Could Tracy Porter be headed back to the New Orleans Saints?
Oct 2, 2011; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Tracy Porter (22) reacts after breaking up a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Fernando Medina-USA TODAY Sports
Former New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper set off a whirlwind of feedback when he answered a follower on Twitter about the current state of the Saints secondary issues.
The follower asked Sharper questions about who the Saints should pick in the upcoming 2013 NFL Draft. Sharper gave his opinions but left out drafting a cornerback. When the follower questioned why not as well as mentioning that cornerback Johnny Patrick had been released, Sharper replied with this:
"“Tracy porter is coming back.!!”"
Sharper is of course referring to the notion that Porter is a free agent once again after leaving the Saints this past season in free agency to head to the Denver Broncos on a one-year deal. It was a rocky fresh start though for him in Denver after not receiving much interest from any teams.
Porter began his stint with the Broncos on the right foot with eight tackles and an interception returned for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the season opener. But he would play in only four more games before a seizure and recurring symptoms kept him off the field for the rest of the season.
The issues behind Porter’s medical woes haven’t been fully discovered and head coach John Fox never went into a full disclosure on them either. One thought was a nasty hit Porter received in his last season in New Orleans when he had to be taken off the field.
The vote could be split either way on Porter joining the Saints. Those that are supporters would want Porter to return to finish his career with the team that he shined with while others are ready to move on.
Porter does have skills but the main reason he wasn’t re-signed by the Saints was the glaring issue of his slow decline after the 2009 season. The issue was his lack of tackling and was seen whiffing on many especially in the 2011 season. Like I mentioned he has skills and when he flashes them he’s good, but when he’s not it’s quite obvious.
Yes the Saints could likely get him for cheap with the medical concerns that surround him, but that’s also another reason that they likely would stay away from him. Even if those didn’t exist, they probably won’t sign him anyway since there is a reason they moved on to begin with.