Getty Ben Roethlisberger thinks new gloves can help Pittsburgh Steelers corner Joey Porter Jr's penalty issues
The Pittsburgh Steelers already have plenty of reasons to be excited about defensive back Joey Porter Jr. after just the first 15 games of his NFL career. However, he’s had one big issue so far.
Porter has been called for 12 penalties, tied for fourth most in the league with offensive tackle Luke Goedeke of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has some advice for Porter that he thinks could help the rookie avoid some of those flags. He said it was time for the rookie to change gloves.
During the December 26 episode of his “Footbahlin” podcast, Roethlisberger praised the physical way that Porter plays but said, “But he should put the same-colored gloves on as the opposing jersey. He wore those bright yellow gloves, and it just sticks out like a sore thumb.”
Roethlisberger suggested that changing gloves would make it more difficult for the officials to detect violations such as defensive holding, for which Porter has been flagged three times this season. He’s also been called for defensive pass interference four times, offsides and face mask two times each and illegal use of hands.
Joey Porter Jr.’s Penalty Issues
Porter’s two most recent flags led to scoring opportunities for opponents. In the Steelers’ 30-13 loss against the Indianapolis Colts on December 16, he was called for a 26-yard pass interference that moved the Colts to the Steelers’ 40-yard line with 35 seconds left in the first half.
The Colts went on to score a touchdown on that drive to take the lead, which they would never relinquish.
In a 34-11 win over Cincinnati Bengals on Christmas Eve, Porter was flagged for holding on a third-and-4 late in the third quarter. The Bengals went on to kick a field goal.
Porter said he recognized the issue but, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, was unwilling to change his style of play.
“I am not going to let that alter my game,” Porter said, according to Chris Adamski’s December 21 story. “I know what I got going on, and I feel like I am doing a good job. Once you start second-guessing your ability, you start playing bad. And I am not going to let that happen.
“So if I get a flag, it’s like, ‘Whatever, next play,’ and I am going to keep on working,” he said, according to Adamski.
The Future Still Looks Bright for Joey Porter Jr.
Despite his penchant for penalties, Porter has already seemed to prove that the Steelers got it right when they selected him with the 32nd pick in the 2023 draft.
The Steelers have already begun using him to shadow opposing teams’ top receivers from week to week. It’s a role that he has had quite a bit of success in. According to Pro Football Focus, he has allowed just 22 catches on 47 targets this season.
Those numbers have come while facing star receivers such as DeAndre Hopkins and Ja’Marr Chase this season.
The Steelers headed into the 2023 draft knowing that they needed to address the cornerback position. They may not be done improving the position, but it looks like they have found their CB1.