Timing is of the essence for New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan

'Whatever we've been doing has not been enough, so we have to be able to do more. If you're not willing to embrace that, beat it'

Aug 13, 2024 at 05:20 PM

John DeShazier

Senior Writer

Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL Preseason.

Irvine, Calif. – Cameron Jordan was so quick off the snap count that the guard didn't have a chance during their one-on-one rep in Tuesday's training camp practice at Cal-Irvine.

Jordan handily won – the inside rush would've sacked the quarterback or possibly pressured him off the spot into a teammate's paws – and Jordan's defensive line teammates and Coach Dennis Allen very much let him know it with roars of approval.

For a player who has had immaculate timing for the overwhelming majority of his first 13 NFL seasons, timing is even more important nowadays for Jordan, who is the franchise all-time leader with 117.5 sacks.

The three-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end took that rep, and others this training camp, at defensive tackle, a position where he's cross-training and learning to familiarize.

"The difference is timing," Jordan said. "When you're off the edge, you get three, four steps – there's a second where you have time to gather and react. You move interior and everything just happens a little bit faster. Now it's a 'now.'

"Now the guard gets a center slide. Now you've got to be aware of the protection slides and so forth. I would say it's not a huge learning curve, because I've dabbled before, but it seems like it's sort of becoming comfortable for me. I have to make it comfortable. And that's the name of the football world: You've have to be comfortable in uncomfortable positions."

That comfort will go a long way toward helping the Saints field their best pass rush unit when situations dictate.

"Space is not as great when you're on the inside," Allen said. "I think things happen a little bit faster on the inside. There's a few things from a fundamental and a technique standpoint that he just needs some reps in there.

"I think it's probably been since he was in college that he had any significant reps inside as a rusher. He's moonlighted in there a little bit here and there, but never on a consistent basis. Him getting some reps inside is going to be beneficial.

"The reality is, when you get to these passing downs, at most you're putting four defensive linemen on the field. And all of them want to be out there on the pass rush downs. It's really about finding the best four that can work together as a group to be able to affect the passer."

The Saints also are working defensive end Payton Turner inside; adding Jordan and Turner to the mix will give New Orleans "a little bit of depth and a little bit of rotation in terms of being able to rush the passer," Allen said.

For Jordan the weight watcher, the timing wasn't perfect.

During the offseason, after a year in which he played all 17 games – he has missed one regular-season game in his career – Jordan dropped weight after he played half of last season with torn ligaments in his ankle and registered two sacks, his second fewest in a season.

"I slimmed down for me," he said. "At some point, I feel like I faced mortality last year with the injury. I was like, let's be the best version of me and so I came in how I came in.

"Conditioning has never been an issue for me, being able to play 17 games hasn't been an issue and so now I just want to be the best version of me. So, whatever that takes. It's a season of more. Whatever it takes to give more."

He finished last season around 290 pounds and lost 14 during the offseason.

"Wrong time," he said, smiling. "Wrong time to slim down. We're just going to make it a game of speed.

"Probably the best interior defensive lineman to ever play the game in Aaron Donald (of the Rams) – you can be small, light and strong. It's bringing speed to the game. It's now, looking at the Arik Armsteads (of the Jaguars), the DeForest Buckners (Colts), and then combining that with what you see from the old school, Geno Atkins (formerly of the Bengals) and Aaron Donalds. It's relearning, not just edge rushers but the interior rushers and how fast it has to go. If anything, I'm looking at Calais Campbell (of the Dolphins) and how he evolved."

Campbell began his career at defensive end before sliding to defensive tackle. Jordan is expected to see time at defensive end and tackle, a challenge he's willing to accept.

"It just adds more work. Yay for me," he said in jest. "That's what you look for in Year 14, to do more."

Then, turning serious: "The name of the game is whatever we've been doing has not been enough, so we have to be able to do more. If you're not willing to embrace that, beat it."

All-Access Photos: 2024 Saints Training Camp practice 8/13/24