Golden Nuggets: Cameron Jordan Has Big Plans and Justin Forsett Talks Big Picture

Not satisfied with his first Pro Bowl selection last year and being one of the top defensive linemen in the league, Cameron Jordan has his sights set on bigger and better things.

The New Orleans Saints enter the 2014 season with an improved defense, top-tier coaching, satiated stars and one of the best quarterbacks on the planet. This is a time-tested recipe for Super Bowl trips.

Saints players have the right to be confident. Cameron Jordan showed that spirit Friday when asked if the Saints will re-take the NFC South this season.

"This is the year I get a Super Bowl," Jordan told NFL Network's Lindsay Rhodes on NFL Total Access.

Jordan -- who has set a personal goal for 16 sacks this season -- elaborated on his view of the future.

"Cam Jordan going back home to Arizona, Super Bowl in Arizona. We have the team in place, we have an offense, we have Drew Brees, we have Jim Graham now, he's happy, and that's a huge thing for us," he said.

"We have a multitude of wide receivers that are hungry to make a name for themselves. To even talk about defense, we've upgraded in a couple different positions. We brought in a ball-hawk in Jairus Byrd, Kenny (Vaccaro) is going into his second year. The defensive line, I can't say enough about my defensive line. From Akiem Hicks to Junior Galette to Tyrunn Walker, you can name any, Brodrick Bunkley, my D-line is phenomenal. I love my guys."

Fellow Golden Bears Aaron Rodgers, C.J. Anderson, D.J. Campbell, Marshawn Lynch and Shane Vereen may have something to say about that.

All things considered, the New Orleans Saints have come a long way from when they were known, rightfully or wrongfully, as an "offense-only" team. However, the defensive unit has quietly become one of the best in the league, in large parts to the talent and leadership of Cameron Jordan. Should be exciting to watch.

Pac-12 Conference

• DirecTV will not carry the Pac-12 Network this fall, leaving as many as one-fifth of the Bay Area without broadcasts of Cal football. Is there a chance this could change?

It's possible that AT&T's recent acquisition of DirecTV for $48.5 billion will help thaw the icy relationship between the two sides. Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott calls AT&T "our most comprehensive partnership." The deal, announced in May, has to be approved by federal regulators.

In an interview, Pac-12 Networks President Lydia Murphy-Stephans said she's optimistic the deal "will lead to constructive negotiations."

That is, she's optimistic in the long term, but not the short one.

• One day ahead of Pac-12 Media Day, the four members of ESPN's Pac-12 Blog give their 2014 season predictions. Where does Cal finish in their minds?

Men's Gymnastics

• Two more Golden Bears qualify for the P&G Championships, joining Donothan Bailey in the competition.

Berkeley Happenings

• The Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive "break ground" on its new building in a block party harkening back to Scandinavian tradition

Sterling v. Sterling

• CaliforniaGoldenBlogs's very own TwistNHook calls in to The Norman Report to discuss and debate trolling and the legal issues surrounding the Sterling Family Trust

Softball

• USA defeats Canada 9-2 n the Canadian Open Fastpitch Women's semifinal. Valerie Arioto goes 1 for 2 with a double and a walk, scoring twice.

National Women's Soccer League

• Striker Alex Morgan continues to rack up the goal count, this time for the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League.

Major League Baseball

• All-Star Tyson Ross strikes out six over seven shutout innings for the Padres against the Mets. With the run support the Padres gave him, it was more then enough.

In the course of 16 months, Tyson Ross has sprouted into one of baseball's more unhittable pitchers, delivering a devastating slider from high atop the mound.

If the Padres are to substantially and logically extend his time in San Diego, they will need a few more games like Saturday's, when they bashed three home runs in a 6-0 whitewashing of the Mets. Ross, who did not surrender a hit until the fifth inning -- on an unfortunate hop, no less -- lowered his earned-run average to 2.70 and recorded his eighth win.

"It's always a little bit easier pitching with the lead," said Ross, who threw seven shutout innings. "It's more comfortable. You don't have to worry as much about making a mistake and being down."

National Football League

• Desean Jackson goes home to Long Beach Poly to guest-coach the Jackrabbits.

• Justin Forsett, running back for the Baltimore Ravens, tells us to look behind the media sensationalism and focus on the good that NFL players do through charity. Forsett singles out fellow Pac-12 brethern, including a certain former teammate.

Most assume all football players use free time in a reckless manner - partying and getting into trouble - because it's all that's seen in the media. I'm here to let you know that's not the case. This time of year, players all around the country do amazing things like put on youth football camps in their hometown.

Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, for instance, holds a camp every year in Oakland, California. I love to watch my former teammate go home and give back to his community, especially the kids. Oakland has a reputation of being a tough place to live due to violence and drugs, but Marshawn goes back to encourage the next generation. He recently added a talent show to his camp so the whole community can come out to showcase their gifts.