As a second-round pick out of Miami in 2008, Calais Campbell showed promise as a pass rusher. The promise turned into production in his second year, as the budding star racked up seven sacks as the left end in Arizona's 3-4 defense. Campbell talked to Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer about the team's offseason losses on defense, the strength of the scheme and the correct pronunciation of his first name:

Q: How has your team reacted so far to losing some of its key players to free agency and trades? A: It's tough, but at the same time we know with success comes constant change. I was a good friend of another former Hurricane, Antrel Rolle, and we'll also miss him as a player. But you're happy for him, too, for being rewarded for what he's done. Hopefully, we will bring in some other guys to help us, and we've got some young players -- Cody Brown, Will Davis -- that will only get better.

Q: What did Karlos Dansby mean to the defense? A: He was the quarterback of the defense. You could count on him every game because he knew the system so well. He is a very versatile player, and you can't quite replace him. I think he's a good fit in Miami. I think he'll do well and like it there.

Q: So how will your role change as one of the Cardinals' remaining defensive standouts? A: We're fortunate to still have some great guys with experience here. The younger guys can still lean on Adrian Wilson, and on the other side of me, we've got Darnell Dockett. I felt more comfortable last season. There's more confidence that I can be a leader, too. We'll have a strong core in place.

Q: Defensive end in a 3-4 is usually more of a run-stopping role. What allowed you to have such good success as a pass rusher last season? A: Our scheme is built to rush the passer. We're dedicated to stopping the pass. I was more comfortable with our blitz packages and had a better feel for different moves. It's important to be at a good weight because how me and Darnell Dockett get to the quarterback is with a good, strong technique. We're set up to be aggressive, getting upfield to make plays and get turnovers.

Q: How is the offense getting along after Kurt Warner decided to retire? A: Kurt Warner is obviously a big loss. He worked hard for us and just knew how to win. That said, we have confidence in Matt Leinart as a starter. I'm also sure the front office will bring in a veteran behind him (former Brown Derek Anderson was signed Wednesday). Our team is built on competition, to help get the best out of your players. The challenge will be good for Matt. He's a potential Pro Bowl guy. It's just about working hard.

Q: What was your reaction to the trade of Anquan Boldin? A: I think the Ravens are a good place for him. As for our team, we've got Steve Breaston ready to step in. He's made a lot of big plays for us. Everyone also saw what Early Doucet could do the playoffs. We still have a very strong corps of receivers. Anquan is definitely hard to replace, but Early is built like him physically.

Q: There has been a trend toward shorter, more compact pass rushers. How is it different getting after quarterbacks when you're 6-8? A: It's an advantage for me to separate and shed blocks because I've got the longer arms. At the same time, when you're taller, you have less leverage and most offensive lineman have a lower center of gravity. It's a problem only if you don't use good technique. For me, it's natural to use a swim move to get past a blocker. You just need to know your body type well and where you can best make your move athletically.

Q: So what's the origin of your first name and what is the correct pronunciation? A: I come from a large family, with five brothers and two sisters, so many of us have unique names. I have a younger brother, Severin, who's playing defensive end at Montana. My first name gets mispronounced often -- even though it's based on a city in France, the "S" isn't silent.

Q: Have you ever been to France? A: I plan on going sometime when I get a break from OTAs. I would love to take my picture under a sign in Calais. Also I would love to get one of those plates you get at a carnival with my name on it -- they just don't have those here.

Q: What's your goal for this season? A: Personally, I would like to make it to the Pro Bowl. As a team, just keeping winning our division. We've done it back to back, and we have some great players to return to the playoffs again.

Click here to order Calais Campbell's proCane Rookie Card.



(sportingnews.com)

Calais Campbell posted on his twitter page today: "Finally got my cast all the way off. My arm is super hairy but I am the happiest man alive. Rehab in effect baby."

Campbell fractured his thumb in the Cardinals' final regular season game. Despite the fracture and surgery, Campbell still played in the Cardinals' Wild Card playoff win against the Packers and Divisional Playoff loss against the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints.

Click here to order Calais Campbell's proCane Rookie Card.



(twitter.com)

Cardinals DE Calais Campbell plans on playing with his left thumb in a cast on Sunday.

Campbell doesn't have to practice in order to play Sunday, especially because he went over the Packers' scheme throughout last week as well. We'd tentatively expect Campbell, who had seven sacks this season, to be there for the Wild Card game.

Click here to order Calais Campbell’s proCane Rookie Card.



(rotoworld.com)

The Cardinals are optimistic that Campbell will be able to play in Sunday's Wild Card playoff game despite a fractured left thumb. Campbell underwent surgery Monday to repair his fractured left thumb. Campbell says he still has a chance to play Sunday against Green Bay, but "nothing is certain.

Click here to order Calais Campbell’s proCane Rookie Card.



(fantasysp.com)

Cardinals DE Calais Campbell fractured his thumb and might need screws put in there this week.

Click here to order Calais Campbell’s proCane Rookie Card.



(twitter.com/adam_schefter)

DE Calais Campbell has six sacks in his first full season as a starter, but he still has improvement to make. Campbell has been inconsistent and a perfect example of that is his one tackle performance last week against the Lions.

Click here to order Calais Campbell’s proCane Rookie Card.



(scout.com)

The statistics say Calais Campbell has six sacks this season for the Cardinals, which is a fact he can't dispute.

"Yeah, but I probably should have 13 by now," the second-year defensive end said, shaking his head in disgust.
And he is right. In his first year as a starter, Campbell has had his hands on a quarterback numerous times only to see him wriggle away.

It's to the point that his teammates have saddled him with a nickname.

"They're calling me 'Almost,' because I've got so many 'almost' sacks," Campbell said. "They're on me pretty tough."

Every player has missed a tackle or two, but if Campbell had finished what he started, he'd likely be leading the NFC in sacks. He also would be gaining national acclaim and Pro Bowl votes.

"I know. I know," said Campbell, one of the taller ends in the league at 6 feet 8 inches. "When I'm playing, I get too excited at times and I hesitate or put my head down and dive instead of finishing as well as I could.

"I've been worried about a fine or a penalty a couple of times, too, and that's definitely not something I should be thinking about out there. That happened to me against (Tennessee's) Vince Young and I ended up stumbling around instead of taking him down."

With three weeks left in the regular season, including Sunday's game in Detroit, Campbell has a shot to get his sack total into double digits. Only once in this decade has a Cardinals player finished with 11 or more in a season: Bertrand Berry with 14½ in 2004.

Campbell said his teammates, namely fellow defensive linemen Bryan Robinson and Darnell Dockett, have reminded him to "stay focused on the big picture" and "not get caught up in statistics."

But 13 sacks sound sexier than six.

"We hold each other accountable and that makes you want to play better and not make those mistakes," said Campbell, who was a two-time All-ACC selection with the Miami Hurricanes. "When I have a chance to make a play, I have to make that play.

"I'm encouraged because I know that's something that is easily changeable. I know how to tackle. I've been playing ball since I was a 6-year-old. But I'm maturing and learning so much more, that I know for next year and for years to come I'm going to get there and be faster and be better."

(azcentral.com)

Calais Campbell: Campell continued his outstanding play with two tackles, a sack and a tipped pass that resulted in Eli's second pick. To make a long story short, he's playing a like a mad man. 



(revengeofthebirds.com)

TEMPE, Ariz. - The biggest question mark on the Arizona defence entering the season was how new starting defensive end Calais Campbell would do. So far the answer would be just fine.

"I'm doing a decent job. I'm not too hard on myself," Campbell said after practice on Thursday. "I'm comfortable, feeling confident. I give myself around a 'B.' I just want to continue to get better, continue learning."

The six-foot-eight, 290-pound second-year pro from Miami is hard to miss on the field. Just ask kickers Josh Scobee of Jacksonville and Kris Brown of Houston. Campbell blocked field goal tries by both.

He also got a hand on Olindo Mare's 28-yarder in Sunday's 27-3 victory in Seattle, but the ball still made it through the uprights to prevent a shutout loss at home for the Seahawks.

"It grazed my hand a little bit," Campbell said. "If I could have had just a little more effort it might have been a nice little block."

Usually lining up alongside nose tackle Bryan Robinson in a 3-4 formation, with Darnell Dockett on Robinson's other side, Campbell has 17 tackles - 12 unassisted - including two tackles for loss. He has 1 1/2 sacks - both against Seattle - two pass deflections and a team-high three quarterback hits.

"I think he's done better in the run game than we thought he might this early," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "He's done a nice job with that, and certainly he's created pressure at times on the quarterback. Athletically as far as running down the guy on the punt return a couple of weeks ago and then what he does defensively, I'm very pleased with his progress."

The defensive end job became vacant when Antonio Smith left to sign a big free agent contract with the Houston Texans. Campbell, a second-round draft pick who left Miami after his junior season, was the leading candidate from the start.

"Calais is coming along well," linebacker Karlos Dansby said. "He's stepping in and making plays and playing hard, just trying to be a sponge right now. He's still young."

Campbell has benefited greatly from the attention defences are giving to Dockett, the Cardinals' most disruptive force up front.

"Teams have to plan for him, so when they start protection his way, it gives me a lot of one-on-one opportunities," Campbell said. "He keeps waiting for me to start making more plays so things kind of even out a little bit."

