New Baltimore Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell has achieved a lot in his 12 years in the NFL. 88 career sacks, five Pro Bowl berths, one All-Pro nod, and a Walter Payton Man of the Year award winner all tell the tale of a player who has made his mark in his chosen profession. But one thing Campbell does not have is a Super Bowl ring.
Campbell did play in the Super Bowl in his 2008 rookie season as a member of the Arizona Cardinals, but his side went down 27-23 to the Pittsburgh Steelers that day. He has not been back to the big game since. But he thinks the 2020 Ravens are his best chance to not only return to the biggest stage of all but to come away with the trophy.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity,” Campbell said in an interview on Sirius XM. “I think, you know, this is one of those times where, I’ve been playing football for 12 years and I’ve been close a bunch — you know, I’ve played in what, three championships games, one Super Bowl — but I haven’t been able to win it yet. So, I feel like, this team, as talented as it is, this is probably going to be the best shot I have. And so, my mindset is just embrace it, treat every moment special and make each moment count.”
Campbell’s experience is likely to be just as big a benefit as his production when he first steps on the field for the Ravens. As young and talented as a group as it is, Campbell and safety Earl Thomas are the only defensive players with legitimate experience of postseason success. Even knowing how to deal with the disappointment of getting close to the Super Bowl, which Campbell did when he lost in Championship games with both the Cardinals and the Jacksonville Jaguars, will help the Ravens so much after the way their 2019 season ended.
The talent already in the locker room, coupled with the know-how Campbell brings, already makes the Ravens roster a lot better than it was a year ago. Now it is all about putting the pieces together, and getting the team (and Calais) back to the Super Bowl.
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