American Football: Pierce optimistic about re-signing with the Skins'

Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce could be starting his final game for Washington on Sunday, but the free agent-to-be reiterated yesterday that he has no plans to leave the Redskins.

"I'm big-time confident that it will get done," Pierce said of ongoing contract negotiations. "(Redskins owner Dan Snyder) and Coach (Joe) Gibbs are committed to it. They know I don't want to go anywhere else. This isn't going to be my last game with the Redskins."

Pierce, who leads the Redskins with 150 tackles in his first full season as a starter, nearly signed a modest, multiple-year deal with Minnesota as a restricted free agent last winter before gambling on a one-year contract with Washington with hopes of the big payoff that should be coming soon. Pierce said he has no regrets about staying even though Washington is 5-10 and Minnesota, which visits FedEx Field on Sunday, is 8-7 and on the verge of a playoff spot.

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