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Big pay, big play
Packers believe Kampman's a smart $21 million investment
By ROB REISCHEL
Special to Packer Plus
Posted: July 13, 2006
Green Bay - Green Bay Packers fans watched in disgust as it happened with Joe Johnson. They cringed as it unfolded with Jamal Reynolds, Cletidus Hunt and to a lesser extent, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.
Since 2001, former general manager Mike Sherman handed out big money deals to the aforementioned defensive linemen. And not a single one played up to their contract.
Aaron Kampman is hoping to break that trend. And really, there's nothing in his four-year history suggesting he won't.
Instead of leaving in unrestricted free agency, Kampman signed a four-year, $21 million deal this off-season that included $12 million in guaranteed money. Now, Kampman - a former fifth-round draft choice from Iowa who's worn the overachiever tag since entering the league - wants to prove he's worth the investment.
"It does have an impact," Kampman said of his contract. "But I think it intensifies the commitment that's been made to me and the commitment that I've made to this organization. I can't promise anything. But I've continued to bust my tail here and I'll continue to do that. That's all I know."
The Packers have high hopes that Kampman will be their first big-money defensive lineman this decade to fully earn his keep.
Hunt was given a six-year, $25.35 million contract in March, 2003 by Sherman. Hunt followed that up with two mediocre seasons and was cut before the start of 2005.
Johnson was given a six-year, $33 million deal by Sherman in 2002. Johnson then played in just 11 games over the next two years before he was sent packing.
Reynolds, a first-round draft choice in 2001, was simply overdrafted by Sherman and outgoing general manager Ron Wolf. And even though Gbaja-Biamila has led Green Bay in sacks for five consecutive seasons, he'd be better as a situational player than a full-time starter, making the seven-year, $37.3-million contract Sherman gave him excessive.
Of the recent contractual mistakes Green Bay has made on the defensive line, only Gbaja-Biamila can't be faulted for his effort. Hunt was a malingerer, Johnson rested on his laurels and Reynolds seemed apathetic.
Kampman, a young player when much of this was unfolding, wasn't oblivious to the less-than-stellar work habits of those teammates.
"Yeah. Oh yeah. When stuff like that happens, everyone knows it," Kampman said. "It's kind of a white elephant in the room. So, those are obviously things you don't desire. Again, it comes down to what your motivations are."
Kampman's motivations certainly don't figure to change just because his paycheck is substantially larger.
Kampman's success has come thanks to hard work, tremendous effort and brains. While several of his teammates might be more physically gifted, Kampman's character and desire to succeed might be the greatest in Green Bay's locker room.
To date, it's helped Kampman go from an underwhelming draft prospect in 2002 to one of football's most productive defensive ends. And it's unlikely a significant pay raise will change that.
"Money will not change Aaron Kampman, I'm sure of that," said defensive coordinator Bob Sanders, who coached the defensive ends last year. "With Aaron, I don't ever worry about that work ethic. He is the ultimate professional in regards to those situations.
"The thing about Aaron is he's a tremendous leader, excellent work ethic and you know what you're going to get day in and day out. You know you're going to get 60 seconds on every minute and 60 minutes of every hour. You just know what you're going to get every day and that he's improving every aspect of his game that he can every single day. He takes responsibility and brings a work ethic every day."
That's for sure.
When Kampman's not on the practice field or in the weight room, it's a pretty safe bet he can be found watching film. When Kampman first broke into the league, he'd spend hours in Green Bay's old building studying players he admired like the New York Giants' Michael Strahan, Detroit's Robert Porcher, St. Louis' Grant Wistrom and teammates Vonnie Holliday and Gilbert Brown.
Kampman watches just as much film today, including plenty of himself. He studies his footwork for hours at a time, strives to improve his technique and find an edge that will continue to elevate his game.
"Any time you go in there to watch film, he's in there," defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins said of Kampman. "The guy's a great leader and a great role model for younger guys around here. If you want to know how to do it, just watch him."
Added teammate Kenny Peterson: "If you can't learn something by watching how Aaron Kampman handles his business, then I don't know who you can learn from."
Kampman's studious nature combined with his fantastic effort level helped him have a career year in 2005.
Kampman was a force against the run, posting 105 tackles that was the second-highest total ever posted by a Packers' defensive lineman. Only Ezra Johnson's 107 tackles in 1983 topped Kampman's total.
