Falcons LB Troy Andersen 'Excited' to Play with 'Great Human Being' Calais Campbell
The Atlanta Falcons are getting better on and off the field this offseason. Among the acquisitions that support this is signing 16-year veteran defensive end Calais Campbell.
Campbell, a former Walter Payton Man of the Year, was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Campbell is one of five players from that draft still in the NFL, joining New York Jets tackle Duane Brown, New England Patriots specialist Matthew Slater, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Josh Johnson, and Matt Ryan, the former Falcons franchise signal caller.
Being the oldest member on the team warrants respect, and Campbell has earned it in his short time in Atlanta, especially from second-year linebacker Troy Andersen.
"Just a great human being," Andersen said. "Obviously, Year 16 is crazy in the National Football League, and one of the biggest humans I've ever seen. He's going to hopefully do really good things for us. We're excited to have him."
Andersen and Campbell are expected to be major parts of a front seven that needs to improve in order for the Falcons to get back to the postseason. Guided by new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, Atlanta hopes that its defensive line can help anchor a defense that struggled in 2022.
Campbell's leadership should play a key role in the success or failure of the unit, but if the Falcons are already getting behind their new veteran even before training camp, there should be a lot of optimism for Atlanta this upcoming season.
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