Commanders Post at The Warpath - View Single Post - Pierce's Happy Present Remains Clouded by Past

sbaughone · 02-06-2008, 01:20 PM

In hindsght it was definitely a mistake letting Pierce go. However, a few facts:

1) Pierce was an undrafted FA. The Redskins were the only team that gave him a chance as a WALK ON. He had minimal playing time before Mike Barrow got injured and forced Pierce in to the starting lineup.

2) The Redskins wanted to keep Pierce. Here is an article from December of 2004 on the negotiations to that time:

Redskins working on keeping Pierce
Jody Foldesy, THE WASHINGTON TIMES
December 16, 2004

The Washington Redskins are deep in negotiations on a multi-year contract extension for middle linebacker Antonio Pierce and could complete a deal in coming days, sources familiar with the situation said yesterday.

The sides have exchanged four proposals since coach Joe Gibbs approached Pierce in early November, apparently during the week of the Nov.7 game against the Detroit Lions. Pierce, 26, is scheduled to be first-time unrestricted free agent this spring.

Pierce's deal likely would be for four or five years. Further details were unclear, though it appeared Pierce was seeking a signing bonus in the $5million to $6million range.

Such a contract would have been unimaginable before the season, when Pierce opted to return to Washington for the one-year tender amount for a restricted free agent.
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3) After Pierce got his offer from the vagiants, the Redskins did want to match it, but felt his vaggie deal (five years, $26 million with $6 million SB) was too high too match.

Now, obviously, this was a mistake. But at the time Gibbs said they felt it was paying too much for Pierce when the year before they only gave Marcus Washington a $24 million contract.

Bottom line for me: Pierce took the money and ran. He didn't give a crap about the Redskins - the only team that gave his undrafted ass a chance after he played two glorious years of football at the powerhouse Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, California ( he did transfer to Univ of Arizona).

So it really PISSES me off to hear pierce mouth off about how the Redskins "screwed him." We wanted to resign him - but he wanted mo money. He didn't care one bit about the Redskins - he took off for more money the first damn chance he had.

So yea, we probably should have made some more cap space for him. But let's be honest: If he came back to Gibbs and said, "Coach, I want to be a Redskin. How close to this deal can you get?" Gibbs would have done a $23 million deal for him. And he would still be a Redskin.

Bottom line: He left us. By listening to Pierce talk you would think we traded him for a pack of smokes.

F you Pierce

On the RAC: Redskins Appreciation Club, the Humurous Redskins' Fan Site.

02-06-2008, 01:20 PM	#37
sbaughone Camp Scrub Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 72	Re: Pierce's Happy Present Remains Clouded by Past In hindsght it was definitely a mistake letting Pierce go. However, a few facts: 1) Pierce was an undrafted FA. The Redskins were the only team that gave him a chance as a WALK ON. He had minimal playing time before Mike Barrow got injured and forced Pierce in to the starting lineup. 2) The Redskins wanted to keep Pierce. Here is an article from December of 2004 on the negotiations to that time: Redskins working on keeping Pierce Jody Foldesy, THE WASHINGTON TIMES December 16, 2004 The Washington Redskins are deep in negotiations on a multi-year contract extension for middle linebacker Antonio Pierce and could complete a deal in coming days, sources familiar with the situation said yesterday. The sides have exchanged four proposals since coach Joe Gibbs approached Pierce in early November, apparently during the week of the Nov.7 game against the Detroit Lions. Pierce, 26, is scheduled to be first-time unrestricted free agent this spring. Pierce's deal likely would be for four or five years. Further details were unclear, though it appeared Pierce was seeking a signing bonus in the $5million to $6million range. Such a contract would have been unimaginable before the season, when Pierce opted to return to Washington for the one-year tender amount for a restricted free agent. ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ 3) After Pierce got his offer from the vagiants, the Redskins did want to match it, but felt his vaggie deal (five years, $26 million with $6 million SB) was too high too match. Now, obviously, this was a mistake. But at the time Gibbs said they felt it was paying too much for Pierce when the year before they only gave Marcus Washington a $24 million contract. Bottom line for me: Pierce took the money and ran. He didn't give a crap about the Redskins - the only team that gave his undrafted ass a chance after he played two glorious years of football at the powerhouse Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, California ( he did transfer to Univ of Arizona). So it really PISSES me off to hear pierce mouth off about how the Redskins "screwed him." We wanted to resign him - but he wanted mo money. He didn't care one bit about the Redskins - he took off for more money the first damn chance he had. So yea, we probably should have made some more cap space for him. But let's be honest: If he came back to Gibbs and said, "Coach, I want to be a Redskin. How close to this deal can you get?" Gibbs would have done a $23 million deal for him. And he would still be a Redskin. Bottom line: He left us. By listening to Pierce talk you would think we traded him for a pack of smokes. F you Pierce On the RAC: Redskins Appreciation Club, the Humurous Redskins' Fan Site.