The New Orleans Saints offense is getting plenty of attention. For good reason, they have not lived up tot he preseason hype with a new quarterback. That being said, the defense has disappointed at times as well.
The defensive line has been the most disappointing aspect of the unit - undoubtedly. Carl Granderson has played well, but his impact is limited by the inconsistency elsewhere. Bryan Bresee has made a handful of flash plays, but he's still raw as a rookie.
The interior veterans haven't provided much in run defense that the Saints did not possess a season ago. The biggest surprise of the season so far has been the lack of production for Cameron Jordan. The veteran pass rusher simply has not looked like himself, and it is clear that he has lost a step.
Jordan's decline has happened quickly, and it doesn't seem like a coincidence anymore. He has recorded just two sacks in eleven games this season.
Sacks aren't the only piece to DL play that matters whatsoever, but that number is alarmingly low. Jordan started last season slow but finished the second half of the season strong, totaling 8.5 sacks at season's end.
This year, he would have to average over a sack per game for the rest of the team's games to reach that number, and that seems very unlikely. His latest performance was another frustrating one.
Against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12, Jordan wasn't credited with any quarterback pressures by Pro Football Focus. That's the first time this season that he has not recorded a QB pressure.
It's a tough reality for Saints fans. Jordan has been the model of consistency throughout a bulk of his career, and he's become a fan favorite.
Jordan has always been a charismatic leader on defense, but 'Father Time' may have caught up to him by this point in his career.
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