The long layoff from football activities caused by the COVID pandemic benefited Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport. He got more time to rehab a foot injury while strengthening his 6ft6, 265 pound frame and is entering year 3 with some buzz as some national analyst candidate to be a breakout player.
Davenport draws great inspiration from the other side of the d-line, feeding of a friendly competition with All-Pro Cameron Jordan.
“That I need to stop thinking. That's basically it,” replied Davenport. “We talk about a lot of different things and most of the time, I could be jabbering on, just going-off on a tangent; and he stresses to simplify it. We brought you here for a reason. So just play you and then consistently just be one percent better.”
Davenport had 6 sacks, 16 hits on the QB, 3 forced fumbles and 31 tackles in 13 games last season. But his first two years have ended with two injuries. So, besides living up to first-round expectations, being available for the postseason is another hurdle Davenport must get over.