One day after signing with the Broncos, cornerback Tracy Porter participated in a conference call with the local media. He credited the team’s coaching staff and championship aspirations as a major factors into his decision to sign with Denver.
“After going around visiting teams, I felt like first and foremost Denver put me in a good situation – coming in and being able to help the team win,” Porter said. “From the start, I really enjoyed the coaching staff, spending time with those guys.”
Porter brings Super Bowl experience to the team’s roster, having been a part of the Saints’ Super Bowl XLIV victory over the Colts. In that game, Porter made a name for himself in sealing the game for New Orleans after returning an interception 74 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. That play stopped a potential game-tying drive for the Colts and instead gave the Saints a 31-17 lead with 3:12 left in the game.
“(That play) definitely put a bigger spotlight on me and my career because that’s the stage that everybody tries to get to,” Porter said. “That’s the stage that everyone in the world is basically watching that game. If you make a big play in the game, everybody is going to want to know who that guy is that made the play. It definitely helped lift my career and helped put a spotlight on me.”
The quarterback on the other end of that pick-six was Porter’s new teammate, Peyton Manning. While Porter said he did run into Manning and had a brief conversation with the new Broncos quarterback, the big play did not come up.
But he says it will eventually.
“No, we didn’t talk about that,” he said, laughing. “I’m sure it’ll eventually come up during training camp, OTAs or what not. But that first visit, we just wanted to find out where each other’s focus was as far as helping this club win.”
Once on opposite sidelines for a Super Bowl, the pair plans to chase their second rings this season.
Porter, who signed with Denver after playing the first four years of his career in New Orleans, hopes to return to the city next February for another game in the Superdome, which will host Super Bowl XLVI.
“I’m looking to begin my career here with the Denver Broncos and help this club get back to New Orleans so we can win a championship,” Porter said.
He’s looking forward to joining forces with Champ Bailey in the Broncos’ secondary and says he has a lot to learn from the 11-time Pro Bowler.
“I thought about that when I got down here, what it would be like playing with Champ,” Porter said. “He’s a guy that’s been in the league for quite a while, so that’s definitely somebody that I want to learn from and further my game under. He will be a great mentor for me. I’m looking forward to it. The coaches say he’s a great guy and I’ve heard nothing but great things about him.”
With his eyes on a championship, Porter says he’ll do whatever it takes for the team to reach that goal.
“Nothing is going to be handed to me, obviously, just because I signed,” he said. “I’m going to come in and battle for a position on the field… I’m just going to battle and be as productive as I can.”
-Stuart Zaas
Tags: Tracy Porter
There`s a darn good chance that we`ll sign QB Caleb Hanie, both sides are talking. If we do land Hanie, I say nay to drafting a QB, wasted pick if you ask me. Sign Hanie and call it good, Manning, Hanie, and Weber for QB`s.
Yea strand Goodman is going to have to take a big cut and restructure or he’ll be cut. With Harris Vaughan and Thompson he definitely seems expendable at this point
Jason Hunter is a FA and hasn`t been signed yet.
As the pieces fall into place, you can see a very good team taking shape … FA in general is kind of a marathon, not a sprint like last year … so – we add a piece here and there, with a lot of thought going into it by the FO, and the team solidifies … now – a GOOD draft, and maybe next year we really compete, and by the third year of PM we’re DEFINITELY pushing for the top … it’s fun to conjecture about the team, with everything moving forward as it should, which it WOULDN’T have if we were still in the TT era … I know – I LIKE the kid, but I’m SO happy that the Jets now have the circus to contend with … tough for TT to always have this hanging over him, but in reality he always has brought it on … I mean, he could have kneeled down in the rest room, or somewhere else … when you do it in front of the whole country, it’s bound to polarize the issue … just my opinion … but there was in fact, and always will be, it seems – this CIRCUS that just won’t go away … now we can focus on FOOTBALL w/ the Broncos …
I’ve got to say it – just got back from the Spring Worlds softball tournament in Mesquite, NV – my team WON the 70s AAA division, so now I have a ring for each of my grandkids … we played amazing – great D and a lot of hitting … too bad I couldn’t join in the hitting (how do you beat a slump???) … Daddy – any tips??? … at any rate, since half of our team is near or at 75, we really stuck it to the “young” guys …
Also – I never, ever, DREAMED we’d have PM as our QB … I remember vividly when JE came to the Broncos … this feeling is just like that one … you see the other elite teams, and their great players, and you wonder – could the Broncos EVER be like that … and then JE brought them the highest success, and something just takes over your emotion, and you realize – now I get to bask in the warm sunlight … go Broncos – go PM – go FO, and get us the BEST players you can … and bring another Super Bowl to Pat Bowlen … he really deserves it!!!!!!!!!!
