Revenge of the Birds
He said he didn’t want to sign a one-day contract
The photo above is of Cardinals rookie DE Calais Campbell praying before Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009. It is therefore absolutely amazing to know that Calais Campbell, after nine years with the team and after 8 years combined of stints with the Jaguars, Ravens, Falcons and Dolphins, has returned to Arizona to play on the team that drafted him in the 2nd round (#50 overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Here, Calais Campbell explains to Jon Gruden and The Draft Show company how “sweet” it is to return to the team that drafted him and —- not simply, after playing 17 seasons —- to sign a one-day contract so that he could retire a Cardinal —- no, what made it sweet for Calais was having the chance to play again in Arizona.
How amazing is it for Cardinals fans and players to be able to have one member from their lone Super Bowl team on this year’s team, a whopping 17 years later?
How amazing too is that Calais Campbell, playing one of the NFL’s most grueling positions, has aged like a fine Cabernet?
Calais Campbell’s Year to Year PFF Overall Grades:
Calais Campbell’s Career Stats:
Commentary:
I have always maintained that Calais Campbell was (and is!) the most ideal proto-typical 34 DE the Cardinals have ever drafted. Quite frankly, the Cardinals’ 34 defense has never been the same since he left the team in 2017.
At 6-8, 300, Calais has been, throughout his career, a master of 3,4,5 techniques. Plus, occasionally you can line him up in a 2-point stance to wreak havoc in the A gap or rush him like a galloping giraffe off the edge.
Opposing QBs will tell you; Calais Campbell takes the romance out of the quick-slant pass.
Opposing kickers will tell you: Calais Campbell can take the romance out of a mere chip shot field goal.
Note: CC’s 9 blocked FGs currently makes him the most prolific active FG blocker in the NFL.
Talk about players who make everyone around...
