Antonio Pierce wrapped up his testimony in front of the grand jury with a two-hour grilling by the prosecution in the Plaxico Burress shooting case. Pierce, of course, is the guy who removed the gun from the scene as he transported Burress to the hospital for treatment of his self-inflicted thigh wound.

Pierce made no comment afterward. And since grand jury testimony is not a matter of public record, we may never know what was said in there. But it’s very likely that Pierce tried to plead his innocence to any crime.

Pierce’s lawyer, Michael Bachner, said he didn’t think Pierce ultimately would face criminal charges.

“We’re confident that the facts support the proposition that Mr. Pierce acted as any civilian in a similar circumstance would have acted,” Bachner said. “It was really clear once all the testimony came out that no one could have acted any differently.”

Don’t really know about that. But hey, that’s what Bachner’s supposed to say. He’s Pierce’s lawyer.

Next step is to see if the grand jury indicts him next week. After that, it’ll be up to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to determine whether Pierce’s case is worthy of a suspension under the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.

See? Camp hasn’t even started yet and things are getting interesting.

EP

First-round wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is now the only Giants draft pick without a contract, as the team just announced the signing of second-round linebacker Clint Sintim and second-round tackle Will Beatty.

As Nicks’ agent, Peter Schaffer put it, “Still grinding away.” So there’s still a good possibility the Giants will have all present and accounted for when they report to the University at Albany Sunday. Beatty had been close for a day or two.

No terms of the deals as yet, but figure Sintim for four years at around $14 million and Beatty at four years, $13 million, based on other draftees who have signed around them. The biggest test for these guys is whether they’ll stand up in the early going, as both Sintim and Beatty missed time in minicamp with hamstring pulls.

The Giants waived WR Micah Rucker and, most notably for our area, former North Rockland star and Miami Dolphin’s seventh-rounder (2007) linebacker Kelvin Smith. Smith had been working his way back from reconstructive knee surgery that knocked him out all last season. Hopefully he showed enough during minicamp to get another team interested.

Have to say, as a rookie camp tryout, he was a longshot to make it as far as training camp. That he made it this far means the Giants must have seen at least a good work ethic.

“They told him it was a number game, but they really liked him,” Smith’s agent Neil Schwartz said. “He’s disappointed. He was really looking forward to putting the pads on and showing them what he could do, proving he was totally healthy.”

EP

Just got an e-mail from Peter Schaffer, the agent for the Giants’ first-round wide receiver Hakeem Nicks. Didn’t say much about whether he’ll make it to camp on time.

“Working hard every day,” Shaffer said. “We shall see.”

Nicks is one of three draft picks that are left unsigned, with second-round linebacker Clint Sintim and second-round tackle Will Beatty being the other two. Heard that Beatty was close, but messages to his agent have gone unanswered as of yet. I’m trying to get something on Sintim, too.

By the way, it shouldn’t be too hard for Nicks to get in. The Bills completed their negotiations with their first-rounder Eric Wood, who was taken a spot earlier, No. 28, than the 29th pick Nicks. He’s got a five-year deal. Shouldn’t be too hard to slot Nicks, but these things generally take until the last minute and sometimes beyond as the sides hammer out the fine print.

Woods missed seven practices. I’d be surprised if Nicks misses that much, if any.

EP

Antonio Pierce testified in front of the grand jury in the Plaxico Burress shooting case today, and he’s going to have to go back again tomorrow. Sounds like the jury is very interested in what he has to say about the role he played in spiriting the gun Burress shot himself in the thigh with out of the club on Nov. 29.

Like Burress before him, Pierce appeared voluntarily, waiving immunity. That means the grand jury could also find his role indictable, a situation the Manhattan DA’s office said it would pursue.

EP

The Giants are getting ready to report to their 14th and perhaps final camp at the University at Albany Sunday. If you ask me, I’d be surprised if they don’t continue to go up for at least that first week or 10 days because Tom Coughlin loves the team-bonding aspect of it. Then again, they’ve just built this beautiful facility in the Meadowlands that has the field space and other amenities needed to feed 80 players and the front-office, coaches, scouts, and trainers that have always accompanied the team northward. Besides, that new field house will come in very handy on rainy days. No more substituting walkthroughs on the Albany Recreation and Athletic Center basketball court for real drills.

I know a lot of you guys took in at least some of camp every year. Tell ya what. I’m going to share some of my fondest and most poignant memories of camp, and you tell me yours. Could be a restaurant, an afternoon at Saratoga before hitting the night practice, something you saw happen on the field—anything. I won’t say this is our farewell to Albany. Just a way to spend some time reminiscing on a nice summer’s day.

Here’s my top 5:

1. BRIAN WILLIAMS: On the third day of camp in 1997, another reporter and I decided to hit the practice field earlier than usual. Nice morning, we were bored in the press room, so we headed out. As we approached the field, there was the affable center flat on his back, hands to face, the most ungodly sounds I’ve ever heard a human being make. Turns out he’d been poked in the eye during a rudimentary, pre-workout warmup drill. Early estimates put him on the sidelines two, three days, then a week or two. But double-vision persisted, and it was eventually determined he’d fractured his orbital bone, among other issues. He was out two years. He finally came back in 1999 for one last season, but he was never the same. Good guy, too. Sad.

