Posted on 02/02/2006 4:56:13 AM PST by beyond the sea
At first, Joey Porter pledged not to speak with reporters after Super Bowl XL Media Day.
Then, he softened his stance and promised to keep his outspoken mouth in check.
Wednesday, he took that plan and threw it to the ground like a defenseless quarterback.
The Steelers' loquacious linebacker couldn't contain himself yesterday when he learned Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens predicted Jerome Bettis' return to Detroit would culminate with a Super Bowl loss.
"I've been asleep all week, but now, I got woke up," Porter said yesterday. "I've got my first taste of blood, and now I'm thirsty for more. Until now, it was, 'Watch what I say. I can't say this. I can't say that. Don't do anything silly.'
"I'm ready now."
The Super Bowl had been controversy-free until Stevens livened it up with a quote that was published yesterday in Seattle newspapers.
"It's a heartwarming story and all that," Stevens said, referring to Bettis' homecoming and impending retirement, "but it will be a sad day when he leaves without that trophy."
Porter can appreciate some spirited trash-talking, but evidently, not from someone with Stevens' modest credentials.
A 6-foot-7 former first-round pick now playing in his fourth season, Stevens had a career-best 45 catches for 554 yards and five touchdowns this season. By comparison, Steelers rookie tight end Heath Miller posted comparable numbers, besting Stevens by one touchdown.
"I feel like (Stevens), out of anybody, should know his role," Porter said. "I mean, he hasn't done anything to make anybody fear him. Jerome is a walking Hall-of-Fame guy that everybody knows about. This guy (Stevens) was almost a first-round bust, who barely made some plays this year.
I'm going to make sure he doesn't have anything to do with the outcome of the game."
(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...
O.K., Joey, now do it.
Super Bowl Spice ................. ping.
One day closer to the promised land!
I'm going for the game day food today.
Gotta wait till Saturday for the beer so I still have some on Sunday.
What? Is Porter in high school? I'm figuring on the Steelers winning (Not too sure who I'll pull for though) but Porter is an @$$. If he was looking for some reason to get excited about a frickin' Super Bowl that he is taking part in then he is already a loser.
This is the year we'll get that one for the thumb!!!
****
LOL! I hear you.
Did you see the interview? Somehow I doubt it.
Joey is a really excellent football player. He is to the defense what Big Ben is to the offense. He makes plays that pick up the team. They are not the same defense when he is playing hurt or hurt badly enough not to play at all.
He almost always backs up what he says. Joey needs something to really get his back up for a game and someone hands motivation to him on a platter.
That said, I really wish there was NO trash talking by anyone. Reminds me too much of a street fight when there is supposed to be a football game going on.
Haven't seen it. But she looks like it's worth the $7.00!
The Steelers frenzy is so bad where I work that the internet and email usage of streaming video clips nearly brought our company of 1000+ to it's knees.
*****
More Porter:
"I was focused on football until right now when you told me what [Stevens] said. I don't blame him for thinking they came down here to win; but he said what he said, and I'll be ready for him. I can never get an offensive player to say stuff like that no more
"I would think someone would say something, but I wouldn't think it would be him -- he's too soft to say something like that. He'll have the opportunity to back up his words, but I'm going to have an opportunity to back up my words.
Plus Hines Ward will cry again.
I'd support polygamy if I could have Beckinsale, Jessica Alba, and Angelina Jolie.
Carolina fan, huh?
I don't mind it too much as long as it's got a little humor in it.
But this tight end, Stevens, is good and TALL.
Yes she is.
Bwahaha. Y'know, when you think about it, could there be a bigger culture clash between two cities than Seattle and Pittsburgh? I'm happy the Hawks are there, but I may have to end up rooting for the Stillers because (a) I liked them when I was a kid and they were whipping up on the hated Cowboys, and (b) Pittsburgh > Seattle. :)
}:-)4
Hmm. Obviously there was some product placement by fake-colored contact lens manufacturers and the pleather lobby.
}:-)4
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.