Dockett, who is a good friend of Smith and hated to see him leave, has become Campbell's mentor.

"He really wants to see me do well," Campbell said. "He definitely works with me a lot and is pretty tough on me if I don't go hard in practice or I'm not explosive enough or doing a drill hard enough. He makes sure I treat it just as if it was a game."

Campbell has set his goals as high as they get. He wants to be one of the best defensive linemen of all time, "a Reggie White, Michael Strahan kind of guy."

There's a long way to go, but barely 23 years old, he's happy now to be a big part of what the Cardinals are doing.

"Earlier today we were watching film and stuff and I had to really think to myself 'Wow, this is crazy. I remember just wishing I could be here. Now it's actually here. This is like unbelievable. This is like a dream come true."'



(metronews.ca)

DE Calais Campbell had one sack against Seattle and probably should have been credited with another. Campbell is also solid against the run, and his high level of play has been a positive early this season.



(ucla.scout.com)

Defensive end Calais Campbell was credited with just one sack, but that might be reviewed later in the week. It appeared Campbell had two sacks, one of which forced a Matt Hasselbeck fumble in the first quarter.

“I thought I had more than one,” a smiling Campbell said. “You’ve got to help me out there.”

Campbell’s play has softened the loss of Antonio Smith, who left as a free agent and signed with Houston.

“Calais played like a grown man today,” nose tackle Bryan Robinson said.



(eastvalleytribune.com)

PHOENIX - When Cardinals DE Calais Campbell assumed a starter's role on the defensive line following Antonio Smith's departure, the former Miami Hurricane wanted to make a name for himself and justify the team's faith in him.
Four games into the 2009 season Campbell has made quite a name for himself, but more because of his special teams heroics.

Sunday against the Texans he blocked a field goal, his second of the season. Campbell, who told Sports 620 KTAR's Gambo and Ash Monday that he had never blocked a kick before this season, said he would prefer knocking down the quarterback instead of knocking down the ball.

"For the team a blocked field goal is a bigger play because you're taking points off the board and it's a big momentum swinger," he said, "but from a personal, what I want to get, I'm a sack-machine in my mind, so I definitely want to get sacks."

Campbell, who also saved a possible touchdown by chasing down Texans punt returner Jacoby Jones, has impressed people with his effort on the field.

"It's just playing balls to the wall, full go, every play, and that's what I always try to do," he said. "When I'm on the field I just give my all."

Of course, had the Cardinals built on their 21-0 halftime lead instead of let the Texans back in the game, Campbell's special teams heroics may not have been as necessary as they ultimately became.

"The Texans are a good team, they made some plays to get back in the game, and we made a couple mistakes," Campbell said about what happened. "When you do that to a good team they're going to find a way to make plays."

But the Cardinals defense made the last play, stuffing the Texans on fourth and goal from the one yard line, preserving a seven point lead.

Campbell helped push the pile back on the play and, even though he's making plays on the field, he feels like he has much more to offer.

"I feel like I can play so much better," he said, "I'm definitely playing good enough where the coaches don't have to bench me or anything like that, but I'm not playing as good I could or I know I can.

"I'm really just starting to get comfortable and come into my own."



(ktar.com)

Sean Morey made the Pro Bowl last year as a special teams player. If Calais Campbell keeps this up, he may repeat the feat this season. Campbell, the Cardinals’ second-year defensive end, blocked a field goal and made a touchdown-saving tackle on a punt return in Arizona’s 28-21 victory over the Houston Texans.

The blocked field goal, Campbell’s second of the season, came on a 35-yard attempt by Houston’s Kris Brown early in the second quarter.

“Our goal is to get five this year,” Campbell said. “I’m just trying to do my part.”

Campbell said Gabe Watson took on two blockers, giving him a crease to go through, and he stretched his 6-foot-8 frame to block the kick.

The tackle on the punt return was even more impressive.

Houston’s Jacoby Jones took Ben Graham’s kick on the Houston 7-yard line and raced 62 yards before Campbell, filling in for an injured Stephen Spach, pushed him out-of-bounds.

The stop was critical because the Texans, despite the good field position, failed to score after being stuffed on 4th-and-1 at Arizona’s 22-yard line.

“I got down the field as fast as I could,” Campbell said. “I read he that he was breaking outside so I took an angle to the pylon … I just ran my heart out, dove and tried to make a play. I’m so happy he went down. I look fast, but it’s all angles.”



(eastvalleytribune.com)

In two NFL starts, Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell has batted down two passes, blocked a field goal that was returned for a touchdown and recorded eight tackles and a half-sack.

Yet, it's the missed opportunities that dominate Campbell's thoughts, and in an ironic way, excite the Cardinals coaches about Campbell's potential. At 23, Campbell already has learned a valuable lesson: He doesn't know everything.

"Calais is a guy who wants to learn," said nose tackle Bryan Robinson, in his 13th season. "He's always asking what he's done wrong and wants to get better. He's a humble guy already. You don't have to get into his head and bring him with you. He's ready to go."

Entering this season, Campbell was one of the bigger question marks on the team. A second-round draft pick in 2008, he is replacing Antonio Smith in the starting lineup. Smith was a productive player who blossomed in the postseason. He left via free agency for Houston after the season. The Cardinals didn't do much to keep him in Arizona because they had Campbell ready to step in.

Campbell has started only two games, but he has given strong indications that he one day could be better than Smith. And that day could come soon.

Campbell, though, doesn't see it like that. He looks at his statistics and kicks himself that he has only a half-sack. He thinks of all the times the quarterback slipped from his hands.

"I know I'm good enough to make those plays," he said. "I should have five sacks by now, and that would put me second in the league. That's crazy. I'm getting my opportunities, and I've got to capitalize when they come."
Campbell, from Aurora, Colo., grew up with a houseful of brothers. Three of them played college football, including Jared, now a defensive back at Miami.

At 6 feet 8, Calais was the tallest of the siblings, and at one time could complete a variety of dunks, including 360s and windmills. Now at 290 pounds, Campbell still can dunk, but the fancy stuff is gone from his arsenal.

"There was never a time we were bored," Campbell said of growing up. "We had football, basketball. We'd be out there, competing three-on-three. I used to be the shut-down corner or Randy Moss out there, but that was back in the good days when I could move a little better."

Campbell, who went to Miami, moves well for a guy his size. With his long arms, he can hold off blockers and deflect passes.

"It's great being tall," he said. "I start out low, and you try to stay low as long as you can, then eventually you get high. It's just natural."

Campbell knows, however, that he needs considerable work on his technique. He needs to refine his pass-rush moves and admitted there were times last year as a rookie that he was driven off the ball.

He added some weight and strength in the off-season, and if the first two games are an indication, Campbell should be the Cardinals' right end for years to come.

"He's going to be one of the greats as a Cardinal player," Robinson said. "He wants to learn, and you love that about him. He's a guy who is going to play a long time."



(azcardinals.com)

The Cardinals’ Calais Campbell was lamenting how many sacks he missed out on Sunday when he couldn’t quite tackle David Garrard a couple of times, but his key block of a field goal – that turned into Antrel Rolle’s game-changing 83-yard touchdown return — earned him the NFC special teams player of the week award.

Now Campbell just has to work on getting the defensive player of the week honor.



(azcardinals.com)

Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona; Antrel Rolle, CB, Arizona

With the Jaguars aiming to cut a seven-point deficit to four on a Josh Scobee field goal, Campbell found a seam in the Jags punt-team line, slithered through it, blocked the field goal, then helped form a convoy for the sixth touchdown of young Rolle's career. Rolle, catching the ball at the Cardinals' 17, weaved down the left sideline, then cut across and scored against the grain on a play I can guarantee you Jack Del Rio will replay in Jacksonville film study this week. He'll ask his team: "Why'd so many people not sprint to the ball, even after Rolle ran past you once?''



(cnnsi.com)

DE Calais Campbell had a strong preseason and looks primed to take over at right end from Antonio Smith, who signed with the Texans. At 6-8, Campbell could be a real force if he refines his pass rush moves.



(ari.scout.com)

Still concerned about the loss of defensive end Antonio Smith to free agency? Don’t be. Second-year pro Calais Campbell looks like he’ll be more than an able replacement. Campbell, who had seven tackles against Pittsburgh, sacked Rivers in the first quarter and played well again.



(eastvalleytribune.com)

Calais Campbell: Moving from the little people to the giants, Campbell was a beast against the Steelers starting left tackle. He was stout against the run and got into Ben's face on more than one occasion. One solid preseason performance won't replace Antonio Smith but his first game action went a long way to easing some people's concerns.



(revengeofthebirds.com)

FLAGSTAFF – Calais Campbell isn’t Antonio Smith.

Campbell knows that, of course. He knows he has some work to do to reach the level of Smith, whom Campbell replaced as starting defensive end. But in case he doesn’t, fellow defensive lineman Darnell Dockett – who happens to be Smith’s best friend – reminds Campbell as often as possible.