Yes he is but it’s been reported that they are negotiating today. Hopefully he’ll be locked up by the end of the day. A good, versatile depth player
I think we`re fine at CB now with the Porter signing. I think we should draft a CB like Josh Robinson or Trumaine Johnson to cover fast TE`s. The rest of our CB crew is cool in my book.
HOF, agreed buddy!!
Let me just throw out a FA list of Top remaining guys I like.
Offense:
Mike Wallace (Long shot but still)
Braylon Edwards (Incentives anyone?)
Dallas Clark
Jacob Tamme (FB role filled too)
Brandon Stokely
Marcus McNeil (Depth)
Joseph Addai (Manning wants to feel home lol)
Cedric Benson (Should have got him when Bears released)
Ryan Grant
Clinton Portis
Trent Edwards (need a Backup)
Defense:
Amobi Okoye (#1 Priority)
Marcus Thomas (#1 Priority)
Curtis Lofton (1 year deal much like Porter?)
David Hawthorne
Dan Connor (Played for Fox Solid can play all LB spots)
William Middleton (CB will be a gem)
William Gay (Never enough depth)
Marcus Trufant (Move to safety or Champ moves?)
OJ Atogwe
Antonio Garay
Jim Leonhard
London Fletcher (Manning and a SB pull him from WAS?)
Sift through name your favorites lol
Were still negotiating with Tamme. Thats good IMO.
We still try to trade Goody before cutting him. If theres no market there then we cut him.
Hayes is still out there. If we dont get him we need to get a LB or two in the draft.
I still wonder who were talking to at DT. If we get 1 or 2 of the 3 or 4 were talking to it really changes what we will do in the draft IMO
Draft for the 1st pick I like
Dontario Poe
Dre Kirkpatrick
Stephen Hill
for 2nd
Lamar Miler
Stephen Hill (If both fall)
3rd
Brock Osweiler
Kirk Cousins
Tommy Streeter
Vontaze Burficit (This is where you start looking at him)
4th
Nick Foes
I like the list LAX. From the offensive side of the ball the only guy I hope we get is Tamme. Like you said he serves the Hback role well and can be a receiving tight end. Versatility is always a plus.
Defensive- Marcus Thomas has to come back. We need some sort of continuity on that line. Willie Middleton is so underrated. I’m happy with our corners at the moment but if the price is right I’d love him.
For the 100th time I hope we go after restricted free agent Sammie Lee Hill from Detroit. Big, Big DT only 25 years old. Stuck behind Suh and Fairley on the depth chart. Price tag- 4th rounder
Alaska, We`re still in the running for Tamme? I hear the Seattle is making a big push for him.
It’ll never happen because of Fox’s lack of value for DTs BUT I’d love for us to trade up in the 2nd and get 2 DTs.
There is a very good chance that if we wanted, we could get Fletcher Cox in the first round and Worthy, Still, or Ta’amu in the early-mid 2nd.
Talk about plugging a huge hole, THAT’s how its done
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=sportsxchange-000618015_dreessen-on-board-broncos-court-more-tes-for-manning
Dallas Clark or Jacob Tamme will be the next Denver Bronco
Lax Mike Wallace is wanting Fitzgerald money 17+ mil and we cant afford that AND fill other holes.
Edwards to a incentive based contract wouldnt bother me. I prefer Stokley despite his age. We are negotiating with Tamme and i dont see us pulling in 3 TEs so Clark is the odd one out. McNeil wouldnt be bad depth. The four RBs all have injury issues and we already have Knowshow for that. Haine IMO would be a better backup than Edwards.
