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Reactions on Twitter to the Steelers hiring former linebacker Joey Porter as a defensive assistant set Steeler Nation abuzz Tuesday. The reactions are overwhelmingly positive from fans and media types alike.
Even some former teammates got in on it.
Congrats to Joey Porter! Proud to see you back where you belong. I know you will bring PASSION to the LB's and... http://t.co/gXXB4Ko2Mv
— Hines Ward (@mvp86hinesward) February 12, 2014
Ward and Porter were replicate third round picks in the 1998 (Ward) and 1999 (Porter) drafts, respectively.
Since 1992, the 2 best @Steelers OLBs re: sacking the QB & intercepting passes: Greg Lloyd and Joey Porter. He can help Jarvis and Timmons
— Bob Labriola (@BobLabriola) February 11, 2014
Labriola gets right to the point of this hire. A highly successful former player who can reach out to the young linebackers on the Steelers' roster can't be a bad thing.
Ike Taylor said Joey Porter called him and needed to borrow dress shoes and belt for interview with Steelers. Luggage lost.Ike hooked him up
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) February 11, 2014
Maybe I'm lame, but I love stories like this. Not because it's funny to think Taylor and Porter are somehow equal in foot size (or perhaps Porter poured his feet into Ike's shoes) but just the human aspect of it. Or maybe the enjoyment of being an airport employee having to deal with Joey Porter after he informs you his luggage was lost.
Joey Porter is gonna teach those young OLB's how to be men. That meeting room just got a lot more intense. Love it!
— Nick (@SteelCityKid117) February 11, 2014
This is just perfectly said. That's what this is really about. Learnin' up the young guys. Clearly, Dick LeBeau and Keith Butler can teach them technique and nuance and things of that nature. Having the convict teach the criminal (metaphorically speaking, of course) seems to have much more upside, when done in the confines of what the experienced coaches are trying to teach. Having that level of intensity and credibility can serve well for what's now a young and blossoming linebackers group.
