Cowher Wants Porter to Be More Tactful

Pittsburgh Steeler Coach Bill Cowher wants on-the-edge linebacker Joey Porter to pull his punches, even if it means walking away from a confrontation.

Cowher said Porter’s pregame fight Sunday with Cleveland Brown running back William Green couldn’t be condoned, even if Porter was provoked.

Porter and Green were ejected after fighting briefly about 45 minutes before the Steelers’ 24-10 victory at Cleveland.

After the two began yelling at each other, Green shoved Porter, who countered by throwing punches at Green and Brown fullback Terrelle Smith.

Cowher said after the game he supported Porter. Cowher and Porter were angered when Brown defensive lineman Gerard Warren threatened several days before the game to rattle Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger by hitting him in the head.

“I don’t want Joey to lose his emotion,” Cowher said Tuesday. “But certainly there is a fine line you have to walk, and you have to be careful you don’t cross it.”

Porter called Green on Sunday night to apologize and is expected to apologize to his teammates today before practice.

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Desperate for help at safety, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers turned to a familiar face -- former Super Bowl most valuable player Dexter Jackson.

Jackson, 27, rejoined his former team five weeks after being released by the Arizona Cardinals.

He signed a five-year, $14-million contract with Arizona after intercepting two passes in Tampa Bay’s 48-21 victory over Oakland in the 2003 Super Bowl.

Jackson started 16 games for Arizona in 2003. He had been sidelined since training camp because of a back injury.

The Buccaneers need help in the secondary because of injuries to starting safeties Jermaine Phillips and Dwight Smith.