Giants MLB Antonio Pierce is a lot like the David Eckstein of professional football. If this was purely a physical game, he wouldn’t be playing it. He’s not fast enough, or athletic enough to playing middle linebacker in the NFL. However, he’s always has gotten by being the smartest guy on the field. He made all the defensive calls for the Redskins, and since coming over to the Giants, has been one of the vocal leaders of this team.

Now, at age 31, he is beginning to get even slower in the middle of the Giants defense. We’ve all known that Pierce isn’t going to be a guy who plays until he’s 39, because his physical skills won’t allow him to.

In the middle of a season where the Giants defense has left something to be desired, people are pointing the finger at Pierce. They are calling him fat, old, and for whatever reason people like to keep bringing up the whole Burress thing now that the team is struggling.

Here is the reality of the situation, folks: Pierce is the least of the teams problems. What we have right now is a tale of two defenses. The first rushes the passer as well as anyone in the league, shows sticks with plays, and even makes some plays in the secondary. The other lacks enough cover guys to keep receivers in check, can’t seem to get the quarterback and fails in pursuit at times. One played the first half against the Falcons, and the other played in the second half.

Why are people blaming Pierce? They want to talk about how he can’t cover. News Flash: He couldn’t cover when he was at his physical peak. They say that he is slow, he was always slow for his position. He should have three roles in the defense: Call the audibles, play downhill against the run and come on the occasional overload blitz. When he’s used like that, he’s still a really good player. When you ask him to play cover-2, which defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan has at times this year, he looks lost.

One last thing: Yes, he was there when Plaxico did his best Cheddar Bob impression, but can we really punish him for that? He tried to hide the gun, which was idiotic, but how many people would do the same if their friend was in trouble at the end of the day?

So, stop blaming AP for the Giants defensive struggles. Yes, his career with the team is winding down, but he’s got at least another year. The Giants should be looking into bringing another middle linebacker in and having him take an apprenticeship year under AP. Then, Pierce should stick around and start what’s going to be a hell of a coaching career.

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