A case for Joey Porter ( If for no other reason )

[Mansta54]

the guy is done...just like Rivera was done...sorta like something that is dead that still twitches because it doesn't know its dead...

Might as well let Bledsoe play the spot you would give Porter atleast Bledsoe attracts a crowd and seems to cause turnovers

Done??? Not even close!!!!

 

[wesleyc288]

the guy is done...just like Rivera was done...sorta like something that is dead that still twitches because it doesn't know its dead...

Might as well let Bledsoe play the spot you would give Porter atleast Bledsoe attracts a crowd and seems to cause turnovers

How is he done?....is there any evidence of that?

 

[Zaxor]

Done??? Not even close!!!!

not sure about that at all friend...teams were attacking Porter.. the Stealers had to be very inventive to get any production from Porter...although his numbers look similar from years past this guy is not close to being the same after his second knee operation

 

[Mansta54]

not sure about that at all friend...teams were attacking Porter and the Stealers had to be very inventive to get production from Porter...although his numbers look similar from years past this guy is not close to being the same after his second knee operation

Enough said!!! So how is he done???? Also, how about the passion, fire, and intensity he brings to our D. Thats something we haven't had since Haley, Woodson, and James Washington left...

 

[Zaxor]

Enough said!!! So how is he done????

well it isn't just my opinion

here is news article that says about the same thing

http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18026767&BRD=2305&PAG=461&dept_id=478568&rfi=6

03/01/2007 Column: It was time
for Porter to go By: Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff
PITTSBURGH - Joey Porter, the surly linebacker who celebrated sacks with his trademark "boot," got a taste of his own medicine Thursday. The Steelers kicked him out of town.

Like so many NFL teams trying to make room under the salary cap - the $109 million cap goes into effect today - the Steelers gave Porter the boot, citing financial reasons.

To a degree, that's true.

By showing Porter the door now, the Steelers got an instant $5 million in cap relief - $1 million from the roster bonus he was due to receive Tuesday and $4 million in base salary he was due to make in 2007.

But beyond the money the Steelers saved this year, there were other reasons why Porter was cut.

For starters, the Steelers are just tired of Porter's act. With youthful head coach Mike Tomlin and his squeaky-clean image moving in as the new face of the franchise, the Steelers don't want to put up with Porter's non-stop theatrics.

For years now, Porter was been a lightning rod for trouble. While he can't be blamed for all the controversy that's surrounded him, the fact of the matter is that it's always something with him.

He's the only Steeler ever ejected from a game before it started (2004 for his involvement in a pre-coin toss scuffle in Cleveland). He's the guy who was universally criticized - even by his close pal Bill Cowher - for shoving an injured, defenseless opponent to the ground (Baltimore tight end Todd Heap in '04). He's believed to be the only Steeler to publicly call out a U.S. president, even though his remarks ripping George W. Bush last spring were said half-jokingly.

For all the leadership skills Porter has used over the past four years as a defensive co-captain, Steelers management sensed that he would clash with Tomlin, especially if he threatened to hold out like he did last year before Cowher talked him into reporting to training camp on time.

Most importantly, the Steelers just don't think Porter is the dominant player he once was.

Even though he'll only be 30 on March 22, Porter has already played eight pro seasons and is starting to show wear and tear (he battled through training camp with knee and hamstring injuries the past two years). For a guy who appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated's preseason NFL edition last summer and was dubbed "the NFL's most feared player," Porter had a very disappointing season in '06.

Tomlin, who turns 35 in two weeks, and personnel director Kevin Colbert obviously believe Porter's best days are behind him. That's why they didn't cave into his recent contract demands for a lucrative, multi-year extension. Management simply refused to overpay Porter despite how valuable he's been in the past.

Yes, Porter has been a good Steeler.

And yes, the Steelers' locker room will definitely be different without "J Peezy" around.

The bottom line is that cutting Porter was the right thing to do.

If Cowher was still coaching in Pittsburgh, Porter still might be a Steeler. But with a new coach starting a new regime, it only made sense to give Porter the boot.

Mike Bires can be reached online at mbires@timesonline.

also check out what the stealer fans are saying

 

[Mansta54]

well it isn't just my opinion

here is news article that says about the same thing

http://www.timesonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18026767&BRD=2305&PAG=461&dept_id=478568&rfi=6

03/01/2007 Column: It was time
for Porter to go By: Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff
PITTSBURGH - Joey Porter, the surly linebacker who celebrated sacks with his trademark "boot," got a taste of his own medicine Thursday. The Steelers kicked him out of town.

Like so many NFL teams trying to make room under the salary cap - the $109 million cap goes into effect today - the Steelers gave Porter the boot, citing financial reasons.

To a degree, that's true.

By showing Porter the door now, the Steelers got an instant $5 million in cap relief - $1 million from the roster bonus he was due to receive Tuesday and $4 million in base salary he was due to make in 2007.