“He hears it every day,” Dockett said. “Me and B-Rob (nose tackle Bryan Robinson) have a special handshake. We told Calais he couldn’t get in on the special handshake until he makes some plays. And he is (ticked) about it too.”
Campbell has turned into the Cardinals’ case study in dealing with natural NFL turnover. With the salary cap, a team can’t keep every single one of its rising players. Decisions have to be made, and it would be naïve to think the Cards weren’t thinking about Smith’s impending free agency after the 2008 season when Campbell was selected in the second round of last year’s draft.

Smith got his big payday – the Texans signed him to a five-year, $35 million contract – and Campbell gets his chance.

On the field, it’s been relatively smooth. Veteran linemen like Dockett and nose tackle Gabe Watson have seen Campbell progressing. In his first start, against the Steelers in the preseason opener last week, Campbell was solid in his stint, making some plays against the run and creating some pass-rush pressure.

“His challenge will to make that consistent week in and week out,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “He has passed the first test -- he has taken it from the practice field to the game field.”

Campbell has long insisted he wasn’t taking the natural ascension to starter (he never really had to beat anyone out; he moved up without competition when Smith departed) for granted.

There is another challenge for Campbell, though, and it’s replacing Smith within the fabric of the defensive linemen’s society.

“He was a big part of the team personality-wise, leadership-wise, not including what he meant on the field,” Campbell said. “I know I have big shoes to fill, but I am just trying to be myself and do what I can to help the team and not try and do what he did. We do have similar personalities. Maybe I can get a leadership role at some point, but I am a little bit younger so I’m not sure guys listen to me.”

Finding chemistry with Dockett would help both Campbell and the Cardinals. One of the first by-products of Smith’s migration to Houston was the question of how it would affect Dockett. Dockett made it clear after the first practice of camp just what Smith meant to him.

“It’s hard, man,” Dockett said then. “I came out today and it was like half of my heart was gone. I had to look around for somebody to bond with. But there ain’t nobody will take my boy’s (place).”

Campbell can’t automatically take that place, but he’s trying to fill in the gaps. The Cards have talked with Dockett a couple of times, stressing the team’s need to have Dockett grow his leadership skills. Dockett seems to have taken this request for professionalism to heart, and that includes getting past the loss of his best friend.

Perhaps Campbell, at some point, will make people forget about the steady Smith. Maybe he earns the knowledge of the special handshake. Campbell is patient. He knows Dockett has faith in his abilities.

“If you saw Antonio, you saw Dockett with him,” Campbell said. “That’s tough. I know how it is, when I was at Miami (in college) I had a couple of great friends and then you have to part ways. You miss them, but Dockett is a good dude and a professional. He’ll go hard and be a big-time contributor. He is on me real hard to make sure I do what I can to keep him from being double-teamed all the time.”



(azcardinals.com)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Calais Campbell has a big new role with the Arizona Cardinals, and he certainly has the size for the job.

The 6-foot-8, 290-pound second-year pro out of Miami replaces the departed Antonio Smith at defensive end, and he relishes the challenge.

"I understand I'm kind of like the new guy and everybody has questions about the new guy," Campbell said before the team practiced on Monday, "but I feel if I can go out there and just do what I know how to, the questions will be answered very soon."

Arizona drafted Campbell in the second round, the 50th pick overall, last season. He played in all 20 games as a backup and, mostly, on special teams. But when Smith signed a free-agent contract with the Houston Texans in the offseason, Campbell knew his chance had come.

"I knew that was big opportunity for me," Campbell said, "and I've always been that person that when an opportunity comes, you've got to capitalize."

He said his competitiveness comes from growing up with five brothers in Aurora, Colo., where he established a state high school record with 58 sacks in four seasons, 38 as a junior and senior. He also was a standout basketball player and threw the shot and discus in track and field.

A two-time all-Atlantic Coast Conference selection at Miami, Campbell made himself available for the draft after his junior season.

In his debut as a starter last Thursday against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, Campbell played three series and got a good review from coach Ken Whisenhunt.

"I'd grade him out as a very good game," Whisenhunt said. "I was impressed with Calais, not only the things that showed up on tape or showed up in the game with him getting pressure on the quarterback, but also some of the things he did in the run game and the way he played that position in the line."

Campbell thought he played "fairly well."

"My goal going into the game was to be consistent and show the coaches and players that I'm ready to be a starter. I feel like I did that," he said. "There's a couple of plays there I could have made but didn't. I'm my biggest critic. I'm hard on myself, and I didn't play as well as I could have."

Campbell said his height "can be my worst enemy or my best friend."

"If I continue with my technique, I stay low and use my ability for good, I'll be fine," he said. "If I can just stay low and extend my arms, there's no offensive lineman that should be able to block me."

He's best, he said, at getting to the passer, a talent Arizona's defense sorely needs.

"I feel like I'm a natural pass rusher. That's probably what I do best on the field," Campbell said. "I definitely have to be able to stop the run first and make them pass. But with our offense scoring a lot of points and stopping the run like we can, there's going to be a lot of times when we've got to get after that passer.

"It could be the difference between going 9-7 and 14-2."

He credits veterans Bryan Robinson and Bertrand Berry for making him pay attention to the small details that make a big difference in a game.

Campbell and cornerback Bryant McFadden are the only newcomers in Arizona's starting defense. The ex-Steeler McFadden "is a lot more proven," Campbell acknowledged.

At this point in his young career, Campbell knows the magnitude of the opportunity he has to start for the reigning NFC champions.

"This is huge," he said. "I'll be 23 at the start of the season, and this is amazing. This is everything I dreamed of when I was a kid. Just being able to be a starter on this team, I feel like we have a great team and we can be great for a lot of years to come."



(ap.com)

Campbell is the biggest question mark on the defense. He replaces Antonio Smith, who signed with Houston in free agency. Campbell will get a considerable amount of work tonight. He's a solid run defender who needs to work on making moves out of his initial stance.



(azcentral.com)

JV- What's camp been like so far with the energy in practice's and the crowd's that have come out?
CC- It's been definetley alot better camp then last year for me, I know what to expect, I'm a lot more confident, a lot more support of the fans, we're a lot more confident as a team, I think we know what we can do now, plus last year I know we wanted something great, now we know we can get there as long as we work hard and continue to do the small things.

JV- What experiences have you taken from last year to make you a better player this season?
CC- When the offseason ended the first thing I did was relax a little bit, tried to clear up my mind, then I hit the offseson workout pretty tough. Coach Lott helped me out alot to get my upper body strength together, just tried to bulk up a lot, work on my technique and just get ready for camp. There's a vacancy when our good teammate Antonio Smith left and they told me that they want me to fill his position, or at least try to because it's big shoes to fill because he's a great player. I'm just hoping to work hard and do everything I can to fill the void.

JV- There's obviously the challenge of a young player working hard to get playing time on this team, now you also have the challenge of trying to replace a player that not only was popular in the lockerroom but made plays on the field as well?
CC- That's the same kind of player I am, me and him have a lot of similarities so hopefully I can do a decent job where the team can count on me and depend on me. Antonio Smith had a leadership role and lots of things he brought to the table, so it'll be hard to fill his shoes but I'll do what I can to work hard and give it my all and hopefully that's enough.

JV- Looking at your career at Miami the thing that stands out about your stats are the sacks, so the pass rushing skills are there. How would you say you are at stopping the run?
CC- Stopping the run, people don't usually think I can but at Miami I did a pretty good job against the run as I got a little older. That's one thing I really wanted to show people I could do because they say he's a pass rusher but he can't stop the run, it's the same kind of thing now. When I get down there in the trenches I have to play with great technique because I don't really have the strength that a lot of the guys have, but hopefully I'll get oppurtunities this year to show everybody I can do it.

JV- With the expectations you'll have on you this season how important will it be for you to lean on guys like Darnell(Dockett), Bertrand(Berry), Adrian(Wilson), Karlos(Dansby), and other veterans?
CC- Without a doubt, I lean on them a lot already, I leaned on them a lot during the summer as well. Last year I learned so much from them and it helps to have great leadership role guys who have been in the league a long time, guys that know how to stay in the league, know how to make plays, be prouctive. What I try to do is be a copy cat and do what they're doing, try and fit in, take everything I can from them and benefit from it.



(kstar.com)

FLAGSTAFF - At 6-feet-8 inches, filling a big pair of shoes has never been a problem for defensive end Calais Campbell, at least in a literal sense. Yet, ask many Cardinals coaches and players about Campbell's potential starting role this season, and the metaphor pops up consistently.

"He's got some big shoes to fill," defensive coordinator Bill Davis said.

"He's going to have to fill some big shoes right now," inside linebacker Karlos Dansby said.

The Cardinals didn't make many personnel changes on defense in the off-season but they did allow starting right end Antonio Smith to leave for Houston via free agency. The Cardinals planned for the departure a year earlier, drafting Campbell in the second round out of Miami and Kenny Iwebema in the fourth out of Iowa.

Smith never made a Pro Bowl in five seasons with the Cardinals but he developed into a consistent, productive player. He was a force in the Cardinals' playoff run and a popular player among his teammates. They loved his personality and his perseverance.

Taken in the fifth round in 2004, Smith was cut once, and then played in Europe before eventually becoming a starter.

"It was hard to lose Antonio," Dansby said. "He had been around for five, six years and we had grown a bond together."