2. JEREMY SHOCKEY: We should have known what was coming with this guy when he showed up for camp late as a rookie in ‘02 and then, at his first dinner, got into a punch-out with Brandon Short. Seems the linebacker demanded the reluctant Shockey to sing, a usual rookie hazing ritual. Shockey eventually followed orders, but not before he prefaced things with, “This is for Brandon Freakin’ Short!” or something to that affect. Short went after him, and Shockey wound up with a mouse under his eye. Sure wish I was there for that one, but we’re not allowed to eat with the players.

3. TIKI BARBER: I loved Tiki. Always willing to fill your notebook, as long as he had a full stomach. He often wouldn’t do interviews until after he’d eaten, which was okay because then he’d stand there for a half-hour fielding any and all questions. Always interesting and well-spoken.

4. THE CANNONBALL: Special teams drills can be as dull as any others unless they’re knocking punts out of bounds. You kind of have to keep your wits about you, or you might wind up embarrassing yourself as I did in the 2001 camp. Strong-legged Rodney Williams had just rocketed one toward us reporters. I figured, let me catch this one. Had it all lined up, too, until I saw it coming down like a cannonball. I ducked. It missed me. Another inch to the left, though, and they’d have called for the paramedics. That got a good laugh from the players and my colleagues, who didn’t let that one die for a long, long time.

5. STRAHAN AND GRAGG: Scott Gragg was a mild-mannered left tackle, perhaps way too nice to have to go up against Michael Strahan in pass-rush drills. Used to have a perverse enjoyment seeing Strahan torture him verbally as he repeatedly blew by the tackle. I remember hearing distinctly one play, “Don’t be sad, Gragg!” to which Gragg responded with a dirty word. They did get into it physically once or twice, with predictable results.

There were others, but you get the picture. Now share with me your memories.

EP

Looks like Plaxico Burress put on the old dog-and-pony show for a grand jury looking into his illegal firearms charges this morning. He testified for three hours, and later told reporters that “I was truthful. I was honest. I am truly remorseful for what I’ve done.”

His attorney, Benjamin Brafman, said “He asked the grand jury for compassion and understanding. It took a big man to come here today and acknowledge his responsibility.”

Yeah, especially when he’s facing a couple of three years in a small cell at Riker’s Island. As for those who contend he only hurt himself, I wonder if Burress did his old friend Antonio Pierce a solid by letting him off the hook for spiriting the gun out of the Latin Quarter after Burress shot himself in the thigh.

Pierce could face criminal charges, too. And even if he doesn’t, the commissioner has the right to impose a suspension or fine for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. So you see, again,  that Burress didn’t just hurt himself.

A decision on whether or not to indict will come down at some undetermined point.

EP

The day just got a little lousier in my opinion. Jim Johnson, the great Eagles defensive coordinator whose attacking philosophy was brought north by former Giants DC Steve Spagnuolo, died at age 68 this afternoon of cancer.

Always loved listening to him at playoff time. Classy guy, too. He’ll be missed.

UPDATE: Here’s a few thoughts from Tom Coughlin, released in a statement through the Giants’ PR department. Seems I’m not the only guy who thought Johnson was a first-class human.

“It is a sad, very sad, day,” Coughlin said. “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.”

EP

Giants president John Mara just released a statement in defense of linebacker Antonio Pierce, a day after a published report indicated the Manhattan district attorney would seek criminal charges against him for his actions after Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg early in the morning at a Manhattan nightclub.

Here’s the text of Mara’s statement. It should be noted that this plot could certainly get a lot thicker very soon, since Burress is due to testify in front of a grand jury tomorrow at 10 a.m. It was Pierce, remember, who not only took the bleeding Burress to the hospital, but also took the 40-caliber Glock from the Latin Quarter’s floor and deposited it first in his glove compartment, and then at Burress’ home.

“We have refrained from making any public statement regarding the legal proceedings against Plaxico Burress out of respect for the process,” Mara said. “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.”

EP

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has reinstated Michael Vick with various conditions attached. Here’s the press release my friend, Jets writer Jane McManus, just posted on her blog. Of course, now he has to find somebody who’ll have this gargantuan public relations problem on his team.

The Giants, perhaps? Maybe when pigs fly, but not right now.

MICHAEL VICK REINSTATED ON CONDITIONAL BASIS

May Practice Now and Play in Final Two Preseason Games;
Tony Dungy to Serve as Mentor; Commissioner to Decide on
Full Reinstatement for Regular Season by Week 6

Commissioner ROGER GOODELL notified MICHAEL VICK today that he has been reinstated to the NFL on a conditional basis and will be considered for full reinstatement and to play in regular-season games by Week 6 (October 18-19) based on the progress he makes in his transition plan.