But beyond the money the Steelers saved this year, there were other reasons why Porter was cut.

For starters, the Steelers are just tired of Porter's act. With youthful head coach Mike Tomlin and his squeaky-clean image moving in as the new face of the franchise, the Steelers don't want to put up with Porter's non-stop theatrics.

For years now, Porter was been a lightning rod for trouble. While he can't be blamed for all the controversy that's surrounded him, the fact of the matter is that it's always something with him.

He's the only Steeler ever ejected from a game before it started (2004 for his involvement in a pre-coin toss scuffle in Cleveland). He's the guy who was universally criticized - even by his close pal Bill Cowher - for shoving an injured, defenseless opponent to the ground (Baltimore tight end Todd Heap in '04). He's believed to be the only Steeler to publicly call out a U.S. president, even though his remarks ripping George W. Bush last spring were said half-jokingly.

For all the leadership skills Porter has used over the past four years as a defensive co-captain, Steelers management sensed that he would clash with Tomlin, especially if he threatened to hold out like he did last year before Cowher talked him into reporting to training camp on time.

Most importantly, the Steelers just don't think Porter is the dominant player he once was.

Even though he'll only be 30 on March 22, Porter has already played eight pro seasons and is starting to show wear and tear (he battled through training camp with knee and hamstring injuries the past two years). For a guy who appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated's preseason NFL edition last summer and was dubbed "the NFL's most feared player," Porter had a very disappointing season in '06.

Tomlin, who turns 35 in two weeks, and personnel director Kevin Colbert obviously believe Porter's best days are behind him. That's why they didn't cave into his recent contract demands for a lucrative, multi-year extension. Management simply refused to overpay Porter despite how valuable he's been in the past.

Yes, Porter has been a good Steeler.

And yes, the Steelers' locker room will definitely be different without "J Peezy" around.

The bottom line is that cutting Porter was the right thing to do.

If Cowher was still coaching in Pittsburgh, Porter still might be a Steeler. But with a new coach starting a new regime, it only made sense to give Porter the boot.

Mike Bires can be reached online at mbires@timesonline.

also check out what the stealer fans are saying

Dude you can find that same article in every city that a player leaves out of.. Check the Ariz. papers and see what they're saying about Davis... Who cares about what some writer says.... That same article said that if Cowher were still there, Porter would still be a Steeler. I have much respect for Cowher, how about you..

 

[wesleyc288]

I'd LOVE to have him on our D......he may not be the DOMINANT player that he used to be.....but he can still be very productive IMO. Plus, he will bring an attitude to this defense that is badly needed....Sure he opens his mouth alot....maybe too much, but who doesnt these days.....He can definately help our defense and our team.

 

[Mansta54]

I'd LOVE to have him on our D......he may not be the DOMINANT player that he used to be.....but he can still be very productive IMO. Plus, he will bring an attitude to this defense that is badly needed....Sure he opens his mouth alot....maybe too much, but who doesnt these days.....He can definately help our defense and our team.

 

[Zaxor]

Dude you can find that same article in every city that a player leaves out of.. Check the Ariz. papers and see what they're saying about Davis... Who cares about what some writer says.... That same article said that if Cowher were still there, Porter would still be a Steeler. I have much respect for Cowher, how about you..

Well who besides the fans and the press from the players city know the player better?

here is another

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_495752.html

here is quotes from the article

Porter would have made $5 million this season -- a $1 million roster bonus that was due next Tuesday, plus a $4 million salary. For a club so tight under the cap, better to free the cash and address a couple of problem areas. One of those is the lack of an edge pass-rusher. And make no mistake, Porter had clearly lost his edge there.
Sure, he recorded seven sacks last season, but six of those came in games against Oakland, Tampa Bay and Miami. He also had four games of one or zero tackles.

Matt Williamson, formerly a scout for the Cleveland Browns, breaks down video of Steelers games each week for ESPN's Scouts Inc. He says Porter still is good in coverage and fairly stout against the run. But Porter can no longer get to the quarterback, unless he's facing a mediocre tackle or racing through a lane created by Dick LeBeau's elaborate defensive schemes.

"I think he's declined noticeably," Williamson said. "I think he benefits from the scheme, but he also understands it so well that he takes full advantage of it.

I asked Williamson if he could find the most recent video clip of Porter beating a high-quality tackle. He might as well have tried to find the Loch Ness Monster.

Porter probably could have played out his contract with one more decent season, but only if he made it through training camp without imploding in a fit of self-pity. That is, if he showed up at all -- and you figure he would have, so as not to lose money.

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sure doesn't sound like a guy we should want

 

[Klemster]

I think part of the issue with our defense not having any "leaders" is that we have been playing a very passive style defense (bend but don't break). I am at least somewhat optimistic that with a more aggressive defense, more big plays will be made which should bring out more emotion and keep the players fired up!

At least I keep telling myself it will work out that way