He's up for it
The challenge isn't lost on Campbell, who is bright and perceptive. He spent part of his summer attending the NFL Business Management program at Harvard and plans to take advantage of similar opportunities in the next few years.

"The question mark is always going to be there when somebody new comes in and I understand that," Campbell said. "All I can do is be technically sound and get ready to play every day. I feel like the sky is the limit if I just do the little things and really work hard."

Campbell played in all 20 games last year, both as a backup defensive end and a special teams player. Even though he's 290 pounds, he runs well enough to be on the kickoff team.

The question now is whether he can hold up at defensive end.

"When you're as tall as Calais you have to work extra hard at staying low and pad level," Davis said. "He has a great knack for getting off blocks and making plays. He finishes very well. We have to help him start better, and again, that comes from (his) length."

If Campbell succeeds, it will validate the decision to part with Smith, who signed a $35 million deal with Houston, including a $12.5 million signing bonus. The Cardinals, with a handful of other veterans to re-sign, decided not to spend the money on Smith.

'Humble' youngster
Successful NFL franchises, such as the Steelers, have allowed good players to leave via free agency, counting upon younger, cheaper players to replace them. Campbell's performance this year is a small test of the Cardinals' acumen in personnel decisions.

"I think a big part of the NFL now is developing younger players," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "When it's time for those younger guys to play, they have to step up. And we've been very good the last few years with that happening for us and hopefully it will be the same with Calais."

If Campbell fails, it won't be for lack of work ethic. He regularly attended the team's off-season workouts, concentrating on gaining upper body strength. The team's veterans have been impressed by his work habits and his commitment.

"He's very humble," strong safety Adrian Wilson said. "He's willing to work and I think that's one of the main things with young players. Are they willing to work? Are they willing to make the sacrifice to become great players?"

While Campbell is the starter now, he needs a productive preseason to hang on to the job. He has competition from other young defensive ends, including Iwebema, Keilen Dykes, and veteran Rodney Leisle.

"He's got a professionalism and a maturity to him that's going to help him take the next step," Davis said. "But he has to take the next step.

"And that's what is fun about training camp. You get a chance to watch young guys develop. The doors open for them and we'll see if he walks through it or not."



(azcentral.com)

7. Is Calais Campbell ready to be a starter?
The second-year defensive lineman is a trendy pick given Antonio Smith’s departure to Houston. He saw more snaps as last season went on, and he also played special teams. Campbell figures to see most of his snaps on the end. He’s still chasing his first career sack, so it’s not like a 10-sack or Pro Bowl season can be expected, but if he can come close to Smith’s steady play last season, it’ll have been a success.



(eastvalleytribune.com)

Defensive end Calais Campbell: He's expected to take over at right end, replacing Antonio Smith, who signed with Houston in free agency. A second-round pick in 2008, Campbell played in all 20 games as a rookie but didn't start.

He was a capable rotation player, although he didn't register a sack, and was decent on special teams, too. Much more is expected this year.

The Cardinals don't have much experience at end, so there is a considerable amount of pressure on Campbell to perform. Coaches seem confident he'll come through.

At 6-feet-8, Campbell's long frame should be an asset as both a pass rusher and run defender. His long arms can create problems for quarterbacks looking for passing lanes, and he should be able to hold off run blockers.

Just as important, Campbell is bright and a hard worker. If he fails, it won't be because of laziness.

The Cardinals need him to come through. Behind him are Kenny Iwebema, also a second-year player, and Keilen Dykes, who spent last season on the practice squad.



(scout.com)

A year ago, Calais Campbell was maneuvering through the offseason trying to figure out the NFL life as a rookie, facing fellow backups on the offensive line when there were offense-versus-defense drills.

Now, he’s a starter, facing fellow starters.

It wasn’t anything Campbell necessarily did on the field – he probably made a greater impact on special teams last season than his limited time playing defense – but the business of the NFL that put him in the position. Antonio Smith, starting defensive end, left for a lucrative free-agent contract in Houston. That meant Campbell moved up the depth chart.

“It is one thing to say ‘I’m a one,’ but when you are on the field around the other guys in the huddle and you look around and they are counting on you, it definitely feels a little more important,” Campbell said. “I have big shoes to fill, but it feels good to be in that huddle as a starter.”

The Cardinals have no other spot in the lineup that will be more scrutinized than Campbell, who had 25 tackles and zero sacks as a rookie. Virtually all the other starting spots are either all but determined or manned by veterans who have had a certain level of success.

The same can’t yet be said for Campbell, a second-round draft pick in 2008.

No defensive linemen were taken by the Cards in the draft. Only Rodney Leisle, who was out of football last season after being cut in training camp, was added as a free agent. Not only did Campbell rise up the depth chart when Smith left, it would seem he has limited competition to lose the spot.

Yet the first words from defensive coordinator Bill Davis on the subject are blunt: “It’s not going to be given to Calais.”

“If he wants it, Calais has to go take it and everyone else is fighting for it too,” Davis said, emphasizing the true battle can’t happen until training camp. “The OTAs and minicamp are a learning scenario for D-linemen and linebackers but you cannot evaluate them until they have pads on.”

Leisle could play the end in the 3-4 alignment, Davis said, or Campbell’s draft class mate Kenny Iwebema, or even veteran Bryan Robinson. Of course, Robinson remains the starter at nose tackle for now with Gabe Watson returning from knee surgery (and the Cards, right now, unable to count on Alan Branch until he proves he can be productive). Iwebema is recovering from surgery to remove a benign tumor from his chest.

Davis said the Cards will play a defensive scheme that will fit the players that have earned time and who are healthy. If it’s one of the bigger guys, the Cards will use more “thick techniques.” If it’s Iwebema or Campbell, the Cards will use their ends more on the edge.

And, of course, the Cards are hoping Campbell takes a step forward and renders any contingency plans moot.

“People are paying more attention to me than last year, definitely,” Campbell said. “But that’s OK, I like attention. I have always said, ‘When the lights come on, it’s time to shine and perform.’ I like pressure situations. I like all eyes on me, because I have no choice but to put on a show and play better.”

Smith, a one-time fifth-round pick, needed a few seasons to become a difference-maker. Davis said Campbell doesn’t necessarily need the same kind of patience.

“Calais is ready for his opportunity,” Davis said. “He just has to meet the challenge, but he is ready for it.”



(azcardinals.com)

Another battle along the defensive line will be the race to succeed departed DE Antonio Smith who left for the Houston Texans. As of now, DE Calais Campbell seems poised take over at the position. Campbell will be squaring off against fellow second-year DE Kenny Iwebema for the starting spot. However, if DT Darnell Dockett continues to hold out for a new contract, Campbell and Iwebema could both find their way into the starting lineup.

(ari.scout.com)

1. Calais Campbell, DE, Arizona A second-round pick in 2008, Campbell gets his chance to crack the starting lineup of the defending NFC champions this season, as a replacement for departed free-agent defensive end Antonio Smith (who signed with Houston). Campbell had 28 tackles but no sacks in 16 games last season, seeing time at defensive tackle and end, in addition to covering kicks on special teams. The 6-foot-8, 282-pound Campbell needs to rediscover the pass rush skills that made him the 50th overall choice in last year's draft.

(cnnsi.com)

Close observers of the Cardinals wholeheartedly agree that one of the biggest keys to remaining the NFC West kingpin in 2009 will be more substantial contributions from two second-year players in particular — DEs Calais Campbell (a second-round pick in ’08) and Kenny Iwebema (fourth round). We hear the Cardinals feel pretty confident that the combination of Campbell and Iwebema will effectively compensate for the loss of Antonio Smith as the starter and primary backup at left end, respectively. “They really like Campbell’s size (6-7, 282),” a team insider told PFW. “He’s bigger than Antonio, and when he gets his arms up, it could cause real problems. He’s very bright, and he’s very diligent, unlike (2007 second-rounder) Alan Branch, whose work ethic hasn’t been great. And when the team goes to a 4-3, Campbell can move inside. They like Iwebema a lot, too. He’s a lot stronger than he looks, and he also works real hard.”

(profootballweekly.com)

When the subject of Cardinals defensive ends pops up in the desert these days, the names of second-year DEs Calais Campbell and Kenny Iwebema are the ones most often mentioned in conversations among team insiders. That’s particularly the case with Campbell, who is expected to replace the departed Antonio Smith in the starting lineup. But another young player who we hear shouldn’t be forgotten is Keilen Dykes, who spent last year on the practice squad. “They kind of like him,” said one insider of the 6-3, 294-pound West Virginia product. “He’s a big, thick, strong guy who could also swing inside.”

(profootballweekly.com)

The Cardinals may let Antonio Smith walk in free agency because second-year DE Calais Campbell is waiting in the wings.

The 50th pick overall last year, Campbell is better built at 6'8/280 to play end in the 3-4 than Smith at 6'4/280. Campbell also has more upside as a pocket pusher. Smith was solid against the run last year, but he's probably gone.

(rotoworld.com)

Too-on-One spent a few minutes with Cardinals defensive tackle Gabe Watson to get the dirt on his teammates:

Q: Who’s the best dresser on the team?
A: Antrel Rolle. He’s a clean-cut guy. Everything is neat about him.

Q: Who has the best car?
A: Edgerrin James, with that Lamborghini. That’s my favorite car. He actually called me and asked how to put it in gear. I told him everything about it.

