The One Key Issue Plaguing Joey Porter Jr.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Joey Porter Jr. is off to a blistering start to his career. Porter has showcased his man coverage and underrated ball skills in a limited time. With his excellent length, neither of those is surprising. But when you realize he is the son of Joey Porter Sr., you’d be surprised to find out his most significant issue as a player, and the likely reason he has not played as much to this point is his tackling detriments.

Steelers defensive backs have not tackled well all season. They did not this week again. Some of that is due to effort, while for others, it is technique. Rookie Joey Porter Jr. has serious issues when going in for tackles. It’s more than just a minor note, as this seems to be the likely reason he sat as long as he did. Despite earning praise from Mike Tomlim, the tackling department must improve. Porter noted that he has the mentality to make the tackles; it’s just his technique. I would agree with this. He sticks his face in the fan. But he has trouble wrapping up around players now.

“I don’t think it’s an effort thing you know,” Porter said. “I’m willing to do it and get in there. For me, it’s honestly a technique thing. Like, you know, ride now I’m trying to reach for them but I have to wrap up. That’s the biggest thing. It’s a technique issue.”

At Penn State, Porter would nip at ankles. He is trying to tackle too high through their center of gravity instead of around their quads to stop the momentum. As a result, he becomes more like a bowling pin who gets knocked off in these attempts. He missed at least three tackles against the Rams to make otherwise ordinary plays become YAC staples. He has excellent man coverage skills that keep popping, but Porter has to improve as a tackler to take the next step in his game. Since it’s a technique issue, he likely will.

His battles with Puka Nacua got a lot of attention. It makes sense, but Joey Porter Jr. struggled to make tackles on guys like Nacua in the open field. However, with the coverage chops there, his tackling must get better. He has to work on his ‘Hawk Tackling’ which encourages eyes through the thighs and then twists and rolls the player down. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll created it to promote a safer way to tackle. The Steelers are trying to teach Porter that, but he does not stop the momentum right now, which is his most significant issue.

MORE TAKEAWAYS FROM STEELERS WIN OVER THE RAMS

• Steelers Takeaways: Kenny Pickett is Clutch, Joey Porter’s Issues
• Steelers late magic spurs team to win over Rams
• George Pickens admits rams got under his skin
• Rams don’t blame refs for loss