John Mara Defends Antonio Pierce; NFL Looking Into Matter: Giants’ President and CEO John Mara issued a public statement yesterday in defense of linebacker Antonio Pierce. Pierce is facing possible weapons charges for his involvement in a November 2008 nightclub incident where former Giants’ wide receiver Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself. Pierce allegedly took possession of the firearm after the incident.
“We have refrained from making any public statement regarding the legal proceedings against Plaxico Burress out of respect for the process,” said Mara in the statement. “Our organization, including Antonio Pierce, has cooperated fully with the police and the DA’s office from the outset of their respective investigations. However, since the District Attorney’s office has seen fit to publicly discuss the details of the potential case against Burress and has suggested it will seek to charge Antonio, we feel it is necessary to offer the following:
“While we in no way condone Antonio’s decision to be in a nightclub in Manhattan less than two days before a game, we cannot understand the DA’s position that Antonio is subject to criminal charges. When this incident occurred, Antonio reacted out of concern for the health and well-being of Plaxico Burress. His first priority was to make sure Plaxico received proper medical attention for what very well could have been a life-threatening wound. There was no criminal intent on the part of Antonio, who was thrust into this predicament simply because he accompanied Plaxico that evening and because he made the decision to immediately take Plaxico to the hospital. We believe it is unwarranted for the DA’s office to press criminal charges against Antonio under these circumstances.”
Meanwhile, Pierce could also face a fine or suspension from the NFL. When a League official was asked if the NFL was investigating the Pierce situation, the response was, “We will follow developments in the case. We have no other comment at this time.”
Giants Close to Deal with OT William Beatty: According to NFL.com, the Giants are nearing a deal with OT William Beatty, the team’s second-of-two 2nd round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. Only Beatty, WR Hakeem Nicks (1st round) and LB Clint Sintim (2nd round) remain unsigned of the Giants’ nine picks.
Star-Ledger Q&A With Tight End Michael Matthews: Tight End Michael Matthews’ New York Giants Summer Questionnaire by Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledger
Quotes: Tom Coughlin on Eagles’ Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson, who passed away yesterday due to cancer: “It is a sad, very sad, day. I talked recently to (Eagles’ Video Director) Mike Dougherty and asked him to let Jim know that I was thinking about him, and I had dropped Jim a note to let him know as well. Forget about what kind of coach he was…he was an excellent, excellent defensive coach, and he trained others to be the same. We know what Steve Spagnuolo meant to us. We had great respect for Jim, and he had great respect for us. I didn’t know Jim personally, but we would always talk to each other, mostly about the NFC East and what a great, competitive division it is. It was a respectful critique about what great players, coaches and organizations there are within the division. In talking with people who worked with Jim, you sense what a class act Jim was. He was great to work with and for, and he had his priorities in order. His players loved to play for him and his coaches loved to coach with him. It is a sad day for the National Football League to lose somebody the quality of Jim Johnson. It is a sad note on which to start the season. He coached right up to the very end.”