METAIRIE, Mo. (AP) – New Orleans Saints career sack leader Cameron Jordan, an eight-time Pro Bowler and 2017 AP All-Pro, will try to handle his new reality as gracefully as possible. It seems that he is doing so.
Jordan, 35, who is currently in his 14th NFL season, had a career-low 20 of 72 defensive snaps in the Saints’ 15-12 loss to Philadelphia last Sunday. That came after completing 34 of 70 defensive snaps in the win at Dallas and 27 of 59 in the season opener against Carolina. This represents about 40% of all defensive snaps this season.
This usage makes this a markedly different time for Jordan, who has been a reliable every-down defensive end for most of the past 13 seasons.
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No matter how Jordan personally feels about this development, he made it clear this week that complaining about it is not what the team needs from a defensive captain like him.
“This is an opportunity to show that I’m a leader,” Jordan said as New Orleans prepares to play the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Jordan continued, “There are no rights here. You have to come out here every day and work and earn it. As a team, we’re trying to win. Personal feelings are always put aside.” ” he continued.
Five years ago, Jordan was as scary as any defensive end in the NFL. He recorded a career-high 15 1/2 sacks in 2019. In 2017, he used batting and tipping passes to make up for 13 sacks, including one for himself in the end zone for a touchdown.
Jordan was also effective against the run throughout his career. And he has proven durable, missing just two games over the past 13 seasons, one due to COVID-19 and the other due to injury.
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Jordan had two sacks last season, the fewest since he only had one sack in 2011 as a rookie, but coaches say Jordan played through injury for much of the season. I admitted that I did it.
But right now, Jordan is on the back burner to keep Carl Granderson and Chase Young out of the playing rotation, and Dennis Allen, the coach who designs and calls the defense, said this week it could stay that way for a while. .
Allen said there was “no disrespect or negativity towards Cam” and insisted that Jordan remains “an important part” of the defense. “At a certain point in this game, that’s just how it goes.”
So far this season, Jordan has typically filled in for defensive tackles in passing situations, as part of what the Saints are calling the “NACAR package,” which features three pass-rushing defensive ends in a front four. It is equipped with
“At the end of the day, I always think, ‘What more can I do for my team?'” What can you do for your teammates? ” Jordan said. “And you have to embrace your new role. You have to embrace every opportunity that’s given to you.”
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The Saints’ defense has been effective with Jordan on the field, but through the first three games of the season he hasn’t had any sacks, lost tackles or quarterback hurries.
“Cam’s a pro. He’s going to be a pro at it,” veteran safety Tyrann Mathews said. “His competitors, obviously, it’s probably weighing on him a little bit, weighing him down a little bit.”
But Mathieu emphasized that Jordan’s value isn’t just tied to his ability to disrupt quarterbacks.
“He adds a lot of value by being in his room guiding the young players and being an extension of coach to player,” Mathieu said.
“He shouldn’t be down on himself. He’s going to be in the Hall of Fame one day. But I think this is part of his story and he’s just accepting that new role,” Mathieu continued. Ta. “Cam has given his all to this organization and this city. You root for guys like that. You want them to succeed. Those guys deserve it no matter what. I want you to be happy.”
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