LL2
10-04-2007, 02:12 PM
From small-town hero to big-time star
By William Bendetson
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: October 4, 2007, 1:46 PM ET
Green Bay Packers DE Aaron Kampman surely knows how to say thank you. After being selected to his first Pro Bowl last season, Kampman gave Ron Aiken, his defensive line coach at the University of Iowa, one of his Pro Bowl jerseys.
Aiken is like a kid in a candy store when talking about Kampman, who collected 15½ sacks in 2006. He cannot stop mentioning what a special player Kampman is and how much he enjoyed coaching him.
"I would have the guys give a report the Friday before the game on the offensive linemen they were going to face, and Aaron would have everything detailed as far as their stance and what problems they gave him in the past," said Aiken, who is now the Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach.
"A lot of people when they receive accolades forget about the journey, but for me the journey is what is much more powerful."
It is a journey that began in Kesley, Iowa, a town with 80 residents, three roads and no street lights Kampman (6-foot-4, 270 pounds) worked in the shingling business with his brother in high school. After his rookie season with the Packers, Kampman's high school hosted "Aaron Kampman" night to honor their former star.
"Seeing all those people honor a remarkable person like Aaron was one of the best experiences of my coaching career," said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz.
Kampman, 27, was hardly a guarantee to be a star in the NFL. He was not invited to the NFL combine in 2002. Ferentz even called the director of the combine, arguing that Kampman was better than many of the invited players. Kampman impressed the Packers with his week of practice before the East-West Shrine Classic in Palo Alto, Calif. Only three teams gave Kampman a workout.
"I liked Green Bay the best," Kampman said. "It had that small town blue-collar midwestern feel that I was use to."
On draft day, then Packers coach and GM Mike Sherman received a call from the Buffalo Bills just before the Packers were about to select Kampman in the fifth round. The Bills, too, wanted Kampman and requested a trade. Sherman declined the offer and the Packers selected Kampman.
Kampman's NFL career began slowly. He finished with only 23 tackles in his rookie season (2002). Kampman recorded 68 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2004, his first year as a starter. Kampman had a breakout season in 2005, finishing with 82 tackles and 6.5 sacks. In March 2006, Kampman signed a four-year, $21 million contract with $12 million guaranteed. He did not disappoint in 2006, as he had 89 tackles and 15.5 sacks. Aside from Kampman's athletic ability, it is his intelligence that most impresses his teammates.
"He has become the anchor of our defense," said Packers DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. "That is one of the reasons they gave him the big money. He is almost like a coach out there. He could definitely be a coach when he retires. He tells the rest of the defensive line what is going on and when we are on the sideline he will be the guy saying the offense is doing this or that. "
Playing on the Packers defense requires a high level of intelligence, as the Packers play a complicated version of the 4-3. Linemen are primarily responsible for rushing the passer on passing plays while linebackers are matched up with a running back or tight end. With the increased pressure, the Packers are always worried about giving up the big play if they don't get to the quarterback in time.
"We know we have to get pressure or our linebackers and defensive backs will be left on an island," Kampman said.
Kampman also has become a strong two-way player, as he can rush the passer and stop the run. He is able to keep opposing running backs from getting down hill on his side of the field.
"He helps the linebackers out as far as the squeeze and sealing the edge," said Packers linebacker Nick Barnett. "He often forces the running backs to go East-West instead of North South."
Kampman, Barnett, and Gbaja-Biamila all admit that the Packers are much more comfortable with the scheme of defensive coordinator Bob Sanders this year as opposed to last year when there was a learning curve. Players understand their roles better and the Packers defense has a chemistry that Gbaja-Biamila has not seen in his eight years with the Packers. The Packers defensive line also has unique depth and flexibility. Packers DE Cullen Jenkins, for example will mostly play outside, but he will move inside to allow for a third down pass rushing specialist like Gbaja-Biamila. Kampman has that same flexibility.
"Aaron is not a player looking to be a star," Barnett said. "He is just looking to execute his role to perfection and you need players like that to be successful. "
Asked what motivates him, Kampman said: "One coach told me after I was drafted in the fifth round it's not where you start, but where you end up."
William Bendetson covers pro football for ESPN.com.
