Last of the bad boys released
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During Bill Cowher’s tenure in Pittsburgh, the Steelers had a long list of linebackers who had a bit of a bad-boy image: Levon Kirkland, Jason Gildon, Kendrell Bell, Joey Porter. Friday ended with the release of Porter, and now the group has a more anonymous, preachers’ kids feel.
Sure, Clark Haggans has a nasty streak in him, and Larry Foote has his post-sack Stomp dance, but there’s just no one left to fear.
I don’t want to spoil the linebacker capsule in the Before the Draft series (defensive coverage begins Monday), so I won’t go too much into detail, but Mike Tomlin needs to make one of his top priorities finding a linebacker who other teams will fear. The blue-collar work ethic in Pittsburgh is vital, but losing Porter meant losing the team’s pulse. That’s not to say I never figured this would happen, or even to say that I didn’t think it was actually the right move, but the locker room just isn’t going to be the same unless someone vocal steps up to lead. Maybe it’s Anthony Smith, the high-stepping, receiver-taunting safety who held the ball up to his ear to make sure everyone chasing after him saw him heading to the end zone for six points. Cowher put the kibosh on that sort of attitude, at least with everyone but Porter. And it was because he let Porter be his ornery, vocal self that this defense had the swagger and attitude of an unstoppable force, even when they were down on their luck,
I dread thinking where Porter may end up. The Ravens released their top linebacker in a salary cap move; maybe Porter takes a pay cut to avenge his release. Unlikely, because he likes his money. But there’s a chance.
I expect to see him on San Francisco, more likely. Or, perhaps, in Philadelphia. I shudder to think that, but they have cap room and could move him to defensive end in their 4-3 defense. Or, he could follow so many other Steelers to New England.
I knew it would be a sad day to see Joey in another team’s colors. While I felt it was the right move to make, part of me wishes it didn’t have to come to this. It’s that part that’s afraid that there’s no longer a bad boy in Pittsburgh to be feared.
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March 2nd, 2007 at 7:11 am
Anthony Smith did not show boat his way into the endzone…he was running out of bounds
March 2nd, 2007 at 8:34 am
It’s hard to believe that Porter won’t be on the field for us next year but it was a move that had to be made.
#1. They needed to get under the cap
#2. His play has declined in my opinion. I always found him to be a tad overrated. He did show up against Indy last year though in the stretch run of the playoffs. But overall I thought he was absent in big games.
#3. The Steelers are generally good with knowing when it is time to cut ties with a LB. I’ll trust them on this one.
March 5th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Tanjacket: You are correct. Considering I’ve tried to block most of last season out of my mind, it’s no surprise to me that the details are sometimes blurry. Thanks for the correction!