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NFL fines Giants' Pierce $12,500 for hit on Vick

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com news services



New York Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce has been fined $12,500 by the league for his late hit on Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick in the closing minutes of last Sunday's 27-14 victory over the Falcons. A league spokesman confirmed the fine, first reported by Newsday, on Friday afternoon.

The fine was anticipated, since Vick clearly was out of bounds when Pierce hit him, and because the Giants' star linebacker all but admitted after the game that his action came in retaliation to the cut-blocking that he endured from Atlanta offensive linemen throughout the contest.

"They beat me up pretty good," Pierce said of his treatment from the Falcons' offensive linemen. "They can thank themselves for that, and I can thank myself for knocking out Vick."

Atlanta one of several franchises in the league that employ the cut-blocking scheme, which was essentially created by longtime offensive line coach Alex Gibbs, now a consultant on the Falcons' staff. The cut-blocking scheme, which Gibbs first introduced in Denver, is despised by defenders leaguewide because of the potential for injuries, especially to the knee.

The play for which Pierce was fined occurred with 1:02 remaining in the game and the Falcons facing a third-and-10 from their 23-yard line. Vick scrambled to his left and up the sideline for 17 yards, then was hit by Pierce while several feet out of bounds. Several Falcons players jumped from the bench and surrounded Pierce, while Giants players came to his defense. There was some pushing and shoving, but no punches were thrown.

Pierce, who finished the game with an uncharacteristically low one tackle, was penalized 15 yards for a personal foul, moving the ball to the New York 45. Vick and Pierce jawed and gestured at each other for several seconds as they returned to the field.

The $12,500 fine is relatively standard for such a penalty. While it is in keeping with the NFL emphasis on protecting quarterbacks, Pierce probably would have been similarly sanctioned for hitting any player so far out of bounds.

A six-year veteran, Pierce could not be reached Friday afternoon. He can appeal the fine but likely would have a tough time prevailing in such an action. Pierce's base salary for 2006 is $2.35 million, so the fine represents a microscopic portion of his compensation for this season.


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