By William Bendetson
ESPN.com
(Archive)
Updated: October 4, 2007, 1:46 PM ET
Green Bay Packers DE Aaron Kampman surely knows how to say thank you. After being selected to his first Pro Bowl last season, Kampman gave Ron Aiken, his defensive line coach at the University of Iowa, one of his Pro Bowl jerseys.
Aiken is like a kid in a candy store when talking about Kampman, who collected 15½ sacks in 2006. He cannot stop mentioning what a special player Kampman is and how much he enjoyed coaching him.
"I would have the guys give a report the Friday before the game on the offensive linemen they were going to face, and Aaron would have everything detailed as far as their stance and what problems they gave him in the past," said Aiken, who is now the Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach.
"A lot of people when they receive accolades forget about the journey, but for me the journey is what is much more powerful."
It is a journey that began in Kesley, Iowa, a town with 80 residents, three roads and no street lights Kampman (6-foot-4, 270 pounds) worked in the shingling business with his brother in high school. After his rookie season with the Packers, Kampman's high school hosted "Aaron Kampman" night to honor their former star.
"Seeing all those people honor a remarkable person like Aaron was one of the best experiences of my coaching career," said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz.
Kampman, 27, was hardly a guarantee to be a star in the NFL. He was not invited to the NFL combine in 2002. Ferentz even called the director of the combine, arguing that Kampman was better than many of the invited players. Kampman impressed the Packers with his week of practice before the East-West Shrine Classic in Palo Alto, Calif. Only three teams gave Kampman a workout.
"I liked Green Bay the best," Kampman said. "It had that small town blue-collar midwestern feel that I was use to."
On draft day, then Packers coach and GM Mike Sherman received a call from the Buffalo Bills just before the Packers were about to select Kampman in the fifth round. The Bills, too, wanted Kampman and requested a trade. Sherman declined the offer and the Packers selected Kampman.
Kampman's NFL career began slowly. He finished with only 23 tackles in his rookie season (2002). Kampman recorded 68 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2004, his first year as a starter. Kampman had a breakout season in 2005, finishing with 82 tackles and 6.5 sacks. In March 2006, Kampman signed a four-year, $21 million contract with $12 million guaranteed. He did not disappoint in 2006, as he had 89 tackles and 15.5 sacks. Aside from Kampman's athletic ability, it is his intelligence that most impresses his teammates.
"He has become the anchor of our defense," said Packers DE Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. "That is one of the reasons they gave him the big money. He is almost like a coach out there. He could definitely be a coach when he retires. He tells the rest of the defensive line what is going on and when we are on the sideline he will be the guy saying the offense is doing this or that. "
Playing on the Packers defense requires a high level of intelligence, as the Packers play a complicated version of the 4-3. Linemen are primarily responsible for rushing the passer on passing plays while linebackers are matched up with a running back or tight end. With the increased pressure, the Packers are always worried about giving up the big play if they don't get to the quarterback in time.
"We know we have to get pressure or our linebackers and defensive backs will be left on an island," Kampman said.
Kampman also has become a strong two-way player, as he can rush the passer and stop the run. He is able to keep opposing running backs from getting down hill on his side of the field.
"He helps the linebackers out as far as the squeeze and sealing the edge," said Packers linebacker Nick Barnett. "He often forces the running backs to go East-West instead of North South."
Kampman, Barnett, and Gbaja-Biamila all admit that the Packers are much more comfortable with the scheme of defensive coordinator Bob Sanders this year as opposed to last year when there was a learning curve. Players understand their roles better and the Packers defense has a chemistry that Gbaja-Biamila has not seen in his eight years with the Packers. The Packers defensive line also has unique depth and flexibility. Packers DE Cullen Jenkins, for example will mostly play outside, but he will move inside to allow for a third down pass rushing specialist like Gbaja-Biamila. Kampman has that same flexibility.
"Aaron is not a player looking to be a star," Barnett said. "He is just looking to execute his role to perfection and you need players like that to be successful. "
Asked what motivates him, Kampman said: "One coach told me after I was drafted in the fifth round it's not where you start, but where you end up."
William Bendetson covers pro football for ESPN.com.