As for the D. I like Okoye Thomas. Losfton Conner Fletcher or Hawthorne any of them will do. Lofton preferably Any of the CBs to add even more depth. Garay wouldnt be bad either. Atogwe or Leonhard would be a good pick up too.
http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/03/23/broncos-negotiating-with-tamme-after-landing-dreessen/
I am so bummed about Saturday. Can Walton learn Payton’s offense? Does this mean we have to get a different center? Walton was not that good last year. Can he be the offensive line QB that Manning needs?
If I had to shorten that list we would realisticly sign:
Jacob Tamme
Brandon Stokely
Amobi Akoye
Marcus Thomas
Dan Connor
William Middleton
Connor played for Fox in CAR and Middleton played for DelRio in JAX obvious fits!
Thanks, I was wondering where you got the latest info, cool beans.
Lax I love the shortened list. All would fit well.
Obviously dream signings are Mike Wallace and Mike Wallace lol but not happening. Curtis Lofton can be very possible no one is offering what he wants a short term deal to play with Manning? Porter did it I can see it happening easily
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_20240181/fresh-cornerback-tracy-porter-thinks-broncos-offer-championship?source=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dp-sports-broncos+%28Denver+Post%3A+Sports%3A+Broncos%29
What a long link lol
I thought Walton played good last season. He and Beadles both took great steps forward. I expect great things for these two in their 3rd seasons.
Drew Stanton over Hanie! Lets give NY our 7th rounder next year lol
Wow! Tamme`s asking for 3 to 3.5 million a year. Yikes!
They are young, but the kind of offense Manning runs is a far cry from the spread offense of last year. Saturday knows Manning and his timing and would have made the transition a lot easier. He could have mentored these young players quite well.
Lax heres my idea for the draft.
Round 1
Cox DT
Hightower LB
Martin RB
Or trade back.
Round 2
Reyes DT
Martin RB (If hes there)
McClellin LB
Boykin CB
Round 3
Ta’amu DT
Menzie CB
Kendricks LB
Crawford DE
Turbin RB
Gray RB
Round 4
Foles QB
Acho LB
Wolfe DT
Rainey RB
Lewis LB
Jackson DE
Jackson CB
AB I cant argue with you much I’m not a huge CFB buff so my draft list is small
Manning’s offense is more difficult for the receivers. Offensive linemen still have the basic responsibilities of identifying blitzers and such.
Last year’s O with Tebow running the option attack and zone reads was much more difficult for the Oline. They had no idea where the ball was going and which direction to be blocking
Marion barber just tweeted he is retiring.
I would love for Kirkpatrick or Poe but i just dont see either falling to us at 25.
Barber probably wouldnt be able to find a job anyways after the Bears Bronco game last year!!!
After the Manning signing, the Broncos have to be smart with the rest of their signings, the right players and amount of monies. You can`t just spend and get whoever the heck you want at all costs. It doesnt work that way. The Broncos FO have a game plan, not to worry. Just saying.
Derrick Harvey signed with the Bengals.
Strand what did you think of this shortened list I think every signing makes sense…
Jacob Tamme
Brandon Stokely
Amobi Okoye
Marcus Thomas
Dan Connor
William Middleton
Curtis Lofton also if the money is right like Tracy Porters signing
Connor played for Fox in CAR and Middleton played for DelRio in JAX obvious fits!
Strand we know we cant just get anyone and everyone we want. But we can get a lot of value guys. I believe Laxs shortened list is possible along with saving 5 mil for the draft picks.
Larsen to the Jets!!!!
OOppps. Meant Patriots!!!!
Old news big D lol
Hey guys what happen to saturday? I’m at work so can’t get online much
Bleed he signed with the Packers.
bo77 he signed with GB
We have signed Tamme!!
JDR didn’t want him Jax (Harvey) so you know he’d be gone here in Denver as well.
Guys and gals I meant..LOL
We’re making some signings but we need meat and potatoes
This offseason is coming together very nicely
RBF1 Yea i figured he wouldnt be resigned. Was just letting everyone know.
4HOF Were did you hear/see that?
Tamme-
3 years for 9 million dollars. Sounds reasonable to me.
Schefter and Lindsay Jones both reported this
How much guaranteed?