Porter proving to be every bit the receiver Jacksonville hoped he'd be
May 16, 2008
Jerry Porter
Reactions were mixed across the NFL when the Jaguars inked former Raiders WR Jerry Porter to a six-year, $30 million deal earlier this offseason. Some viewed it as a wise move, sensing the need to pair emerging QB David Garrard with the kind of multi-talented wideout that the team lacked in 2007. Others saw it as a lot of money to invest in an enigmatic player in need of an attitude adjustment. If what was on display at the club’s first organized team activity (OTA) Tuesday is any indication of what will transpire during the season, those who praised the acquisition will be vindicated. Team sources raved about how fluidly Porter moved, and his body control on a couple acrobatic catches was something that hasn’t been seen in Jacksonville since Jimmy Smith hung up the pads two years ago. “There’s no question in my mind that Garrard-to-Porter is going to be a combination that will be very productive for us,” coach Jack Del Rio told the Florida Times-Union after the session.
There you have it, the first real OTA player review, care of ProFootballWeekly. .. Let's hear it for the front office for seeing talent and acquiring it. We sign players to long term deals in free-agency and while some people always give us flak, the deals almost always seem to work out. Don't forget that prior to Reggie Hayward's injury he was really coming alive on the line as well. They don't sign players who aren't worthy of it and they cut players that can't play up to expected levels, even if they may be fan favorites. The result is a healthy cap and strong depth at nearly every position.