CC

[WildBB]

Nobody has really answered this when I asked the question in some posts, so I'll pose it here.

Does Calais Campbell have the ability and intangibles to switch out to the WOLB spot and excel there?

Is it a better fit than the 3-4 DE? Is he stout enough to hold up the run?

What say you?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11284

 

[SuperSpck]

The short answer is, we don't know.
From his time on special teams we do know that he can run long distances pretty quickly for a man his size, but how good does he move his hips? Is he natural in coverage? Is he fluid?
We've never seen him work outside in a conventional formation. Does he have a closing burst from the 9?

Too many unanswerable questions right now. If we don't see him take a couple of snaps from that spot in TC you'll get your answer.

I know his size would make him a sexy beast outside, but I really don't think he's going to be that bad at E/DT either.

 

[WildBB]

The short answer is, we don't know.
From his time on special teams we do know that he can run long distances pretty quickly for a man his size, but how good does he move his hips? Is he natural in coverage? Is he fluid?
We've never seen him work outside in a conventional formation. Does he have a closing burst from the 9?

The WILB pretty much is a pass rush specialist on 3rd down. I'm pretty sure he's faster than LaBoy and Berry are at this stage of their careers.

Do you think he'd hold up well on 1st and 2nd downs as 3-4 DE, or do you think we'll be in a lot of 4 down linemen in those first two downs?

Should he switch out to the outside on passing downs, when we definitely use the 3-4 alignment more? Would that be to his advantage?

 

[football karma]

in the Cardinals version of the 3-4, the DE is asked to penetrate a gap as much as anything else -- so CCs size is adequate for that

what qualifies as "really athletic" for a 285 lb defensive end might only be "below average" athletically for a OLB. I think that asking him occasionally to drop into coverage from his spot is a nice wrinkle -- but asking him to do it regularly is asking for a mismatch.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

He is 22.

He is fast, quick, and athletic enough to play on the kick off team.

He is 6'8" and 285 lbs.

He is so young he has not even begun to fill in his frame, so he will eventually be around 300 lbs.

He has enthusiam, passion, and drive.

He has already lined up in all three positions in the 3-4.

Uh, yeah. Campbell is going to be a flippin BEAST. Maybe not now but he will mature of the next 2 years and get better, and better and better.

I have no idea why we even thought twice about keeping Antonio Smith. I think the most important thing for the Cardinals is to get Campbell out on the field and start learning the game.

 

[WildBB]

in the Cardinals version of the 3-4, the DE is asked to penetrate a gap as much as anything else -- so CCs size is adequate for that

what qualifies as "really athletic" for a 285 lb defensive end might only be "below average" athletically for a OLB. I think that asking him occasionally to drop into coverage from his spot is a nice wrinkle -- but asking him to do it regularly is asking for a mismatch.

I think that it would be irregular if he did drop back in coverage on 3rd downs as the Will DE/OLB. I'm just saying that position may play to his strengths.

 

[WildBB]

I have no idea why we even thought twice about keeping Antonio Smith. I think the most important thing for the Cardinals is to get Campbell out on the field and start learning the game.

For sure. He's going to be seeing a lot of it next season. I'm looking forward to that.

 

[cgolden]

He's primarily a 3-4 DE in my mind. He's athletic but not enough to be a complete OLB. He might play in a two point stance every once in a while but most of his playing time will be with his hand on the ground.

 

[slanidrac16]

I think Whiz thinks so. Another year with John Lott and a years expereince will be huge. I know one thing is for sure , he hustles to the ball. He persues as well as anybody.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I think Whiz thinks so. Another year with John Lott and a years expereince will be huge. I know one thing is for sure , he hustles to the ball. He persues as well as anybody.

Yeah I guess I should have answered the question.

You keep him in the pit, on the line, and just let him beat up on people.

 

[Reddog]

This guy has amazing closing speed and power for a guy his size. I have great hope but can't imagine a guy at 6'8"/300lbs playing LB. If he did that would be intimidating.

 

[DoTheDew]

This guy has amazing closing speed and power for a guy his size. I have great hope but can't imagine a guy at 6'8"/300lbs playing LB. If he did that would be intimidating.

285 and I think he *could* but not as well as DE. I also think Mario Williams at about the same size could also be a 3-4 OLB.

 

[Carddan]

I think CC stays on the line. He brings better than average speed for a DE and a huge wingspan. Without even getting to the QB he can disrupt passing lanes. I imagine him deflecting a screen pass, catching it, and taking it the other way. I also think he will provide good support against the run and has potential to bring ball carriers down from the back side. Just his size will help against passes in the flat and dump-offs. He might make life for the OLB on his side easier, but I don't see him as the OLB.

 

[lauraw]

Calais Campbell has me drinking the koolaide!! I imagine him filling out his frame, where he now looks like a 4-5 month old puppy running around creating collisions, when whis finally throws him in the pit for real that boy will be ready to tear some ass at a de
position. it will give our new dc something to chew this year and next, much like what they do for AW, ss-hybrid. I too think he will be just too big to play lb; cmon, 6'8" 300-310..de-hybrid

 

[Shogun]

He's much too big to be considered for the Predator position now. I think he might get a few snaps at it just to experiment, but not seriously. He's better off playing on the line. At his Miami weight of 260-ish could he play there, of course.

 

[WildBB]

Calais Campbell has me drinking the koolaide!! I imagine him filling out his frame, where he now looks like a 4-5 month old puppy running around creating collisions, when whis finally throws him in the pit for real that boy will be ready to tear some ass at a de
position. it will give our new dc something to chew this year and next, much like what they do for AW, ss-hybrid. I too think he will be just too big to play lb; cmon, 6'8" 300-310..de-hybrid

well lauraw; really!

 

[lauraw]

excuse my language, WildBB... now i'm embarrassed by my enthusiasm about CC..great post! I can't help but look at him similarly to a young...who? a bigger peppers, a more mobile mario williams, who does he remind anyone of if he continues to develop the way he seems to be doing?

 

[WildBB]

excuse my language, WildBB... now i'm embarrassed by my enthusiasm about CC..great post! I can't help but look at him similarly to a young...who? a bigger peppers, a more mobile mario williams, who does he remind anyone of if he continues to develop the way he seems to be doing?

He's got the juice right now. And I was just giving you grief...all in fun.

 

[1DS]

Someone do the leg work and post his combine numbers. I'm way to lazy to look it up. Why, even typing this pos...

 

[CardLogic]

Someone do the leg work and post his combine numbers. I'm way to lazy to look it up. Why, even typing this pos...

DS, I think you better go lie down and take a nap!