Pittsburgh Steelers Joey Porter James Harrison

To hear the Pittsburgh Steelers tell it, there's nothing wrong with Joey Porter that violent contact with a couple of NFL quarterbacks wouldn't cure.That arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last week?"He could play right now if he hadn't had the surgery," said defensive coordinator 10 Santonio Holmes White jersey
Dick LeBeau. "This is more to make the long haul better for Joey."Those four spring practice sessions Porter missed, coupled with rumors that he'd like to parlay his 10.5 sacks last season into a fatter contract?"None of it is right," Porter growled when asked about published reports along those lines. "None of it."He then said he might stop talking to the media.Earlier, Porter implied he might share some opinions with President Bush "on the state of the country" when the Steelers visit the White House in June, then said he'd been "misinterpreted."Knowing Steeler coach Bill Cowher, he's probably glad to see Porter in ill humor. Perhaps it will carry over onto the field. "He just took time off to be with his family," Cowher said of Porter's spring practice absences. "That's his status right now."As for the knee, Porter had apparently played with slightly damaged cartilage throughout most of the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2005 Super Bowl season. And the fact that he had "debris" cleaned out of his left knee only nine months earlier doesn't seem to bother the Pittsburgh training staff. Or so they say. Perhaps Steeler fans shouldn't read too much into the recent signing of former free agent linebacker James Harrison -- Porter's backup -- to a four-year deal worth $5.5 million.Still, Harrison's progress has to be encouraging. The 6-0, 242-pound Kent State grad had three 2005 sacks of his own, has proven to be a sure tackler, and scored on a 25-yard interception return last season during which he hurdled San Diego 10 Santonio Holmes black jersey
running back LaDainian Tomlinson.Harrison had a monster season as a Kent State senior in 2001 -- 98 tackles, 20 of them for loss, three interceptions and 15 sacks. Then he was cut by the Steelers before they brought him back two years later to sub for the injured Clark Haggins."It's no big deal," said Harrison of his increased exposure in Porter's absence. "It's just like he missed a game or something."And, indeed, things could be worse. Two years ago, on the eve of the regular season, Porter was shot outside a Denver nightclub. By the second game in 2004, he was playing again.Get more Pittsburgh Steelers news and information