Cardinals raving about Campbell

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)