Jerry Porter, WR, Oakland Raiders

October 16, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Ryan Dodson

The once-proud Oakland Raiders organization has devolved into the laughingstock of the National Football League. Six weeks into the season, they are the only team without a victory, and they've lost 11 straight dating back to last season. With a seemingly infinite number of problems, hope appears nowhere in sight. Through it all, wide receiver Jerry Porter appears to be the poster child for the club's ineptitude.

On Saturday, Oct. 14, head coach Art Shell suspended Porter for four games for conduct he deemed detrimental to the team. "Enough is enough," Shell said of Porter's alleged insubordination. News reports said that at practice on Friday, Oct. 13, Porter talked back to Shell and would not leave the field when told to do so. The move will cost Porter at least $235,000 in salary, pending a likely appeal from the NFL Players' Association.

Porter and Shell's differences began during an offseason meeting in which Shell threw Porter out of his office. Since then, Porter has allegedly cursed at coaches and done a number of other things to disrupt practice. Shell hasn't activated Porter a Raiders game this season. A receiver that has averaged 70 receptions, 970 yards and seven touchdowns in the past two seasons is doing fantasy owners no good in that state.

On the Move?

Porter was rumored to be trade bait in 2004, which prompted him to say that he would test the free agent market after the season. Porter re-signed with the team, and he has four years left on a five-year deal. This past offseason Porter demanded a trade, no doubt a desire prompted by his quickly souring relationship with the coaching staff and his perceived direction of the team. Oakland reportedly wanted at least a No. 1 draft choice for him, but a deal never materialized.

Porter could still be moved through the league's deadline at 4 p.m. EST, Tuesday, Oct. 17. On Sunday morning, Oct. 16, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that Porter will not be traded, however, and earlier in the season he had reported that no teams had shown any interest. It's apparent that the Raiders waited too long to rid themselves of the disgruntled Porter. Mortensen hypothesized that general managers see Porter as a problem, diminishing Porter's trade value.

Outlook

Several teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, were at one point in the offseason thought to be interested in Porter's services or could have used a wide receiver. Porter is likely to remain a Raider, however, which could virtually eliminate any fantasy value the receiver might have had for the remainder of the season.

The seventh-year vet has unmistakable talent, but he has at times shown a poor work ethic and been an underachiever. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds with soft hands, he is solid and can be effective as both a possession receiver and a deep target. He has led the team in receptions in each of the past two seasons.

Porter's 2006 prospects were dim before he missed the first five games. Quarterback Aaron Brooks (shoulder) was barely effective (6-for-14, 68 yards in just over a game's worth of action) before a shoulder injury felled him. Rookie passer Andrew Walter has taken most of the snaps in Brooks' stead, and he has completed 46.5 percent of his passes for 583 yards, two touchdowns and seven interceptions since, coming over the course of essentially four games. Former fantasy stud wideout Randy Moss has a mere 17 catches, 222 yards and two touchdowns this season, so how well would Porter be doing?

Now expected to miss the next four games, Porter is merely hogging roster space in fantasy leagues. Most owners have already dropped him, but the rest can feel comfortable doing so. Even when he returns from suspension, Shell has no incentive to activate Porter, and the quarterback situation doesn't bode well for him even if Shell does. To rule out the change-of-scenery prospect, wait until the deadline passes, then press "Drop."

Summary

It's a shame for fantasy owners when a talented receiver like Porter is in this sort of situation. The Raiders have myriad problems, most of which will remain unresolved whether Porter is a Raider or not. Moss and other players, past and present, have been critical of the team. Regardless, as far as Porter's fantasy value goes, there really isn't any. Find another player (perhaps Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Nate Burleson, Miami Dolphins wideout Wes Welker or even Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Michael Clayton).

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Nicholas Minnix

KFFL's baseball editor plays in LABR and Tout Wars and won the FSWA Baseball Industry Insiders League in 2010.

The University of Delaware alum is a regular guest on Sirius/XM Fantasy Sports Radio and Baltimore's WNST AM 1570. Follow him on Twitter.

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