Porter ready to pick up where he left off in '08

• By LES EAST
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Jun 7, 2009

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METAIRIE — The way Saints coach Sean Payton looks at it, the team has upgraded at cornerback beyond the acquisitions of free agent Jabari Greer and first-round draft choice Malcolm Jenkins.

That’s because Tracy Porter, a native of Port Allen, is back healthy after seeing his promising rookie season ended after five games because of a dislocated wrist.

“I look at (Porter) as an addition as well because he’s coming back off the injury,” Payton said between minicamp practices Saturday. “It’s a big plus having him back. We felt like he was playing at a pretty high level when he got injured and he’s definitely a guy that is going to be pushing to be on the field, not only in a sub position but as a full-time starter.”

Porter and former LSU star Randall Gay, a native of Brusly, are the starting corners, but will be pushed by Greer and Jenkins, who participated in his first minicamp practice Saturday morning after completing class work at Ohio State.

Porter, who gained a starting position during training camp last season despite missing time because of a hamstring injury, said he’s not taking anything for granted.

“We have a revamped secondary so guys are out there competing for a job,” he said. “I’m coming in looking at it as if it was my rookie year again and I’m battling for a job.”

Porter had a full rookie season mentally, but has played less than five full regular-season games.

“To his credit,” Payton said, “after the injury he was very involved in meetings and very visible in regards to what we were doing.”

Even though the Saints released starting corner Mike McKenzie, the competition is fierce among Porter, Greer, Jenkins, and former starter Jason David. Others competing at corner are Leigh Torrence, Reggie Jones, and Danny Gorrer.

“You have to take every rep at game tempo and stay on top of your overall game because there’s a guy behind you who’s just as good and who can come in and make plays just as well as you can,” Porter said.

Quarterback Drew Brees said he’s enjoying the challenge of going against the new players as well as new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ attacking defense in practice.

He said Porter came into the league “with a swagger.”

“At this position you have to have that,” Porter said.