Calais Campbell...

[Catfish]

Registered just to post in this thread - Calais is without question the least appreciated member of our defense. Not only did he lead our team in sacks last year while missing time with an injury AND being forced to split time with Branch (take the number of snaps Dockett played last year, divide it by the number Campbell played and then multiply that number by Campbell's sacks - interesting, huh?) he also is going to be one of the most highly coveted free agents going into next season. The same veteran players called out in the original post (like Strahan) cannot say enough about Campbell's game not to mention that everyone I know who's ever met the guy says he is without question one of the nicest, most respectful young men that they've ever met.

Go back and watch the Raider game - Calais consistently beats the guy in front of him (in one notable instance, using the same spin move derided in this thread) and at the end of the day, if this team and us fans cannot start to show this guy some love, mark my words, someone else will. Campbell is going to have a HUGE season this year - my over/under is 10 sacks - and bookmark this thread if you disagree. Not trying to be confrontational, but I've just always been surprised by the lack of attention given to #93.

Hey guy----welcome to ASFN-----last year was a complete aberration. I like your analysis of what actually did occur, and I believe too, that CC is much under-appreciated on this board. Let's not forget the passes that he deflected at the LOS, and the place-kicks that he redirected with his height.
My belief is that Horton will find a way to really effectively use CC, (and hopefully), ALL, his defensive players this year, instead of trying to pound the square pegs into the round holes like we have normally done when matching talent to scheme.

 

[blindseyed]

I'm with Shane, I don't understand this thread. One pre-season game, no off season and he's not developing?
CC is a solid player and does a very good job, having a DC for more than one tear should help too.
I love how over analytical people get after one pre-season game.
This thread should be posted after 6 regular season games if CC has no sacks and 4 tackles, then I'll understand but unless that happens..meh

 

[Chopper0080]

I guess I am failing to explain myself clearly. I am not discrediting CC's ability toto sack the QB, I am noting a fundemental flaw in his game which prevents him seperating offensive offensive linemen and maintaing his assigned gap. CC's habit of leaning into offensive linemen rather using his hands to seperate is a very fundamental issue along with his habit of using a swim move which puts him at an even greater disadvantage because his height already makes tough for him to play with solid leverage. Honestly after watching JJ Watt last night, I canreally see how poor CC's technique is.

The question I am trying to pose is are CC's sloppy habits due to his own disregard towards proper technique or a poor positional coach who is failing to maintain proper technique in his talented yet underperforming unit. Either way, something will to change in the future.

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

Funny thing about Calais Campbell...I received an invite to his birthday party on Facebook. I accepted, then I received a message from his wife (or is it his sister?) letting me know it's $150 a plate for charity.

I'm a fan Calais...but not that much.

 

[kerouac9]

I guess that Cardinals do indeed eat their young. Apparently Daryl Washington running himself out of plays and pushing guys out of bounds 14 yards downfield isn't a problem, but Calais Campbell not dominating on every play is.

Campbell, after Dockett and Rhodes, is the player on the defense that I have the least worries about. The Cards made a mistake in not signing Wade Phillips to run the defense, but I've been told over and over that Horton is going to adjust his schemes to the talent around him. The talent on both end positions is in one-gapping and penetrating on passing downs to disrupt the play.

 

[CardLogic]

Well when Adub wasn't killing them and getting a BS fine and bogus penalty that cost us a winning season and a possible wild card berth and...

I'm still a little pissed about that myself. Hopefully, under Horton A-Dub can once again be a force to be reckoned with!

 

[Chopper0080]

I guess that Cardinals do indeed eat their young. Apparently Daryl Washington running himself out of plays and pushing guys out of bounds 14 yards downfield isn't a problem, but Calais Campbell not dominating on every play is.

Campbell, after Dockett and Rhodes, is the player on the defense that I have the least worries about. The Cards made a mistake in not signing Wade Phillips to run the defense, but I've been told over and over that Horton is going to adjust his schemes to the talent around him. The talent on both end positions is in one-gapping and penetrating on passing downs to disrupt the play.

Please don't get me started on our linebacking play. So apparently a glaring lack of fundamentals from one of our better defensive players is not worth concerning ourselves over? Interesting.

 

[kerouac9]

Please don't get me started on our linebacking play. So apparently a glaring lack of fundamentals from one of our better defensive players is not worth concerning ourselves over? Interesting.

If you want to talk about whether the coaching staff is doing a good job developing our players, I'll be happy to have that conversation, although I'd bet it would be a short one because we'll likely agree.

But from watching Campbell play in actual meaningful games I'll say that I'm not worried about him. We know that his pass rush techniques are effective, and we know that he's probably the best DL we have at holding at the point of attack, but the linebackers weren't able to get in and make the play last year.

Campbell needs to improve; Whis said as much at his presser yesterday. Hopefully coaches are getting into him about it. Fundamentals have been an issue with this team for ages--especially on defense. But saying this:

I am really beginning to wonder if Campbell will ever realize his potential.

I don't think has a lot of basis. As a 3-4 DE he collected 6.5 sacks and lead the team last year, and he held up at the point of attack in run defense. He was better at actually closing out plays last year than he was in 2009. I think that he's reached his potential in the scheme that we're currently running. What do you think that his ceiling actually is? Warren Sapp or Michael Strahan? C'mon, now.

I'd extend Calais Campbell long-term right now because as of this writing he's the 3rd best player on our defense after Dockett and Rhodes. Losing another player off the top of your defense isn't going to make the defense better.

Can Campbell get more consistent with his fundamentals? Absolutely. But would his play Thursday night give me pause on extending him to a contract commensurate with Brett Keisel's (something in the ballpark of 5 years, $22 million, $8 million signing bonus)? No. No, it would not.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I guess that Cardinals do indeed eat their young. Apparently Daryl Washington running himself out of plays and pushing guys out of bounds 14 yards downfield isn't a problem, but Calais Campbell not dominating on every play is.

Campbell, after Dockett and Rhodes, is the player on the defense that I have the least worries about. The Cards made a mistake in not signing Wade Phillips to run the defense, but I've been told over and over that Horton is going to adjust his schemes to the talent around him. The talent on both end positions is in one-gapping and penetrating on passing downs to disrupt the play.

From, 6, 8 yards downfield last season to now 14, according to you.

Cut him now!!!