Given all of the negative headlines that we are rapidly being subjected to by some modern day athletes (on an almost daily basis), please take a moment to absorb an enlightening story that calls upon that inner child in all of us. The old school concept of playing the game for the love of the game.

This is the story of an NFL player that will someday (whether it be sooner or beit later is yet to be determined) leave behind an incredible legacy as great as the game he loves. Dan Campbell - Former tight end for Texas A&M University, Former tight end for the New York Giants, former tight end for the Dallas Cowboys and current tight end for the Detroit Lions - is a nine year veteran of the NFL. Although Dan The Man is hardly a household name, he's been a perennial blocker for several years and one of the iron men of the trenches.

2002 was his best year with the Giants. Campbell's blocking was instrumental in the career-years of both Kerry Collins and Tiki Barber (1,387 rushing yards, a career-high and the second best total in Giants history). Despite the addition of Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey, Campbell started all 16 games and caught 20 passes for 155 yards (a 7.8 yard average) and a touchdown.

After four years with the Giants, Dan joined Dallas as an unrestricted free agent. In his first of three season with the Cowboys, he appeared in 15 games with eight starts. Hauled in 20 passes for 195 yards and one touchdown. Was selected to the USA Today All-Joe team for his unselfish blocking and clutch receptions. In 2005 he was elected offensive team captain by his teammates. Selected to receive the Cowboys 2005 Ed Block Courage Award after recovering from an appendectomy (July 27) the day the team reported to training camp.

Campbell, known as one of the NFL’s premier blocking tight ends, proved his ability to stretch the field in the Lions’ offense in 2006. He is considered to be one of the most technically sound blocking tight ends in the entire league, and is continuing to grow as a pass catcher. He signed a five-year deal with Detroit March 14, 2006

So now I've painted a picture, a resume of a man who has sustained numerous injuries yet through strenuous and dedicated rehab, has remained a part of the league. Campbell is the epitome of the alpha male iron man.

Campbell has developed a bad right elbow. Most any other player would have retired from the painful injury. Not Dan. He had surgery and returned - as usual - earlier than normal. Re-injured the elbow, had a 2nd elbow surgery, and returned again, as always - early.

Understand, I've always admired Dan Campbell as one of the unsung heroes of the NFL. The man is unselfishly building a legacy as a blocker along the lines of a Daryl "Moose" Johnston or a Mack Strong.

Campbell amazed coaches, players and fans by returning to the NFL following that 2nd surgery. Have no doubt that I was in awe to hear of his return again to the Lion's training camp in 2007. The man simply refused to quit.

Then it happened AGAIN. I remember that day - September 23, 2007 when ESPN released the following report: "The Detroit Lions have placed starting tight end Dan Campbell, who sustained an elbow injury in last Sunday's overtime victory against the Minnesota Vikings, on injured reserve, ending his 2007 season."

All heroes have a weakness, Superman had kryptonite. Achilles had his heel. Campbell came to terms with his elbow being his own Achilles' heel. What I have learned now, is that before Detroit had time to put Campbell on injured reserve, back on September 23rd of '07, Campbell had already had a radical THIRD surgery, two days earlier on September 21st. An elbow specialist reattached the triceps tendon -- what was left of it, anyway.

With very little tendon left in his right elbow, following the three surgeries, Campbell's playing days were obviously over. This is where Dan's story takes a bazaar turn. Dan, facing the fact that his playing days were obviously at end, opted for something radical on that Friday in September. Dan had the surgeon reinforce his elbow with, get this, an Achilles tendon, from an actual dead body - a cadaver.

Now I don't believe you could find another person willing to go through such goulish experimental extremes to remain in the NFL - except Dan Campbell.

"I said, 'Get it fixed. I don't care what it takes,' " Campbell said. "I did have some questions about, 'Well, how does that work?' You hear about transplants, different organs or stuff like that.

Campbell caught only one pass for one yard last year before going on injured reserve. After this latest surgery, he wasn't allowed to lift weights until February 2008. He lost about 25 pounds. He has gained back about 15, putting him at about 255, where he might stay.

"I still feel strong enough and explosive enough, but I actually feel a little faster," Campbell said. "So I kind of like it. I don't know yet. I haven't decided."

Campbell hopes to be ready for training camp; failing that, he said, he definitely would be ready for the season opener Sept. 7 at Atlanta. He laughs at jokes like this: Hey, now the Lions can fudge the injury report : Campbell, questionable (Achilles).

"I'm having a good time with it," Campbell said. "The joke's going to be on everybody else when I come back playing. I'm excited."

In the age of steroids, trade demands, arrests and Show Me The Money, Dan Campbell is a quiet unsung feel good story in the making. Truly a breath of fresh air in this era of character issues gone wild.

