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Posted on Friday, 11.20.09

DOLPHINS DEFENSE

Miami Dolphins' Joey Porter, Randy Starks prove to be pain to Carolina Panthers

Joey Porter, who was held out of Sunday's victory against Tampa Bay, and Randy Starks were defensive stalwarts for the Dolphins.

Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter celebrates his second sack of Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme during the second quarter of their game on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

JOE RIMKUS JR. / STAFF PHOTO

Dolphins at Panthers | Thu., Nov. 19, 2009
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WEB VOTE What was most impressive about Thursday night's win against the Panthers?

BY DAVID J. NEAL

dneal@MiamiHerald.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It's not about him, it's about the team, Joey Porter insisted this week. On Thursday night, at key points in the game, it was about Porter and Randy Starks because what they did was about the Dolphins stuffing Carolina's offense.

Porter, who came into the game with 2.5 sacks in seven games this season, yanked Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme to the ground to end two drives, including the game-opening drive that reached the Dolphins' 7. Porter finished with a team-high eight tackles and three other quarterback hurries.

Starks had five tackles, a sack that killed a drive that had reached the Dolphins' 8 and two other quarterback hurries.

Those sacks held Carolina to field goals when touchdowns seemed imminent and at pivotal points.

Instead of a 7-0 Carolina lead after the opening march, on which Porter had three other tackles besides the sack, the Panthers settled for a 3-0 lead, and Bank of America Stadium sounded as if it were filled with unhappy Citibank customers.

Instead of Carolina cutting the Dolphins' lead to 14-10 with almost the entire fourth quarter remaining, Starks' sack on third-and-goal from the Dolphins' 8 brought on another field goal.

Those plays provided an eight-point swing that gave the Dolphins margin for error with a 24-14 lead in the final three minutes.

``I was just happy to get back playing,'' Porter said on NFL Network while wearing a Michigan State No. 4 jersey. ``I don't like to miss a game for any reason. To have to sit back and watch the game on TV . . .''

After being made inactive for Sunday's victory against Tampa Bay because of an unspecified ``coach's decision,'' Porter started Thursday and made a tackle on the first play from scrimmage. Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, while refusing to say why he scratched Porter, defended Porter's season this week by saying his play against the run was better than it was last season and that Porter hadn't lost a step.

Sparano wondered if the media was ``on a hunt'' for Porter. For his part, Porter accused the media of focusing on him because the Dolphins were 4-5 and dismissed the mob he sometimes courts.

It was hard not to focus on Porter on Thursday, especially in the first half. His second sack caused a Carolina three-and-out on the possession sandwiched by the Dolphins' first two touchdown drives.

After that sack, Porter's preceded his usual kick with a motion that resembled gobbling cereal. That's not as far-fetched as you might think -- Porter has eaten Fruity Pebbles in the locker room.

Starks can be as taciturn as Porter can be loquacious. Yet over the past several games, he has been the best player on the unit that Sparano has identified as the most consistent this season.

``He's been our unsung hero,'' linebacker Akin Ayodele said. ``Whether pass rush or whatever we've needed. He's quietly building a case for himself in the Pro Bowl.''

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