Not Deion or Jordan, He's Dion Jordan; local Valley athlete at NFL combine

PHOENIX - Once upon a time, the AZ Cardinals missed out on a pass rusher who hailed from a Chandler high school.  Yeah, we know – Terrell Suggs. #DontRemindUs.

Hey, we’re looking out the windshield, not in the rear view mirror. Hence, we’re staring straight at Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan, who starred at Chandler High School.

Here in the AZ, that’s how we remember the Oregon defensive end. At the NFL combine, Jordan (6-foot-6 1/4”, 248 lbs) is currently known as perhaps the top outside linebacker prospect in the 2013 NFL Draft. 

At least, that’s according to NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock, who saw Jordan place among the top five linebackers in the 40-yard dash with an official time of 4.60 seconds. 

"When I see (Jordan) play, I see a raw Aldon Smith," Mayock told NFL.com. "He needs to gain 20 pounds (to fill out his frame)."

What did the two-time first-team All Pac-12 selection (2011-2012) think of his workout in front of personnel staff from every NFL team? 

“Honestly, I feel like I did well,” Jordan said on NFL Network. “It shows my potential. What I’m capable of at the size I am now and as I continue to mature and get older, what I can do for teams. Not only playing with my hand on the ground, but also dropping into space.”  

Jordan added that he plans on getting shoulder surgery (torn labrum) later this week. Then, it’s time to perform surgery on NFL quarterbacks for the next decade.  

The question becomes whether Jordan will suit up for his hometown team, with the Cardinals picking #7 overall? (Especially if the Cardinals do not get a crack at one of the top two offensive tackles on the board.)

Here’s the (potential) problem for Big Red fans: his former Ducks head coach, Chip Kelly, is now the current head coach of another green team – the Eagles.  And, alas, Philly picks #4 in the April draft.