New York Giants sign LB Antonio Pierce, release WR Ike Hilliard

By Hugo Guzman  |   Sunday, March 06, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

New York Giants
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The New York Giants signed linebacker Antonio Pierce, who had been with the Washington Redskins, and released veteran wide receiver Ike Hilliard after an 8 year run with the team. Financial terms of Pierce's deal were not disclosed.

Pierce, a product of the University of Arizona, enjoyed a breakout season in 2004 with the Redskins, recording a team-high 112 tackles and 2 interceptions - one of which was returned for a touchdown.

The 6' 1", 240 lbs. LB was signed by Washington as an undrafted free agent in April 2001, making 10 starts over his first 3 seasons before starting all 16 games at the middle in 2004. His presence helped the Redskins defense become ranked 3rd last season after being 25th in 2003. "Our defensive football team just got a lot better today," New York general manager Ernie Accorsi said. "Antonio Pierce is a sideline-to-sideline playmaker. We are not only pleased that we have him, but we are equally pleased that we don't have to play against him anymore." The 26 year-old Pierce will bolster a Giants defensive unit that ranked 7th overall in 2004.

Hilliard was selected 7th overall by the Giants in 1997 and ranks 4th in franchise history with 368 career catches. His 4,630 receiving yards place him 7th on the team's all-time list and he is 9th overall with 27 TDs.

A product of the University of Florida, Hilliard struggled in 2004, finishing with 49 catches for 437 yards and failing to score a TD for the first time since his rookie season.

Hilliard enjoyed his finest campaign in 1999 when he had career highs of 72 catches and 996 yards. In 2000, he posted a personal-best eight touchdowns and shined in the playoffs for New York, making 10 catches for 155 yards and two TDs in the Giants' 41-0 rout of the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC championship game.

"I'll either resurface somewhere or if no one wants me to play ball for them, my life will go on," the 28 year-old Hilliard said. "But I'm looking forward to staying in shape and playing some more good football."
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About Hugo Guzman

Trying to bring an objective approach to NFL analysis.
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