Joey Porter: Hate Him or Love Him, You Can't Question His Passion

Quote of the Week:

"But he's definitely one of those guys who all those muscles are popcorn muscles. He's soft." —Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall

Joey Porter, soft?

A guy who's missed just seven games since 2000? Someone who's had over five sacks every year since 2003 as a linebacker?

I guess Marshall should've explained why Porter is soft. He and the Dolphins defense shut down that Broncos passing attack and held Marshall to 27 yards receiving. He might as well not even played the game.

To gain perspective on just how bad those numbers are for Marshall, he's had at least 75 yards receiving in every game this year except for a defensive struggle against the Bucs and the Dolphins game. Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler passed for over 300 yards passing in that Dolphins game, and his No. 1 receiver only accounted for 27 of those yards.

Who's the softy?

Marshall is just another casualty of the fiery, trash-talking enigma that is Joey Porter. Earlier in the year, he promised to harass New England Patriots second-string QB Matt Cassel and exclaimed that Cassel "was not Tom Brady" and that the Dolphins D would "throw the sink at him."

Porter threw the sink and the kitchen table at Cassel, sacking him four times and forcing a fumble in a 38-13 uprooting of the AFC Champs.

Porter has established himself as the most outspoken, passionate, trash-talking defender in the league, while still being eloquent enough to comment on various issues and get people going.

Calling Marshall "soft" before the Broncos game Sunday, then going out and proving it was great to watch even if you hate Porter and his antics. Continuously jawing at Marshall as the game progressed, Brandon Marshall looked more like Penny Marshall as he had no impact on the outcome of the game.

Frustrated, Marshall got into a press-conference, shirtless, up-close and personal, and tore into Porter. He went on a two-minute rant about Porter, taking numerous shots at the Dolphins LB. Here's some excerpts:

"You know, we hear stories floating around the league all the time about him as far [as being] in nightclubs dancing with his shirt off like a girl or in the playground getting beat up back in California," Marshall said.

"He's one of those guys that no matter how big he is, he can still get knocked on his butt and he's soft. He's soft at heart and you can tell by the way he talks."

As if that wasn't enough heat directed at Porter, Marshall went on to say this:

"And his nickname is 'Peezy.' I don't know what 'Peezy' is."

Funny as those comments were from Marshall, they were said at the wrong time. Marshall is the one who looked soft afterwards, and Porter's reaction made him look worse.

Instead of taking shots at Marshall, Porter just said that, "he knows Orville Redenbacher," in response to what popcorn muscles are and Marshall's comments were "proof that he [Porter] got into his [Marshall] head."

Proof-positive.

When you can talk and go out on the field and walk what you say, people can't help but respect you. Porter continuously shows the passion and talent on the field that he exudes off of it. As a result, his Dolphins team is currently exceeding expectations, and Porter has the highest sack total in his career in one season after just eight games with 11.5.

After winning his war of words on and off the field with Marshall, Porter wasn't done yet. Who was his next target?

Jacksonville Jaguars WR Matt Jones.

Jones was arrested before the season for allegedly cutting up cocaine in a vehicle with a credit card. Jones was sentenced to a drug program with no jail time if he completes it successfully.

Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Jones for three games, but Jones is currently appealing the suspension and can play until a final decision is made. Meanwhile, Pacman Jones is currently suspended for an altercation that didn't result in any charges.

Porter felt that Jones is getting a sweet deal and shouldn't be playing right now. In a conference call, the Dolphins linebacker stated, "I'm still trying to figure out how a guy gets caught with cocaine in his car and still plays the game and nothing happens."

He went on to say, "he got caught with cocaine and Matt Jones is still playing football. How does he get away with that? And then you fine people $20,000 for making comments to the media about the refs. The guy got caught with cocaine."

I was thinking the same thing, but didn't know how to say it. How does a guy get caught with cocaine and doesn't miss a down on the field while another guy gets suspended for things that don't even reach the police blotter?

Yeah, I've heard enough about Pacman's past, but how many days has he spent in jail? How many felonies has he been charged with? I'm not suggesting Pacman is innocent or doesn't deserve what he's getting, but where's the justice, man?

In light of President-Elect Barack Obama's victory this week, I will not play the race card with the two Joneses, but it sure looks confusing to me. Hopefully we can enter into a society where race matters as much as the Infomercial guy, Billy Mays. In other words, nobody cares.

Back to Porter, that's why I love the guy. He's humorous, but yet so serious and believable. His audacity to criticize the league for unfair treatment and decision-making is admirable, regardless of one's position on the issue.

Will Joey Porter be a Hall-Of-Famer?

No he probably won't, but us football fans will never forget his aggressive, nothing-is-out-of-bounds spunk. On the field and off of it, Porter is a verbal martyr who doesn't mind causing turbulence amongst the people with his opinion, and he will be heard.

Love Mr. Porter or hate his guts, there's one thing you cannot question about the man: Passion for the game.

And the ability to make opposing stars look "soft."

Right Brandon?