November 23, 2009, at 11:05 am
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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The Host is a Greedy One
All week during pre-tournament preparation, Tiger Woods talked about his desire to be a “greedy host”. Yes, he is the man who’s name is on the tournament. Yes, he has had a much busier week then other players. And yes, after all that- Tiger leads his own tourney headed into the weekend.
Coming into yesterday tied for second place, Tiger shot up the leaderboard after a four under, 66 yesterday. Ironically, the round was two shots worse then Thursdays’, but I think Tiger will take the dividends. He sits a shot up on Rod Pampling and two shots up on defending champion Anthony Kim.
Kim, who set the course on fire on Thursday, shot a mediocre even par 70. Thanks to his record smashing day on Thursday, Kim still sits in good position to win the tournament. I would say great, but I never think looking up at the best player on the planet ever puts someone in great position for anything.
If your looking for a good non-Tiger story line for Saturday, I think Kim is where you go. Here’s a guy who hasn’t won in exactly a year and is looking to get back on the right track. Their is no doubt that Kim has all the potential in the world. One TV commentator on Thursday came short of guaranteeing that he would win “multiple majors” before he hits the Champions tour. This may be true, but whether Kim realizes that potential is yet to be seen. One thing going for him is youth. At 24 years old, he is well aware the the typical golfer does not hit his prime until his early thirties. Since one of Kim’s main weaknesses is his apparent love for nightlife and parties, the theory that his slump is purely a case of being young and immature does carry a lot of weight.
Today’s round will be a huge one for Kim. Does he forget his definitively average round from yesterday and play Congressional like he’s shown he can play Congressional? Or does the demons of the slump rise up and bite Kim, sending him back on the leader board? I think he can stay in this tournament. He was a shot off on almost every hole yesterday. The holes he bogeyed, he pared yesterday. The holes he pared, he birdied yesterday. Their wasn’t that big double bogey blow up hole for Kim that might suggest a meltdown. A few more birdies and one less bogey and we’re looking at Kim in serious contention on Sunday morning.
Other notables- Jim Furyk shot a -3, 67 on Friday to sit in fourth at seven under. U.S Open champ Lucas Glover is tied for eighth at 5 under. This is the third consecutive tournament for Glover. It’s a bit odd for a major champion not to take a week off, but Glover seams to be handling it well.
Trunk Slammers (missed the cut): Robert Allenby, who was in contention at the St. Jude, missed his fourth cut of the year after two straight rounds of 72. WCWP fav John Merrick is going home despite playing at even par on Friday. His six over 76 on Thursday sunk him. K. J Choi was one of similar fate. His 69 was good for a respectable -1 on Friday, but it could not erase a disastrous +7 Thursday….
Categories: PGA, Uncategorized
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