New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) shows his enthusiasm as the team warms up to take on the Chicago Bears at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, November 5, 2023. (Photo by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune) Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The high-wire offensive theatrics of the Drew Brees-Sean Payton era dominated most of my time on the New Orleans Saints beat. But the offensive brilliance of those great Saints teams should not overshadow the great defenders who played before, during and after them.
In recent years, though, defense has dominated the day and been the strength of Dennis Allen's head coaching tenure. This is evidenced by the latest installment of my "25 for 25" series, which lists the best defensive players I’ve covered during my tenure on the Saints beat. Here's this week's list: Best defensive players No.
5: FS Tyrann Mathieu (2022-present) The former St. Augustine High School and LSU star has not been the All-Pro/Pro Bowl talent he was early in his career in Arizona and Kansas City, but he remains an elite ballhawk who patrols center field with great instincts and know-how. At 5-9, 185 pounds, Mathieu is one of the smallest safeties to ever play the game, but he made up for his prototypical size with his intelligence and fearlessness.
Former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams used to say that he wanted defenders whose heartbeat slowed down when the ball was in the air. That is Mathieu. The.
