Antonio Pierce was exactly what the Giants defense needed in 2005 after going 6-10 the year prior. He quickly became a vocal leader on Coughlin's favored side of the ball where he racked up 378 tackles, seven sacks, four interceptions, six forced fumbles, and a touchdown during his Big Blue tenure.

Giants fans are bound to be disappointed in seeing Pierce get served his walking papers, but the writing was on the wall the moment they signed new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.

Fewell runs a Tampa-2, a defense predicated on speedy middle linebacker play because of the number of defensive backs used, it's a speed defense. Antonio is not a speed linebacker.

From trying to hide Plax's gat to his vicious dogs, no matter your opinion of the man, this was the right move for the Giants to make if they're going to revamp this defense.

And that in no way takes away from his on-field exploits while here. He was the leader of the defense, and the passion he played with made him a joy to watch every Sunday. You always knew at least one of the eleven men strapped up on defense was ready to go, he would show up and play his butt off for the team and you have to respect him for that alone.

When asked yesterday the one thing that will define his time in New York, he answered "Just the love...the amount of love I got from this team, from this organization, and from New York." That won't be the only thing New York remembers about him but it certainly will be a big part. Here's to hoping for continued success for Antonio wherever he lands (our early guesses: Seattle, New Orleans, St. Louis, and Oakland).