Bills notebook: Offensive line is mindful of Dolphins' Porter, Taylor
Published: October 02, 2009, 12:54 am
Story tools:
Share this story:
Last year, Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Joey Porter terrorized the Buffalo Bills with four sacks in two games. He may not be healthy enough to do it again.
Porter, who is coming off a career-high 17.5-sack season, is nursing a sore hamstring. He managed to play about 25 snaps last Sunday in San Diego before aggravating the injury. He hasn't practiced this week, but he hasn't missed a game since 2006, so the Dolphins aren't ruling him out for Sunday's game against the Bills.
"Joey's that way, he's never going to miss a game, and he's never going to want to do any of those kinds of things," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said Thursday. "He's going to want to play. We'll see. I always give him the benefit of the doubt because I know what he does at the games."
Porter has incentive to play Sunday. He almost single-handedly beat the Bills last October in Miami, forcing one fumble, recovering another and recording two sacks (including one for a safety) in the Dolphins' 25-16 win.
If dealing with Porter wasn't enough, the Bills also will get reacquainted with long-time pass-rushing nemesis Jason Taylor, who lines up opposite Porter at left outside linebacker. The 13-year veteran returned to Miami after spending last season in Washington. He has 17 of his 121.5 career sacks against the Bills.
Porter and Taylor have just three sacks between them, but those numbers could improve against the Bills' ever-changing offensive line. Jonathan Scott might start at left tackle if Demetrius Bell can't play with a groin injury. Kirk Chambers would step in at right tackle.
Scott had been playing right tackle since Brad Butler suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week Two. Whatever side Scott plays on Sunday, he expects to have his hands full with Porter or Taylor.
"They're very effective in what they do," Scott said. "They have very good quickness. I can see they have savvy from watching the film. You can't be in the league just off your name. You have to be able to produce, and they do that. It's definitely going to be a challenge, but I'm looking forward to it."
The low sack total by the Dolphins' two best pass rushers could be a sign of decline. Porter, 32, is in his 11th season while the 35-year-old Taylor is in Year 13.
But if they are slowing down, Chambers hasn't noticed.
"They definitely still have the speed," he said. "But when you add in the experience with the speed and power that those two guys have, that makes them extra tough. They are getting up there in years, but they're still playing at a high level. You have to respect that."
Running back Marshawn Lynch was activated to the 53-man roster Thursday. The NFL granted the Bills a three-day roster exemption Monday.
Lynch returns after serving a three-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
To make room for Lynch, the Bills placed cornerback Leodis McKelvin on injured reserve with a broken bone in his leg. He is the third starter to go on season-ending IR, joining Butler and tight end Derek Schouman.
Bell (groin), free safety Donte Whitner (thumb), strong safety Bryan Scott (ankle) and defensive tackle John McCargo (calf) did not practice Thursday, while defensive tackle Kyle Williams (groin) was limited. Wide receiver Roscoe Parrish sat out briefly after feeling lightheaded but felt better after drinking some fluid.
Rookie tight end Shawn Nelson practiced fully for the first time since spraining his right shoulder two weeks ago.
Reader comments
Log into MyBuffalo to post a comment
MyBuffalo is the new social network from Buffalo.com. Your MyBuffalo account lets you comment on and rate stories at buffalonews.com. You can also head over to mybuffalo.com to share your blog posts, stories, photos, and videos with the community. Join now or learn more.
Comments have been disabled.
Due to a high volume of submissions that violate The News’ guidelines, commenting is no longer available on this story. If you’d like to share your thoughts on this story, click here to get information on contributing to The News’ opinion pages.