Now that he's wreaking havoc and sacking quarterbacks, Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter, at least so far, has made his case: He says he's back to being the disruptive force he was in Pittsburgh and attributes it to these coaches using him correctly.

'If you're a real football fan, you could look at the guy [last year] and say, `He's out of position,' '' Porter said this week after getting three sacks and forcing a fumble at New England. ``You see me this year. I'm supposed to be older and going down. [But I] look like a whole different player.

``I didn't get stronger or faster. But it's me doing what I've been doing [most] of my career. Now they can really judge me on what they thought I was going to be.''

With four sacks -- tied for second in the NFL behind Atlanta's John Abraham (six) -- Porter, 31, already nears last year's 5 ½. His career high is 10.5, in 2000 and 2005.

The coaching staff smartly moved Porter to weak-side linebacker in a 3-4 defense (his position in Pittsburgh), playing predominantly on the right side. (Last year, he played strong-side linebacker in a 4-3 defense for the first time and never felt completely comfortable.) Also credit Matt Roth, whose move from defensive end to strong-side linebacker allowed Porter to shift sides.

''He looks now like he's able to play instinctively,'' CBS analyst and former Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher said by phone Tuesday. ``He's got his explosiveness back. He doesn't need to speak publicly and give people bulletin-board material. But when bullets start to fly, I want him on my side.''

Porter admits feeling pressure to validate the five-year, $32 million contract ($20 million guaranteed) given to him 18 months ago. ''The contract was due to what I did in the past, and I feel I earned that,'' he said. ``But I don't want to be a guy getting a high paycheck and not putting in the work on the field.''

The first thing Bill Parcells spoke with Porter about last spring was how much he works out in the offseason, ''how it can help me play longer.'' Porter told Parcells he always has been a ''weight-room guy,'' and said he takes better care of his body now.

Though this defense maximizes his pass-rushing, Porter said he's OK with dropping into coverage and does, at times: ''I have [12 career] interceptions -- that wasn't by accident.'' And he warns offenses: ``Don't feel like you can run on me, because you will just be helping my stats.''

Porter has emerged as ''the emotional leader of the team,'' receiver Greg Camarillo said. ``We know he will run his mouth, [but] he gets us hyped up.''

Said defensive tackle Jason Ferguson: ''This is how I viewed him when I was with the Jets: I wished I played offense -- I'd [have] hit him in the mouth. Apparently, a lot of guys try to hit him in the mouth. It's not working.'' At least through three games.

CHATTER

• There are mixed sentiments inside the Heat about whether to sign Stephon Marbury, 31, if he's cut by the Knicks, which Newsday (N.Y.) reported is imminent. The Heat is definitely intrigued and would consider Marbury, but has concerns. ''With Steph, it's all about him,'' one Western Conference executive said. ''But I'd rather have the ball in his hands than Chris Quinn's, Mario Chalmers' or Marcus Banks'.'' . . . Miami declined Indiana's overtures on Jamaal Tinsley (three years, $21 million left on his contract), but would consider if he's cut.

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