How is Calais Campbell doing?...

[Jetstream Green]

to me the guy has all the tools to wreck havoc but that means little unless he can show he can use those tools. He looked alright as a rookie in limited play last year and just want to know from anyone that has attended the workouts what the kid looks like out there. It would be HUGE if he could come through for the D

 

[cardsfanmd]

I love his heart and attitude and am hoping he can get the job done, but I still dont understand this board's love for his play last year.

 

[TJ]

I love his heart and attitude and am hoping he can get the job done, but I still dont understand this board's love for his play last year.

I agree and his numbers back up your statement. He does have the heart and desire to get the job done. The only thing I don't like is that it is sounding like the LDE position is being given to him on a silver platter, whereas other players are in competition for other spots. Let the kid earn it in TC and preseason

 

[cardsfanmd]

I agree and his numbers back up your statement. He does have the heart and desire to get the job done. The only thing I don't like is that it is sounding like the LDE position is being given to him on a silver platter, whereas other players are in competition for other spots. Let the kid earn it in TC and preseason

Agreed, the problem though is that Iwebema isn't in shape due to the surgery and Dykes (who was his only real competition) is hurt now. I still wish we would have put Branch at LE like the Ravens did with Ngata, a similarly built player.

 

[PoolBoy]

Agreed, the problem though is that Iwebema isn't in shape due to the surgery and Dykes (who was his only real competition) is hurt now. I still wish we would have put Branch at LE like the Ravens did with Ngata, a similarly built player.

the only thing that would make me question it is do we have the SPEED at linebacker to make up for Branch's lack of speed to stop runs to the outside.

 

[cardsfanmd]

the only thing that would make me question it is do we have the SPEED at linebacker to make up for Branch's lack of speed to stop runs to the outside.

When in shape, Branch is no slower than your average DE--keep in mind that physically, this guy is a freak. Also, with his strength he has a shorter route to the ball than most. At the same time, we still have some old/slow OLBs, so you may be on to something.

 

[joeshmo]

With us moving more towards the 3-4, we dont need Campbell to be a pass rusher, we need him to be an anchor that sets the edge for the LB's to make plays. Its why Lott asked him to gain 12 pounds this summer, which he did. This is especially true because they arent going to be asking Dockett to be an anchor they are going to ask him to be an attacker.

If people are looking for him to be some sort of pass rusher or pass rush threat they will be very dissappionted, because it wont be the nature of his positition, scheme, or what he will be asked to do. Campbell did not give us a pass rush last year but he did set the edge very effectively and was one of the more stout run defenders on the team last year, which doesnt exactly show up in the stat sheet. Who ever the outside linebacker ends being that lines up behind him will love it, becuase the 6-8, 290 pound long arm dude will keep tackles off him all day long if he continues his progression of setting the edge like he did last year.

 

[Duckjake]

I love his heart and attitude and am hoping he can get the job done, but I still dont understand this board's love for his play last year.

For me it comes from his play on special teams more than at DE. I just didn't expect to see a guy CC's size play that way on the kicking teams. It was like he was a 6'7" 290lb Safety.

In addition CC had both an interception and a pass reception on a fake FG for a first down against OU in 2007. I like anybody who does good against OU.

 

[cardsfanmd]

For me it comes from his play on special teams more than at DE. I just didn't expect to see a guy CC's size play that way on the kicking teams. It was like he was a 6'7" 290lb Safety.

In addition CC had both an interception and a pass reception on a fake FG for a first down against OU in 2007. I like anybody who does good against OU.

I remember on JJ's TD return against the cowpukes seeing CC right next to him going into the endzone and thinking "wtf???? how did his big @ss get all the way down there so fast?"

 

[Mulli]

I remember on JJ's TD return against the cowpukes seeing CC right next to him going into the endzone and thinking "wtf???? how did his big @ss get all the way down there so fast?"

It was totally like on Madden when the big giant NT chases down the receiver like a sprinter.

 

[cardsfanmd]

It was totally like on Madden when the big giant NT chases down the receiver like a sprinter.

 

[CardinalChris]

With us moving more towards the 3-4, we dont need Campbell to be a pass rusher, we need him to be an anchor that sets the edge for the LB's to make plays. Its why Lott asked him to gain 12 pounds this summer, which he did. This is especially true because they arent going to be asking Dockett to be an anchor they are going to ask him to be an attacker.

If people are looking for him to be some sort of pass rusher or pass rush threat they will be very dissappionted, because it wont be the nature of his positition, scheme, or what he will be asked to do. Campbell did not give us a pass rush last year but he did set the edge very effectively and was one of the more stout run defenders on the team last year, which doesnt exactly show up in the stat sheet. Who ever the outside linebacker ends being that lines up behind him will love it, becuase the 6-8, 290 pound long arm dude will keep tackles off him all day long if he continues his progression of setting the edge like he did last year.

Think Aaron Smith and ask Pittspurgh how bad their defense crumbled in 07 when he got hurt.

