ARIZONA CARDINALS

NFL.com: Calais Campbell headlines group of veteran free agents

Mar 6, 2017, 1:53 PM | Updated: Mar 7, 2017, 11:32 am

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) celebrates his sack of New Orleans Saints quar...

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) celebrates his sack of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

For the longest time people seemed to understand it was possible, yet even still the concept is somewhat difficult to imagine.

On March 9, or in the days following, Calais Campbell could sign with a team that is not the Arizona Cardinals.

The defensive lineman who was chosen in the second round of the 2008 draft has been a fixture along the team’s defensive line since 2009, and is currently second on the franchise’s all-time sacks list with 56.5.

Eight of Campbell’s sacks came in 2016, and in a season that saw the Cardinals fall short of expectations, Campbell once again proved he is an impact player.

Because of that, and other reasons, NFL.com’s Adam Schein put the two-time Pro Bowler at the top of his list of veteran free agents who can help a team.

Campbell, who’ll turn 31 just before the start of next season, is still a strong and versatile player, as well as a team leader. He’s been a rock for the always-stout Cardinals defense and a gem in the locker room, on the practice field and in the community, as well. Campbell is still a fine defensive lineman who can play (and has played) in all defensive schemes.

The 6-foot-8, 300-pounder posted his typical production in 2016: 53 tackles, eight sacks, six pass deflections, two forced fumbles and even a pick. With his hulking size and powerful game, Campbell’s a problem for opposing offenses. Honestly, he’s one of my favorite players in the league.

Campbell would shore up a lot of problems on the Broncos’ defense. He also makes a ton of sense for the Falcons, Cowboys, Saints, Lions and Patriots, if he does indeed leave the Cardinals.

The Cardinals have expressed a desire to have Campbell return, and likewise Campbell himself has talked about wanting to remain in Arizona. However, with roughly $17 million of salary cap room available and plenty of holes to fill, it seems somewhat unlikely the sides will be able to come to an agreement unless the player takes significantly less money than he will be offered elsewhere.

If Campbell does leave Arizona, he will finish his time in the desert with 541 tackles, 56.5 sacks, three interceptions, 42 passes defensed, eight fumble recoveries and seven forced fumbles.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

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.

2 days 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.

2 days 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.

3 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.

3 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.

3 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.

3 days ago

NFL.com: Calais Campbell headlines group of veteran free agents