Three years ago, after using a derogatory slur to describe former Cleveland tight end Kellen Winslow Jr., Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter eventually delivered one of the more strangely entertaining apologies of all time.

``I would just like to say it was a poor choice of words in the comment I made toward Winslow,'' said Porter, who then played for the Steelers. ``I didn't mean to offend anybody but Kellen Winslow.''

No doubt, based on comments like those, the individual rivalry between Porter and Winslow was once among the more publicly blatant in the NFL; one that led to on-field confrontations and verbal sparring all the way through their last meeting in 2007.

RIVALRY RENEWED?

So will the rivalry be reawakened this week when Porter and Winslow (now with Tampa Bay) meet again? At least for now, that's probably going to be up to Winslow to decide.

Porter, to no one's surprise, doesn't seem to be in much of a mood for his usual playfulness this week. In the wake of a zero-tackle performance after days of battering the Patriots with trash talk, the linebacker has steered clear of much chatter at all.

``Even me, I know that after you lose a game and you don't perform, at some point in time, you have to just take a step back,'' Porter said during a contractually obligated interview with the NFL Network on Thursday. ``We lost a tough one that we wanted to win that was going to put us in a better situation than we're in now.''

If anything, Porter seems mostly frustrated with himself. When he agreed to answer one question Thursday afternoon in the locker room, he made it clear where he stands about whether he needs to change his on-field approach or keep grinding away as usual.

``Nothing needs to be changed,'' Porter said. ``I've got a job to do. I'm not thinking about anything but trying to figure out what we need to do to win. We're 3-5 at the halfway point. We're not where we thought we'd be.''

It has been a tough first half of the season for Porter, who might not even have the chance to suit up against Winslow on Sunday after missing practice Wednesday and Thursday with a nagging knee injury.

He already dealt with a hamstring injury that sidelined him for one game and hampered him for nearly three others. And now, he hasn't had a full sack since Sept. 27.

NO DOUBTING PORTER

But not one single person in Miami's facility has any doubts about Porter's ability to bounce back. It's clear the linebacker remains the emotional leader of the team, which is a big reason why it would be a major boost if he can jump-start his season.

Coach Tony Sparano has defended Porter on multiple occasions, pointing toward his presence in other areas of the game aside from sacks. The linebacker also noted he realizes one big multi-sack game will put him right back into good graces.

If Porter does play, it would be a great opportunity to get the second half of the season headed in the right direction. The Bucs are starting rookie quarterback Josh Freeman for only the second time.

As for Winslow? Well, the tight end seems to be finding a nice rhythm with Freeman, which means he will be an active threat against the Dolphins.

Considering the war of words that likely would flare had Porter performed better against the Patriots, it's a shame Porter has placed his Peezy persona on the shelf for now. This had the potential to be a fun week of Peezy-isms.

Then again, this is Porter we're talking about. Asked on the NFL Network if a game like his most recent one makes him rethink his decisions to trash talk, Porter made it clear that won't change.

``Never,'' Porter said. ``Never. I'm going to be me. That's the good thing that you have to like about me. Win, lose or draw, I'm going to tell it like it is.''

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