So when you're looking over the 2008 NFL schedule, circling those must see games, be sure to circle Sunday September 7, 2008. It's the Week One match-up featuring Detroit @ Atlanta, but more importantly it's the return of Dan Campbell, and his new Achilles' elbow.

The often controversial DeAngelo Hall woke up in his hotel room yesterday morning to find missed calls and text messages on his cell phone. The subject matter? A possible trade that would send him to the Giants.

Hall had well documented trouble getting along with Atlanta coach Bobby Petrino last year. Hall's feud with Carolina wide receiver Steve Smith, a former friend, exploded with three penalties on Carolina's game-winning drive, after which Hall got into a shouting match with Petrino on the sideline. It resulted in a fine, a benching for the first quarter of the following week's game and cemented Hall's reputation to many NFL fans and media as being a hothead.

... ... ... ...
... ... ... ... .. DeAngelo Hall delivers a controversial late hit on Kitna in November 2006


Hall had insisted that he wanted to stay in Atlanta, until his feelings were hurt when he found out from friends that his name was mentioned by the Falcons as being available for trade offers.

What a difference a day makes. Now he is throwing a major temper tantrum and demanding a trade.

... ... ... ..
... ... ... ... Fantasy: Hall claiming to "own" Ocho Cinco in a 2007 preseason game.
... ... ... ... Reality: Chad went for 83 yards on five catches and a touchdown. I can
... ... ... .. .only assume Hall immediately shaved his dome after the game.


"I wanted to stay," he said. "I don't want to stay now. It's a little bit of a betrayal. I feel like these guys kind of stabbed me in the back." ...You know what? I'll go anywhere, anywhere they want me," Hall said Friday. "And that's the thing. It's hard to play or be a part of an organization that doesn't want you, so I just want to go somewhere that wants me."

A real tear jerker huh? With remarks like that, you can pretty much assume that the 24 year old has punched his ticket out of Atlanta. Giants were reported to have offered a first round draft pick for the prima donna cornerback.

... ... ... ...
.. .. .. .. .. .. Hall being owned by T.O. in 2006. One of T.O.'s two touchdown catches
... ... ... ... ..against DeAngelo in a 100+ yard receiving game by Terrell Owens.


We will probably hear where he lands as soon as Friday, when the new league year begins and trades are once again permitted to be made. The question is if he'll wind up with the Giants or one of several other teams who were quickly rumored to be interested in acquiring him. The Redskins, Buccaneers, Dolphins and Cowboys were mentioned by yesterday afternoon. Those teams' possible interest means the Giants might be forced to sweeten the trade offer. If so, they could be willing to part with another draft pick from the later rounds. Expect a bidding war to emerge as this story grows.

Isn't this one of those bidding wars that you'd love to be able to watch on Ebay!


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Houston @ Atlanta:
Dub this the Matt Schaub Bowl. Houston (23rd in offensive yards per game) brings clearly the better team to the game, but the receivers are ####ed up. No Andre Johnson, no Jacoby Jones and a limping running back Ahman Green equals a win for the home team 0-3 Falcons (8th against the pass). Atlanta in an upset.

NY Jets @ Buffalo:
Chad Pennington is flying under the radar somehow with a 121.4 QB Rating, second only to Tom Brady. This stat is deceiving in that the Jets are a run oriented team(Thomas Jones averaging 3.5 yards per carry) and Pennington has only passed for 291 yards in 3 games. On the other side of the ball, rookie Trent Edwards fills in for an injured Bills quarterback J.P. Losman. A win for him may be the spark Buffalo needs to turn the season around. As much as I pull for the Bills, they are playing poor in every aspect of the game. Jets get the win on the road.

Baltimore @ Cleveland:
Once known as the Lewis Boys, Ray Lewis and Jamal Lewis, if one doesn't get you on offense the other one would on defense. They were a heck of a crew during Baltimore's Super Bowl season of 2000. Now this game has turned into Lewis versus Lewis, as Jamal has bolted to division rival Cleveland Browns. Jamal will have a good season, but a bad game Sunday. Ray Lewis will dismantle the Browns running game while the balanced run/pass offense of the Ravens gets the win.

St. Louis @ Dallas Cowboys:
The Rams, averaging 10.7 points per game, will bring one of the leagues most injury plagued offenses to Texas Stadium to witness Ringmaster Tony Romo display the 2007 version of The Greatest Show On Turf. Bulger playing with broken ribs. No Steven Jackson. No Orlando Pace. A year after collecting 13 sacks, Rams defensive end Leonard Little has yet to record a single sack this season. Cowboys 31 - Rams 17