Q: Who is the coaches’ pet?
A: Calais Campbell. Sometimes in meetings the coaches will say something that might not be right, and he’ll agree with it. Then one of us will say something that all the players agree with, and he’ll agree with the coach. I’m like, 'C’mon man, whose side are you on?’

(eastvalleytribune.com)

TAMPA — This state has its share of big-time football programs, with the University of Florida and Florida State leading the way in more recent years.

But when it comes to the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals, one school leads the way: the "U."

That's the University of Miami, the home of five national championships since 1983, two Heisman trophy winners and Cardinals players Edgerrin James, Antrel Rolle and Calais Campbell. (Although Florida State graduates Anquan Boldin and Darnell Dockett may disagree).

"I got text (messages) from Edge and Antrel right after I was drafted by the Cardinals," Campbell said. "It's a big brother-type thing."

As the Cardinals prepare for Sunday's Super Bowl at 6 p.m. at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium, these three players will be focused on the red and white -- but they still bleed orange and green.

"I'm always helping recruit (to Miami)," said James, an Immokalee native. "We're the ones that set the trend for everyone else (in Florida)."

James' commitment to Miami might be the most visible of the three Cardinals players -- the 30-year-old star running back made a $250, 000 donation to his alma mater in 2000, the largest amount of money ever donated to Miami by a former Hurricanes athlete, and the team meeting room is named after him. He was selected to the school's Ring of Honor in September.

But Rolle and Campbell also add to the South Florida feel on this Southwestern NFL team.

"It was like no other, man," Rolle said, reminiscing about his Miami team's national championship in 2001. "I've never been part of an organization where I didn't work for myself, I worked for the guy next to me. It was a team of brothers."

Of the three Cardinals from UM, Rolle best represents the program's glory years -- he was at Miami from 2001-04, when the Hurricanes advanced to the national championship twice and played in the Orange Bowl and the Peach Bowl his other two seasons.

A Miami-area native himself, Rolle attended South Dade High School, where he was an all-American, before choosing the hometown Hurricanes. The then-cornerback was an All-American in college, too, and a first-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference player as a senior. The Cardinals then chose Rolle eighth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft, and he has been a regular in Arizona's defensive backfield since, picking up five interceptions in 2007 and 77 tackles in 2008.

As for James, his future at Miami looked bright after the Hurricanes won the 1994 National Championship in James' junior year of high school. But Miami received NCAA sanctions in 1995 before James arrived, and his sophomore year the Hurricanes were 5-6, including an embarrassing 47-0 loss to Florida State. Still, James rushed for 1,098 yards on just 184 attempts.

James left Miami after his junior year as the only player in school history to post back-to-back seasons of 1,000 yards rushing or better. The program had started to rebound, with a 9-3 record in 1998 including a 49-45 win against then-No. 2 UCLA.

Despite Miami's recent problems, James' support for the Hurricanes hasn't wavered, even given his sanction-ridden experience there.

"You have to understand why the program is that way," said James, addressing the Hurricanes' 5-7 season in 2007 and 7-6 campaign in 2008. "We've had guys that are consistently good enough to leave. ... No other school could come back right away after losing that many players."

Campbell was part of that exodus from Miami. The rookie defensive end left the Hurricanes after his junior season and was picked up by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft.

"He's the baby of the group," Rolle joked. "But you've got to look out for him."

Campbell, 6-foot-8 and 282 pounds, was a first-team All-American for the Hurricanes after a streak of seven straight games with a sack as a sophomore. He was highly recruited by several big-time football schools after earning a Colorado high school record of 58 sacks in his four seasons.

"I had an opportunity to go a lot of places," Campbell said. "But I still had a good time at UM. To me, it still taught me what I needed to know ... They just need to get back that, well, swagger is what we called it when I was there."

(naplesnews.com)

TAMPA, Fla. — Until now, Calais Campbell’s favorite Super Bowl memory was more than a decade old. And it involved the Denver Broncos.
Campbell was a preteen living with his family in Aurora when the 1997 Broncos advanced to the AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His dad scored tickets, and Campbell and the whole Campbell family traveled to Pittsburgh for the game. Campbell, of course, wore a Broncos jacket and couldn’t be more thrilled when his favorite team beat the Steelers. The local fans weren’t so friendly after the game.

“I was kind of tall, so I seemed like a grown man but I was only 11, and I’ve got my Broncos jacket on and I’m screaming and yelling,” Campbell, who is now 6-foot-8, said. “People were throwing stuff at me, bumping into me. Pittsburgh fans were real mad. But it was a great experience, just being there for my first big experience.”

Campbell watched that Super Bowl, when the underdog Broncos beat the defending champion Packers, back in Denver. He loved those players, especially Terrell Davis. Campbell had a picture taken with Davis when Campbell was 8 years old. Campbell still as the photo, and is hoping to meet Davis and have him sign it. Davis, of course, is in Tampa for the Super Bowl for his job as an analyst for the NFL Network, so such a meeting surely can be arranged.

Campbell would certainly be happy to anger some more Pittsburgh fans this weekend.

Campbell, Arizona’s second round draft pick last April, has spent his rookie year backing up starting defensive tackle Darnell Dockett. As a die-hard NFL fan — who still loves the Broncos, by the way — Campbell said he knows how rare it is that he’s playing in the Super Bowl as a rookie.
And if there’s any chance he starts to forget, he’s got a roster-full of teammates who bring him back down to earth.

“I’ve been called a spoiled rookie the majority of the time I’ve been here,” Campbell said Wednesday morning during the Arizona media session. “I’ve got teammates who have been in the league 12 years and never won a playoff game, let alone got to a Super Bowl, so they’re letting me know how special it is. I think of it this way: There are 32 teams in the NFL, and all of them have rookies, but only two of them get to have spoiled rookies, so I’m happy to be on one of the two.”

It should be easy for Denver fans to root for Campbell. I know I’m pulling for the kid. He saved my day Wednesday. I had set my bag down on an empty chair while we talked for about 15 minutes, and forgot to grab it when we were done talking. About 10 minutes later, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Calais, who tracked me down to bring me back my things.

(denverpost.com)

TAMPA -- During the tough times, when it looked as if all they were doing in Arizona was wandering the desert, Edgerrin James, Antrel Rolle and Calais Campbell could find direction in their brotherhood.

The tie that binds them is the fact they all played at the University of Miami. And they argue that is every bit as important as one out of similar DNA.

''It really is a brotherhood,'' Rolle insisted Tuesday as the Cardinals continued preparations for Super Bowl XLIII against Pittsburgh. ``No matter what, it can never be broken. Nobody should even try.''

If you think there is nothing extraordinary about the bond between players at ''The U,'' examine the relationship the three Cardinals players share. They come from different Miami classes and teams that reached different levels of success.

But when they were united on the same Arizona roster, they connected. It was natural. It was expected.

''We have a special relationship,'' James said. ``It's a bond that has been going on for years with players from that school. It's something that no other team and no other school can duplicate.

``It's something that's super special. It's really hard to explain, but you talk to anybody from the University of Miami, they know what it's about.''
It's about men who wouldn't otherwise be friends becoming each other's support system.

When Campbell, 22 and still a rookie, was selected by Arizona in the second round of last April's NFL Draft, the first call he took was from the Cardinals. The second and third calls he took were from James, 30, and Rolle, 26.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB
''As soon as I got drafted by the team, they called me and welcomed me to the team,'' Campbell said. ``There's just that connection you have that comes from work ethic and knowing what you have to do to get where you want to be. We had that and learned that at UM and it carries over.

``So when I got to Arizona, these guys helped me with getting a house and showed me what people to talk to. They helped with simple decisions like places to eat. They took care of me like a little brother. They looked out for me.''

That apparently applies in times of trouble as well as triumph. And this trio has tasted both this season.

After being drafted as a cornerback in 2005 and enjoying only modest success his first two seasons, Rolle lost his starting job in 2007. James was the teammate who encouraged Rolle.

''Since I first stepped into this league, he's been that guy in my ear telling me the right things to do,'' Rolle said. ``He pulls you to the side and talks to you, he's not a spotlight person. He doesn't tell you what you want to hear, but he does tell you what you need to hear.''

Rolle handled the demotion by moving to safety, where he has become a ball-hawking, touchdown return waiting to happen.

Rolle has nine interceptions in his career and has returned four for touchdowns. He also had a fumble return for a touchdown during the playoffs.
James also has a playoff touchdown to go with his 203 yards on 52 carries. He is again a starter and a key to bringing balance to a pass-first Arizona offense.

But midway through the season, James was practically erased from the offense -- with 27 carries in 10 games between Oct. 5 and Dec. 21. He was benched in favor of rookie Tim Hightower.

It was a difficult time for the NFL's leading active rusher.

''You want to play,'' James said. ``This year I worked extremely hard in the offseason, and I had a chance to pass some of the greatest rushers of all time. You want to build on the previous year, and the previous year I had 1,200 yards, and that was a new system. In training camp we were doing certain things that looked like it was going to be promising, and then we were going in a different direction.''

It was a time in which James could lean on Rolle and Campbell.

