It's not a stretch to say that Dion Jordon has been a monumental bust, even when judging him relative to the 2013 draft class, generally considered one of the weakest in recent memory.
Making matters worse: The Dolphins traded up to No. 3 to take Jordan, who appeared in 16 games as a rookie but managed just two sacks, and played in only 10 games in 2014 with a single sack before he was suspended indefinitely after failing a drug test in December of that year.
Now the former Oregon standout is planning to apply for reinstatement into the NFL and he sounds like he won't squander this opportunity -- should he get it.
"I'm not about to waste it. I can't waste it. And I (expletive) love doing it," Jordan told USAToday.com's Tom Pelissero. "Who doesn't love running out in front of 30,000-plus fans and you get that rush? But it's also things that you can get that rush from that can be very satisfying and can carry you on to a successful life after football.
"I just turned 26 years old, so life starts to hit you in the face. Who are you outside of those shoulder pads and helmet?" Jordan continued. "And it's weird, but I feel like it's a blessing for me at this point in time to think about it, instead of waiting 'til they really tell me I can't play football no more."
Jordan maintains that he's passed twice-weekly drug tests since he began his suspension in April 2015 and that he's been drug-free for more than two years; the reason he failed the test in December 2014 is because he provided a diluted sample, which triggered the one-year ban.
Jordan said he "never, ever" had a drug problem, but he ended up missing six games during his second season for suspensions related to positive tests for ecstasy and marijuana.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins remain noncommittal on Jordan's future in Miami; the team says it will address the situation once Jordan is reinstated, and it could be 30-45 days before the NFL issues a ruling on the matter. He's still under contract with the Dolphins through 2017 -- with an option for 2018 -- but there's a new front office and coaching staff and they may want to go in another direction. Whatever happens, Jordan seems intent on proving he belongs in the NFL.
"I just want to play football," Jordan said. "Because I got myself in trouble, I really ain't got the say-so in a lot of things. But I do have the say-so in how I approach every day, how I approach my workout, how I deal with people, outside when I walk the streets, and how I wake up every morning as far as getting done what I need to do to get back on the football field."
