By: Jake Rajala

The New Orleans Saints legend Jordan Cameron Cameron Jordan refused to slow down in 2021. He unveiled 12.5 sacks, 22 quarterback hits, and 13 TFLs in his 11th NFL season. Furthermore, Jordan was rightfully named NFC Defensive Player of The Week in Week 15 and Week 17.

Jordan’s biggest moment in 2021 unequivocally came when he recorded his 100th career sack in Week 15 against the Bucs. With that said, it’s clear that Jordan entered himself into prestigious conversation with his efforts a season ago. So, the ultimate question easily resting on Jordan’s mind is: can the Saints 2011 first-round pick enter Canton after his career is eclipsed?

Well, I’m going to untwine the career production from Jordan:

• 107 career sacks
• 137 TFLs
• 56 pass deflections
• 573 combined tackles
• 206 QB hits
• 7 Pro Bowl selections
• All-Pro in 2017
• Zero Super Bowl rings

It’s clear that Jordan is one of the best pass rushers over the past decade, but how does he compare to players that have actually made it into the HOF? Well, I believe a poetic, realistic profile comparison for Jordan is Rickey Jackson. The Saints long-time edge hunter wasn’t a first-ballot HOF player, but he did crack a HOF spot in 2010 (after retiring in 1995). Here is a sharp look at Jackson’s resume:

• 136 career sacks
• 1,180 tackles
• 6 Pro Bowl selections
• Super Bowl XXIX champion

Jackson has impressive production in his career as a member of “The Dome Patrol” and a Super Bowl ring with SF. I believe that Jordan (33 in July) may not make an All-Pro team in the future or continue to play like Reggie White in December and January, but he should honestly be able to have two more Pro Bowl-caliber seasons, unveil around 30+ more sacks, make his presence felt as a run defender, and potentially win a Super Bowl. If Jordan can have a few more stout years (including two Pro Bowl spots), he should eventually be the next Saints legend to give a HOF speech (after Jackson in 2010 and Sam Mills in 2022).

The post Is Cameron Jordan a future Hall of Famer? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

There is a vast amount of football fans who believe the term “old school football” is a load of hogwash and it just exaggerates the playing period of less player safety and D+ television graphics. Well, that half-empty fan would be mistaken to have that skewed perception of football before Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson entered the league. 

The good-ole football period from the mid-1980s to – late 1990s truly embodied myth-like football figures. There has never been another “1985 Bears defense” or “The Dome Patrol”. We are very familiar with Buddy Ryan’s skull-crushing defense led by Mike Singletary at the Mike linebacker position. But, do we know the other special fossil in “The Dome Patrol”?

In this outlook, I’m going to recap just how scary and talented the Dome Patrol, also known as the greatest LB corps of all time was. Let’s take a look. 

NFL Network rightfully dubbed the Dome Patrol as the greatest LB corps of all time. It’s easy to acknowledge how special the 49ers and Steelers crew was, but the Dome Patrol has more firepower and unique tales. All four LBs on Jim Mora’s defense were elite, consistent, unusually tough, and a part of the unit together for many years. They first made their mark all starting together as the fearsome foursome in 1987. They never looked back until 1993. 

Here is an individual overview of each titan-like LB

Rickey Jackson:

• Hall of Famer
• 136 career sacks
• Six-time Pro Bowl selection
• Only missed two games in his career  (Cameron Jordan has missed one game in his career, via COVID)

 Sam Mills: 

• 2022 Hall of Fame finalist
• Five-time Pro Bowl selection
• All-Pro in 1996
• 1,265 career combined tackles

  Pat Swilling: 

• Two-time All-Pro selection
• 17 sacks in 1991
• 16.5 sacks in 1987
• 36 career forced fumbles
• 107.5 career sacks

  Vaughan Johnson:

• Four-time Pro Bowl selection
• 664 career tackles for the Saints in eight years
• Vaughan Johnson passed away in 2019 at age 57 from kidney disease

In 1991, the Dome Patrol led the Saints to their first division title in franchise history. They allowed a mere 13 PPG on defense. Yes, you read that correctly. A year later, the game wrecking LB corps and Rickey Jackson-led defense allowed 12.625 PPG. The end of an era arrived in 1993, as Pat Swilling departed in 1994. Jackson would then be shipped away in 1994. The Dome Patrol was a truly remarkable defense and gift to the football world in their tenure together.

So, is the Dome Patrol the best LB unit of all time? If not, who do you believe is the best LB group in the league? Post your thoughts in the comment section below!

The post Remembering the Dome Patrol: the greatest LB corps of all time appeared first on Pro Football Mania.