Cardinals Bolster Defense, Sign LB Joey Porter To Three Year Deal Worth $17.5 Million
by Andrew602 on Mar 19, 2010 7:08 PM MDT
in 2010 Offseason
96 comments
After nearly a week of waiting, Arizona Cardinals fans can breathe a sigh of relief - Joey Porter is now a Cardinal.
After visiting with the team last Thursday, then testing his options with the Redskins, Joey Porter agreed to a three year deal worth $17.5 million with the Arizona Cardinals on Friday. The deal also features $7 million in incentives.
At $5.8 million per year, and the incentives, it seems evident that Joey Porter will be an every down starter for the Cardinals defense in 2010. It was once originally thought that Porter would become a situational pass rusher at this stage of his career, but the Cardinals clearly believe that he has more left to give. Whisenhunt does also:
Last season Porter registered 9 sacks - a considerable step down from the 17.5 sacks he amassed the year before. Porter had a falling out with Dolphins coaching staff last season and was even suspended from one game. With his play limited, Porter blamed the benching and limited play on his stats:"There is no question we were able to generate sacks last year but we were doing it with blitzing," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "This gives us a guy who can win one-on-one matchups and allows us to rush with four (players). That's a component we were missing to a degree."
“I don’t feel I have to sell myself,” Porter said. “With my role being reduced … I (still) had nine sacks. It’s not one of my best years but look around the league, there are starters who have four or five.”
At 33-years old, Porter may still have enough gas in the tank to provide the Cardinals with that edge pass rusher that can still pressure opposing quarterbacks. He's seen four pro bowls and four all-pro selections, and has totaled 92 sacks for his career. The Cardinals didn't have many other options available through free agency, and head coach Ken Whisenhunt has been prone to allow rookies to develop on the bench their first season - therefore, drafting a starter at linebacker seemed out of the question. Now a rookie can develop under a seasoned veteran like Porter.
After only signing limited free agents the last two seasons, Rod Graves has opened up the Cardinals pocket book and brought well known free agents to the team this year. This could also be a result of losing so many starters at the beginning of the offseason.
Porter is the second free agent linebacker to join the Cardinals after the team agreed to terms with Paris Lenon earlier this week. The Cardinals have also signed OL Rex Hadnot and QB Derek Anderson, and traded for free safety Kerry Rhodes. What are your thoughts on the Cardinals signings so far and is the team set now until the draft?
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3 years $17.3 million
That seems kind of like a lot for a 33 year old LB. None the less I like the signing & hope Dockett gets an extension soon.
Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.
by sc464 on Mar 19, 2010 7:20 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
Doubt he'll be here for #3
He’ll retire or be released by then, I would guess. It’s just a way to make the contract look bigger.
by tw3kr on Mar 19, 2010 11:30 PM MDT up reply actions 3 recs
I doubt anything happens contract wise with Docket this offseason.
Cards definitely seem set on not negotiating with anyone with more than 1 season left on their contract.
lets just hope nothing Rolle-esk happens with Dockett
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
I doubt it would as they were in 2 different situations.
Rolle was going to make way too much money for what he brought to the team where as Dockett is wanting a raise for what he brings to the team.
I think the Cardinals front office will want to prove to the players they reward them for their efforts rather than let them go. Kind of like what they did with Boldin by trading him this offseason.
Are you saying the trade was Boldin's reward?
by hadrarius on Mar 21, 2010 12:39 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Kind of, Boldin wanted a new contract and he was traded. He ended up getting a new contract, just not with us.
Players look at that and see that instead of giving the heart and soul of our team a new contract, we traded him once we felt he had nothing else to really give us.
Now I am not sitting here and saying we were stupid for trading him, because I was all for trading him. I am just saying players will not want to come here if we don’t ever hand out rewards for what they have done.
Does this makes sense? Or do I need to drink my coffee before I type?
I get it
I just dont know if being traded is the kind of reward most players will want.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
by Andrew602 on Mar 21, 2010 9:52 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
No, was saying that is a bad thing.
We need to sign Dockett to a longer deal so that players will see we reward good play with a fair contract rather than trading, cutting, or letting walk at the end (granted we did try to retain Rolle and Dansby).
I have to admit ignorance, but
the All-Pro title (4 times) is, at the very least, a sign of elite football intelligence. He has an opportunity to become a great leader for Cody Brown and Will Davis. This hopeful example, for me, overshadows the expected brashness of a world class athlete.
Then again, I’ve grown fat from eating my words.
The contract
So it is $3.5 mill per with $2.3 mill worth of incentives per. Would sure love to know what the incentives are. There is also no mention of guaranteed money, which is kind of odd.
