Porter to Dolphins; Wells Elated
I have to be honest, I started to grow a strong dislike for the Pittsburgh Steelers from the moment I stepped foot on campus at West Virginia University. I actually had a lot of friend’s(even my dad) who are Steelers fans and I don’t fault them, they didn’t bring me to such hatred. It was the people I didn’t know that really made me sick. Kids at sports bars, in class, fair weather fans who only told you how good BLITZBURGH was when they were winning.
With that said, there are players from the Black and Gold that I have alot of respect for. Most notably, Hines Ward, Troy Polamalu, Willie Parker and Joey Porter. Well today “My” Miami Dolphins inked Porter for 5 years, $32 million, with $20 million in guaranteed money. Now I know the guy is over 30 at this point and he has diminishing talents, but he’s still a leader, playmaker and brings talent to the OLB position opposite of Jason Taylor. Not to mention it will re-unite Porter with ex-Steelers D-Coordinator Dom Capers.
Porter brings a Championship mentality to a team that has been lacking just that, and that’s something you can’t teach.
What really impresses me is that Cam Cameron is coming in and addressing some of this team’s weaknesses before the draft because this team is built to win now. Furthermore, Cameron is giving Capers what he needs on the defensive side of the ball so he can worry about correcting the stagnant offense.
I guess what I’m trying to say is….I LOVE THIS MOVE
Wow, Porter and Taylor on opposite ends rushing the QB should be formidable! As for Porter, Pittsburgh could simply not afford him any longer. Porter was the heart and soul of the defense (and of the team for that matter), so losing him was a tough pill to swallow for some of us Steelers fans. While he is 30 and has lost a step, he can still completely disrupt a game, as he did in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game versus Indianapolis in 2006 (2005 season).
I hope Porter finds some success in South Beach, but I would caution against one thing: It is a rarity for a player to leave Pittsburgh and continue to put up big stats. The Rooneys have a knack for knowing when a player is on the downside of his career, and they seem to get rid of guys just in time. In any case, Good Luck Joey!
Raible
March 7, 2007
Porter is a huge acquisition for the ‘Fins. I don’t see his age as being prohibitive in the least. What he may have lost in a step he more than makes up for in experience. Miami is gearing up for what may be the right time to overtake the aging Pats. They still have the label of being a warm weather team in a cold weather division. The question mark is still firmly implanted on Culpepper’s back. Losing Welker (to the Pats?) will impact their special teams, and he was coming into his own opposite Chambers. The AFC East seems to be moving in the right direction. Thomas Jones is a nice addition to the Jets, even though they had a good stable of young RBs. The Bills seem to be looking more towards the draft to improve (or is McGahee damaged goods).
Anyway, good luck Wells with Porter and your ‘Fins. Oh, by the way, he likes to talk!
pmryder
March 8, 2007