Kampman (6-4, 278) also dropped about 10 pounds to help make him a more effective pass rusher. It seemed to work, as Kampman's 6½ sacks were a career high.
"Was it a good year? Yeah, it was pretty good," Kampman said of his 2005 season. "But can I get better? Absolutely. I have a lot of goals I still haven't hit."
Some scouts wondered if Kampman could get any better and raised their eyebrows when Green Bay gave him a big contract. The way the Packers saw it, though, Kampman's character made him about as safe of a bet as you'll find in today's football world.
Kampman is a staple in the community and was recently named one of football's "Good Guys" by "The Sporting News." Kampman, his wife, Linde and their two young sons live in Green Bay, meaning he's around Packers headquarters constantly throughout the off-season.
And money certainly doesn't figure to lessen Kampman's desire to keep improving. In fact, it will probably make him work harder than ever.
"When I got married, I was given this advice: your marriage either gets better every day or it gets worse every day," Kampman said. "So I was like, 'OK. Let me apply that to every aspect of my life.' So in my football game, I'll either get better every day or I'll get worse every day. I think all of those things help me keep climbing the stairs."
Kampman already seems to have taken on a greater leadership role. Traditionally one to lead by example only, Kampman called out teammates who decided to miss all or parts of Green Bay's 14 voluntary practices in June.
In past years, Kampman would have likely kept those feelings to himself.
"I think I feel more of a leadership position now," he said. "And I think I'd probably feel that even if I signed a minimum contract, just because of the sheer nature of becoming one of the older guys."
Kampman, 26, has become an older guy as well as a wealthier guy, meaning the spotlight on him will be greater than ever beginning this fall. That's just fine with him, though.
Using history as an indicator, it's highly unlikely Kampman's name will ever be lumped with those of Joe Johnson and Cletidus Hunt. Instead, Kampman's more likely to be the first highly paid Green Bay defensive lineman in quite some time who earns every penny of his deal.
"I am who I am. I know who I am, go about my business and what I believe," Kampman said. "I play really hard. I believe I'm a really good player. That's really all that matters."
Packers believe Kampman's a smart $21 million investment
By ROB REISCHEL
Special to Packer Plus
Posted: July 13, 2006
Green Bay - Green Bay Packers fans watched in disgust as it happened with Joe Johnson. They cringed as it unfolded with Jamal Reynolds, Cletidus Hunt and to a lesser extent, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila.
Since 2001, former general manager Mike Sherman handed out big money deals to the aforementioned defensive linemen. And not a single one played up to their contract.
Aaron Kampman is hoping to break that trend. And really, there's nothing in his four-year history suggesting he won't.
Instead of leaving in unrestricted free agency, Kampman signed a four-year, $21 million deal this off-season that included $12 million in guaranteed money. Now, Kampman - a former fifth-round draft choice from Iowa who's worn the overachiever tag since entering the league - wants to prove he's worth the investment.
"It does have an impact," Kampman said of his contract. "But I think it intensifies the commitment that's been made to me and the commitment that I've made to this organization. I can't promise anything. But I've continued to bust my tail here and I'll continue to do that. That's all I know."
The Packers have high hopes that Kampman will be their first big-money defensive lineman this decade to fully earn his keep.
Hunt was given a six-year, $25.35 million contract in March, 2003 by Sherman. Hunt followed that up with two mediocre seasons and was cut before the start of 2005.
Johnson was given a six-year, $33 million deal by Sherman in 2002. Johnson then played in just 11 games over the next two years before he was sent packing.
Reynolds, a first-round draft choice in 2001, was simply overdrafted by Sherman and outgoing general manager Ron Wolf. And even though Gbaja-Biamila has led Green Bay in sacks for five consecutive seasons, he'd be better as a situational player than a full-time starter, making the seven-year, $37.3-million contract Sherman gave him excessive.
Of the recent contractual mistakes Green Bay has made on the defensive line, only Gbaja-Biamila can't be faulted for his effort. Hunt was a malingerer, Johnson rested on his laurels and Reynolds seemed apathetic.
Kampman, a young player when much of this was unfolding, wasn't oblivious to the less-than-stellar work habits of those teammates.
