Campbell and Jones earn midseason All-Pro recognition from ESPN’s Clayton
Nov 7, 2016, 3:00 PM | Updated: 3:31 pm
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) forces Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) to fumble during the second half of a football game, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Seahawks recovered the ball and had to punt. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Though the Arizona Cardinals have not lived up to their lofty expectations this season as a whole, individual players have excelled.
ESPN Insider John Clayton made his midseason All-Pro list, and two Cardinals made the cut: defensive end Calais Campbell and outside linebacker Chandler Jones.
The Cardinals rank first on defense, and Campbell is one of the reasons. He remains one of the best 5-technique defensive ends in football.
Campbell, who has gotten the reputation as more of a plug in the middle of the line, has racked up some nice numbers. He has registered 27 tackles, two sacks, and recorded an interception and a safety against the Blaine Gabbert-led San Francisco 49ers.
The addition of Jones and the emergence of Markus Golden has eased the attention Campbell always received. With that being said, Jones has added a pass rush that the Cards haven’t seen in quite some time.
Jones edged out Brandon Graham of the Eagles. His relentless pass rush justified general manager Steve Keim’s move in picking him up in a trade. Another player to watch: Chargers rookie Joey Bosa, who has four sacks in five games.
Jones has tallied five sacks, only behind Golden’s six for the team-high, along with 24 tackles and two forced fumbles. He has feasted on opposing offensive lines, as he is a constant nuisance to quarterbacks.
One such instance of Jones irritating an offense occurred during the Cardinals’ 6-6 tie with the Seattle Seahawks. Jones was anchoring the defense that night, as he consistently made his way past the Seahawks offensive line and punished Russell Wilson. On one play, he tomahawked the ball out of Wilson’s hand, and the result was a 20-yard loss and a near score for the Cardinals.
Campbell and Jones have made a lofty impact on the Cards’ defensive front, and when these two perform up to their capabilities, there’s a good chance the opposing quarterback is going to be sore the next day.
