Jerry Porter will test free agent waters

[Shane]

What is the lesson you get from the New England Patriots? Going for team first players who work together - unselfishly - is the key. The team is more than the sum of the alleged talent of the parts.

So, if you get me first whiners who want to be catered to and given special treatment, you have a nursery school and not a football team.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...PGQVB8O8P1.DTL

From the SF Chronicle:

Porter conceded the Raiders' contract offer is very fair. "That's great money -- definitely more than I played for ($598,500 in '04)," said Porter. "But at the same time, why didn't they do this in October, when they knew I was going to become a free agent?''

His dissatisfaction with the organization dates back to the 2003 season, specifically the chaos that surrounded the season finale in San Diego, during which then-coach Bill Callahan dismissed cornerback Charles Woodson and running back Charlie Garner prior to the game for missing a team meeting the night before.

"There was a whole lot of nonsense that went into it, but that was the point where I just became, whatever happens, happens, I'm going to do the best for me now,'' said Porter, who also was infuriated by reports in October that the Raiders were open to trade offers for him....

..."I don't know how much longer I'm going to play. I could get a career-threatening injury and be out of football in no time."