Under the conditions of the reinstatement, Vick may participate without delay in preseason practices, workouts, meetings, and may play in his club’s final two preseason games. Once the regular season begins, Vick may participate in all team activities other than games, subject to specific guidelines developed by the NFL Player Personnel Department that will be communicated to Vick and all clubs. Vick is currently an unrestricted free agent eligible to sign with any NFL club. Vick is eligible to be paid based on terms negotiated with a club.

In addition, TONY DUNGY has agreed to continue his work with Michael Vick as an advisor and mentor. Commissioner Goodell will periodically evaluate Vick’s progress under this transitional step approach and consider full reinstatement for play in regular-season games by Week 6.

In a letter to Vick today, Commissioner Goodell wrote: “My decision at that time will be based on reports from outside professionals, your probation officer, and others charged with supervising your activities, the quality of your work outside football, the absence of any further adverse involvement in law enforcement, and other concrete actions that you take that are consistent with your representations to me.”

In addition, Commissioner Goodell wrote: “This step-by-step approach is not meant to be a further punishment and should not be viewed as such. Instead, it is intended to maximize the prospect that you can successfully resume your career and your life. I believe that a transitional approach with a strong network of support will give you the best opportunity to manage effectively the various issues and pressures that you will inevitably face in the coming weeks and months and earn your full reinstatement.”

Vick had been suspended indefinitely since August of 2007 after pleading guilty to federal criminal charges relating to his involvement in an interstate dog fighting enterprise. He was released from federal custody last Monday (July 20) but is still serving three years of probation.

In reviewing the matter, Commissioner Goodell considered the court records; written submissions made by Vick, his representatives, and others; reports and recommendations of outside professionals; interviews with family and associates conducted by NFL Security personnel; numerous conversations that Commissioner Goodell had with current and former players and others; and a hearing on July 22 at which the commissioner spoke in person with Vick, his representatives, and NFLPA officials.

Following are additional excerpts from Commissioner Goodell’s letter to Vick:

“Among the conditions of this reinstatement, you are required to abide by the terms of the supervised release that were imposed on you by the court, which include not committing any further crime, limits on who you may associate with, prohibitions regarding drug and alcohol use, possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, and forbidding you to own, possess or be involved with the sale of any dog.”

“Apart from these conditions, you have submitted to me a written plan concerning your proposed living arrangements, how you will manage your financial affairs, counseling and mentoring plans, and your proposed work with the Humane Society and other groups. You have committed to me that you intend to abide by this plan, and as I said when we met, you are accountable for doing so.”

“I am also encouraged by your recognition that you cannot do this yourself, and that outside mentors and continued counseling will provide you with valuable support and assistance. After discussing possible mentors with you, I have asked Coach Tony Dungy to continue his work with you and to initiate a more formal mentoring relationship with you. Earlier today, we discussed in detail with Coach Dungy the precise nature of that relationship, and I share your view that Coach Dungy can help you in many ways as you rebuild your life and resume your career. I will stay in close touch with Coach Dungy and his views will be part of my decision concerning whether and when you return to play.  I encourage you and Coach Dungy to select other mentors and advisors who can help in other phases of your life.”

“In deciding whether to reinstate a player, I have stressed my belief that playing in the NFL is a privilege. It is not an entitlement. Everyone fortunate enough to be part of the league is held to a standard of conduct higher than that generally expected in society and is correspondingly accountable when that standard of conduct is not met. I have also endorsed an approach under which players who have been suspended for a significant amount of time, as you have been, may through a series of steps demonstrate that they have addressed their prior problems, that they can make good decisions, and that they conduct themselves in a way that is lawful, responsible, and consistent with NFL values.”

“As I emphasized to you when we met, as I have said in other cases, it is actions that count. I accept that you are sincere when you say that you want to, and will, turn your life around and that you intend to be a positive role model for others. I am prepared to offer you that opportunity. Whether you succeed is entirely in your hands.”

“Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited. I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you and to dedicate yourself to rebuilding your life and your career.  If you do this, the NFL will support you.”

Plaxico Burress and his gun troubles may be long gone from the Giants, but they still may have to deal with the fallout from the wide receiver’s accidental marksmanship at a Manhattan nightclub eight months ago.

In a story in the New York Post, outgoing Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said middle linebacker Antonio Pierce may still be charged with illegally possessing the 40-caliber Glock that Burress shot himself in the thigh with during an evening’s entertainment at The Latin Quarter in Manhattan. Pierce, you may remember, is the one who took the gun from the floor and put it in his glove compartment as he transported Burress to the hospital.

Using unnamed sources, the report said a security guard at the Latin Quarter may finger Pierce, and that could result in an indictment and potential jail time.

Now, from a football standpoint only—no moralizing for once—this would be devestating for a linebacking corps that has already lost its top free agent pickup, Michael Boley, for most of camp to hip surgery. He’ll also sit out a one-game NFL suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. To lose Pierce, a team leader, would present huge problems in both chemistry and production.

That hasn’t happened yet, and it might not happen. Pierce continues to prepare with the rest of his teammates for Sunday’s reporting date. But it just goes to show how wrong were those people who said Burress only hurt himself. His actions still have reaching effects, not just to the Giants, but to personnel at the hospital who also face possible punishment.

Burress hurt a lot of people.

EP