Dolphins can count on a healthy Porter

By Danny Dabiri  |   Wednesday, June 13, 2007  |  Comments( 3 )

Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins made a solid decision during the offseason when they signed former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter to a five-year, $32 million contract. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Porter was excused from the final day of team's minicamp with what head coach Cam Cameron described as back spasms.

"He's fine," Cameron said of Porter.

The new coach doesn't want to take any unnecessary risks in June.

"I told head athletic trainer Kevin O'Neill, this time of year we've got to be smart. It was just back spasms, and he had four outstanding practices," Cameron said.

Throughout a very productive eight-year tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers, an era that included three Pro Bowl selections, Porter proved to be extremely durable. He has only missed five games because of injury, two of which came while he was recovering from a gunshot wound in 2003. The 30-year-old missed two games last season with a hamstring injury but returned to form immediately, recording five tackles, two sacks and an interception in his first game back against the Oakland Raiders.

The Dolphins are counting on Porter to infuse energy and playmaking ability into a defense that already features perennial Pro Bowlers Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas. Despite his off-field issues (Porter just pleaded no contest to an assault charge stemming from an altercation with Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Levi Jones), there is no doubting the fact that Porter is a special player capable of impacting a game with his speed off the edge and his unyielding determination. He also brings a championship swagger and in-your-face attitude that has been lacking in Miami for a long time.

Porter's recent injury developments should be no cause for concern among fans. In the days leading up to his back spasms, Porter was impressive in practice. This guy's not an injury-prone player. Rest assured, Porter will return to the field as soon enough.

Keep tabs on Joey Porter and the rest of the Miami Dolphins at RealFootball365.com
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