Antonio Pierce began his new life with the Giants this week, reporting to the off-season conditioning programme at Giants Stadium.

The Bermudian, who left the Redskins after four years, signed a $33 million deal with the Big Blue within two days of free agency beginning and was regarded as one of the bigger fish in the off-season talent pool this spring.

Coach Tom Coughlin, about to begin his second season with the Giants, is confident Pierce is the right man for the job of trying to depose the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, despite playing as starter for just one season.

?The fact that he hasn?t played a lot, to me, that?s a plus because he?s not worn down,? said Coughlin, who is missing the opening days of conditioning work as he is away at the NFL spring owners? meeting in Hawaii.

?If you saw (Redskins lineback LaVar) Arrington?s quote, he said that Pierce was the driving force. He was the reason their defence played so well ? that?s outstanding.

?He?s a great blitzer who will fit well into our scheme, which is an aggressive, attacking defence. He?s a sideline-to-sideline guy. He?s been a three-down linebacker in the past and he will have every opportunity to be a three-down linebacker here.?

Pierce?s opening game with the Giants, for whom he will be wearing number 53, will be a trip to Cleveland in the first of four pre-season games.

His opening home game will then be against the Carolina Panthers followed by a local derby against the Jets before pre-season winds up with a trip to Gillette Stadium to take on Super Bowl champions the New England Patriots.

The regular season schedule, expected to begin around September 10, will be released shortly.