Neck Doc to Pierce: Rx is Rest

GIANT NOTES Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce traveled to Los Angeles on Wednesday to meet with Dr. Robert Watkins, a specialist who took a look at the bulging disk in Pierce's neck. Watkins' diagnosis was the same as that of the Giants' medical experts - meaning the first step for Pierce is to rest and see if the disk shrinks on its own. Surgery is an option depending on how the disk responds. The timetable for Pierce remains indefinite, but is in the six-week range, making it very possible he will miss the remainder of the regular season. Pierce did not make the trip here and - unlike last week's game against the Falcons at Giants Stadium - was not on the sideline as the Giants faced the Broncos last night. * It has been a rough but productive season for tight end Kevin Boss, who entered last night's Thanksgiving game against the Broncos hanging in physically and finding his way into the end zone. After going the first six games without a touchdown catch, Boss had four in the previous four games, including his first career two-touchdown game last Sunday against the Falcons. The emergence of Boss is critical to the success of the Giants in the red zone, a place where they have struggled to produce touchdowns. Through 10 games, the Giants were 25th in the league in red-zone offense, scoring touchdowns only 43.9 percent of the time. Boss has come on strong despite several jarring shots that left him sore and, at times, groggy. He's taken blows to his head, ankle and neck while hauling in passes, but hasn't missed any time. "It's been a long year," Boss said. "I've taken a few shots. The ankle's starting to feel a little better, I think that bye week helped a lot. "It's probably something that's not going to feel great until February or March, when we're done playing. It's time to forget about that stuff and finish this season strong." * With running back Ahmad Bradshaw dealing with injuries to both ankles, Danny Ware, in his third season with the Giants, was set to get his first extensive playing time as the backup to starter Brandon Jacobs. Coach Tom Coughlin earlier in the week said he wanted to see if the development of second-year Jonathan Goff could be accelerated to get him on the field some at middle linebacker, where Chase Blackburn is filling in for injured Pierce. Goff has played exclusively on special teams. * Still bothered by Lawrence Tynes missing a 31- yard field-goal attempt vs. the Falcons? At least Tynes knows what went wrong. "There was a little mix-up on the spot, which is my fault," Tynes explained. "[Holder] Jeff [Feagles] is always right when we spot the ball. When I saw where the ball was, it was on the line and the official re-spotted it to a half. I lined up like it was on the line, so I was an extra foot deep on my alignment. Stupid error."

Originally published by PAUL SCHWARTZ.

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