FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Calais Campbell has seen a good defense or two. The three-time All Pro and 2010s All-Decade NFL player has been a part of some great ones over the course of his previous 16 NFL seasons with the Cardinals, Jaguars, and Ravens.
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With such a history and solidly in the twilight years of his career, he surprisingly chose to sign with a Falcons team that – while promising – has not been to the playoffs since the 2017 season. So, why?
“I saw it in Coach [Arthur] Smith’s eyes, the way he explained and broke down how we’re going to play defense,” Campbell recalled in an interview with 92.9 The Game’s Dukes and Bell. “And then I saw the moves that were made to make sure we could do that at a high level. Bringing Jesse Bates in, bringing Kaden Ellis, those guys. You turn on the tape, they show up…
“Our defense is gonna be good. We’re gonna be real good… Our defense is gonna be special. We’re gonna handle our business,” said Campbell. “I know that the work we put in, the guys we have, and the techniques that we’re coached, there’s no excuses.”
The team is still 0-0 having yet to play a game this season, and Campbell certainly understands that nothing matters except for what happens between the white lines for those 60 minutes on Sundays. But it’s safe to say the veteran edge defender is optimistic about what this reconstructed defense can do.
“You don’t want to say too much because I’d rather under-promise and over-deliver. But I just have a really good feeling about this season.”