Continuing with our Favourite Four series, we move back to the defence to take a look at the linebackers

We reiterate that these are some of our favourite players. We can’t vouch that these will be the best players in absolute terms, have the biggest fantasy football upside or even be any good (though they might be)… but they’re players that we like to watch.

Joey Porter of the Miami Dolphins is the first on our list.

It is very doubtful that Joey Porter would have made the list before the beginning of last season, but his amazing turnaround is the reason why he makes it on to my list for 2009.

A Super Bowl winner and four time Pro Bowl selection Porter is now coming to the twilight of his career.  He was a third round draft pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1999 staying with them until 2007 when he joined the Miami Dolphins.

I have been thinking of ways to describe him, but I will simply say he was an animal last year!  Miami’s turnaround required every player to give their best, and Porter certainly gave it everything he had turning 2007’s 5.5 sacks into an incredible 17.5 in 2008. A season like that is hard to top, but he has proved to everyone that he can do it and will take that forward this year.

I am really looking forward to seeing him play again this season.  More of the animal please Joey, but on the field only.

Image Credit: paul.mcrae@rogers.com