ARIZONA CARDINALS

Calais Campbell says he hates San Francisco 49ers ‘with a passion’

Oct 23, 2012, 10:36 PM | Updated: 11:55 pm

As far as rivalries go, the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers have one.

Often times matched up in prime time games or season openers, each team has spent time at the top of the NFC West over the last five years.

And dating back to 2006, the Cardinals have won five of the last 12 games between the teams.

Their games are rarely pretty and often close, though the occasional blowout has been sprinkled in.

So it makes sense, really, that the players on each side would not be too fond of each other.

A guest on SiriusXM NFL Radio Tuesday, Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell did not mince words when talking about his team’s next opponent.

“I really feel like I could have had four sacks last week and I had zero,” Campbell said. “So I gotta make up for that this week especially going against the 49ers who I really hate with a passion.

“I can’t wait to go out there and stick it to them.”

Campbell said he has no doubt 49ers quarterback Alex Smith is “thinking about me a little bit”, a statement that will likely ruffle a few feathers by the bay.

And given the fact that Campbell has picked up just two sacks in seven career games against the 49ers, it’s worth wondering if his statement is little more than pregame posturing.

At any rate, when informed that word out of San Francisco is that they are fans of the Cardinals, Campbell said that’s perfectly fine.

“Yeah, that’s the way it is, though; it’s cool, it’s the way it is,” Campbell said. “It’s a rival game; they’re not supposed to like me. I’m not supposed to like you. That’s what makes this game so special.”

Besides, it’s not personal, just business.

“I mean, off the field I don’t have nothing against anybody but on that field, come Monday night, it’s on and crackin’,” Campbell said.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

21 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

1 day ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Calais Campbell says he hates San Francisco 49ers ‘with a passion’