Calais Campbell is an experienced American football player and one that the Baltimore Ravens happen to love, with the veteran having been in Maryland since the 2020 season.
The defensive end has been in the NFL since the 2008 season after being drafted in the second round as the 50th overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals where he spent 10 seasons before moving on to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017 and then the Ravens three years later.
Entering his 16th year in the league, many would find it difficult to accuse the 36-year-old of not giving his all for each of the teams that he has represented around the league, but is he still up for the challenge and given his best for the franchise that is seeking a return to the postseason and a Super Bowl run?
Calais Campbell will undoubtedly do his best for the Ravens
Campbell has been an integral member of the Ravens organization since signing, as he has been an ever-present in the sports team. Over the two completed seasons he has played so far in Maryland, he has managed to start 26 of the 27 games he has played in, with just one match last season not being started.
This season, he continues to look to be a crucial component in the Baltimore team for John Harbaugh, with the player having started in both of the two 2022 NFL season games thus far, subsequently helping the Ravens to a 1-1 start.
"The guys are ready. I don't have any doubt in my mind." @CalaisCampbell pic.twitter.com/jpGRX9Aoal
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 22, 2022
A former Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year recipient in 2019, Campbell has continued to show the same attitude and behavior to his game – and clearly, the wider community – over the years that he has been in the league, which is why there is no doubt that he is ready and up for the rest of the season.
What does the rest of the season look like for the Ravens?
After the disappointment of missing out on the playoffs last season because of various injuries sustained to a large number of the main roster, the Ravens and Campbell will be desperate to get back to the postseason.
Indeed, quarterback Lamar Jackson will be another individual who will be desperate to get the franchise back to the playoffs, too, as he is in a contract year and given what he is allegedly demanding, it will be easier to sit at the negotiating table and ask for those demands if he manages to achieve a successful season.
However, which teams stand in their way between now and the postseason? Let’s take a look:
- Week 3: @ Patriots
- Week 4: vs Bills
- Week 5: vs Bengals
- Week 6: @ Giants
- Week 7: vs Browns
- Week 8: @ Buccaneers
- Week 9: @ Saints
- Week 10: Bye
- Week 11: vs Panthers
- Week 12: @ Jaguars
- Week 13: vs Broncos
- Week 14: @ Steelers
- Week 15: @ Browns
- Week 16: vs Falcons
- Week 17: vs Steelers
- Week 18: @ Bengals
As can be seen, it could be suggested that the Ravens have a rather tricky upcoming schedule and one that could pose them a number of problems if they are not to have players such as Campbell available throughout the rest of the season, or if he is not at his best.
However, there will be plenty of optimism in Maryland among the fans, though, about their chances, as they will continue to back the organization and potentially even look to wager on each of the matches that take place given that they are legally allowed to do so nowadays.
Indeed, punters are able to use Maryland Caesars sportsbook for the NFL Season currently within the state of their favorite team where they are able to place wagers on whether they will reach the postseason, win the Super Bowl, or bet on single games and make parlays that involve the team.
If players such as Jackson and Campbell are able to stay fit and healthy throughout the year, then bettors may feel rather confident about their chances, although the game against the Patriots in Week 3 might be a telling indicator of how the rest of the season may end up going.
What can we expect from Week 3’s match-up against the Patriots?
The Ravens are in a good position heading into the upcoming clash with the AFC East side, as they have managed to boast a fully healthy squad. A recent update from the organization’s website had revealed that they had had full attendance at practice on Thursday, thus seemingly putting them in a good position ahead of Sunday’s game.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 22, 2022
The report also highlighted that Campbell, Marcus Peters, and Justin Houston were also back on the field after being permitted rest days in which they were able to recover after a hard-fought match against the Miami Dolphins; a game that many would have been surprised was lost 38-42 after leading at the beginning of the fourth quarter 35-14.
Indeed, with the Patriots up next, Harbaugh will want to see an immediate reaction from his team as they go up against another AFC East opponent, and will have undoubtedly been furious that his team gave up 28 points to three in the final quarter in Maryland last time out.
Will Jackson be able to perform again and have the type of game he had last time out despite being on the losing end – throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for another one? The Ravens will certainly be hoping so, as will he given his contract situation.
Final Thoughts
Given that Campbell has had a couple of days off and rested following the bruising that the team took defensively against the Miami Dolphins, he should be more than ready for the game against the Patriots on Sunday. Depending on how that game goes, it could give us an indicator as to whether or not he is physically up for the remainder of the season. However, there should be no doubt that the 16-year NFL veteran is mentally up for the long road ahead.
