Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers can't wait to scramble to their television screens and seats for Week 1 after the league releases the full schedule on Thursday night. The team got raving reviews from the draft community for the class of prospects it brought in and excitement is at an all-time high to see them hit the field. One particular rookie who will be making a very special debut was recently highlighted by a former Super Bowl champion at cornerback as his top guy to watch when teams hit the field for the first regular season action of 2023.
NFL.com
Super Bowl-winning defensive backs Jason McCourty (left) and Logan Ryan (right) talk about some of the names of guys that play their position that they're excited to see make their NFL debut.
Jason McCourty played 13 seasons in the league with the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, and Miami Dolphins. The Super Bowl winner in 2019 with New England, retired after being limited to just seven games in 2021 and has since joined NFL Network as an analyst. During a recent segment with a two-time champion, defensive back Logan Ryan, McCourty touted the Steelers' first selection on day two as a guy he can't wait to see hit the field.
"I can't wait to see how Joey Porter Jr. shows up out there on game day," he said. "A big physical corner, I love the get-in-your-face and the tackling."
Porter sat through the festivities in Kansas City for day one of the draft and didn't hear his name which gave us all this legendary moment with Joey Porter Sr. offering wisdom and some motivation for his son. McCourty said that pep talk is exactly the kind of inspiration that Porter Jr. will need to show the league what he's made of.
"I want to see the chip on this guy's shoulder when he goes out there to prove all 32 teams wrong for passing on him," he said.
Joe Hermitt / Penn Live
Former Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. shows off his length as he high points the football to record a pass deflection in a game against Purdue.
Environmental Factors That Can Help Steelers Rookie Become A Star
David J. Phillip / Associated Press
Joey Porter celebrates a victory in Super Bowl XL with his two sons.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin recently gave a little bit of insight into why the team likes to chase having siblings on the roster, but a lot of the reasons he gave could also apply to Porter Jr. McCourty highlighted his choice of jersey number 24 for 'Uncle' Ike Taylor mentioning how Porter grew up watching him play a physical brand of cornerback in Pittsburgh.
Taylor has a similar body type to Porter Jr. and was never known for being a crazy ballhawk with only 14 interceptions in 174 career games. The thing that stands out on his Pro Football Reference stats though are the passes defended where he registered in the double digits every year from 2005. Porter Jr.'s close study of one of his dad's teammates reaped rewards in his senior year as he defended 11 passes.
Rick Scuteri / AP Photo
Former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (#7) will become a mentor for a relatively young Steelers secondary in 2023.
The other environmental factor according to McCourty that should allow Porter Jr. to succeed is the presence of Patrick Peterson. The veteran cornerback is headed to Canton when it's all said and done for both his play as a defender and a returner, according to McCourty, but with some juice left, he should offer quite a bit to Porter Jr. and the Steelers. Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin thinks he's got a winning duo too.
What are your expectations for Joey Porter Jr? Do you think Pittsburgh will put him in a position to thrive? Comment below!
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