Chicago @ Detroit:
Kitna's Lions offense will go up against a Bears defense that is really ####ed up. Tommie Harris (knee), Adam Archuleta (hand), Lance Briggs (hamstring), Alex Brown (ankle), Tommie Harris (knee), Adewale Ogunleye (hip), Charles Tillman (ankle), Brian Urlacher (back), Nathan Vasher (groin), and Darwin Walker (knee) are all listed on the injury report this week. That’s 10 people. That is just about the Bears entire defense. On the Offensive side, Adrian Peterson and Olin Kruetz both are on the injury report as well. Still the Bears will rally behind newly promoted starting quarterback Brian Griese. Cedric Benson gets the running game back on track and a big welcome back to tight end Greg Olsen. Patience in the Windy City is wearing thin waiting for Mushin Muhammed to actually play like a number 1 receiver. This could be that long awaited game for him.
Bears 17 - Lions 13

Oakland @ Miami:
Motivated Daunte Culpepper will be bringing his A game to the Dolphins with hopes of making them regret giving him the boot. One of the unexplainable trends in the NFL is Miami's domination of the Raiders. Phins get their 1st win of the season Sunday and beat Oaktown for the 7th time in last 8 games.

Green Bay @ Minnesota:
This is a must see, if only to witness the NFL pause the game to recognize the moment when Favre throws his record-setting touchdown pass. With Packers leading rusher Brandon Jackson questionable with a gimpy shin injury and receiver Greg Jennings nursing a hamstring injury, expect the typical slugfest of the NFC's Black and Blue division. Adrian Peterson's afterburner speed and ability to elude open field tackles keeps the game interesting. Packers advance to 4-0.

Tampa Bay @ Carolina:
Panther QB Jake Delhomme sat for the second straight day of practice on Thursday, giving speculation that David Carr may be the starter Sunday. In three games this season for the 2-1 Panthers, Delhomme has a QB rating of 111.9, and has thrown 8 touchdowns and one interception. This would pose the best case scenario for the Buccaneers to escape with a road win. It will be interesting to watch Carr (aka The Human Piñata) not being expected to make pass completions while lying on his back. In five seasons with the Texans, Carr was sacked 249 times, an average of 49.8 times per season, including 76 times in his first season in 2002. Carolina receiver Steve Smith against Bucs corner Ronde Barber will be worth the price of admission. Tampa Bay is a team on a mission and defies logic with their bargain basement bin of offensive weapons. I'm becoming a believer. Bucs win this one on the road.

Seattle @ San Francisco:
The battle of the defensive secondaries. The Seahawks spent the big bucks on safeties this offseason, bringing in two new starters Brian Russell and Deon Grant. Frank Gore ran through the secondary last season like a mouse through Swiss Cheese rushing for a franchise-record 212 yards in the teams' first meeting. In the December rematch he was good for 144 rushing yards. Most of his yardage came after breaking thru the front seven of the Hawks into a very vulnerable secondary. With Alex Smith and Gore both in a slump, I'm going with Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun play through the pain Alexander.

Pittsburgh @ Arizona:
A screaming hot Steeler team travels to Arizona, the site of the only win for the Cards this season. The perennial sexy pick to make the playoffs every year, the Cards are once again as - Denny Green would put it - who we thought they were. Quarterback controversy is a blow to the confidence of the entire team. The Cards are posed with a tough option of playing Kurt Warner (150 QB rating) to win now, or grooming Leinart (62.6 QB rating) for the future. Either way, Steelers firing on all cylinders and can turn up the heat as necessary to cruise to a win by a TD.

Denver @ Indianapolis:
The Colts have won 10 consecutive games in the RCA Dome dating to December of 2005. Colts will win Sunday to tie a franchise record for consecutive home victories originally set in 2004-2005. Denver's Champ Bailey and Dre’ Bly leading the NFL's best pass defense, will be lining up against Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. This is must see TV. Still Manning connects at will as needed with a heavy dose of Joseph Addai applied to the Broncos' defensive line. Colts by 10.

Kansas City @ San Diego:
Last years top two running backs, Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson and Chiefs' Larry Johnson headline this division rivalry of 1-2 teams. San Diego should come out of the gate swinging on offense and defense and begin a quest to recapture the AFC West division lead, not because of Norv Turner, but in spite of him. Under Turner this team has fallen to the 22nd ranked Defense and has the 30th ranked running game. So in essence San Diego replaced a coach who couldn't win in the post-season with a coach who couldn't win in regular season. I'm taking the Chargers to bounce back big in every aspect this Sunday.

Philadelphia @ N.Y. Giants:
Sunday Night Football. The Eagles will soar over the Giants. When the leg brace was removed from McNabb's leg, it also uncuffed the Eagles offense. A division rivalry game featuring two teams with no love with each other in front of a national audience. Will the Giants' defense build upon last week's impressive game winning goal line stand against the Redskins? I'm banking that they don't. Take the Eagles.

 

New England @ Cincinnati:
Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker are almost unstoppable, and now Sammy Morris is strengthening the run game. Try as they will, the Bengals and all their weapons can't compete with the Brady Bunch. Pats by 10, which is a compliment to the Bengals.