Steelers miss Porter's swagger

[Livinginthe past]

Steelers miss Porter's swagger
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, April 21, 2007

A corner of the Steelers' locker room at the team's South Side practice facility -- heck, the entire locker room -- seemed quieter than usual Friday.

And the players that are now Joey Porter's former teammates couldn't help but notice.

"It's going to be a big difference with Joey not being here because he kind of keeps the whole team and locker room going because of his personality and who he is," guard Kendall Simmons said during the first day of minicamp.

The Steelers released Porter at the beginning of March because of financial considerations. Porter, who is fourth on the Steelers' all-time sacks list, quickly signed with the Miami Dolphins.


"He's probably sipping mai tais and looking at palm trees right now," Steelers linebacker James Farrior said.

Porter will be looking across the field at his former teammates Nov. 26, as the Dolphins visit the Steelers at Heinz Field.

That game, wide receiver Hines Ward said, is one he already has circled on his calendar.

"I want to see if he's really going to trash talk us," Ward said. "You can't trash talk your boys, Joey. That's going to be an exciting game for both of us."

Ward also will have some mixed feelings. He was one of the veterans that wasn't happy when the Steelers released Porter.

"He's a locker room favorite around here," Ward said. "I was more sad just losing him because there's a lot of great football left in Joey."

Ward was reminiscent yesterday when talking about Porter, though the latter's career with the Steelers only has been in the past tense for roughly six weeks.

"We're always talking about stories, plays Joey made, and stupid comments he made in the media," Ward said.

Looks like this story has yet more mileage, Hines again is the first call for media looking for an opinion on players who have left the franchise.

Interesting use of the present tense when referring to him being a 'lockerroom favorite' still.

Wonder if Hines will get the opportunity to lay any huge hits on JP.

[fansince'76]

Kinda funny how the Steelers could miss something when they haven't even played in so much as a scrimmage without it yet....

[klick81]

Yeah I noticed the use of present tense too. It's hard to say good-bye!

[83-Steelers-43]

And once again, players come and go on all teams and in every sport. He's gone, get over it.

Here.....

[tony hipchest]

these exact same comments were made about chris hope and jerome bettis last year. chris hope was regarded as the funniest player in the locker room and his team mates loved him like a brother. we didnt have articles written about this because the media was too busy asking about the big name jerome bettis.

the same comments would be made about jeff hartings if the media would even bother to ask his teammates about his departure. but hartings isnt a big name thats gonna provide a flashy story, but he too, will be missed.

the steelers are like a family. i dont think thats any secret.

[HometownGal]

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

the steelers are like a family. i dont think thats any secret.

Yes they most definitely are, Tony. He's gone, they'll move on, but he won't be forgotten among those who lined up beside him both on the field and in the locker room.

[verks36]

In football when u put everything on the line week 2 week. U get pretty close to the guys u play with. We just need another leader to step up and take his place which eventually will happen

[Jeremy]

Players leave. That's the nature of the game and Pittsburgh has been doing it as well as anyone and for a lot longer than anyone else. Go ahead and name me three Steelers who have done as well or better with their new teams as they did with Pittsburgh.

I'll go get some supper and some back and see if anyone came up with anything.

[Stlrs4Life]

Hines and Faneca need to get over it.

[Livinginthe past]

Originally Posted by Jeremy

Players leave. That's the nature of the game and Pittsburgh has been doing it as well as anyone and for a lot longer than anyone else. Go ahead and name me three Steelers who have done as well or better with their new teams as they did with Pittsburgh.

I'll go get some supper and some back and see if anyone came up with anything.

I got two.

Rod Woodson and Mike Vrabel - maybe a Steeler fan can supply a 3rd.