LBs Porter, Foote visit Cardinals
March 11, 2010
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP)—The Arizona Cardinals have re-signed offensive tackle JeremyBridges(notes) to a three-year contract and, in what could portend a far moresignificant development, welcomed free agent linebackers Joey Porter(notes) and LarryFoote(notes) for a visit.
Quarterback Derek Anderson(notes), released by the Cleveland Browns this week, isscheduled to be in Tempe to meet with the Cardinals on Friday.
Bridges appeared in all 16 regular-season games at left tackle, four as astarter, for Arizona last season.
When they visited the Cardinals’ training facility on Thursday, Porter andFoote saw several coaches and players from their days with Pittsburgh.
Porter, a four-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker, was released by the MiamiDolphins. He was with the Steelers from 1999 to 2007.
Foote, an inside linebacker, led Detroit in tackles last season despitemissing two games. He started every game for Pittsburgh from 2004 to 2008.
Porter said Arizona was his first stop since becoming a free agent becauseit is relatively close to his hometown of Bakersfield, Calif., and because ofthe presence of Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt and assistant head coach RussGrimm. Both coaches were with the Steelers when Porter was there.
“I was looking to play for a West Coast team and I know everything Whiz isabout,” Porter said. “He had me over there in Pittsburgh for eight years so Idon’t have to be blindsided by some new coaches and trying to wonder how I fit.I know exactly how I fit. I know how he would try and use me if I was here and Iam just trying to be a piece to the puzzle that’s already there.”
He disagreed with those who say his decrease in playing time in Miamisignals a downward slide in his abilities.
“I’ve got a lot left,” Porter said. “All you have to do is turn on thetape and I feel like I don’t have to sell myself. What I did on the footballfield is going to sell that for me. With my role being reduced to the playingtime I did have and missing three games, I still mustered up enough to lead theteam (with nine sacks).”
Foote said “it would be a dream come true” for him to be reunited withWhisenhunt, Porter and ex-Steelers linebacker Clark Haggans(notes).
“We had so many good times in Pittsburgh and built that brotherrelationship and bond,” Foote said. “It would just be a blessing if we canmake it happen.”
He would replace Karlos Dansby(notes), who signed a $43 million, five-year contractwith Miami, with $22 million guaranteed.
Anderson is coming to town as the Cardinals look for someone to compete withMatt Leinart(notes), the only quarterback the team has under contract after KurtWarner’s(notes) retirement.