Porter and the Bills - A Match?
Joe Buscaglia Reporting
[email protected]Volatile. Brash. Self-centered. Arrogant.
Any and all of these words can be heard when listening to public opinion on former Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Joey Porter. But the one thing that can't be denied, despite his character flaws, is the production he provides on the field.
Many different facets should be considered when the thought of bringing in a personality of that nature in to a locker room that has yet to form an identity with a brand new coaching staff and so many new pieces to the puzzle.
The biggest question is obvious. Is Porter worth the hassle?
My answer? Absolutely and unequivocally, yes.
The argument for Porter is a strong case in my estimation. The team switching to the 3-4 defensive scheme is certainly at the forefront of my reasoning. Porter could help aid the transition, especially when none of the projected outside linebackers have dealt with the coverage aspect of the position at length.
Porter's numbers speak for themselves. In the past two seasons, Porter racked up a giant total of 26.5 sacks in 30 starts. Regardless of some having the opinion that Porter has "lost a step," Porter's nine sacks in 2009 was only one shy of matching Aaron Schobel last season.
Now with Schobel in limbo on whether or not he'll retire from the game altogether, the Bills could potentially lose their only real threat of getting to the quarterback. Chris Kelsay, Ryan Denney and Aaron Maybin combined for seven sacks last year. Not a very good omen for the future.
I wouldn't be shocked to see the name Chris Kelsay with the word "cut" at some point before the season, because he's not a great fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Aaron Maybin is a work in progress, and Ryan Denney has already become an unrestricted free agent.
So with all that uncertainty, it would just make absolute sense to bring in someone like Porter, who has the extensive experience in a 3-4 defense, and has the numbers to back that very experience up. Don't forget, there is a tie-in with Porter and the Bills.
Defensive coordinator George Edwards has spent the past few seasons in Miami as the linebacker coach, and worked directly with Porter. This will be the make or break for any potential talk of bringing Porter to Western New York.
If Edwards feels the same as much of the Dolphins organization about wanting to be rid of Porter from the locker room, then there's no way in hell anything will get close to completed. But if he doesn't feel the same, then what are the Bills waiting for?
They need as much help as they can get in switching to the 3-4. Even if it's only a one-year contract and they find out Maybin is the real deal and that Schobel wants to play and can man the outside linebacker role just fine, I still believe the Bills should not close themselves off from a player like that just based on reputation.
He brings a working knowledge of the very system that will be implemented in Buffalo, and he can also help the young Aaron Maybin getting acclimated with his new role. I'm not sure the word 'mentor' should be used with a player like Porter, but he certainly won't be a hindrance to Maybin's progress.
Granted, it's a very strong and negative reputation, but I think we can throw that whole "character" aspect right out the window based on players added in recent history.
Despite that very reputation of Porter, the only thing that I'm concerned about is if he can help the Bills be competitive in 2010. If that 'off year' in 2009 consists of nine sacks in just fourteen games I have just one other question.
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