Well, there have been some rumors about J-Peezy floating around for some time now.  Vague reports that he was being a pest during the season, and that (along with his advanced age, and injuries) was likely to get him cut before his 7 figure roster bonus due this March.  Those vague rumors, however, have blown up into a full on scandal.

First, Armando Salguero at the Miami Herald said they had received reports that  Porter was on a local sports station in California saying he was done with the team, and wanted to be traded.  There was, however, no official archive or transcript of this occurrence,  and Coach Sparano merely said nothing has been decided yet.  After that however, Porter was on ESPN’s Jim Rome show, and later on a local Miami show (being interviewed by Channing Crowder no less) openly demanding a trade.  After that, it was revealed that Porter was regularly waiving off other players who were sent into the game to replace him, and openly defying his coaches orders.  Of course, Peezy was infamously benched for the Buccaneers game after refusing to come out of the game the week before, but apparently this pattern continued.  It was also revealed that the team regularly just let him be, since they didn’t want to “rock the Joey boat.”  It is said that Parcells wanted to jettison Porter when he first took over, but that Sparano was in his camp and wanted him to stay.  After his benching in week 10 however, it is said they no longer even spoke. Several teammates, including Crowder during his interview, and nickelback Nate Jones have come out in support of Porter.  Porter has DEFINITELY come out in support of Porter, and completely disrespecting his teammates in the process by saying “I’m just better than they are.”

This has some DolFans asking whether Sparano may have even lost the team.  I wouldn’t go that far,  but consider this.  Could Paul Pasqualoni’s inability to discipline or control Porter be the reason he was fired?  It may well have played a part.  But the real question is, what happens now?  I don’t think Sparano lost the team last season, but if he doesn’t get rid of Porter he will now.  The only question is cut or trade?  Obviously, we would prefer to trade him - but what is he worth?  Most teams know we have to dump him due his attitude and upcoming roster bonus, and are probably content to just wait him out.  Ideally though, I’d like to see him traded to the Lions.  He was saying how bad he wants to get back to California- I would love to stick it to him by sending him to a rebuilding team in a cooollllddd part of the country.    Realistically though, he is going to be cut- and sooner rather than later.  I’m not sure if he realizes he has no trade value, or he is just trying to force the hand of the team.

This underscores our need for outside linebacker talent even further.  With no real elite talent available in free agency, I am now doubly sure we will invest a high draft pick into this position.