Bengals and Linebacker Sean Porter Reach Contract Agreement
By Jason Marcum
May 10, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals fourth round draft pick linebacker Sean Porter runs a play during the Bengals rookie minicamp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
This a good day. Finished up camp & Got my contract all signed. Bout to see how his cincinnati food is out here wit @CobiHam11
— SP (@onlyoneSP) May 12, 2013
I think it’s safe to say Bengals fourth-rounder Sean Porter is having a great weekend. The former Texas A&M Aggie will be expected to fill in as a situtional pass-rushing linebacker, as well as play some special teams this year while he’s likely groomed to eventually take over the SAM linebacker spot once James Harrison’s contract is up.
Porter’s most productive season came in 2011 as a “joker” linebacker, when he earned first-team All-Big 12 honors after posting 79 tackles, and leading the team with 9.5 sacks and finished second with 17 tackles for loss. … his 9.5 sacks (.73 per game) led the Big 12 and were tied for No. 16 nationally … his 17 TFLs ranked tied for third in the Big 12.
In 2012, A&M changed to a 4-3 front, and Porter was able to show he could handle almost any LB position in any defensive scheme. In particular, Porter showed off his superb coverage ability in both man and zone situations. He finished his senior year with 66 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 1 interception.
At the annual Senior Bowl, Porter was one of biggest standouts during practices as he played more traditional linebacker there also:
"Sean Porter appeared to be the most athletic linebacker of the bunch. Compared to his teammates, he did good work in run-stuffing, edge rush and especially pass-coverage drills. In 11-on-11 drills, he worked exclusively as a weak-side linebacker, which plays to his strengths. No one will confuse him with Von Miller, but he’s got the most promise of this group. – Dave Richard, CBSSports.com"
Rob Rang of CBS Sports compared Porter to linebacker Nick Barnett:
"Like the former Oregon State standout, Porter is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, master of none type. His size and athleticism, however, is sure to draw plenty of admirers on draft day and he should prove to be a capable starter early in his NFL career."
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