When current Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback, Patrick Peterson arrived in the league in 2011 as a member of the Arizona Cardinals, he said one of the most important veterans in the room was former legendary Pittsburgh outside linebacker, Joey Porter Sr. Fast forward to 2023, and Joey Porter Jr. is joining the organization that he grew up being a part of and Peterson is one of the crucial elder-statesman in the locker room.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A0121-544x306.jpg "Steelers Patrick Peterson")
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Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson with his patented grin on his face during the return of the team's annual Friday Night Lights practice in Latrobe, PA.
Peterson recently joined the Green Light podcast with two-time Super Bowl-winning defensive lineman, Chris Long. The pair discussed a wide range of football topics from some of Peterson's most memorable matchups. They discussed who he would want to be featured on a Netflix special on defensive backs that would be similar to the recent series done on quarterbacks.
With Peterson having played with both the father and son, Long was interested in the contrast between the two in personality. The veteran cornerback said the differences are "night and day."
"Senior is the life of the party," he said. "Very rowdy and he has like a defensive line mentality. He doesn't give two s**ts about anything."
He said Porter Sr's son is completely different in demeanor. While he remembers Dad being in the middle of everything and one of the loudest voices in the room, Porter Jr. is much quieter and keeps to himself. The one spot where Peterson said the two are similar is that they both have a strong passion for the game. Porter Sr. was not afraid to back down from anyone including Ray Lewis. Porter Jr. doesn't seem like the type to challenge anyone to a fight, but maybe someone will bring the genetic anger out in him.
Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers George Pickens catches a ball running away from rookie Joey Porter Jr in Latrobe, PA
Porter Jr's competitiveness has been on display in his battles with Steelers wide receiver, George Pickens. Despite being on the losing end of one of the most viral catches across social media out of Steelers camp, Porter Jr. has taken it in stride. Peterson detailed earlier on an episode of his podcast, All Things Covered, with cousin and former Steelers cornerback Bryant McFadden, that the rookie showed a the high level of maturity on the play.
Peterson said when Pickens handed the ball to Porter Jr., after the grab, he was sure a fight was going to break out between the two young talents. He said it was a classy move by the rookie cornerback to walk away and turn to defensive backs coach, Grady Brown for coaching points.
Steelers' Peterson A Proud Mentor For A Very Eager Porter Jr.
One of the biggest reasons the Steelers brought in Peterson, as he enters year 13, is so he can pass his knowledge of the game to the young players that the team has. It's something that Peterson has fully embraced because he wants to see the next generation of players be able to surpass his accomplishments.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Joey Porter Jr. at Saint Vincent's College In Latrobe, PA
Porter Sr. has fully endorsed Peterson as the perfect mentor to help his son reach his full potential and having a head coach like Mike Tomlin leaning on him certainly won't hurt. Peterson said Porter Jr's desire to get better makes him an easy player to help guide.
"He wants all the input I can give him and that the coaches can give him," Peterson said. "As a young kid coming in with that hunger and grit to want to get better, you can't help but want to pour all you can into him."
One area that Porter Jr. seemingly struggled in during his college career was collecting interceptions. Peterson has been a ball hawk for most of his career and maybe some of it is already rubbing off on Porter Jr. The rookie has started to find some of that ability in camp by snagging a few balls.
The organization is hoping Porter Jr. can develop into a premier cornerback in the league, so who is better to teach him than someone like Peterson who has excelled in the league for a long time, but at the same time understands that he's on the back nine.
Are you surprised that Porter Jr doesn't have the same mentality as his dad? Do you think Peterson can help mold Porter Jr into a top cornerback? Comment below!
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