The Year of Dion Jordan?

Word has it that Dion Jordan is really making a big effort in recent weeks. Serious work ethic.

He wants to be much better in 2014.

While most of his teammates showed up for off-season conditioning last Monday at the Dolphins training facilities, Dion Jordan had already been there for weeks. His objective: to be a force to be reckoned with  when the season opens.

Jordan was acquired as the 3rd overall  pick last year in a shrewd maneuver in the first round. A pass rush specialist, he has a powerful body with a freakish geometry reminiescent of another Dolphins defense icon:  Jason Taylor.

Last year he was sidelined for much of the time with a surgetically repaired shoulder injury that limited opening play and he ended up playing only 339 snaps during the season. He had only two sacks and five quarterback hits in his 24 total tackles.  Week to week he was mentioned in 2013 as "not meeting expectations" with pundits questioning his selection by Miami that runs at 4-3 defense that seems less than optimal for using Jordan most effectively.

I recent weeks there have been rumors of the desire by other teams-- most notably the Philadelphia Eagles-- to acquire Jordan in a trade. That still could happen, as being reported around the league:

http://bit.ly/1leMfZg

Still, I think new manager Dennis Hickey knows something about the young stallion he has in Miami's stable.

“He’s a very talented player and this is a big offseason for him,” Hickey said. “Last year with his shoulder he didn’t have an opportunity to have a full offseason. That’s so important. Developing and getting your body — not just the physical reps but the mental reps — getting in the weight room and all those things is such an important part to get these guys ready to make that jump. We’re excited about Dion going forward and having a great offseason and looking for big things from him.”

But will he choose to use him to aggravate Tom Brady, or to buy extra picks this year?

From Jordan's performance at Oregon know that  is talented, but I sense something more. A powerful work ethic in life may be the deciding factor in just about every contest where raw talent is about equal.

Desire to excel is the desire.

I believe 2014 could be the year that Dion Jordan shows the world what he means in the game of football.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2014/04/jordan-beat-teammates-to-offseason-conditioning-by-two-weeks.html#storylink=cpy