Programming note: Watch Friday’s Raiders press conference with Dennis Allen streaming live right here at 1:15 p.m.
Tracy Porter missed most of last season dealing with aftereffects of a seizure. The veteran cornerback’s only year with the Denver Broncos was complicated, certainly not what he hoped for after leaving the New Orleans Saints.
Porter was forced to move on and sign a one-year, $1.34 million contract with the Raiders, roughly 30 percent of his deal with Denver. It was a chance to once again prove his worth to the NFL. It was also a chance to prove he could play throughout a more rewarding contract in the future.
In 2013, Porter did exactly that. He has played all 14 games thus far and has been an integral part of the Raiders defensive effort. He’s played outside corner in the base defense and slot corner in the nickel. He’s been dependable and effective at the point of attack. Porter hasn’t been perfect (defensive backs rarely are) but showed he has a lot left after six seasons.
He’s well liked in the locker room, the front office and among the coaching staff. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be back. Like most every other veteran Raider who signed a short-deal, Porter is hoping for better terms this time around.
With two games remaining, Porter isn’t yet focused on his future. He will be soon.
“I let my play throughout the season take care of whether they want me to come back,” Porter said. “I’m not saying I don’t want to come back. If I didn’t want to play here, I wouldn’t have come here from the start.
"Next year is in the back of my mind. You think about it every now and then, but it’s not my main concern. Right now, it’s on the San Diego Chargers. Then it will move to Denver. After that, we can talk about where I want to go, where I fall and what happens next.”
