June 08--The Bears added another veteran defensive back to their roster Monday, signing 28-year-old Tracy Porter to a one-year deal. Porter has played seven seasons for four teams and has familiarity with both Bears general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox, having played for the Saints from 2008-11 before joining the Broncos for the 2012 season.
Porter spent the last two seasons with the Raiders and Redskins, respectively, adding to a career resume that includes 60 starts, 288 tackles, 52 pass breakups and 10 interceptions. His career highlight came in Super Bowl XLIV when he had a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown off Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, lifting the Saints to a 31-17 win.
Whether Porter will seize this opportunity to earn a spot on the 53-man roster remains to be seen. But his experience should bolster the cornerback competition. The Bears had an open roster spot to fill after last month's move to cut defensive end Ray McDonald.
Porter joins a cornerback group that includes certain starter Kyle Fuller and two-time Pro Bowler Tim Jennings. The depth chart, however, remains in flux with less proven players, including Al Louis-Jean and Sherrick McManis, competing for playing time and veteran Alan Ball, signed to a one-year deal in March, still working through injury issues.
The Bears will complete their third week of organized team activities this week before a mandatory three-day minicamp at Halas Hall on June 16-18.
dwiederer@tribpub.com