All in all this should work out to be a very good signing. Just the attitude he will bring to the D will be welcome. But I do hope one of the young guys steps up. I’m still not comfortable with 2 older LB’s as our starters on the outside.
The 17.5 is the base salary
So thats not including the incentives.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Yeah, I just went to ESPN and saw that.
My fault for reading the article wrong. I thought the contract seemed low. I figured the incentives were pretty easy to reach. Now I am guessing the incentives might be a little bit harder to reach. Still curious about the guaranteed money.
Very happy about signing Porter.
The Cardinals needed to bring in an impact player on defense in a big way.
Compared to how we all felt
after watching Boldin, Dansby, and Rolle disappear on the same day I’m feeling very good about how we’ve rebounded. I think Porter will be a significant upgrade over Okeafor, Rhodes should be a good replacement for Rolle, Anderson was a huge upgrade over, well, nothing – or what may have been a promotion to back-up for St. Pierre. I think Lenon will work well as a weakside ILB back-up, a much needed upgrade over Highsmith, and Hadnot gives us some viable depth on the interior of the OL.
The only concern I really have now, other than the obvious of trying to replace Warner (which is something that Leinart appears more ready than ever to do), is finding Dansby’s replacement. I didn’t forsee us making any kind of move up the draft board, but as the FA signings come in I think it would be difficult for us not to consider it if it looks like McClain might slip out of the top #15 or if Weatherspoon gets to the #20’s and it’s clear someone in front of us is just waiting for him, but hopefully it’s not necessary and we can get him at #26.
A replacement for Dansby
An inside LB that projects to be a first year starter absolutely jumps to the forefront now. Seriously skeptical about the odds of the Cardinals trading up in the draft to get their man.
McClain
IF we get a 3rd round compensatory pick & IF McClain slips to 16 or later I absolutely say trade up. That would be a pretty sick LB core. Porter, Haggans, Hayes, Brown, Davis, McClain. We could then go OL in the 2nd, & DB in the 3rd
Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.
by sc464 on Mar 19, 2010 9:26 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
I like your thinking sc464
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
I could see that
if we were armed with three, third-round picks. Of course, I guess it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility that if both McClain and Weatherspoon are off the board that we go with Washington at #26, either. At 230 he seems undersized for a 3-4 but Lott could easily add another 10 pounds. In watching tape I noticed that O-linemen very seldom get a lock on him and his coverage abilities would give us a whole new dimension.
One of them will def be avail
If not, I’ll be banging my head against the wall wondering who we’ll take.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Agreed
I don’t see Washington being gone before #26, if anything I could potentially see a trade down into the early second round if he’s who we end up targeting.
did anyone predict
we’d get beanie at 31.
anything could happen, i thought beanie was top 15, at least before donald brown and that didnt happen, so it is possible.
by fansincejakenrob on Mar 20, 2010 10:07 AM MDT up reply actions
lol
boy they messed that one up. Thank you NFL.
A man from Dallas who bleeds red, not silver and blue.
hadnot is a very nice signing. he can play all 3 interior positions and he might not be starting caliber, but he is an excellent 6th lineman, one of the best in the league at that role. He is a borderline starter though in potential and if he doesn’t start, he sure does give a team depth.
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
I like it.
This should be a big plus to the Linebacker position and the pass rush.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.
I like it also
I like the signing. They needed to do this. I’m not as concerned about the age this year. He’ll be fine for year 1, and I think he’ll be able to help the young guys. Year 2 could be interesting depending how Brown develops….Now they can focus on drafting a ILB in the draft.
Great!
I’m glad we got Porter. We’ve been waiting for him, and this shows that we’ve rebounded from where we were at the start of Free-Agency.
Just went to the Niners board to see their comments on the signing.
Seems like there is about to be a brawl over there. Pretty funny!
Yeah saw that. Not sure what to even say about it
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
sliceostew
post a link!! i can’t find it!!! I wanna see!!!
now we just gotta pick up a few rookie linebackers from the draft and i think well have a pretty solid linebacking group
Absolutely
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Nice! I'm very happy with his signing and the mentoring it will provide!
I’m thinking the draft order puts emphasis on finding that starting ILB in the first, but the 2nd pick could be OL/CB/ILB. 3RD-6TH best player available OL/QB/CB/WR/ILB, 7TH BPA. We need to develop that strong CB depth, and perhaps a mauler in the OL to continue to push the group and find the best line possible.
