ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals’ Calais Campbell: ‘I can do more’

Nov 25, 2014, 4:10 PM | Updated: 4:11 pm

Follow @VincemarottaPresented By...

LISTEN: Calais Campbell - Cardinals defensive end

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell was a dominant force at CenturyLink Field Sunday.

The eight-year veteran had a career-high three sacks, but the Cardinals fell to the Seattle Seahawks 19-3.

Monday, Campbell’s head coach complimented him and challenged him.

“Calais played his normal game, but he can play better,” Bruce Arians told the media. “He had potential for a five-sack day. Three sacks are nice when it comes to stats, but he’s a better player than that.”

When asked if Campbell was possibly still feeling the effects of a knee brace he’s wearing after suffering an injury earlier in the year against Denver, Arians was once again very clear.

“No. He can just play better. He can sack the damn guy when he’s got him. The brace doesn’t got a damn thing to do with it. He can play better, he’s a dominant player.”

Strong words, no doubt. But what does Campbell himself think?

“It’s true,” Campbell told Doug and Wolf Tuesday on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “He expects more out of me because I can do more. I left too many plays out there on the field. Statistically, I had a great game, sure. But personally, I know there were several more plays I could have made but I didn’t.

“I have higher standards for myself, and I’m glad that Coach sees it the same way.”

Campbell has six sacks on the season, with five coming in the last three games. His production and leadership have been counted on by the coaching staff of a team that has been decimated by injuries, free agent departures and suspensions — especially on the defensive side of the ball.

The former Miami Hurricane has never made the Pro Bowl in his career, but could be on track for his first invitation this season. But, Campbell couldn’t care less about that — not with his team at 9-2 and sitting atop the NFC West.

“This time of year, it doesn’t matter at all,” he said. “I just want to win games and get to the playoffs, but when the offseason comes, you start thinking about what you did during the season and it’s always nice to get rewarded for your efforts.

“But to tell you the truth, I just want to win games and try to get my team into the playoffs and have the best seed so we can make our chances a lot better.”

The Pro Bowl will be held at the site of Super Bowl XLIX, University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, the home of the Cardinals. Campbell says he’d love nothing more than to say “thanks, but no thanks” to an invitation.

“My goal is to get invited to the Pro Bowl and then turn it down because I’m playing in the Super Bowl,” Campbell said. “That’s the best case scenario for me.”

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Monti Ossenfort looks on...

Vincent DeAngelis

PFF’s Spielberger grades Cardinals’ free agent class among worst in NFL

PFF's Brad Spielberger gave the Cardinals' free agent class a "C" grade in his latest rankings. It was the worst grade among all 32 teams.

4 hours ago

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

13 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

17 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

2 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

Arizona Cardinals’ Calais Campbell: ‘I can do more’