Saints Redeemed: Corey White and Cam Jordan
Oct 26, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Corey White (24) celebrates with teammates cornerback Patrick Robinson (21) and defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) after an interception against the Green Bay Packers during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated Packers 44-23. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The sweet taste of victory makes everything seem better. This time last week, Who Dats had lost belief in Rob Ryan, Sean Payton, and quarterback Drew Brees.
The Saints dominating Sunday night performance has redeemed them in the eyes of fans. The national media will be quick to point out how they knew all along that Payton, Ryan, and Brees could right the ship.
The Saints that truly helped right the ship on Sunday night, were two players that had underperformed up to this point: defensive end Cameron Jordan and defensive back Corey White.
Jordan came into the year with the most hype, with many expecting him to finally become the elite end that we all thought he could. Instead, he got bogged down in double teams.
Fellow defensive end Junior Galette was outperforming Jordan and the Saints could never generate a consistent pass rush. Prior to the Packers game, Jordan only had one sack on the season; he had two against the Packers.
He should have had more than two sacks as he had a hand on quarterback Aaron Rodgers jersey nearly every other play.
Jordan and the rest of the defensive line made life miserable for Green Bay’s offensive line and allowed the Saints to have more men in coverage.
To say that Who Dats had lost faith in Corey White would be an understatement. The secondary in general (yes, that includes the safeties) had not been playing well in coverage and White was an easy scapegoat to pin the Saints woes on.
It will certainly take some more convincing play on his part, but White is not a bad corner. White plays with good instincts, balance, and is physical in coverage. He may not be ready for a starter position, but he is getting better every week.
When White came into the league, he was very aggressive in trying to create turnovers and it burned him.
He plays safer now because he knows in the NFL, your eyes can fool you. He created two turnovers last night; one on a pass break up and another on a deflection.
White and Jordan were simply the leaders of their respective units. The defensive line and secondary performed better as a whole against the Packers. It will be important on a short week to keep the momentum going.