http://www.miamiherald.com/588/story/33798.html
Miami's signing of Joey Porter drew a lot of positive feedback Tuesday, but it wasn't all glowing.
''It's a big coup for the Dolphins . . . a jewel,'' NBC analyst and former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis said, acknowledging he has never played with a better leader. ``They get a player in his prime, a perennial Pro Bowler. He's a vocal leader, but he does it on the field. He's nowhere near lost it. He's as fast as he's ever been.
``Miami's linebackers are a pretty awesome group now. Rushing the passer is the one thing they didn't have before [from their linebackers]. This gives Jason Taylor the flexibility not to rush every single play. Now you can truly fool a defense. But you lost your most productive player in Wes Welker. I don't understand that.''
CBS' Dan Dierdorf called Welker ''invaluable'' but said Porter -- although ``he can't single-handedly take over a game, is a perfect fit -- mean, tough, hard-nosed.''
But former Browns scout Matt Williamson, who analyzes the AFC North for espn.com, said even though Porter is a ''great fit'' in Miami's defense and ``a step up from Donnie Spragan in every aspect, he's not the pass rusher he once was. When he goes against a top left tackle, he disappears in a hurry. He's [no longer] a Pro Bowl-caliber guy. The [money] is crazy for an aging guy who's declining.''
Although Randy McMichael ranked seventh among tight ends in receptions last year, former Cowboys executive Gil Brandt, with nfl.com, said McMichael's replacement (former Packer David Martin) ''is taller, faster, more of an ascending player. Martin's got really good hands. McMichael isn't going to get any better.'' . . . The Dolphins made an offer to Chargers center/guard Cory Withrow.
Miami's signing of Joey Porter drew a lot of positive feedback Tuesday, but it wasn't all glowing.
''It's a big coup for the Dolphins . . . a jewel,'' NBC analyst and former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis said, acknowledging he has never played with a better leader. ``They get a player in his prime, a perennial Pro Bowler. He's a vocal leader, but he does it on the field. He's nowhere near lost it. He's as fast as he's ever been.
``Miami's linebackers are a pretty awesome group now. Rushing the passer is the one thing they didn't have before [from their linebackers]. This gives Jason Taylor the flexibility not to rush every single play. Now you can truly fool a defense. But you lost your most productive player in Wes Welker. I don't understand that.''
CBS' Dan Dierdorf called Welker ''invaluable'' but said Porter -- although ``he can't single-handedly take over a game, is a perfect fit -- mean, tough, hard-nosed.''
But former Browns scout Matt Williamson, who analyzes the AFC North for espn.com, said even though Porter is a ''great fit'' in Miami's defense and ``a step up from Donnie Spragan in every aspect, he's not the pass rusher he once was. When he goes against a top left tackle, he disappears in a hurry. He's [no longer] a Pro Bowl-caliber guy. The [money] is crazy for an aging guy who's declining.''
Although Randy McMichael ranked seventh among tight ends in receptions last year, former Cowboys executive Gil Brandt, with nfl.com, said McMichael's replacement (former Packer David Martin) ''is taller, faster, more of an ascending player. Martin's got really good hands. McMichael isn't going to get any better.'' . . . The Dolphins made an offer to Chargers center/guard Cory Withrow.