Section 102, Row 18
Porter
No offense guys but ,being a Dolphin fan, we were only too happy to show him the exit door. He is selfish, always has been and now that his talents are starting to dissipate with age and wear and tear he cannot get away with some of the crap that he got away with while he was productive. The phins disciplined him for tardiness and he cried like a baby.He had 8&1/2 sacks last year (if i remember correctly) but a good deal of them were coverage sacks. In the end, his selfishness got him the door and provides us the chance to play the more productive Cameron Wake. Good luck with the signing, but my experience with joey wasnt all that and I am pretty sure you will view this signing differently after the 2010 season.
by caress of steel on Mar 19, 2010 9:34 PM MDT reply actions
If he does nothing more than mentor
the stack of young guys they already have at OLB then it will work out. The most sacks anyone with the Cardinals had last season was less than what Porter had in his reduced role. The Cards also signed a CFL guy at OLB, Stevie Baggs, who looks pretty sharp. Cody Brown was lost for his entire rookie season with an injury. So it’s not like we’re hanging all our hopes on Porter. But when the stars of your team (Darnell Dockett and Larry Fitzgerald) are excited about getting him, then as a fan it’s very encouraging. With any older player your running a risk with production. This is a risk I have no qualms about.
The Problem With Porter
He doesn’t want to mentor. All he wants to be is the number one man. Time isn’t on his side though, you will be fine this first year. Next year and the year after that you will get selfish Porter.
Staring down Mark Sanchez. Just look into the those brown beauties.
In reality we only need him for this year though.
If the LB’s we drafted last year and hopefully this year don’t pan out by 2011 then we have bigger problems than selfish Porter.
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 20, 2010 2:38 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Didn't he say he has no problem mentoring some of our new guys?
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad.
well
we actually got more than 1 talent player on defense, so he won’t be able to boast as much alongside dockett, wilson, and drc.
by fansincejakenrob on Mar 20, 2010 10:08 AM MDT up reply actions
I agree with the signing, but not with the amount paid.
I can’t imagine our original offer to him was this high. I clearly don’t know what happened, but I have to imagine Porter’s visit to the ’Skins paid off, and we ended up forking just a tad bit more money than before.
In the end, Porter is still a household name and coming of 26.5 sacks the last two seasons
He was going to command a relatively large contract no matter what his age was.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
I think the price tag is a little steep, but he definitely fills a need. Does this impact your draft strategy? If you dont move in the draft, who is your top 3-5 on your wishlist?
McClain if he falls
Weatherspoon?
by jets47 on Mar 20, 2010 9:02 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Those would be
two ideal choices, if they fall. You may want to look at the possibility of us picking up Daryl Washington, although he may be a bit of a reach at #26 and I don’t think he falls to us at #58. More and more it’s beginning to look like an OT or, and I hate to say this because my feelings about him are very mixed, Terrence Cody at #26.
Whoever it ends up being, you’ll need to mock up something very accurate from 1-25, because it’s looking more and more like BPA at our selection.
Love the signing..
..But I’m a little surprised with the length of the deal. Would have thought we’d see a two year deal at most. No matter, he probably won’t play the third year. If we play our cards right in the draft, our D could be better than last year with the moves we’ve already made. Plus, you’ve got to love having a big mouth on defense in Porter to fire everyone up! Love it.
by TheCurt on Mar 20, 2010 9:53 AM MDT via mobile reply actions
Could be some competition
between Porter and Dockett with the crap talkin. It should be entertaining at the least
Is it wrong that I would love that?
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
And if Stevie Baggs hits the field....
You will a HOF full of trash-talkers
That nasty Steeler attitude...
Is worth $17.5 mil to me.
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
by hevchv on Mar 20, 2010 1:06 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
+1 It's the immeasurables that we were going for here
I agree with the signing and feel a thousand times better about our defense after. I’m anxious for the draft because that will ultimately show where our team’s emphasis lies for the next few years. I believe this moves allows us a few offensive minded picks as well. Before this I really wanted to go LB in the first round but if a quality LT falls I think we should go that way and possibly use one of our potential 3 third round picks to move up and grab Hughes or another quality linebacker.
It also seems we are no longer in a position where a rookie linebacker would HAVE to start. Ideally, if they develop quick enough, that’d be nice but at least its not longer a necessity.
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 20, 2010 1:14 PM MDT up reply actions
Really?
I think if we get Weatherspoon then he MUST start. The idea of Paris Lenon and Gerald Hayes in the middle gives me nightmares.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Sorry that last sentence was worded poorly
*Ideally, if the LB we draft (hopefully Weatherspoon) develops in training camp and proves he is a worthy starter over Lenon (which shouldn’t be too tough), then I’d love to see him start. Gives me hope we found another Patrick Willis. However, if he needs a little more time to catch on then at least we have more veteran depth at this point where Highsmith or Walker wouldn’t be forced into a huge role, which scares me even more than Lenon starting for the first few games.
