Dion Jordan talks about playing defensive end and linebacker

From the moment that Dion Jordan declared that he was entering the NFL draft, many people had projected him as a linebacker in the NFL. When former general manager Jeff Ireland drafted Jordan by moving up in the draft, he did so with the intention of moving to linebacker. 

While he has played linebacker at times, he has spent most of his time at the defensive end position. Earlier this week, he talked about how he feels playing both positions and how he has had to adapt to the NFL.

“Honestly, my knowledge of the game is the biggest thing. I came from a totally different scheme in college and then I get to the league and had to adapt and learn a different scheme. Because of that, I was really forced to understand offenses as much as the defense I ran. That’s probably the biggest thing.”  

Jordan said that when he drops back in coverage, it’s because the matchups dictate it and of course, always looks forward to the challenge whenever he is called upon to do so.
 
“It’s very good when you’re able to have athletes who can do multiple things on your defense. You see it all across the league, these defenses line up in these crazy looking formations. They have their best players out there on the field to match up and create confusion for offenses.”
 
Why do people think he’s better off as linebacker? Jordan said he doesn’t know.

“I don’t know. A lot of these things that I’m doing now, I’ve done them before in my career. Because of my athleticism and my size, I’m able to do a lot of things. I cover kicks every game if you all don’t notice, it’s not like I don’t have the speed or the athleticism to make tackles on active guys or play the ball when it’s in the air.”

Written by Matthew Cannata. Follow him on Twitter: @PhinManiacs

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