Chicago castoff can give Arizona Cardinals veteran insurance
By Jim Koch
The Arizona Cardinals could use some veteran experience at cornerback and the recently-released Tracy Porter may fit the bill
Arizona Cardinals’ head coach Bruce Arians has told anyone that will listen that he likes his team’s cornerbacks. He may actually be telling the truth, the front office has completely ignored the position so far in free agency. And now, as rock and roll singer Ian Hunter once sang, “All the good ones are taken.”
However, more corners will become available when teams start trimming their rosters. The Chicago Bears have already parted ways with one, having jettisoned 30-year old Tracy Porter. The veteran became expendable to the club when they signed Prince Amukamara and former Cardinal Marcus Cooper during free agency.
Porter, a second-round pick of the New Orleans Saints in 2008, has played for five NFL organizations. The 5’11”, 200 lb former University of Indiana star started 15 games for the Bears last season, tallying 48 tackles, two interceptions and nine passes defensed. He showed his toughness by playing through a painful knee injury through most of the campaign.
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Despite his ascending age, Chicago asked Porter to cover the other team’s top wideout quite often in 2016. He’d probably start for the Cards, even though Arians believes Justin Bethel and Brandon Williams are ready to excel. Porter is well-versed in the man-to-man style defensive coordinator James Bettcher requires from his cover guys.
Porter’s finest season as a pro came back in 2009, while he was a member of the Saints. He amassed 57 tackles, four picks and 12 passes breakups during the campaign. While with the Oakland Raiders in 2013, Porter accumulated 67 tackles, two interceptions and 12 passes defensed.
There’s a good chance the Cardinals select a cornerback or two in the upcoming NFL Draft. It’s such a need that they may even use their first-round pick (13th overall) on the position.
Even if the Cards do acquire one in the Draft, it wouldn’t be surprising to see general manager Steve Keim add a vet later in the offseason. A player like Porter could be the choice.