Tracy Porter: Lost in the Mix

by Dave Cariello on Feb 21, 2012 11:02 AM CST

There's another arguably crucial free agent the Saints need to deal with this off-season: Tracy Porter. But amid all the chatter surrounding new contracts for Drew Brees, Carl Nicks and Marques Colston, he's sort of gotten lost in the mix by media and fans, and undoubtedly been put on the team's back burner for a while. So what does the future hold for the 25-year-old food-loving cornerback free agent?

Had Porter continued his meteoric rise to becoming one of the league's elite cornerbacks following his back-breaking interception of Peyton Manning in the waning seconds Super Bowl XLIV, then he might be included with Brees, Nicks and Colston as a matter of importance. Because he really hasn't been the same since that play, however, it seems much of Who Dat Nation could either take him of leave him.

Here are his career stats:

CAREER STATS
Season	Team			Tackles					Interceptions						Fumbles
		G	GS	Comb	Total	Ast	Sck	SFTY	PDef	Int	Yds	Avg	Lng	TDs	FF
2011	New Orleans Saints	14	11	52	42	10	0.0	--	10	1	-7	-7.0	-7	0	2

2010	New Orleans Saints	12	12	60	45	15	0.0	--	6	1	5	5.0	5	0	0

2009	New Orleans Saints	12	11	57	48	9	0.0	0	12	4	72	18.0	54T	1	2

2008	New Orleans Saints	5	5	25	23	2	1.0	--	5	1	25	25.0	25	0	0

TOTAL				194	158	36	1.0	0	33	7	95	--	54	1	4

How will the Saints approach Tracy Porter's contract negotiations and how would you like them to proceed? With the emergence of Patrick Robinson last season and so much more on their plate currently, perhaps the Saints just plan to let him walk. At the very least, they probably won't be offering him very much money.

We might be able to get an idea of Porter's value by looking at other cornerback contracts, so what players compare to Porter across the NFL? And how much interest will Porter garner from other teams around the league on the free agent market?

And one final question: as fans, is our judgement clouded by the memories Porter has given us and his contribution to the Saints Super Bowl run?

Discuss.

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Comments

Like to keep him in for nickel pkgs. he wants the big payday tho

next yr. Sal Cap goes up b/c of a new TV deal, so some players may want to stay, produce and get better compensated next yr. Johnny Patrick please step up!!!!
Happy Mardi Gras!! Boss, Erin too!

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by metryman on Feb 21, 2012 11:33 AM CST reply actions

tracy

thaks so much fo finally adressing this. Everyone has absolutely lost their mind on Nicks. Yes he’s great, but we ARE NOT payiing 150M to our FRICKING GUARDS. You can find guards all over the draft, but not corners!!

by JOEY8 on Feb 21, 2012 11:35 AM CST reply actions

So we should let an all-pro guard go vs a corner who likely wouldn’t be one of our starters next year?

by silent fury on Feb 21, 2012 12:11 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

^^^THIS!

so rec’d.

"Move over Marino, there's a new Brees coming through town!"-Jim Henderson

by BRSaintsFan on Feb 21, 2012 4:57 PM CST up reply actions

I believe he would not be starting next year if the Saints resign him

Tracy really does seem to have hit a plateau in his development, so signing him to an expensive multi-year contract should not happen. This years cornerback draft class is intriguing, and there should be some guys who can contribute right away at nickel, while still having the potential to develop, available in the mid rounds.

On the other hand, if he’s willing to give a nice hometown discount, it could be worth it to resign him. Considering that he’s a Louisiana native who said that he wanted to play for the Saints before being drafted, that is certainly a possibility.

by shipgoalie05 on Feb 21, 2012 12:03 PM CST reply actions

I would only have him back at a small contract

Not nearly the player he was a couple of years ago. Instinct and ability seem to have just disappeared. All he really did last year was make a few hard hits. I think we have bigger needs than in the secondary. I also think Malcolm Jenkins days are numbered too. If he doesn’t play better next year, he should be on his way out.

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by 504life on Feb 21, 2012 1:11 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions

If Tracy wants a big payday

…I say pass

If he is willing to stay for reasonable payday, I say keep..he may prosper under Spags system

"I've seen George Foreman shadow box, and the shadow won." Muhammad Ali

by BenDerDonDat on Feb 21, 2012 1:25 PM CST reply actions

agreed

he’s not been the same since 09 and I’m not just talking about the NFCCG and the SB but that whole year

Now that we have a 2011 season let's win the Superbowl!

by skinnykinney on Feb 22, 2012 11:09 AM CST up reply actions

It depends

I know the team may franchise Nicks but I really think if that’s the case, take Michael Brewster from Ohio State in Round 2, maybe a little early but he can play center or guard and he could take over for Nicks if Colston gets franchised. If NIcks walks, then Brewster starts at guard. Colston, though, would be cheaper with his tag, so then Porter can be brought back in the nickel. Because of Johnny Patrick I do not think the team takes a CB high in the draft, maybe LSU’s Ron Brooks in round 6 or something but nothing too early. If Porter walks, the team should get a veteran, Aaron Ross is more on the expensive side but guys like Pat Lee from the Packers, Zac Bowman from the Bears, or Brandon McDonald from the Lions could fit the role or least give Patrick some healthy competition. For what’s it’s worth, he’s my mock:
2. G/C-Michael Brewster, Ohio St.
3. S-Aaron Henry, Wisconsin
4. DE-Jake Bequette, Arkansas
5. WR-Gerrell Robinson, Arizona St.
6. OLB-Adrian Robinsion, Temple
6. CB-Ron Brooks, LSU
7. TE-Josh Chinchester, Louisville

by caomhin on Feb 21, 2012 2:16 PM CST reply actions

these guys are huge dropoffs from tracy porter:

Pat Lee from the Packers, Zac Bowman from the Bears, or Brandon McDonald .

aaron ross would be a good signing. but I doubt the giants let him walk. he is the only db on their roster with the slightest chance to run with the eagles receivers.

by balaramesh on Feb 21, 2012 4:54 PM CST up reply actions

Just did a Fanpost a few days ago about CB's and Safeties.

check it out Here

Drew Brees....MVS Most Valuable Saint! Who Dat!!!

by cajuncommando58 on Feb 21, 2012 2:26 PM CST reply actions

Tracy porter really regressed the past few years. The saints should offer him a solid 1 year deal. Not even the redskins would give him a big contract off last year’s tape. Hopefully, he can redeem himself. Besides, Johnny Patrick might not be ready to assume the number 3 role. If Porter leaves and the Saints do not have a competent replacement, it will be a long season.

by balaramesh on Feb 21, 2012 4:53 PM CST reply actions

i've been thinking about that same "regression" thing you mention..

he had a decent 2010 season, a season that the whole defense appear to forget how to take away the ball, although the overall comparative passing ranking in yards & points allowed, was an improvement from the SB year.. he (porter) along the rest of the DBs, dropped his numbers considerably..
but to me it wasn’t until this year that his play really became noticeably weak at times..
he seamed to struggle against the slot receiver.. were there psychological factors involved..?
was there some jealousy towards p-rob, getting some starts outside & porter assuming a more relegated role to the nickle..?
is there some nutritional issues with him..? he never was a bulky guy.. but he looks malnourished, now..
was there some undisclosed nagging injury holding him back..?
i really can’t believe a guy forgets how to position for a pass defense.. as long as the physical level is good, the play-making ability should appear every now and again.. where did it go..?

by the 9th plague on Feb 21, 2012 6:20 PM CST up reply actions