Unfortunately for the New Orleans Saints, this is exactly where they’ve found themselves so far this season, opening up the year with an 0-3 record. It’s difficult for any franchise, but especially for this one. They’ve missed the playoffs every year since their 2020 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV. Even despite the turmoil, two savvy veteran leaders, Cam Jordan and Demario Davis are key to the team’s hopes. Both men have experienced great hardships and satisfied great victories behind the scenes in their illustrious careers. Now, they’re all prepared to go back and apply those experiences to help get their team’s fortunes flipped.
Aside from aging veterans like Cam Jordan and Demario Davis (both 36) being staples on the Saints’ defense. Remarkably, they’ve missed double-fifths of two games out of a possible 446 combined over their careers due to injury. Davis only missed one game last season, and that was due to a hamstring injury. On the other hand, Jordan finished the 2022 season missing one game with an orbital fracture. Their exceptional durability—and as we will see, health is a form of talent—has made them the longest-serving defensive players ever on the Saints roster. Their leadership is more important than ever.
Jordan, entering his 15th season with the Saints, did accept a pay cut. Under this amendment, his contract was restructured to put the entire contract on the line based solely on his performance. Initially, he pushed back on the notion of a pay reduction. He realized very soon that his first and foremost priority was to win and remain in New Orleans. His new contract could make him as much as $4 million depending on his percentage of defensive playing time and number of sacks. This unselfish choice illustrates his focus on what is best for the team as they face this pivotal stretch of their season.
“Each one of these hurts the most because it’s the most glaring right now,” Jordan remarked, reflecting on the team’s current state. His faith in free-flowing discourse between players is clear too — he’s insistent that every member of the defense should engage in conversation with one another.
“That starts with me talking to D-line, Double D talking to linebackers and [Justin] Reid talking to safeties, to DBs. If we have to address everybody, great,” – Cameron Jordan
Davis expresses an equally infectious enthusiasm for his newfound love of the game. He truly gets that dedication and love for the sport is what’ll make you successful. Yet his approach is highly personal—he’s always played each down like it might be his last.
“Each down, each game, I’ve always played like it’s going to be my last… I’d know that I gave everything my all, so Year 1 to Year 15, same mentality,” – Cameron Jordan
Both players are aware of the need to lead by example and hold each other accountable. They still want to rally the team together at this tough moment. Jordan was particularly concerned that it be the top priority for the new team to quickly get on track with making the needed adjustments and improvements.
That might not sound like an emergency, but believe me, it’s an imperative for us all to pay attention to today.
Beyond their leadership roles, Jordan and Davis have deep backgrounds that inform their current day outlooks. In 2012, Jordan was a major cog on the Saints defense that gave up an unfathomable 7,042 yards in a single season. To this day, this NFL record still stands. He had come off an exhausting year at the Cleveland Browns. It took them 16 long weeks to finally score their first victory. Yet such experiences have tempered steel into the spine of both players.
Jordan emphasized the need for collaboration as they work to address this tough start. He pointed out the importance of protecting one another in the locker room. The Saints know as much as anybody that the place they are at now demands togetherness and oneness of purpose.
“We’re not where we want to be. We’re not in the situation we anticipated; we’re 0-3… but I think our guys are working the right way,” – Kellen Moore
Both players are in the last seasons of their respective contracts. Time is running out for their careers, creating a mighty fire of urgency within them. They are hellbent on delivering one last Super Bowl trophy home to New Orleans before they exit the league. It’s this common cause that drives their unflinching resolve as they fight for atonement on behalf of a year that has opened with profound adversity.
As they look ahead to the next playoff games, the presence of Jordan and Davis will continue to be crucial for the younger players on the roster. They understand that being proactive with communication is the foundation to their success. From the outset of training camp, this method has allowed them to develop intimate awareness along their teammates.
“Have you ever known Double D to be quiet? I don’t know if you know who I am, so, yeah,” – Cameron Jordan
As each game passes, the ageless veterans continue to set an example for others in blue and gold on the field. They’re equally focused on building confidence in their teammates as they are navigating through adversity together.
Leave a Reply