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Antonio Pierce looking like Giant boob
By Filip Bondy
It isn't easy being Antonio Pierce, who is trying so very hard to become the next Charles Barkley.
You know what I mean about Barkley. He always had immunity from public prosecution, somehow. He could throw a bar patron through a plate-glass window, spit on a girl at the Meadowlands, and still get a good broadcasting gig while talking about running for governor of Alabama. Everybody always forgot and forgave. "That's just Charles," they would say.
So here we have Pierce, who is also great fun much of the time, a wonderful, playful quote and an impact middle linebacker. But he isn't Barkley. Nobody is. Pierce is in more trouble than he thinks right now, and it is probably time for him to put aside the macho performances for a few months; to start acting his age, which is 30, and his marital status, which is not single.
He may yet get away with the shenanigans. The Giants sure aren't anxious to suspend their spiritual leader. But even if there are no fines or criminal charges against Pierce in the end, his image at the moment is hovering just above juvenile delinquent status.
For somebody still hoping to renegotiate his six-year, $26 million deal, he is likely costing himself a great deal of money. Every time you open the newspaper, or turn on the radio, Pierce is coming off as a complete knucklehead. He's getting into silly trouble at a nightspot or a strip club. He's bundling away a teammate's gun, more out of loyalty than smarts.
And then when Pierce has a bad game against the Eagles - which he did chasing around Brian Westbrook - people are going to think he's just not paying enough attention.
There he was again Thursday at his locker, spouting some sexist nonsense, talking a bit of trash about Tony Romo and all the while saying that none of this is the least bit distracting.
Pierce insisted that when it's Giant time, he's a Giant.
"When you talk to me at work, that's what I deal with," he said.
Well, let's hope so. Meanwhile, Pierce has been interviewed about his life by police, not just by Mike Francesa. Investigators are tracing his steps - and those of pal Plaxico Burress - on the night of Nov.28, and the morning of Nov.29. So far, those footprints go from the strip joint Head Quarters to the nightclub Latin Quarter. Quite a night out for the father of three.
Pierce didn't deny the latest published report of his appearance at Head Quarters on the West Side. He certainly wasn't apologetic.
"Somebody has a camera, good for them. I be where I want to be," Pierce said, defiantly.
Pierce appears unhurried to clear his name. It's got to be an act, but then that's what Pierce does. He said he has no idea if he will be interrogated again by police about his role in the Burress shooting incident.
"I talked to 'em (once)," he said. "If somebody's a lawyer in the police department, I'd like to know, too."
There must be some rule about how each NFL team must maintain a minimum quota of controversy, because Pierce has definitely picked up his game in this department after the departures of Jeremy Shockey and Michael Strahan.
It wasn't so long ago he ranked as the fifth go-to guy in the locker room, behind players such as Tiki Barber and Burress. Now all the others are gone, and Pierce is more than holding his own.
On the subject of women, Pierce Thursday verbally ogled the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Admittedly, this particular federation of females very nearly demands objectification. But because Pierce is Pierce, he carried the analysis a step too far.
"They got the best cheerleaders in the league," he said. "Six-foot stallions. Six-foot things. Whatever they feed 'em, it's working."
You heard him right. "Six-foot things." Pierce not only goes where he wants to be, he says what he wants to say.
As to Romo, Pierce quipped that the Dallas quarterback is probably faking his injury.
"There's nothing wrong with his pinkie," Pierce said. "He's got the brace on it, just to give the illusion."
That one was fine. Bulletin-board material, maybe. Not an all-points bulletin.
If I were the police, I'd interview Pierce just to find out what he's going to say next. He seems harmless enough, except for that tongue.
fjbondy@netscape.net
By Filip Bondy
It isn't easy being Antonio Pierce, who is trying so very hard to become the next Charles Barkley.
You know what I mean about Barkley. He always had immunity from public prosecution, somehow. He could throw a bar patron through a plate-glass window, spit on a girl at the Meadowlands, and still get a good broadcasting gig while talking about running for governor of Alabama. Everybody always forgot and forgave. "That's just Charles," they would say.
So here we have Pierce, who is also great fun much of the time, a wonderful, playful quote and an impact middle linebacker. But he isn't Barkley. Nobody is. Pierce is in more trouble than he thinks right now, and it is probably time for him to put aside the macho performances for a few months; to start acting his age, which is 30, and his marital status, which is not single.
He may yet get away with the shenanigans. The Giants sure aren't anxious to suspend their spiritual leader. But even if there are no fines or criminal charges against Pierce in the end, his image at the moment is hovering just above juvenile delinquent status.
For somebody still hoping to renegotiate his six-year, $26 million deal, he is likely costing himself a great deal of money. Every time you open the newspaper, or turn on the radio, Pierce is coming off as a complete knucklehead. He's getting into silly trouble at a nightspot or a strip club. He's bundling away a teammate's gun, more out of loyalty than smarts.
And then when Pierce has a bad game against the Eagles - which he did chasing around Brian Westbrook - people are going to think he's just not paying enough attention.
There he was again Thursday at his locker, spouting some sexist nonsense, talking a bit of trash about Tony Romo and all the while saying that none of this is the least bit distracting.
Pierce insisted that when it's Giant time, he's a Giant.
"When you talk to me at work, that's what I deal with," he said.
Well, let's hope so. Meanwhile, Pierce has been interviewed about his life by police, not just by Mike Francesa. Investigators are tracing his steps - and those of pal Plaxico Burress - on the night of Nov.28, and the morning of Nov.29. So far, those footprints go from the strip joint Head Quarters to the nightclub Latin Quarter. Quite a night out for the father of three.
Pierce didn't deny the latest published report of his appearance at Head Quarters on the West Side. He certainly wasn't apologetic.
"Somebody has a camera, good for them. I be where I want to be," Pierce said, defiantly.
Pierce appears unhurried to clear his name. It's got to be an act, but then that's what Pierce does. He said he has no idea if he will be interrogated again by police about his role in the Burress shooting incident.
"I talked to 'em (once)," he said. "If somebody's a lawyer in the police department, I'd like to know, too."
There must be some rule about how each NFL team must maintain a minimum quota of controversy, because Pierce has definitely picked up his game in this department after the departures of Jeremy Shockey and Michael Strahan.
It wasn't so long ago he ranked as the fifth go-to guy in the locker room, behind players such as Tiki Barber and Burress. Now all the others are gone, and Pierce is more than holding his own.
On the subject of women, Pierce Thursday verbally ogled the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Admittedly, this particular federation of females very nearly demands objectification. But because Pierce is Pierce, he carried the analysis a step too far.
"They got the best cheerleaders in the league," he said. "Six-foot stallions. Six-foot things. Whatever they feed 'em, it's working."
You heard him right. "Six-foot things." Pierce not only goes where he wants to be, he says what he wants to say.
As to Romo, Pierce quipped that the Dallas quarterback is probably faking his injury.
"There's nothing wrong with his pinkie," Pierce said. "He's got the brace on it, just to give the illusion."
That one was fine. Bulletin-board material, maybe. Not an all-points bulletin.
If I were the police, I'd interview Pierce just to find out what he's going to say next. He seems harmless enough, except for that tongue.
fjbondy@netscape.net