Bruce Campbell

Maryland’s Bruce Campbell, Nolan Carroll Get Drafted, Terrell Skinner Signs as Free Agent

On April 26, 2010, In Maryland sports, By Scott

So much for projections. Maryland star offensive tackle Bruce Campbell was projected to go as high as eighth overall, to the Oakland Raiders, in this weekend’s NFL draft. Campbell still went to the Raiders, but in the fourth round. I’m no Todd Kiper, but I do believe that the fourth round is not as good as the first.

Why the drop? The trendy commentary on Campbell this weekend described him as a “workout warrior,” which tips a cap to the eye-popping combine numbers that landed him in the first-round hypotheticals to begin with, but at the same time implies that he’s not as productive in between the lines as he is in a pair of gym shorts. We’ll see what happens to Campbell when he teams up with another new Campbell in Oakland — Redskins castoff Jason.

Cornerback Nolan Carroll, a talented player who switched from receiver to corner at Maryland but then broke his leg and missed almost his entire senior season, went to the Dolphins in round five. If he can overcome health questions (the leg injury wasn’t his first), maybe he could be a player. He was well-respected at Maryland and works his tail off, so if it is within his control to contribute at the pro level, my guess is he’ll find a way to do it.

Terp fans were hoping safety Terrell Skinner would also be drafted. He wasn’t. But Skinner and several other Terps were signed as undrafted free agents after the fact, with Skinner heading to Minnesota. Congrats to every Terp in the draft…it’s easy to forget how rarefied the air is just to be on the board.

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potential nfl draft day moves: jared gaither to redskins? bruce campbell to raiders?

On April 21, 2010, In Maryland sports, By Ian

Jared Gaither was a monster lineman at Maryland.

It’s no secret that the Washington Redskins are putting all their chips on the table to make a run in the uncapped 2010 NFL season. It’s also no secret that the Baltimore Ravens have been shopping Maryland standout offensive tackle Jared Gaither. If the season started today, the Skins would have to start 26 year old bust Stephon Hyer at RT and, most likely, the unremarkable D’Anthony Batiste at LT. It’s common consensus that the Skins have a glaring need for new tackles to protect veteran QB Donavan McNabb.

Put two-and-two together, and one can conclude that the Skins are most likely pursuing Gaither. Gaither is a pro bowl talent and the best offensive lineman available right now. The Skins have been actively trying to tie disgruntled Albert Haynesworth to any trade they execute. I would think that they are offering Haynesworth and a second round pick for Gaither, which is more than most teams are likely going to give up. If all these assumptions prove correct, it’s likely that the only thing standing between Gaither and the Burgundy & Gold is a blessing on the trade by Ed Reed and Ray Lewis.

If a move is to come, expect it to come before tomorrow’s NFL Draft. If the Skins get Gaither it will free them up to draft a QB at the #4 spot, and that pick would likely be Notre Dame’s Jimmy Claussen. The right thing to do would be to trade for Gaither and draft OT Russel Okung from Oklahoma State, but I can’t see Dan Snyder doing the right thing here.

Another standout offensive lineman, and my favorite Maryland player, Bruce Campbell will be on the move this week. Most projections have Campbell listed as the #8 pick by the Oakland Raiders. If that comes to fruition, Campbell could join Darrius Heyward-Bey as Maryland players that the Raiders have selected in the first round. They must have a lot of scouts in College Park.

Who knows? Maybe the Skins will trade down and take Campbell themselves. It’s unlikely, but it would be great to see Gaither and Campbell both playing in D.C. If that happened, the Skins would have two monsters lined-up on either side of McNabb.

Tagged with: Bruce Campbell • Football • Jared Gaither • NFL Draft

Ex-Terp Bruce Campbell Wows at NFL Combine

On March 5, 2010, In Maryland sports, By Scott

We interrupt Maryland March Madness 2010 to bring you this update from the gridiron. This news is a few days old, but you know what? I’ve had other things on my mind. Freakin sue me. Jerk.

So it’s about Bruce Campbell, the Maryland left tackle who left school a year early to enter the 2010 NFL Draft. What’s the problem, Bruce? 2-10 not good enough to get you to come back? Sell-out.

Terp football fans know how good he is, but now it’s codified in the stone tablets of NFL Combine statisticality. Campbell logged a 4.85 40-yard dash time — the fourth-fastest EVER for an o-lineman at the combine. His vertical leap was 32 inches. These are freak numbers for an athlete of his size (6′6″ 314). But lest you think he sacrificed strength, the dude did 34 bench press reps of 225 pounds.

Not surprisingly, these numbers turned a lot of heads, and he is now considered by some to be the second-best o-lineman in the draft. He seems likely to go to the Raiders with the no. 8 overall selection, where he would be reunited with former Maryland teammate Darrius Heyward-Bey. Now wouldn’t that be such a happy reunion? I’m sure those two Raiders will be just thrilled. In any case, props to Bruce Campbell for being the monster all us Terp fans knew him to be.