 

[187]

I agree and his numbers back up your statement. He does have the heart and desire to get the job done. The only thing I don't like is that it is sounding like the LDE position is being given to him on a silver platter, whereas other players are in competition for other spots. Let the kid earn it in TC and preseason

If you're trying to base a player's performance off of numbers, you should steer clear of the defensive line in a 3-4 scheme. They're supposed to eat up lineman and help stuff the run, the LB's come in and steal the glory (sacks) so even the best 3-4 DT/DE won't eclipse 5-6 sacks. I think Calais will be very good against the run and eventually he will start to develop a bit more of a pass rush, which for his position should work out pretty well in the long run. I'm interested to see what kind of sack numbers Dockett will put up in the 3-4 now that we're sticking him at RDE, he's got one hell of a motor (when he wants to) as we all know.

 

[TJ]

If you're trying to base a player's performance off of numbers, you should steer clear of the defensive line in a 3-4 scheme. They're supposed to eat up lineman and help stuff the run, the LB's come in and steal the glory (sacks) so even the best 3-4 DT/DE won't eclipse 5-6 sacks. I think Calais will be very good against the run and eventually he will start to develop a bit more of a pass rush, which for his position should work out pretty well in the long run. I'm interested to see what kind of sack numbers Dockett will put up in the 3-4 now that we're sticking him at RDE, he's got one hell of a motor (when he wants to) as we all know.

The LDE in the 3-4 scheme is responsible for taking care of the B or C gaps so the LB can penetrate and get the sacks, which means that you have to take into consideration how many tackles/sacks a DE gets. A NT in the 3-4 doesn't necessarily have to have a ton of sacks because he shoots the A gaps, but needs to maintain the interior. Our line should have the to not only create pressure on the QB, but keep the tackles occupied while the OLBs hit the QB or the RB.

 

[joeshmo]

The LDE in the 3-4 scheme is responsible for taking care of the B or C gaps so the LB can penetrate and get the sacks, which means that you have to take into consideration how many tackles/sacks a DE gets.

If the LDE responsibility is gap control so the LB can wreck havoc why do you have to take into consideration how many tackles/sacks the DE gets when that is secondary to the gap control responsibility. Did you mean to say how many the LB behind him gets?

The success of a LDE in a 3-4 scheme is measured by the yards per carry to that side of the field and the success of the Left outside linebacker IMO. Sacks from a 3-4 LDE is just the gravy on top. For example one of the better LDE's in the league Ty Warren who besides just one killer year only averages 2-3 sacks a year. Aaron Smith averages about 5 a year, and that's freak status for a traditional 3-4 LDE.

 

[TJ]

If the LDE responsibility is gap control so the LB can wreck havoc why do you have to take into consideration how many tackles/sacks the DE gets when that is secondary to the gap control responsibility. Did you mean to say how many the LB behind him gets?

The success of a LDE in a 3-4 scheme is measured by the yards per carry to that side of the field and the success of the Left outside linebacker IMO. Sacks from a 3-4 LDE is just the gravy on top. For example one of the better LDE's in the league Ty Warren who besides just one killer year only averages 2-3 sacks a year. Aaron Smith averages about 5 a year, and that's freak status for a traditional 3-4 LDE.

Both the LB and DE. You're correct that the DE can act as a decoy and control the gaps; however, you have to consider blitz situations or whether the LB behind him drops into coverage. The basis of the 3-4 is that there are four linebackers to confuse the offense to not knowing where the extra pass rusher is coming from.

Someone has to get to the quarterback or the running back. I'll never say that a DE, especially one in the 3-4, needs to average over 70 tackles/season (grossly exaggerated number) to be all-pro, but he needs to be able to knock the QB on his ass to be recognized, using your example, as a Ty Warren threat.

 

[Timm Rosenbach]

Speaking of 3-4 DE's I just saw that Tyson Jackson signed with KC for 31 Million GUARANTEED.

Thats a heck of a lot of money for a guy who definitely has high bust potential and was considered to be a bit of a reach at 3.

We will see what Clancy does with him. Would have liked to have seen KC take Aaron Curry, thereby keeping him out of Seattle

And by the way, Got to say that I love your avatar TJ. Megan Fox is the hottest chick in the history of chicks

 

[TJ]

Speaking of 3-4 DE's I just saw that Tyson Jackson signed with KC for 31 Million GUARANTEED.

Thats a heck of a lot of money for a guy who definitely has high bust potential and was considered to be a bit of a reach at 3.

We will see what Clancy does with him. Would have liked to have seen KC take Aaron Curry, thereby keeping him out of Seattle

And by the way, Got to say that I love your avatar TJ. Megan Fox is the hottest chick in the history of chicks

Megan Fox is the sexiest woman alive right now and she deserves to be in my coveted rotation of avatars. There are no 10s in my book, but she is definitely a 9.99.

 

[Jersey Girl]

Don't encourage him.

Megan Fox is the sexiest woman alive right now and she deserves to be in my coveted rotation of avatars. There are no 10s in my book, but she is definitely a 9.99.

I've only been to one practice this camp, but, from what I saw and what I have heard, Calais is improving. I am feeling pretty good about his responsibilty to this team.