Jerry Porter will test free agent waters

What do you guys think? Would you go after him? What sort of deal is he worth?


The News
The Raiders have offered Jerry Porter (http://www.fanball.com/fb/playerProfile.cfm/pid.1551) a reported $20 million reasons to spend his next five years in Oakland, but the wide receiver says he'll test the free-agent waters anyway. "I owe it to myself to look," Porter told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I don't know how much longer I'm going to play. I could get a career-threatening injury and be out of football in no time. I owe it to myself to get my market value, if not some team that will pay me more than market value."

Our View
Porter was miffed the team opted not to extend his contract earlier in the 2004 season, and he's still carrying grudges with the Raider organization for other transgressions as well—including their reported interest in Randy Moss (http://www.fanball.com/fb/playerProfile.cfm/pid.1507). Both sides say they'll keep the door open for a possible return, but it's apparent neither side is holding its breath.

It depends on what he's looking for. He declined a 20 million dollar contract, so I'd say if we could get like a 5 year 25M, $8 SB, or somthing like that, I dont think it'd be that bad. I'm not really sure how much he is worth though, I'd love to have him at a good price.

I guess the question is who would you rather have, Burress or Porter? I would go for Porter first, perhaps a 7-year deal worth about $25M-$30M, bonus of no more than $10M.

I've always like Porter mostly because he's a local guy. I wouldn't mind seeing him in burgundy and gold, BUT he has to come at a reasonable price. We can't break the bank for a guy that has been in the league for 5 years and still hasn't had a 1000 yd season yet.

But if I had to make a choice between him and Plax. Jerry all the way.

His stats are lower than Gardners we need to up grade.
3yr stats
Porter 9 gardner 18 tds
porter 2 gardner 1 fumbles
porter 652 gardner 750 ave yards

I am not convinced on Porter. He was supposed to be the next big thing for them and ahs never stepped up to that level. He seems like a classic example of talent over production. I'd rather get a production guy...not that there are many of those just floating around waiting for us to sign them. Neither Porter nor Burress seem to fit what we need really. They would be classic redskins free agent signings though...thats a bad thing.

Porter would be a typical skins free agent aquisition. Pay big for the name, not performance. If we want to spend for a reciever, why not draft Williams or Braylon Edwards?

I would not sign Porter or Plax. Can anyone think of a WR that went free agency or trade and ended up thriving on the new team? Galloway, Pierce, Keyshawn come to mind. T.O was huge for the Eagles, but he is also top 3 in the league so thats a special situation. Maybe there are some good examples but every example that pops into my head has not worked out for the new team or the player. I would rather draft the WR and use free agency to fill our need at center and some other smaller holes.

Porter's upside is much higher than Gardner's. He really broke out once Kerry Collins took over. Didn't he convert to WR from QB or something? He's still coming in to his own at the position.

I wonder what Porter's speed is compared to 50/50?