Tagged with: Bruce Campbell • Darrius Heyward-Bey • Football • Terps in the pros

Bruce Campbell, Maryland’s Only Good O-Lineman, Entering NFL Draft

On December 18, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Scott

ncf_e_campbell_600

Maryland left tackle and general monster of a man Bruce Campbell is entering the NFL draft a year early. You heard it here first. Or second. Whatever.

When his toes weren’t twinkling out there at left tackle, the 6′7″, 310 pound Campbell missed several games with knee and toe injuries. Otherwise, he was the anchor of an offensive line that struggled to remain upright in the ACC, which itself was the worst BCS conference by two tire flips. It’s no reflection on Bruce, though. Don’t hit me, Bruce. Either way, there’s a good chance he’ll go in the first round. You can’t put a price on toes that twinkly. Unless that price is six years, about $45 mill. Sound about right, Washington Redskins?

Sorry, wrong Bruce Campbell. Evil Dead's a good movie, though.

So good move by Bruce. Bad news for the Terps. This isn’t going to make the line any better. Plus, did you notice we don’t really have a quarterback for next year? The Maryland football program is rapidly devolving into a Cormac McCarthy novel. It won’t be much longer before we see Ralph Friedgen roasting James Franklin on a spit. Medifast bars don’t cut it when the civility gets stripped way, do they, coach?

Tagged with: Bruce Campbell • Football • Terps in the pros

After Injuries, Offense is Running Uphill

On October 8, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Scott

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So the Terps’ top running back, Da’rel Scott, is out until at least Nov. 21 with a broken arm. Left tackle and o-line anchor Bruce Campbell, who has already missed half of the team’s games so far, may or may not be out against Wake with a knee. Injury.

Davin Meggett is OK as the starting RB, but he only got 27 yards against Clemson. Paul Pinegar would be OK at left tackle, but, well, he’s not Bruce Campbell.

Hopefully, the defense is rounding into form. With Torrey Smith (18th nationally in receiving yards) and company along the sidelines, the passing game doesn’t figure to stay down for long stretches. And with Smith (second nationally in all-purpose yards) handling returns and Nick “The Junior Kick” Ferrara playing the one-man band on the special teams, I’m sure that unit will continue to be solid, not to mention highly inspirational.

That leaves the running game hanging out there like Anthony Munoz’s retarded pinkie finger. According to this Post article, the Terps had 28 rushing yards in the Rutgers loss, and rank 100th nationally in rushing offense. The RBs have only scored five TDs this year, and Scott had three of those. I’m no Vince Cromartie, but when you SUBTRACT two of your best pieces from a unit that you already needed three numbers to rank, that may NOT be the spark you were hoping for. The Post article also states that, deep in the final quarter on Saturday, on a big fourth down (which Maryland converted), Coach Friedgen “wavered before deciding the offensive line could indeed stand up to Clemson’s athletic defensive front and help the Terrapins get six inches.” First of all, six inches. Second of all, it’s never a compliment when you hear “THAT is a unit you can really waver on.”

It will be interesting to see how they do against a fair-to-middlin Wake rushing defense. And we could see redshirt freshman Gary Douglas (21 yards against Clemson) get significant time, which would be interesting. Report on him is that he’s athletic enough, but not overly predisposed to the tough runs and the trench work. With the O-line still struggling, he could be called on to do plenty of the ugly stuff. As always….we shall see….between the white lines.

(Photo credit: Washington Times)

Tagged with: Bruce Campbell • Da'Rel Scott • Davin Meggett • Football • Gary Douglas • Nick Ferrara • Paul Pinegar • Ralph Friedgen • Torrey Smith

A Rutgers-Maryland preview from the late Michael Jackson

On September 25, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Scott

michael_jackson_031605 Hello. I’m Michael Jackson. The entertainer? I recently passed away very quietly after a long bout with vampirism and hospital-grade anesthesia. What? Is that weird? I don’t think so. I think dying is very sweet. Very charming. And now I’m back! To spread a message of hope. And to handicap the Rutgers-Maryland game.

You didn’t know I was a football fan? I love football; it makes you wish, and dream. It provides a break from reality…sometimes I really needed that. Can’t you just picture me on a Saturday afternoon, lounging on my $750,000 rainbow-colored hippopotamus couch, a plate of corn dogs in one hand, ice cold glass of bat milk in the other? That’s a good lunch for me.

