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Porter’s posturing pays off with media

Dolphins LB is savvy in using Super Bowl week as negotiating ploy. Matt Bowen

Print This February 03, 2010, 12:04 PM EST
6 Comments

Joey Porter of the Dolphins gets it when it comes to Super Bowl week.

The NFL media is down in South Florida looking for every angle on Dwight Freeney’s ankle injury, and meaningless stats are constantly being used to compare Peyton Manning and Drew Brees.

It has dried up already, and only a late night spotting of Reggie Bush leaving a club has conjured up any real drama to talk about (if we consider that drama).

However, Porter, a guy that received more negative attention than positive this season for his play on the field, has made it clear that he wants out of Miami. And now, we are talking about it.

Next week, no one would care. It would just be another player wanting out of town — nothing new in the dreary months of February when we are waiting for March Madness, pitchers and catchers to report to spring training, and the start of free agency — which may turn out to be a dud due to the NFL labor war.

But, by announcing his displeasure this week when everyone is looking for a different angle and something to write about other than media day, Porter is now a headline.

Call it self-propaganda if you want, but it does work — because we are now talking about an aging linebacker who doesn’t mesh with the coaching staff.

Sure, Porter had nine sacks in 2009 and only fits in a 3-4 scheme where he can rush the passer, but he is a hot name in the middle of the biggest NFL week of the season. Sounds like a good plan from my perspective.

He wants out of Miami, and like all veteran players in their 30’s who are on the downside of their careers, he thinks he can still play and more importantly, that he still deserves to be paid — and paid big.

LaDainian Tomlinson started it last night on the radio out in San Diego. But, that’s LT, a name we will talk about all offseason. Porter, on the other hand, is not. He needs his name to be in the headlines and he needs to auction off his services using the media’s help.

I get it, and I have also taken Porter’s bait. Because, like the rest of the media that covers the NFL, I want to find something to write about as well.

Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41

Could Panthers DE Julius Peppers be on his way to Cleveland? Check out this article from Bleacher Report to find out.

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Kevin
Feb 03, 2010
02:10 PM

Still, who wants this guy? He is so limited in what he can do and will want to be PAID like all the other washed up vets.

Winning Is On The Line
Feb 03, 2010
07:03 PM

While it is admirable to admitting to your addiction to "PRESSITUTION" lowering your journalistic standards isn't going to get you an agents fee if he signs with a team. Lowering your standards may get you a job with ESPN however.

NFL Man
Feb 03, 2010
07:13 PM

@Winning, You lost me on that one. I kind of took it as a dig at Porter, the player.

Winning Is On The Line
Feb 03, 2010
07:31 PM

NFL Man..............In the next to last paragraph Matt writes:

"He needs his name to be in the headlines and he needs to auction off his services using the medias help."
The last paragraph reads........ "I get it, and I have also taken Porters bait. Because, like the rest of the media that covers the NFL, I want to find something to write about as well.'

Thus my PRESSITUTION comment.

Fashion-deals
Feb 04, 2010
03:51 AM

Very good article.
Thanks

Snake Plissken
Feb 04, 2010
12:07 PM

Matt:
From a pure dollars and sense point, can you put a pure number on what teams are willing to pay "per sack".
Its a skill set every NFL team will pay for, and it's hard to find. Peppers only had 10 yet was paid a kings ransom.

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