I’d love to see us draft Weatherspoon and have him the starter alongside Hayes from day one.
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 20, 2010 2:35 PM MDT reply actions
Heck yes
That would complete this offseason along with a very productive 2nd – 7th draft picks.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
yeah funny stuff
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
so alright what does everyone think of this?
I think instead of wasting our third round picks and trading up take one of our possible three and use it to get Kirk Morrison from Oakland who is only on a third round tender and is a proven solid defender who has been behind a terrible D-Line… now put him in the birdgang and i think we would have a top 5 defense. Also as far as the draft i think we go with TCU backer Hughes because he’ll be that elite pass rusher like Merriman was for SD before his injuries. Last but not least on the free agent front I have this belief the Cards should sign a vet receiver that can help teach our young receivers what its like to be a champion. I see Torry Holt as an excellent pick up which would help our quarterbacks build on what little confidence they have.
All very good possibilties
But how is Morrison against the pass?
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Not down with trading away picks to move up.
ILB is not a position with a lot of 1st round value. There will be a quality player at #26 that the Cardinals need. If it’s not an ILB then they can still pick a good prospect for that position in the 2nd. Whisenhunt comes from an organization that knew how to draft from late in order. I don’t believe they will move up for anyone, but what the hell do I know?
why draft?
if holt can curb his ego and sign for a lower contract not some giant veteran contract like im sure he is looking i think you draft another late round receiver and while he develops the next two years were 5 deep again instead of 3 deep and worry about whether a rookie will pan out or not
If they draft a WR
it will probably be someone who will also be returning punts and / or kicks. So, a guy with fast legs, something an older vet won’t bring. I’d prefer they pick up a CB with speed for that since I believe that position is more of a need (if they only take one or the other).
Darren Urban seems to think that they will not be undertaking any more major signings until the draft so a Morrison trade seems highly unlikely. You would think if they wanted him they wouldn’t have signed Lenon yet.
Why???
We have double up Fitz to pull two defenders and 4 very reliable receivers in waiting. We are basically already 5 deep: Fitz, Breaston, Doucet, Gant and Jones. i think we’ll be ok.
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
gant and jones? refresh my memory when they have played in a game? not trying to be a jerk just wondering what production theyve had
i mean if we have depth then i agree were fine but i like NFL production then just hypothetical ya know what i mean… i just dont want the cardinals do not try to win in every way possible two years ago was so close i can still taste it and want more than anything for that to happen again
We really don't know what we have in Gant and Jones
We just need to trust what the coaches and FO see.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
The problem
with Holt is he’s only useful as a top 3 WR, as the 4th and 5th receivers are typically special teams only. Holt isn’t going to beat out Fitzgerald, Breaston, or Doucet. It’s the same issue Rice faced when he went to Denver. Was he one of the top 5 WR’s there? Yes. Was he going to be productive as a #4 or #5? No.
+3
We have to remember we are no longer going to be an offense tailored to Warner’s strengths. That means we will probably rarely see 5 WR sets like we were fairly accustomed to seeing with Warner at the helm.
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 22, 2010 11:16 AM MDT up reply actions
Jones looked really good in preseason.
Don’t remember seeing a lot of Gant.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Onrea Jones looked great as a WR
I think he’ll make the squad this year. If I remember correctly isn’t Gant the ex-olympic sprinter who’s primary skill to make the team was kick and punt returner? He just got injured in like the 3rd preseason game so couldn’t secure a spot but I remember the guy looks like he’s faster than Hester…
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 22, 2010 11:18 AM MDT up reply actions
Oh thanks for the info
Anyone heard anything about Michael Ray Garvin? Is he even trying out for the team anymore?
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 22, 2010 11:30 AM MDT up reply actions
Here's a little info on Gant:
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=86594&draftyear=2009&genpos=WR
Both Jones and Gant have cropped up in conversation, and both seem to have a decent chance at making the squad this year. Gant had a few targets (like… 3-4) and I didn’t see him drop any of them; appeared effective in special teams coverage (probably how he’ll make the squad). Jones has been around the league since ’07 and has caught a TD in just about every preseason since, I believe. Has a chance at moving up to #4 WR (who am I kidding? He is the #4 WR at this point).
Thanks for the info!
Guy has some speed in the 40. Hopefully that translates to the field.
by cardsfanforlife24 on Mar 24, 2010 6:17 PM MDT up reply actions
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