''I was in the same situation as him last year,'' Rolle said. ``I got pulled from my starting job last year and every day there was a conversation with him. He'd say, `Antrel, keep balling, keep working, keep doing what you do. They're going to have to play you, they're going to have to put you on the field.'

LEARNING TO BE A PRO
'And so when the same thing happened to him, I told him, `Edge, you know who you are. I mean, the whole world knows who you are and it's going to come back. Trust me, it's going to come.' For whatever reason, the coaches thought he wasn't getting the job done. But he never let them keep him down.''

The professionalism James and Rolle showed this season didn't go unnoticed by Campbell.

He didn't start any games and had only 25 tackles on defense and 16 more on special teams, but Campbell learned by watching Rolle and James.

''The way Edgerrin carried himself and the way he came back was a great story,'' Campbell said. ``I learned all it takes is one opportunity to be at the top again. You can never get down on yourself. If something bad happens, you let it go into yesterday and think there's always tomorrow and try to better yourself.

``It was a good lesson to learn from a guy I think of as an older brother.''

(miamiherald.com)

Come down to Majerle's Sports Grill at the Chandler Fashion Center on Thursday night for another edition of The Big Red Rage with Bertrand Berry! DL Calais Campbell is scheduled to appear as a special guest!

Bertrand and Calais will be joined by Cardinals Sideline Reporter Paul Calvisi and Cardinals Color Analyst Ron Wolfley. Fans are encouraged to participate in the Del Taco "Go Bold or Go Home" email promotion. If you have a question, send an email to ask92@cardinals.nfl.net and you could win a Del Taco Prize Pack!

Majerle's and Budweiser offer great food and drink specials during the show and there will be prize giveaways to the gathered audience.

Here are the details:

The Big Red Rage with Bertrand Berry

Tuesday, December 23
Majerle's Sports Grill (Chandler Fashion Center)
LIVE from 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Sports 620 KTAR/Cardinals Radio Network

Talent: Paul Calvisi, Ron Wolfley, and Bertrand Berry
Special Guest: DL Calais Campbell

(arizonasportsfans.com)

DE Calais Campbell, a rookie, is gradually getting more playing time as a rotation player along the defensive line. Campbell has produced when given the chance this year. He also plays on several special teams.



(ari.scout.com)

Calais Campbell is making a name for himself on special teams and he logged another tackle and downed Dirk's punt at the two. Campbell did pick up a block below the waist though.



(revengeofthebirds.com)

Calais Campbell continues to impress. He led the DL with 3 tackles versus the Dolphins and should continue to see an increased role as the season progresses. He has been one of the more active defensive lineman for the Cardinals, and is a regular in the defensive line rotation. These stats are not from mop-up duty.



(revengeofthebirds.com)

Calais Campbell had a great game. He was strong and very athletic...and did a very good job of disprupting the pocket. He and Travis LaBoy make a very agile, strong and quick pass rushing tandem from the left side. I think the Cardinals found the right combo there for their nickel. Also, Campbell was very active on STs, which is what this team needs from its good young players.

(arizonasportsfans.com)

DE Calais Campbell started at left end in place of the injured Darnell Dockett last week and played well. Campbell, the second-round pick, has been impressive in camp, as has DE Kenny Iwebema, a fourth-round selection.


(ari.scout.com)

Calais Campbell, DE, Miami: Campbell made two tackles at the line of scrimmage and another 15 yards downfield during the opener. He also recorded a quarterback hit. Campbell is backing up defensive end Darnell Dockett. The Cardinals expect him to become a regular part of their rotation up front.

Campbell was giving the back up linemen all they could handle. Campbell's spot on the depth chart is the only thing second string about him. He is huge at 6'8" weighing more than 280 pounds. What makes him special is the agility and speed that accompanies his strength.

He can bull rush, spin, or extend his long arms to get the job done. Trying to block him has been great experience for the Cardinals back-ups who need all the practice they can get with the injury bug going around.

(espn.com)

FLAGSTAFF - Did the Cardinals get the 2008 draft right?

The answer may well lie in the progress of the two defensive ends they picked in Rounds 2 and 4.

The Cardinals were trying to plug holes in a defensive unit that wore down because of late-season injuries. Adding “depth” means finding players who can fill in for the starters without losing much impact.

But if you listen to one of those picks, Calais Campbell, the second-round pick out of Miami (No. 50 overall), he won’t be a backup for long.
“I plan on not only being a starter but one of the premier players in the league,” Campbell said.

If looks count for anything, he could do it.

Campbell has the body of a Greek god and can run all day long. He easily outran all the other linemen in his conditioning test (300 yards, twice).

“I’ve always been able to run pretty good. It was good to get out here at the altitude and still be able to run.”

He doesn’t think he embarrassed the older players.

“I think they just know to get through it and get their times. I wanted to push myself, try to challenge myself, so I pushed myself to the limit.”
If Campbell does that on the field, he should be pretty good.

He enjoyed an outstanding sophomore season at Miami (10.5 sacks, 20 tackles for loss), then tailed off as a junior before turning pro.
Why the downturn?

Offensive linemen concentrated on him more and, “Our defense struggled. … And I think I got kind of comfortable with my routine in my workouts.

“I didn’t work on the little things as much as I should have, my footwork and hand placement — the things that make you a dominant player instead of just a good player.

“I learned from my mistakes. I used everything I learned from those years to become a better pro.”

Coach Ken Whisenhunt acknowledged that Campbell is impressive physically.

“The big test … will be how he holds up against those big guards and tackles, especially when he’s double-teamed,” Whisenhunt said. “Can he win one-on-one when he’s got the pass rush? That’s going to be the transition.”

Cardinals defensive line coach Ron Aiken said Campbell’s upside is “unbelievable.” After watching him in pads for a couple of days, Aiken said: “He’s physical. That’s the key thing you don’t know about defensive linemen until you put the pads on.”

For now, Campbell is playing on the left side of the line, Iwebema the right.

(eastvalleytribune.com)

Cardinals agreed to terms with rookie DE Calais Campbell, the No. 50 overall pick, on a four-year contract.
Campbell was a pressure player at the University of Miami, but will take on more containment responsibilities in Arizona's 3-4. He's behind Darnell Dockett, so first-year playing time may be hard for Campbell to come by.

(rotoworld.com)

Calais Campbell was starting at left defensive end for Darnell Dockett. Campbell also played with the second team.




(azcentral.com)

Coach Ken Whisenhunt said he wasn’t sure yet whether second-round draft pick Calais Campbell will play inside on the defensive line or outside, with a decision likely to wait until the players put pads on in training camp. …



(azcardinals.com)

The NFL draft is two days away, and University of Miami defensive end Calais Campbell has visited one team. And frankly, that visit includes an asterisk since all it entailed was a crosstown drive to the Dolphins' training complex.

"I've only made one visit, but I heard that can be a good thing," Campbell said. "They don't have too many questions about you."

Maybe it is a good thing. Or maybe it isn't. After seeing his draft stock tumble in recent months, Campbell doesn't know what to expect during Saturday's first two rounds.

"It's kind of exciting and nerve-racking," he said. "It's kind of mysterious, too, like you don't know what's going to happen. All I can do is hope for the best."

Little more than a year ago, Campbell could have been a top-five pick. The Denver South graduate had just finished his redshirt sophomore season with the Hurricanes, during which he racked up 20 1/2 tackles for losses and 10 1/2 sacks, earning him first-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference honors. At 6-feet-8 and 282 pounds, he was widely considered the next big thing at defensive end.

A year later, after a junior season that produced 12 1/2 tackles for losses and six sacks, Campbell is hoping to go late in the first round.

"Could be the next Julius Peppers," reads one scouting report, "or he could be the next Courtney Brown."

Philadelphia and Washington are looking at him during the mid-to-late stages of the first round, but, in the end, the questions surrounding him could push him to the second round. If so, it would be good news and bad for Campbell.

The bad news is it would cost him a lot of money. The good news is that Campbell gets it. He realizes draft day is the first day of the rest of your career, not the be-all, end-all that ESPN tries to portray.

"Without a doubt, the GMs know I'm a first-round talent," Campbell said. "I'm coachable, I'm a very hard worker, and I want to be the best I can be. Most coaches and GMs don't think I'll fall intothe second round, but it could happen. Either way, I'm blessed to be able to play in the NFL.

"If, by chance, I do drop into the second round, it will just serve as motivation to prove I belonged in the first round. My goal is to be one of the best players who ever played no matter what round I go in."

If that sounds like a mature kid talking, it's because Campbell is one. Unlike some other Miami players from years past, he won't enter the NFL equipped with baggage. Instead, he'll be packing a sociology degree with a minor in advertising.

Background checks can cut two ways in the NFL. If a player has off-field issues, it could hurt him on draft day. Campbell is hoping, given his track record and his degree, that teams will upgrade him.

"I was talking to D.J. Williams, just picking his brain, and he was telling me NFL teams look at you differently when you have a degree," he said. "They know I'm pretty smart. I think that definitely helps me, having my degree. It shows I'm a hard worker and I like to take care of business."

Unfortunately, he didn't do that during his last season at Miami. His first-team all-conference status plummeted to honorable mention. He wasn't the same monster player coming off the corner. At times, he looked more ordinary than exceptional. It was enough to land him in that gray area between the first and second rounds.

