Campbell up to challenge

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)