<span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%">Steelers cut Porter, Haynes to get under the cap</span>After two weeks of internal debate, the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to cut ties with one of their most recognized players -- linebacker Joey Porter.Porter and running back Verron Haynes were released Thursday as the Steelers got under the salary cap. But the decision to release Porter wasn't as much a cap move as it was a change in direction. A three-time Pro Bowl performer, Porter turns 30 on March 22. And with new coach Mike Tomlin taking over for Bill Cowher, the Steelers were looking to go in a different direction with their linebacking corps.Porter is one of the league's most outspoken players and is willing to verbally challenge opponents. His approach at time did not mesh well with the Steelers' image.Over the past couple of days, Pittsburgh shopped Porter in trade discussions and there was some interest. In the end, the Steelers decided to give him the chance to find a new team instead of sending him somewhere he might not want to go.Porter was entering the final year of his contract and there weren't any plans to sign him to an extension. Porter was scheduled to make $5.225 million this season. His release, and Haynes', save the Steelers $6.065 million of cap room.Because Porter is still a productive player, some people in the organization wanted to keep him. On Thursday, management decided to move on. James Harrison is expected to take over for Porter at outside linebacker.LinkI'm very happy they cut him, good news for Brown fans!
I hate to see him go mainly because of his leadership, but he's an inconsistent player, and not worth big bucks and it's not good news for the browns, cause now we can add a younger faster OLB to kill whoever y'alls qb is lol....and the only thing that would help the browns is if the steelers shut down their franchise......
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (koopa @ Mar 1 2007, 08:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>and it's not good news for the browns, cause now we can add a younger faster OLB to kill whoever y'alls qb is lol....and the only thing that would help the browns is if the steelers shut down their franchise......</div>Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.Good thing ya cut him lose, Winslow would of owned him again. :dribble: BTW-Browns already signing offensive line baby, then we gonna get AD(aka All Day) and own. (Yes, over my head, but I love signing free agents. )
Joey Porter is a very good player, but I think he's pretty overrated. He's a hell of a leader but just like most Steelers linebackers, they fit the system and when they leave someone else is plugged in. Kendrell Bell left and he was exposed for what he was, Clark Haggans is a good linebacker but gets most of his sacks playing the Steelers system, I suspect the same thing with Porter. The Steelers stay competitive by letting certain players leave and keeping money free. Another great move longterm for them.
