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Cam Jordan has lost count. This is either the fifth or sixth different defensive system he's played in, dating back to college.

It's definitely his third in three NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints, where he's now played defensive end in Rob Ryan's new 3-4 scheme, and both end and tackle in Steve Spagnuolo's 4-3 and Gregg Williams' 4-3/3-4 hybrid.

And each has required physical adjustments as well as mental ones. Jordan (6 feet 4) was an estimated 300 pounds as a rookie, down to 282 last year and now back up to 290 this year.

Yet none of that seems to matter. The 2011 first-round draft pick out of California-Berkeley just continues to thrive.

Jordan was arguably the Saints' best defensive player last year, a standout run defender who also tallied eight sacks from four positions across the line. And he was arguably their best defensive player on the field again last Friday night against the Oakland Raiders, with one sack, one forced holding call and a handful of other quarterback pressures.

"He's a special guy, and he's going to be special in this defense as well," Ryan promised last week after seeing Jordan's effort and energy level firsthand for the first time in a game situation.

Ryan hasn't spoken to the media since the Raiders game, but no doubt his opinion of Jordan is even higher.

Both Jordan and coach Sean Payton stopped short of making comparisons to Houston end J.J. Watt, who will be a marquee opponent in Sunday's preseason game between the Saints and Texans.

Watt, another 2011 first-round draft pick, became a breakout star last season at the usually unglamorous 3-4 end position with an astounding 20.5 sacks, plus four forced fumbles and 16 pass defenses. He was voted the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

But Payton did make the comparison that like Watt, Jordan will be versatile enough to use as an every-down player, even when the Saints rotate into a variety of packages that sometimes include only one or two down linemen.

"How they're used, there will be some similarities," said Payton, who even while watching from afar last season could tell that Jordan was "one of the bright spots" for the Saints.

"He's handled this transition really well," said Payton, who lauded Jordan for coming into camp in great shape and praised his stamina and toughness.

"He's going to be on the field a lot, not only in the base (packages). He rushes the passer well, he's physical, he's provided good leadership and he has worked hard."

Coaches have always raved about Jordan's attitude, especially through all the adjustments he's had to make in his young NFL career.

As Jordan has said a few times this summer, his approach is that it's all about "being comfortable with the uncomfortable."

"Honestly, I'm just like everybody else on this team, trying to make a position for myself. And that position seems to be something like a jackknife," Jordan said.

He probably meant "Swiss Army knife," a tool known for its versatility -- but jackknife sounds a little more dramatic for an athlete who likes to cut through the line and get to the passer whenever possible.

Read more: New Orleans Saints aren't promising the next J.J. Watt, but they'll lean on rising star Cam Jordan in similar role | NOLA.com

I swear I made the same type of comparison a month ago. If Jordan can make the type of impact J.J Watt and Justin Smith make on their respective teams, it's going to make our linebackers and secondary exponentially that much better.

dizzle88

Cam Jordan is a beast

Always in top 5 in terms of Run D every year and last year showed he could be a great pass rusher

Hes going to be a leader on our D for many years to come, one of the few draft picks on defense that has made an immediate impact and gets better every year

Rugby Saint II

Wait a minute...............he's a first round draft pick and everyone knows our first rounders suck.

papz

John DeShazier: Cameron Jordan already making a mark in new New Orleans Saints defense

homerj07

All of this is just really great news