NFL Network: Cardinals’ Calais Campbell is No. 71 on list of top 100 players
May 18, 2016, 7:34 PM | Updated: May 20, 2016, 11:07 am
Tall freak. Large man. Lengthy human.
All of the descriptors apply to Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell, who comes in at No. 71 on NFL Network’s list of the top 100 players for the 2016 season. Those traits are featured as the main reasons why Campbell is so respected by his opponents.
Two words to describe him?
"Tall freak."@Campbell93 is No. 71!#NFLTop100 pic.twitter.com/pTtVXhFboN— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) May 19, 2016
The 6-foot-8, 300-pound Campbell ranked No. 99 on the NFL Network’s list of the league’s top players a season ago following his 58-tackle, seven-sack season in 2014. In 2015, the defensive end recorded 61 tackles and five sacks.
Many of the veteran’s opponents credit his success not only to his size but to his length that’s unique for a player in his position.
“When that defensive lineman can touch you before you can touch him, that’s usually a lot of problems,” Bengals lineman Eric Winston said.
Campbell has at times been criticized for his low sack totals but much of that is related to the high-frequency of double teams he faces in games.
Heading into 2016, Campbell will receive a bit more help on the Cardinals’ defensive line. With Chandler Jones added via trade and Robert Nkemdiche drafted in the first round by Arizona, defenses presumably will have more to worry about, which could give Campbell the opportunity to do more damage than he has in the past.
