Porter apologizes, but still complains about NFL penalties

DAVIE, Fla. - Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter offered an apology today to Jacksonville receiver Matt Jones but stood by his complaint about NFL fines and suspensions.

During a national conference call Wednesday, Porter questioned how Jones could be playing despite a felony cocaine charge against him earlier this year. Jones angrily responded, saying, ``Is Joey Porter the commissioner?''

``Matt, I'm sorry to bring you up in that,'' Porter told reporters today. ``I apologize for using you, but you were just like the example that was clear to everybody. ... What do you get fined for? So what is good and what's not good? I'm still trying to figure that out.''

Moments before Porter apologized, he raised the subject of his fight with Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Levi Jones at a Las Vegas casino in March 2007. Porter pleaded no contest and paid a $1,000 fine in his court case, while he was fined three game checks - $141,176 - by the NFL.

Porter said the league penalty was harsh.

``I didn't even get a ticket,'' he said. ``I didn't go to jail, didn't get arrested. So what you're saying is it's OK to do drugs, but fighting's not. So that's what we're teaching our kids - fighting, that's a no-no. Drugs, we'll find a different way to deal with it.''

In July, Jones was charged with cocaine possession, and last month he agreed to enter a drug treatment program that could erase the charge against him. The NFL suspended Jones for three games, but he appealed and awaits a ruling.

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