Revitalized Porter boosts intensity at Cards camp

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP)

If things seem a bit louder at the Arizona Cardinals training camp, look no farther than No. 55.

A rejuvenated Joey Porter has brought intensity and leadership along with a giant chip on his shoulder to prove that at 33 he can still be the kind of player that made him a four-time Pro Bowl selection.

Porter says that, after he left Pittsburgh, three years with Miami taught him that the grass ''is not always greener'' on the other side.

Now he's together again with his longtime college and Steelers teammate Clark Haggans at outside linebacker in a defense with an aggressive style that he says suits him best.

With Ken Whisenhunt, Porter said he has a coach he knows well and respects. Whisenhunt was Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator in Porter's final few years with the Steelers.

''You have to leave a certain situation to know how good you had it before,'' Porter said. ''I realized how good I had it when I left and went to Miami. So to come back in a familiar situation here under coach Whisenhunt, I knew what I was signing up for and they knew what they were getting. .., I wanted to play for a coach who wanted me on his team.''

Porter pointed to the fact that Whisenhunt played in the NFL.

''That always makes it better because he understands exactly what we're going through,'' Porter said. ''He's been in this seat before. Every coach can't say they did that. You have some coaches that just turn into head coaches because they know people who know people. But when you have a guy who's played the game, he knows how to take care of players. He knows how to get the best out of his players, and as a player you respect that.''

Defensive tackle Darnell Dockett, Arizona's outspoken leader, is happy to have someone to share that role.

''Joey is a dog, man,'' Dockett said after the defense dominated a full-speed, goal-line scrimmage Wednesday night. '' ... It's a blessing to have him on this team.''

When second-year pro Cody Brown didn't put up much of a fight as tight end Stephen Spach repeatedly grabbed his facemask during drills, Porter was in Brown's face.

''It's a personality that we're trying to have,'' Porter said. ''Certain things can be tolerated and certain things can't if we want to go out there and be that defense that takes nothing from anybody that we play, you've got to start it here with your own family. You've got to be willing to fight one of your brothers before you can fight somebody on the street. How are you going to know if your brother can fight if he doesn't fight you first?''

After eight seasons with the Steelers, Porter signed a five-year, $32 million contract with the Dolphins, with $20 million guaranteed.

He led the AFC with 17 1/2 sacks in 2008 but the number fell to nine last season as his role diminished. Still, that was a team high.

With his playing time cut, his relationship with coach Tony Sparano and Miami football czar Bill Parcells soured.

With two years left on his contract, Porter asked to be released and the Dolphins complied. He signed a three-year, $17.5 million contract with Arizona, not only because of the presence of Whisenhunt and Haggans, but also because he was closer to his hometown of Bakersfield, Calif.

Defensive coordinator Bill Davis said that from minicamp on, Porter has been everything the Cardinals could have wanted.

''Joey has shown me what a pro looks like,'' Davis said. ''... The perception of Joey is not Joey. Joey steps up every day, works as hard as he can, challenges others, challenges himself in a positive way. Teammates respond to him. He's a great leader and the perception of him is a little off right now.''

Porter enters his 12th NFL season with 92 career sacks, second only to Jason Taylor's 127 1/2 sacks among active players.

He bristles at the perception that he can no longer be the fierce pass rusher he once was.

''You read the papers and the websites and the question they want to know is `Does he still have it?','' Porter said. ''... I don't know when I lost it. That's another year I have to go out and prove it, not only to them but to the coaching staff, to the fans of Arizona and most of all myself. I put a lot of pressure on myself to go out there and compete at a high level.

''I take this challenge as I take every challenge every year. It's another year for me to go out there and show my talents and try and be the best player I can be.''