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Cam Jordan has been really good for several years, but his dominance was often overshadowed by multiple 7-9 seasons. In 2017, however, Jordan’s continually blossoming skills have been on full display, as the Saints defense has finally become a strength rather than a weakness.
He ranked eighth among edge defenders in total pressures with 74. He led the league in batted passes with 10 (one of which he intercepted for a touchdown). His 91.7 run-defense grade was third highest among NFL edge defenders this year.
His 95.4 overall grade ranked first in the league over names like Von Miller (84 pressures), DeMarcus Lawrence (77 pressures), Calais Campbell, Khalil Mack (78 pressures), Melvin Ingram (75 pressures), and Joey Bosa. Jordan often commands double teams, too, which helps his fellow pass-rushers make a greater impact.
All of this becomes even more impressive when Jordan’s total snap count of 987 is taken into account. Only two edge defenders have played more snaps this season, Arizona’s Chandler Jones (1,043 snaps, 87.3 overall grade) and New York’s Jason Pierre-Paul (1,010 snaps, 79.1 overall grade). Jordan’s durability has been just as impressive as his consistent dominance.
The Saints boast another consistently dominant player. Even though his impact appears less glamorous and less obvious, punter Thomas Morstead has put together yet another special season performance. Out of 60 total punts this season, Morstead pinned 28 of them behind the opposing team’s 20-yard line.
Morstead’s longest punt of the season was a 68 yard bomb, and along his way to punting a total of 2,822 yards, he averaged 47 yards per punt. This type of productivity has become expected from Morstead as he has averaged even more during three separate seasons (2011, 2012 *Pro Bowl, and 2016).
Saints fans have simply become used to watching one of the best and most consistent punters in the league. I mean, Thomas Morstead is Bill Belichick’s favorite Saints player. What other endorsement is greater in the NFL?
Congrats to both Cam and Thomas for their continued reliability, excellence, and extremely kind local philanthropy. They are All-Pro Saints in more ways than one.