talent. In the first week of the official offseason, the Giants have decided to part ways with their former defensive captain and middle linebacker Antonio Pierce.

Pierce fell to injury over the course of the 2009 season, as did some other key players. Playing in only 12 games this year because of a bulging disk in his neck, Pierce is now thought of as a risky player to have because of health issues.

It also didn’t help his case that the 31 year old linebacker was due a contract payment of 4.75 million for the 2010 NFL season.

Finding Success in 2010

If the Giants are to find success in 2010 than they need their secondary to bounce back and have a healthy season. Corey Webster, Aaron Ross and Kenny Phillips all suffered injuries, and it will be interesting to see if these players will come back healthy and help the team play at a top level.

No doubt the Giants need to put almost all of their attention in free agency and the NFL draft on the defensive side of the football. It probably wouldn’t hurt the team to bring Umenyiora back as well because a defense (as we saw in New England this year) can’t lose too much veteran talent in one offseason and play strong.

As for Pierce’s situation, he will probably catch on with a new team via free agency (assuming he passes a physical) and should help out in some capacity.

NFL fantasy football player rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com