DE Dion Jordan Suspension May Hit Close To Home For Saints

ESPN’s Adam Scheffer announced Tuesday afternoon that Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan will miss the entire 2015 NFL season due to a third violation of the league’s substance abuse policy.

The 2013 first round pick is another in the long line of head shaking tales of wasted potential as well as talent.

The Dolphins, who stood by Jordan during his previous suspensions last year, will likely cut ties with the once sought after prospect making a possible comeback that much harder.

While this situation is troubling for the Dolphins organization, it hits closer to home than you’d think for the New Orleans Saints as well.

Aug 29, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland looks on prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Current Saints Assistant GM Jeff Ireland was the orchestrator of the deal that brought Jordan to Miami during his final year as GM for the Dolphins.

Ireland traded the 12th overall pick and the 42nd overall pick of the Dolphins to move up and select the once highly regarded defensive player out of Oregon.

Jordan had a productive college career at defensive end for the Ducks and recorded a total of 119 tackles, 23.5 tackles for a loss, and 14.5 sacks.

Mock drafts following the end of the 2012 collegiate season ironically had Jordan mocked to the Saints as someone who could help turn their dreadful defense around with a speedy pass rusher.

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Jordan registered 26 tackles and two sacks his rookie year after rehabbing from surgery from a torn labrum following his senior year.

His sophomore year in the NFL started with a four game suspension due to a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy and then another two games after a second violation.

For 2014 Jordan registered 20 tackles and only one sack with many analysts saying that the Dolphins defense actually did better with Jordan off the field.

During free agency this year Ireland undoubtably had his fingerprints all over the Kenny Stills trade that sent him to the Dolphins and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe along with a third round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft to the Saints.

Nov 17, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) is introduced before a game against the San Diego Chargers at Sun Life Stadium. Miami won 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Ellerbe was another player that Ireland swung heavy on when he was with Miami signing the former Baltimore Raven to a 5-year, $35 million dollar deal in 2013.

The impact he had would be reduced to one year after landing on injured reserve for the 2014 season.

Ireland is know for making bold and brash moves to get players he thinks will make an impact with his team.

While that’s good in a sense, it can also be a double-edged sword for the Saints.

Ireland is also in charge of the organization’s college scouting department and this year it seems red flags are popping up all over with players.

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Head coach Sean Payton is looking to change the lack of leadership and maturity issues that reportedly ran almost unchecked last season.

A misstep or reach in this years draft could spell disaster for years to come for the Saints if they squander the current nine picks they have.

With the need for a pass rusher, the 2015 class is becoming quickly limited in that capacity and the Saints may have to make some bold moves to secure what Payton wants, which is immediate contributors.

While Ireland won’t have the final say in the draft picks he will most definitely have significant input in the draft war room.

Hopefully Ireland’s track record with the Saints will be better than it was with the Dolphins.

Otherwise the Dion Jordan pick will hit a lot closer to home for the Saints than they’d want…..

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