The Associated Press

ALAMEDA, Calif. - Jerry Porter quickly processed his coach's prediction that the Raiders receiver would catch 80 passes a year if he was the featured man in Oakland's offense. Say what?

"I would get you 120 if you throw it to me," said Porter, perhaps the most confident man among the Silver and Black.

"They're both probably right," quarterback Rich Gannon said. "But that's just not the way it is right here right now. That doesn't mean that's the way it'll stay. He's a great player and has really emerged and come on this year as a go-to type guy."

Porter patiently answers the endless questions about how much he's learned from future Hall of Famers Tim Brown and Jerry Rice. Just like he patiently waits behind them to become the top receiver for the Raiders.

When someone inquired this week about what it's like being behind Brown and Rice, Porter flashed a giant smile and said: "Where are you from? I answer that one all the time."

Bold and brash, Porter is always one to speak his mind. His teammates keep an eye on him.

"Did you say anything stupid?" linebacker Eric Barton asked Wednesday as the Raiders prepared for Sunday's AFC championship game against the Tennessee Titans.

Leading into the playoff game against the New York Jets last week, Porter made sure most every member of the media saw a certain quote on the bulletin board. It was from Jets offensive lineman Dave Szott, uttered after the Raiders' 26-20 Monday night win over the Jets last month.

It read: "I think if you look at that game, we just ran out of time. It's not like they clearly beat us."

Porter had a little fun with those comments when the Raiders ended the Jets' season for the second straight year, 30-10.

"We didn't beat them, they ran out of time," he said, chuckling and rolling his eyes.

Porter is having a ball this season now that he's an integral part of the offense. Winning doesn't hurt, either.

The 24-year-old Porter had a personality conflict with previous coach Jon Gruden and played a limited role, starting one game in his first two NFL seasons. He's started 15 this season, primarily as the slot receiver in the Raiders' new three wide receiver formation.

Porter got his chance when Gruden left for Tampa Bay and Bill Callahan came aboard. Just after Callahan was promoted from offensive coordinator, the rookie head coach called Porter into his office and told him he would now get his shot to shine.

"I'd heard it before," Porter said. "But I got a chance to play and show the coaches I can play every down."

Callahan wasn't kidding when he committed to playing Porter.

"I really felt Jerry Porter could contribute to this offense," Callahan said. "Seeing is believing. As a coach you've got to earn the respect of your players. You can say things verbally, but you have to back them up."

Porter has taken advantage of his opportunities. He leads the team in touchdown catches with nine and has made 51 receptions for 688 yards. By comparison, the 40-year-old Rice has 92 catches for 1,211 yards and seven TDs, and Brown has 81 for 930 yards and two scores.

Porter grew up emulating the moves of Brown and Rice. He never chose to wear the jersey number of either because he didn't feel he was the same type of receiver.

When people ask Porter how it feels to be the Raiders' future, he quickly points out that he's the present, thank you.

But he would just as soon see an opposing defense forget about him.

"If teams are going to play man-to-man across the board, they're going to be in trouble," he said.

Porter is such a threat once he catches the ball. He's among the fastest players on the team - he ran track at West Virginia. He's also a physical 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, allowing him to easily shake off defenders. They seem to bounce off him.

Porter has always been versatile. He played offense and defense in college, returning an interception 68 yards for a touchdown, and even filling in as an emergency quarterback. He blocked a kick, and he returned one.

"The big thing about Jerry Porter is he's elevated his game in the sense of understanding it, knowing it, working at it, and making the big play when it counts," Callahan said. "And of course with Jerry and Tim giving him some assistance now and then doesn't hurt.

"He could be a No. 1 on most teams in this league. He's an unselfish guy and knows his role and he plays it well. All those factors combined have helped him emerge."

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