Calais Campbell already a believer in Jacksonville Jaguars

Calais Campbell will be a major contributor for the Jacksonville Jaguars and he believes the right pieces are in place to be competitive going forward.

The hype around Calais Campbell followed him from the Arizona Cardinals to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Already a proven force for the Cards, Campbell legitimizes the Jaguars by coming to Jacksonville and also instantly improves the a defense that is being overhauled.

Head coach Doug Marrone cannot stop saying good things about Campbell even as he criticizes the entire team. 

Fortunately for the Jaguars, it isn’t just about Campbell. And he knows it.

Campbell voiced a similar refrain as his fellow 2017 free agents joining the Jaguars this offseason, noting that the talent the team has was a key consideration in his decision. This May, Campbell took it a step further and said he believes the Jaguars have every piece of the puzzle. From the team’s site:

"We don’t need anything else. … All we have to do is take care of the small details, and put the things in place. The front office is doing a great job making it competitive, bringing the right guys in to compete…We have big goals, lofty goals, but all of that will take care of itself. Right now we’re going to take care of the details."

Taking care of the details is a key theme for the Jaguars as they work to hold the team accountable. From the top with executive vice president Tom Coughlin down to the players on the field, the Jaguars are emphasizing accountability this offseason. That starts with the little things – like getting to meetings on “Coughlin time” – and the details.

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While some who don’t follow the Jaguars may see Campbell’s statement as nothing more than the typical effusive praise that permeates every team this time of year, it marks a clear departure from the past for the Jags. FanSided’s Jason Parker gives his readers time to laugh off Campbell’s comment. Frankly, the Jags don’t deserve better because they were 3-13 last year on the tail end of an historically bad tenure for former head coach Gus Bradley.

But this isn’t a laughing matter. This is a turnaround in culture and mentality. While the rest of the NFL may be skeptical and look askance at what the Jags are doing, Coughlin and company know what it takes to turn a cellar dweller into a contender.

That all starts with the right pieces in place and minding sweating the small stuff.