For the Maryland-Rutgers game, lots of weird parallels. It’s like Maryland holds up their hand in the mirror, and there’s Rutgers, and they’re waving, but at the same time, and they’re perfectly aligned! You know? No? Shamon over here and I’ll show you. First of all, both teams lost big in their openers–Rutgers lost to Cincinnati 47-15, and we all know about the Terps. Hee hee! But Rutgers is 2-1 now, while Maryland is 1-2. Both teams gamble with blitz-happy defenses, but the Rutgers defense locked down after its loss, surrendering just 22 points to Howard and FIU, while the Terps have surrendered approximately 822 points. Both have a two-headed RB monster — Joe Martinek and Jourdan Brooks for Rutgers, Scott and Meggett for the Terps. Rutgers starts an unproven freshman at QB (although he might be injured), and Maryland starts an unproven senior (just kidding Chris — a-HEE HEE!).

Even their stadium situations are eerily similar in an Opposite Day kind of way (Yaaay! I LOVE, I mean, I HATE Opposite Day!). Maryland’s ticket problems in its newly expanded stadium are well documented, but meanwhile Rutgers is packing its newly expanded stadium. It’s cra-zee! Almost as crazy as that Bubbles thing. Want to know a secret? There was no such thing as Bubbles. He wasn’t real! It was just some chimpanzee that I was having intercourse with. Sexual intercourse.

Bottom line: it’s a broken record for the Terps – and I should know about breaking records. If Maryland can get its O-line and running game working, they have a chance. If Torrey Smith can light up star CB Devon McCoury like a jheri curl on a Pepsi shoot, they have a chance. If Bruce Campbell returns at left tackle and can help slow down pass rush specialist Jonathan Freeny (Dwight’s second cousin), they have a chance. If they can play mistake-free, they have a chance.

But as with Billie Jean’s paternity suit, there are many ifs. And I don’t see that Maryland’s home field advantage is as strong as in years past. I would rank it behind the home field advantage I enjoyed at Neverland, although I had wine and special locks and Ferris wheels and wishing trees and hospital-grade anesthesia. As previously mentioned. Wheeee! Sorry, Terps, but I love my Scarlet Knights. But do not be melancholy. I love you all forever.

Love always,
Michael.

Prediction: Rutgers 27, Maryland 16

Tagged with: Bruce Campbell • Da'Rel Scott • Davin Meggett • Football • Rutgers • Special guest bloggers • Torrey Smith

A Maryland-MTSU preview from President Barack Obama

On September 18, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Scott

obama-superman Good afternoon. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. You know, just yesterday I had a chance to visit with a few folks out at the Comcast Center. Doin’ a great job over there. And while I’m here in Terp country, I wanted to talk for a moment about the true cornerstone of my presidency: sports predictions. So. Let me take this opportunity — to — share some thoughts — on tomorrow’s — game.

Look. You may recall that Middle Tennessee State upset the Terps last year in Murfreesboro — a city in which — I imagine — I am not welcome.

But I don’t wish to discuss the divisive politics of the past. I wish to discuss Dwight Dasher, the MTSU quarterback — who does it all. Literally. He accounts for 80 percent of the offense and more than half of their all-purpose yards. Philip Tanner, their running back, is out for this game. But no matter. Because Dasher leads the team in rushing yards with 193, along with 435 passing yards. I’m sure that if Dasher could throw the football — to himself — he would also – lead the team — in – receiving.

Now. Make no mistake. Maryland is experiencing some adversity. Instead of left tackle Bruce Campbell, who is a mountain of a man, we have Paul Pinegar, whose last name — rhymes — with “vinegar.” Instead of safety Jamari McCulloch, we have Eric Franklin. Instead of cornerback Nolan Carroll, who is — the team’s — fourth-leading tackler — we have Cameron Chism. At least Nolan will be tossing the coin to start the game. In a similarly empty gesture of conciliation, I have asked my staff to consider Nolan as the nation’s first Czar of Tibular Health. He will be the first person to ever hold this office. No one — no one –will ever be able to take that away from him.

Look. It is all going to come down, once again, to the lines for this Maryland team. No one in this country should ever have to be embarrassed on television just because they cannot hold a block or wrap up a running back. And if they don’t come together as one, I fear that the Terps – could be ripe — for another — embarrassing — day. But in the end, MTSU will be susceptible to the Terps’ attack. Under Chris Turner’s leadership, these Terps have always risen — off the mat — in times of need.

So. With all due respect to the Blue Raiders, I will select the Terrapins for the victory today. And this is despite my trepidation. I would not be the first president to witness a Middle Tennessee State victory over the Terps, but with any luck — I will be the last. Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the Terrapins of the University of Maryland.

Prediction: Maryland 24, MTSU 16

Tagged with: Barack Obama • Bruce Campbell • Dwight Dasher • Football • Jamari McCulloch • Middle Tennessee State • Nolan Carroll • Special guest bloggers

haiku for bruce campbell

On August 11, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Ian

At 6'6" 306lbs, Campbell can bench press 490lbs and lift other large objects.

You are a Greek God.

Protect our quarterback with

your enormous pecs.

Tagged with: Bruce Campbell • Football • haiku