While the few Patriots who talked yesterday feigned ignorance over Porter's remarks leading up to Sunday's AFC East showdown at Dolphin Stadium between the 6-4 teams, it's a safe bet they found their way to Foxborough. But Porter isn't Steelers safety Anthony Smith, who guaranteed a Pittsburgh victory last season and then proceeded to get lit up like Times Square by the Patriots. The pugnacious Porter might talk a good game, but he plays one also, as evidenced by his NFL-leading 13 1/2 sacks.
Fullback Heath Evans said he wasn't aware of Porter's comments, but he gave the loquacious linebacker his due.
"I don't know, but if you've got 13 1/2 sacks in 10 games, you can pretty much say whatever you want in this league and get away with it," said Evans. "Until we do something about him, he's earned the right to say what he wants to say. They're 1-0 against us this year."
Last time the teams met, Porter poked the Patriots by insulting quarterback Matt Cassel: "I know he's not a Tom Brady, so if it's not Tom Brady, it shouldn't be that hard."
Porter backed up his talk with four sacks of Cassel and a forced fumble, and the Dolphins, with the help of the wily "Wildcat" offense, demolished the Patriots.
To prevent a similar result, the Patriots will have to do a much better job of blocking Porter. That's easier said than done. Porter has recorded at least a half-sack in eight straight games, starting with his performance against the Patriots Sept. 21. It's been more than two months since he has been shut out.
"He's playing some of his best ball," said Patriots left tackle Matt Light. "He's one of those guys that you just have to get a hat on. You can't give anything to him. He's going to take everything he gets. He's playing well."
Porter, who was labeled a free agent bust after a disappointing 2007 season, has benefited from the arrival of new Dolphins coach Tony Sparano.
