Not long ago I posed the question whether you think Joey Porter should come back to the Arizona Cardinals in 2011. You all mostly agreed that he should come back, but be willing to do so in a lesser role. It was believed that he could be cut, as that move could save the team almost $5 million. Instead, he has decided to restructure his deal to be paid less and stay with the team, rather than test the waters of the NFL after a disappointing season and hope there is a better situation.
I am very happy to have him back, if he is to play less.
Porter played in 99 percent of the team's defensive snaps in 2010. It was thought that he would be let go if Arizona found a free agent at the position to sign. With younger players Will Davis and O'Brien Schofield, along with rookie Sam Acho, his role can be diminished.
Since Manny Lawson does not seem to be on their radar and no other outside linebackers have really been in the news connected to Arizona, it looks like the team is going to ride the youth.
We fans have been hoping for an upgrade in the pass rush, but one player says not to worry.
O'Brien Schofield told Kent Somers that he has bulked up, weighing now over 250 pounds and when it comes to the pass rush, he said, "I got it," meaning we do not need to worry about where sacks are going to come from.
Now, barring injury, I would be surprised if we see any move made in free agency to land a pass rushing OLB.
Hopefully Porter can be something like Bertrand Berry was for the Cards in his final years before his retirement.