Campbell doesn't make any excuses. Sure, part of it was the general malaise the Hurricanes experienced. They lost six of their final seven games and allowed 120 points in their last three. But it was more than that, Campbell acknowledges. He could have played better but didn't.

"I could have had better technique," he said. "I could have had better steps, better hands. It's kind of crazy how much technique affects you. When I played well, my technique was good. When I didn't play well, it was because I had bad technique.

"Even so, I felt I was pretty dominant. A lot of times, I was a step away from a sack and the quarterback threw it to the ground or to a receiver. But no matter how I had played last season, I'm always looking to get better."

The issues didn't end with his 2007 season. He had a disappointing showing at the scouting combine, including 16 bench press reps at 225 pounds, the fewest of any defensive line prospect. And it was no fluke. Campbell says he couldn't do more than eight in early January, when he began training for the combine workouts.

As for the questions about his strength, Campbell has a standard answer: "I don't think the bench press is that important. I'm definitely strong enough to play in the NFL and be a dominant player."

Not measuring up
University of Miami defensive end Calais Campbell, a former Denver South player, struggled at the NFL combine, putting his draft status in question. A look at some of Campbell's measurables compared to the average for all the defensive ends who participated:

40-yard dash time
Campbell: 5.08 seconds Avg. for DEs: 4.89 seconds
Vertical jump:
Campbell: 29 1/2 inches Avg. for DEs: 29 5/8 inches
Bench press reps at 225 lbs:
Campbell: 16 reps Avg. for DEs: 25 reps

(denverpost.com)

Miami (Fla.) DE Calais Campbell is one of the tallest players in this year’s draft class at 6-7¾ — and he makes sure to mention the partial inch — but he’s also one of the best. Expected to be drafted in the late first round or early second, Campbell is a gifted pass rusher who might just be coming into his own at age 21 (he turns 22 right before the season starts). Athletics are in Campbell’s blood, too. He is perhaps the best athlete in the family, having averaged a double-double in hoops in high school and could have played Division I as a tight end, too, but he also has five football-playing brothers who have played college ball.

Campbell’s sacks fell off from 10½ as a sophomore to six as a junior, but he got enough positive feedback to enter the draft early, and it appears to be a sound decision. Although tragedy struck the Hurricanes’ program the past few years with the deaths of Brian Pata and Sean Taylor, Campbell believed he could deal with death better than others because of the father he lost in high school. Campbell took some time to talk with PFW about the his kick-blocking proficiency, the Miami tradition, playing tall, skiing and “icebox pie.”

PFW: Tell me about your high school career — I heard you were quite adept at blocking kicks and running them back for touchdowns.
Campbell: (laughs) Yeah, I had a couple returns for touchdowns. I think I had like five. Blocking kicks, it’s kind of fun, coming off the edge. I didn’t do too much of it at Miami, but high school was a blast. I had the Colorado state record for sacks.

PFW: Yeah, you had more than 60, right?
Campbell: I had 57.

PFW: And you also played tight end?
Campbell: Yes I did.

PFW: Is that why you went to Miami? Were you attracted to the school because of guys like Kellen Winslow and Jeremy Shockey?
Campbell: I was recruited to play both. The first day they gave me an offensive playbook, and they gave me (uniform) No. 81. But the defensive coaches wanted me to play defense as well. So it worked out well for me.

PFW: So how did they convince you defense was the way to go?
Campbell: I have been playing defensive end since I was six. I had only played tight end in the three years before that. I even played a little offensive line my junior year. Really, defense has been in my heart since I was a little kid. But when I was playing ball, Shannon Sharpe was my favorite player, and I wanted to play tight end at first. But my coach, when I was 6 years old, put me at defensive end, and I was a natural.

PFW: Were you bigger than everyone back then too?
Campbell: I was pretty big, but I wasn’t bigger than everybody. I just continued growing when other kids stopped.

PFW: You also played a little hoops. Did you get D-I attention?
Campbell: Oh yeah, I have a little bit of basketball skills. A couple of schools offered me double scholarships, especially in the Pac-10 — Washington and Oregon. But I told people right away I wanted (most) to play football. At Miami, (Coach Frank Haith) recruited me to play basketball as well, but football was in my heart then and I wanted to be the best I could be, so I didn’t want to mess that up by playing basketball. Part of me kind of wishes I did try it, just because I am pretty good at it. But the football thing has worked out well for me.

PFW: I’d say so. Who is the best hoops player other than you on the football team?
Campbell: I would have to go with Lovon Ponder. But there are a couple of guys who can ball.

PFW: Were you 6-foot-7 when you got to Miami or did you grow?
Campbell: Yeah, I maybe grew like half an inch after I got to school.

PFW: And what did you weigh?
Campbell: When I first got there? I weighed 228. I am about 282 right now.

PFW: Is that a pretty good number for you? Do you believe you could play at that weight in the NFL?
Campbell: I think this is a perfect weight for me. I have been working out pretty hard, training real hard. I think I got up to 290 for a while, and I could play at that weight. But 280 or so feels a lot better.

PFW: What are the advantages and disadvantages of being tall in football?
Campbell: It really helps out a lot creating great leverage. If you get up into people, it really helps you. And I have the long arms to bat down passes. But also, when you are tall, a lot of guys want to cut (block) you. You really have to work them, by bending, playing with your hands. I play the cut block well, but it’s kind of hard because you have to play with really great technique.

PFW: Do you regret redshirting considering how you have played?
Campbell: No, not at all. I think redshirting was something I needed to do, playing on the scout team and going against (former Hurricane and current Texans OT) Chris Myers. And I played against Eric Winston, who is also in the NFL (with the Texans). It really helped me fine-tune my game and let me get tested against better guys. It really helped me adjust to college.

PFW: In 2006, you really made a name for yourself with sacks in seven straight games. What was the difference for you that season, being so good?
Campbell: It was my first year actually starting, I really felt like — Coach (John) Palermo was there at the time — he demanded the best out of me. That’s when I really played hard. I really feel like I play with great passion. And I started playing with great technique.

PFW: This past year, did you play up to your expectations?
Campbell: I didn’t play as well as I wanted to, not at all. I feel like I had a good year, I still played pretty well. I didn’t get to the quarterback as much as I did the year before, but I really feel like I played a lot better (as a junior). Even the year before when I had a great year, I feel like I could have had a better year. Last year, my technique wasn’t as good as it should have been. I realize I could have made some more plays, but when you lose your technique, it’s kind of hard to make plays, especially if you are off balance or out of control sometimes. If I take a good angle and hit the quarterback, he gets hit, even if I don’t get the sack. But I realized my first step was outward instead of forward. It took me longer to get off. Little technique things that really led to me not making big plays.

PFW: Talk a little about Bryan Pata — how much did his death affect you?
Campbell: Oh man, that was so tough on the whole team, especially the D-line because he was our leader. He really worked with me a lot and helped me be the best I could be. And I played behind him the year before. We talked a lot, and he worked with me the first time I started, against Florida State. It was just him walking me through that first game, telling me what I needed to do to beat my guy. And it really helped me out. He was a good friend of mine, and when that happened it was real tough on me and the whole D-line. The night before (his murder) we had a good day. It was our D-line coach’s birthday, and we dumped some water on him. And Pata was just so happy.
I can’t believe it happened. It makes you appreciate life. You never know when it’s going to be over, so you have to live for today and not worry about tomorrow too much.

PFW: Had you ever met Sean Taylor before he was killed?
Campbell: I definitely met him before. Most of the NFL guys come back. Sean came back as well, and I got to meet him and know him a little bit. It hurts when you see something like that happen. My dad passed away when I was a senior in high school, and my grandmother passed away when I was young. Those hurt badly, but I got to see death when I was younger, and I really learned that you have to appreciate the good times when they are on Earth because you can’t change it. You can’t change the outcome, so you remember the good times.

PFW: Back to football … I heard there was some confusion on the sideline with two different coaches signaling in defensive calls at the same time at times. True?
`Campbell: I don’t think there was as much confusion with the coaches as there was with the players. I think it was just that we didn’t always play together as a team. Coach (Randy) Shannon was always trying to get us to play with discipline. And if the guys on the field are not playing together, it doesn’t matter what the coaches call. I really feel like (Coach Shannon) is doing a good job of getting guys on the same page, this year especially. And the stuff he did last year will really help next year as well. Some of the things they threw at us at first were simplified, but now that guys know what to expect they can do more. I really think the team is headed in the right direction.

PFW: Who were the NFL players you talked to most often in the Miami weight room?
Campbell: Oh man. From Ed Reed to Reggie Wayne to Willis McGahee. Jeremy Shockey, but he didn’t come back this past year. He came back the year before. Bubba Franks. You go down the line, it’s crazy how many people come back. I learned a lot from D.J. Williams. Jonathan Vilma, Jon Beason this past year. I played with him, but he really helped me a lot going through this process.

PFW: That’s quite a list indeed. Tell me about your brothers playing football.
Campbell: Yeah, my little brother is here, and I have two brothers who play up at Montana and I have another brother who played at Adams State, which is a school in Colorado.

