Analysis: The standard to which New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan holds himself is this: Jordan wasn't all that flattered when the NFL's All-Pro team was announced, and he was second-team as an edge for the second straight year. If it's not first-team acknowledgement, as was the case in 2017, Jordan feels as if something is missing. It's that level of standard-pursuit that leads to the kind of 2019 season that Jordan constructed: a career-high 15.5 sacks (1.5 shy of tying the franchise single-season record), 25 quarterback hits, 15 tackles for loss, three passes defensed, one fumble recovery (which would've been returned for a touchdown against the Rams, but the play was whistled dead) and 53 tackles. His relentlessness is a calling card, but to suggest he's a play-maker simply based off hustle would be an insult. Jordan has a combination of speed and strength that few defensive ends can match, and his repertoire of pass rush moves expands every season after he uses much of the offseason to study past and contemporary greats. He's up to 87 career sacks, second in franchise history to Pro Football Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson's 115.
Best Game: Unquestionably, Jordan was hungry Thanksgiving night in Atlanta. He ate. And ate. And ate. And ate. Four times, Jordan sacked Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan in the 26-18 victory and the last time – on fourth-and-8 from the Saints' 44-yard line – was the one that finally shut the door on Atlanta. He had a pass defensed, four quarterback hits, four tackles for loss and six tackles as the Saints clinched the NFC South Division title for the third consecutive season.
Best Quote: "I think he can go to that 130, 140 mark (in sacks). I got 128 (career sacks), (and) I think he can get to that 130, 140 mark. Every trip, he's going forward and that makes a difference. He should be able to get to that 130, 140 mark if he keeps doing what he's doing. Because he stays in shape and takes great care of himself." – Rickey Jackson.
The best photos of New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan during the 2019 season.
Check out photos of the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals in Week 8 of the 2019 NFL season.
The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings battle it out in the Wild Card matchup at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Check out photos of the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals in Week 8 of the 2019 NFL season.
RAMS 27 - SAINTS 9 (L) 1-0
2019 New Orleans Saints All Images Copyright Michael C. Hebert
Check out the game action between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Check out the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
Check out photos of the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons in Week 10 of the 2019 NFL season.
RAMS 27 - SAINTS 9 (L) 1-0
2019 New Orleans Saints All Images Copyright Michael C. Hebert
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) pressures Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
RAMS 27 - SAINTS 9 (L) 1-0
2019 New Orleans Saints All Images Copyright Michael C. Hebert
RAMS 27 - SAINTS 9 (L) 1-0
2019 New Orleans Saints All Images Copyright Michael C. Hebert
Saints 30 - Texans 28 (W) 1-0
2019 New Orleans Saints All Images Copyright Michael C. Hebert
Saints 30 - Texans 28 (W) 1-0
2019 New Orleans Saints All Images Copyright Michael C. Hebert
RAMS 27 - SAINTS 9 (L) 1-0
2019 New Orleans Saints All Images Copyright Michael C. Hebert
The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings battle it out in the Wild Card matchup at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings battle it out in the Wild Card matchup at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
2nd gallery of game action photos from the New Orleans Saints win over the Chicago Bears in Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season.
The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings battle it out in the Wild Card matchup at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Check out photos of the on-field action between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons in Week 10 of the 2019 NFL season.
Saints 30 - Texans 28 (W) 1-0
2019 New Orleans Saints All Images Copyright Michael C. Hebert
Saints 30 - Texans 28 (W) 1-0
2019 New Orleans Saints All Images Copyright Michael C. Hebert
Saints 30 - Texans 28 (W) 1-0
2019 New Orleans Saints All Images Copyright Michael C. Hebert
Saints 30 - Texans 28 (W) 1-0
2019 New Orleans Saints All Images Copyright Michael C. Hebert
Check out the game action between the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
