Crusader

METAIRIE, La. -- Apparently the New Orleans Saints' defensive line is holding its own version of "The Biggest Loser" this summer.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan confirmed that he also dropped some weight this offseason after end Akiem Hicks talked about shedding 20 pounds and tackle John Jenkins said he lost 35-40 pounds.

Jordan, who is listed at 6-foot-4, 287 pounds, wouldn't reveal the exact number. But he said he thinks he's as light as he has been since entering the NFL (which would put him at 285 or less) -- a great sign that he wasn't about to get "fat and happy" after signing a five-year, $55 million contract extension this summer.

The weight loss makes sense, since the Saints have moved the former Pro Bowler into a full-time edge-rushing role this year after Jordan played a hybrid end/tackle role last season.

But Jordan said it also fits in with the overall desire to get better this year after he and the rest of the Saints' defensive line underachieved in last year's disappointing 7-9 season. Jordan personally dropped from 12.5 sacks in 2013 to 7.5 in 2014.

"Clearly we didn't capitalize on last season when we had all the cards in our hand," Jordan said of the high expectations surrounding New Orleans' defense last summer. "This season going in, of course you don't have such heavy expectations from the world. But we have heavy expectations within our building."

It has been paying off on the field so far. Jordan apparently dominated the Saints' CrossFit-inspired conditioning challenge at the start of camp. And he has brought consistent pressure in practices and games. Although he's still looking for that first preseason sack, Jordan played great last week against the New England Patriots with several pressures and a run stuff for a 3-yard loss.

In the past, Jordan's weight has fluctuated between 285 and 310, depending on the role he was asked to play. Jordan has bounced between end and tackle in both 3-4 and 4-3 systems under three different defensive coordinators since being drafted in the first round in 2011.

But Jordan said he didn't have a specific weight in mind this summer.

"I just tried to be the best end I could be. So I got down to where I needed to be," Jordan said. "I really didn't worry about the number, more just about the feel and how I was running and moving.

"I'm not gonna release any figures. But if I don't look as big as I did last year, I did a lot of hard work this offseason."

Saints' Cameron Jordan drops weight under 'heavy expectations' - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

W.T. Sherman is my favorite General. After all he did order Atlanta to be burned to the ground.