PFW: Who is the second-best NFL prospect in the family?
Campbell: (laughs) Whoo, that’s tough! That might cause some trouble! I might have to avoid some family members after this. My personal opinion, Ciarre is the best athlete — he’s got a year left at Montana. Ridiculous athlete, 4.35 (40-yard dash). Speed guy, 40-inch vertical. He’s 6-3, 185 pounds, pure muscle. But my brother, Jared, who is at Miami, his instincts are just ridiculous. He’s not the strongest guy out there, but he’s supersmart. He plays with confidence, and he has great hips.

PFW: OK, you covered the bases somewhat by mentioning two brothers.
Campbell: Yeah, but my other brothers might be a little mad!

PFW: What was your best track event?
Campbell: Ooh, that’s tough because I did the long jump, triple jump, shotput and discuss. I didn’t do it my senior year, which I probably should have. But my junior year I made state in all four. I think my best might have been shotput, but my favorite was triple jump.

PFW: Favorite athlete of all time other than Shannon Sharpe?
Campbell: It’s got to be (Michael) Jordan. Winning championship after championship … even now, people want to be like Mike still. A (basketball) player I really like now is LeBron (James). At first when he came out, I was like … “He’s got too much hype coming out of high school.” But he has really showed me that he is a ballplayer. And he knows how to win. Carried his team to the finals last year.

PFW: Favorite home-cooked meal?
Campbell: That’s tough. My Mom can throw down! She makes a lot of things I like, but I like her chicken. When she makes some fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy … I also always ask her to make this special pie she makes. It’s called the “Icebox pie.”  It's with vanilla wafers, this cream she makes up, and bananas. It’s kind of like a banana cookie cream pie. It’s really good. It’s family recipe.

PFW: Tell her I want that recipe. Being that you are from Denver, do you ski?
Campbell: One time. It was a lot of fun. I fell a lot, and my friend actually got hurt. He came with me and two other guys I played football with, and because he got hurt I haven’t been (skiing) since then. But after I stop playing football, I will definitely go again.

(pfw.com)

CORAL GABLES - As a defensive lineman, Calais Campbell can only think of one occasion where he will have to run 40 yards during a game. And it's a situation defensive players want to avoid.

"The only time you run 40s is when you're chasing somebody from behind for a touchdown," Campbell said.

It was Campbell's way of telling NFL scouts there is no reason for concern over his sub-par 40-yard dash times that have caused his draft stock to drop.

He once was considered a top-10 pick, but some analysts say he may not be the guy to continue Miami's streak of first-round picks in Saturday's NFL Draft. The Hurricanes have had at least one first-round selection in each of the past 13 years.

"Everybody has their own opinion," said Campbell, who left school after his junior season. "I think I'm a first-round guy. Some people think I'll go earlier than later. Some people think I'm close to the end. It all depends on the coach you ask. ... I'm hoping to show some people that I'm going to be one of the best players."

His 40 times at the NFL Combine and UM's Pro Timing Day caused the 6-foot-8, 283-pound Campbell to slip on most draft boards. He ran a 5.03 in Indianapolis and failed to improve on it in his second attempt. "I know my 40 is better than what I showed because I've always been a high 4.7, 4.8 guy," Campbell said. "I don't know what was the big difference. I just know if I keep working, I'll get my speed [time] back down."

Campbell said the five pounds he gained may have contributed to the slower times. He tried to add muscle to improve his strength, another area in which he tested poorly. At the Combine, he only did 16 reps at 225 pounds.

"On the field, you play with leverage," said Campbell, who benches 325 pounds. "It doesn't really matter how much you bench. It's all about playing with leverage and using your strength to its advantage."

It may be too late for Campbell to sway opinion. Draft experts are expecting him to fall from the first round. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said Campbell is a late first-round pick at best.

"Jacksonville at 26 would be a possibility, Tennessee at 24 and Pittsburgh at 23," Kiper said. "He has a chance to be picked in the early second round at worst."

The decline in interest is humbling considering Campbell was projected as a first-rounder had he left after his sophomore year. He drew comparisons to another towering Atlantic Coast Conference defender, Julius Peppers, who starred at North Carolina before being selected No. 2 overall by the Carolina Panthers in 2002. Campbell had 10.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for losses in 2006.

Campbell chose to return for his junior season with hopes of breaking UM's single-season sack record and competing for a national title. Neither happened, with his statistics dropping drastically and UM (5-7) not qualifying for a bowl. Campbell had six sacks last season and rarely stood out.

"I'm going to work hard, and I'm going to show my work ethic," said Campbell, who will watch the draft in his hometown of Denver. "My work ethic and my athletic ability and my potential, I really think I could be a great player.

"A lot of people might think I'm raw. I think with me being coachable if I get a good coach to help me out and take me under his wing and work with me, then I think my potential is the sky. The sky is the limit."

(sun-sentinel.com)

The University of Miami has had at least one first-round pick in each of the last 13 NFL drafts. But that streak is in danger of coming to an end this year.

Two Hurricanes -- safety Kenny Phillips and defensive end Calais Campbell -- have a chance of going in the first round, but neither is better than a 50-50 bet. (ESPN's Mel Kiper said today that he thinks Campbell is more likely than Phillips to go in Round 1.) A few other Hurricanes -- including linebacker Tavares Gooden, wide receiver Darnell Jenkins, cornerback Glenn Sharpe and quarterback Kyle Wright -- could be drafted, but not on the first day.

I've heard some people suggest that the absence of a first-round pick is a major sign of the decline in the talent level at Miami. There's some truth to that, but don't shed any tears for the Miami program. There's so much great talent that comes out of South Florida -- and Miami coach Randy Shannon seems like such a good recruiter -- that even if there are no first-round picks in Miami this year, I see it as more a blip than a trend.

(aolsports.com)

Beyond Calais Campbell, Kenny Phillips and Tavares Gooden, draftnik and NFL team consultant Frank Coyle says cornerback Glenn Sharpe and receiver Darnell Jenkins are the other Canes with the best chance of being drafted, though it's no sure thing for those two. . . . Draftnik/former Browns scout Russ Lande said of Gooden, ''I'll be shocked if he gets out of the third round and he might go in the second.'' Baltimore is among several teams that like him.

(miamiherald.com)

On Friday morning, the Dolphins will hold their local pro day. The mass workout session gives players from South Florida colleges and high schools an extra chance to make an impression and helps the Dolphins mine regional talent.

The Miami Hurricanes will be well-represented Friday. Among them will be three highly rated prospects: outside linebacker Tavares Gooden, defensive end Calais Campbell and safety Kenny Phillips. Also expected are receiver Lance Leggett and guards Andrew Bain and Derrick Morse.

(palmbeachpost.com)

UM players -- including Kenny Phillips, Calais Campbell, Tavares Gooden and Kyle Wright -- will work out for the Dolphins on April 11. Though some believe Phillips will be available when Miami picks 32nd, he said Miami wasn't among 24 teams that met with him at the NFL combine. With more pressing needs (offensive line, etc.), it's doubtful that the Dolphins will take a safety that high. . . .

(miamiherald.com)

NFL Draft Bible.Com' On College Football has Calais Campbell drafted in the second round to the Cincinnati Bengals with the 47th pick.

Today, meet Miami's Calais Campbell. A prospect who was as highly regarded as Gholston and Long entering his junior season, but who now projects to be a late first-round pick.

Campbell had a disappointing senior season, registering just six sacks after posting 10.5 as a sophomore. He wasn't great in combine workouts either, running a 5.1 40-yard dash and bench pressing 225 pounds 16 times.

Sidenote: In fairness to Campbell, strength/speed guru Tom Shaw explained to me a couple months ago that players with long arms will always have a difficult time with the combine's bench press test. Click here to keep reading...

In my Seahawks Mock Draft, I have Seattle taking Best Available Talent with their first pick. I'm starting to wonder if that's not a phenomenal place to grab a longterm replacement for Patrick Kerney. Depending on the progress of Baraka Atkins, Seattle is either thin or very thin at defensive end. On a team that schemes around pass rush, that would be a disastrous deficiency. Still, you don't want to reach. You want to take a top value, perhaps one that can learn on the sidelines, or work in a rotation while Kerney remains effective.

That got me thinking about Calais Campbell. Campbell's stock dropped after a disappointing junior season, and has now dropped further after a disappointing Combine. One need only watch the guy to see the talent is there. He's a true 6'8", and wears his 290 like an Italian suite. He's lithe and agile and quick in open space. Had he stayed in school and posted a 10+ sack season, he'd be a confirmed top ten pick. But thanks to a sucky junior season coinciding with an even crappier campaign for his school, Miami, Campbell is in danger of falling out of the first round. You know who else had a sucky junior year, Chris Long. Long recorded only 4.5 sacks in 2006. In fact, since we're above using stats out of context to evaluate a player, right?, let's take a look at the three preeminent ends on the board in a slightly more refined way. Campbell and Vernon Gholston are both two year starters. Long started his sophomore season, but we'll cut him a break (2 sacks) and include only his past two (best) seasons. So instead of unduly focusing on their most recent season, let's look at their past two seasons and adjust for opponent pass attempts faced. That way, instead of getting a static number, we're left with a ratio: Sacks per pass attempt. (Just for the sake of clarity, I then projected their sack totals over 500 pass attempts.) Click here to continue reading...