Miami - Pro Football Weekly The Dolphins knew when the signed Joey Porter in the 2007 offseason that they were getting more than a good pass-rushing outside linebacker. They also were getting an obstinate, loud-mouthed, self-righteous egomaniac who creates as much drama off the field as he wreaks havoc on it. It’s one thing for him to bark insults and provide bulletin-board material for opposing teams with his comments to the media — he has been doing that his entire career. It’s another thing entirely when he directly challenges the authority of his superior.
Let me start off by saying Joey Porter is often misunderstood, by his own lack of communication skills, and his own lack of their perception. That said, what he did in not coming off the field is on another realm. He MUST be suspended for at least two games by Sprano IMO. I think Joey brings much to our defense, but if we're building respect, and his display was public disrespect, he needs to pay the price. I don't think money means so much to him. I think being out of a few games to reflect is the ticket. He's not a bad guy. He just lacks advisors to accompany his talent. Not an excuse. Just the way I view his complex persona.
To be fair, this year's FO didn't sign JP. If they didn't like him, they could have cut or traded him, ala Zach Thomas, Jason Taylor.
I say they at the very least fine him. If it continues sit him. If after he comes back and he still does it trade him. Three strikes and you're out. I know it's football but no way I'm giving you 6/7 chances. Sitting him this year is better from my perspective b/c I don't think we're built for a serious run.
I say fine him but don't sit him. Frankly, our defense sucks hard enough with him in there, they'll be at high-school level without him.
suspend 2 games??? might as well mail it in for the year then he's the leader on defense...remember how bad our defense played without zach thomas when he was injured over the years?
Squeaky was out of line, no two ways about it. When your coach calls you off the field, you come off. I remember watching payton Manning refuse to not only come off the field but actually kept his entire offense on the field when Dungy was trying to send in a FG unit. I thought it was in poor form for him to undermine Dungy on national tv that way and I think Porter was wrong too. I think I might be tempted to stand him up in front of all the other players and explain to him and them that his little performance was an embarassment to himself, his coach, his team, and their fans. I might then let them decide his punishment. I might want to hear him appologize to his teammates before they go back onto the field with him. If I dont like their punishment I might punish them all as a unit for not helping Squeaky get off the field. Its really hard to say what is the best way to handle it without being in that locker room. One thing is clear that it can not go by unaddressed.
I like what Sparano had to say about it at the presser. thats worth seeing and puts some things in perspective.
He said that he will talk to Joey and that it will between the two of them Full clip on http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/flash_content.asp
I think Tony's only in a bind if he lets JP get away with what happened. We will see just how much "Team" really means. He needs to be fined and sitdown for at least half a game or more. The first time you bend that rule means you'll have to bend it again somewhere down the road. Good luck Tony, heres hoping you stick to your guns.
You guys are going overboard with the punishment he should receive. No way he deserves to be suspended a game, a fine maybe but a suspension is a little much.
Suspended? Are you serious? What he did was wrong on many levels, but if you're serious about a playoff hunt you don't sit down your best player on D unless he screws your wife, or kicks your dog. The fact of the matter says, whatever Sparano does will be private. That means no suspension or fine.
I doubt any suspension will be for two games, that would be unfair to the rest of the team, I would bet Sparano called Tuna and asked him if LT ever pulled some stuff like that and what he did about it.
Him being suspended at all would be ridiculous unless when Sparano talked to him about it he blew him off but I don't think that will happen. At most he will be fined and even that I think is unnecessary.
This is a No Nonsense team and as a young coach Sparano has no choice but to make a statement that this will not be tolerated by anyone on the team and when on the field he has total authority. Otherwise the wheels will come off the wagon and undo all the good that has been done this year. Maybe it's for a quarter, or a half, or a game, who knows, but he has to do something or he risks losing the team. Joey painted him in this corner and will have to deal with the reprocussions.
I agree that this has to be handled and not sweep under the rug. But if coach wants to handle it within and can send the message to the rest of the team in doing it that could work. Have to see what happens