"Yeah. Oh yeah. When stuff like that happens, everyone knows it," Kampman said. "It's kind of a white elephant in the room. So, those are obviously things you don't desire. Again, it comes down to what your motivations are."
Kampman's motivations certainly don't figure to change just because his paycheck is substantially larger.
Kampman's success has come thanks to hard work, tremendous effort and brains. While several of his teammates might be more physically gifted, Kampman's character and desire to succeed might be the greatest in Green Bay's locker room.
To date, it's helped Kampman go from an underwhelming draft prospect in 2002 to one of football's most productive defensive ends. And it's unlikely a significant pay raise will change that.
"Money will not change Aaron Kampman, I'm sure of that," said defensive coordinator Bob Sanders, who coached the defensive ends last year. "With Aaron, I don't ever worry about that work ethic. He is the ultimate professional in regards to those situations.
"The thing about Aaron is he's a tremendous leader, excellent work ethic and you know what you're going to get day in and day out. You know you're going to get 60 seconds on every minute and 60 minutes of every hour. You just know what you're going to get every day and that he's improving every aspect of his game that he can every single day. He takes responsibility and brings a work ethic every day."
That's for sure.
When Kampman's not on the practice field or in the weight room, it's a pretty safe bet he can be found watching film. When Kampman first broke into the league, he'd spend hours in Green Bay's old building studying players he admired like the New York Giants' Michael Strahan, Detroit's Robert Porcher, St. Louis' Grant Wistrom and teammates Vonnie Holliday and Gilbert Brown.
Kampman watches just as much film today, including plenty of himself. He studies his footwork for hours at a time, strives to improve his technique and find an edge that will continue to elevate his game.
"Any time you go in there to watch film, he's in there," defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins said of Kampman. "The guy's a great leader and a great role model for younger guys around here. If you want to know how to do it, just watch him."
Added teammate Kenny Peterson: "If you can't learn something by watching how Aaron Kampman handles his business, then I don't know who you can learn from."
Kampman's studious nature combined with his fantastic effort level helped him have a career year in 2005.
Kampman was a force against the run, posting 105 tackles that was the second-highest total ever posted by a Packers' defensive lineman. Only Ezra Johnson's 107 tackles in 1983 topped Kampman's total.
Kampman (6-4, 278) also dropped about 10 pounds to help make him a more effective pass rusher. It seemed to work, as Kampman's 6½ sacks were a career high.
"Was it a good year? Yeah, it was pretty good," Kampman said of his 2005 season. "But can I get better? Absolutely. I have a lot of goals I still haven't hit."
Some scouts wondered if Kampman could get any better and raised their eyebrows when Green Bay gave him a big contract. The way the Packers saw it, though, Kampman's character made him about as safe of a bet as you'll find in today's football world.
Kampman is a staple in the community and was recently named one of football's "Good Guys" by "The Sporting News." Kampman, his wife, Linde and their two young sons live in Green Bay, meaning he's around Packers headquarters constantly throughout the off-season.
And money certainly doesn't figure to lessen Kampman's desire to keep improving. In fact, it will probably make him work harder than ever.
"When I got married, I was given this advice: your marriage either gets better every day or it gets worse every day," Kampman said. "So I was like, 'OK. Let me apply that to every aspect of my life.' So in my football game, I'll either get better every day or I'll get worse every day. I think all of those things help me keep climbing the stairs."
Kampman already seems to have taken on a greater leadership role. Traditionally one to lead by example only, Kampman called out teammates who decided to miss all or parts of Green Bay's 14 voluntary practices in June.
In past years, Kampman would have likely kept those feelings to himself.
"I think I feel more of a leadership position now," he said. "And I think I'd probably feel that even if I signed a minimum contract, just because of the sheer nature of becoming one of the older guys."
Kampman, 26, has become an older guy as well as a wealthier guy, meaning the spotlight on him will be greater than ever beginning this fall. That's just fine with him, though.
Using history as an indicator, it's highly unlikely Kampman's name will ever be lumped with those of Joe Johnson and Cletidus Hunt. Instead, Kampman's more likely to be the first highly paid Green Bay defensive lineman in quite some time who earns every penny of his deal.
"I am who I am. I know who I am, go about my business and what I believe," Kampman said. "I play really hard. I believe I'm a really good player. That's really all that matters."
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