Post by TheShadow on Jun 17, 2004 20:37:06 GMT -5
www.fergusfallsjournal.com
By Brian Hansel
Pete Campion is "coming of age" as an NFL football player.
The Fergus Falls native, who was drafted in the seventh round by 2004 Super Bowl finalist Carolina in 2002, has been in Oakland since April, working out with Al Davis' famous Raiders, who made a big-time grab for the Super Bowl ring in 2003, then went to pieces last year. Campion believes the Raiders have as much talent as anyone but with 16 players on the roster with 10 or more years of NFL experience, they need an infusion of younger talent, especially on the offensive and defensive lines. New head coach Norv Turner is taking the team in that direction. The Raiders made the nation's top lineman, 6-8, 320-pound Robert Gallery of Iowa, their No. 1 pick in the draft in April and took Jake Grove, a 6-3, 300-pound center from Virginia Tech with their second choice.
"I'm just working every day," said Campion. "Everyone is a great guy, you'd be surprised."
Listed on Oakland's depth chart as a third string offensive guard, the former North Dakota State University star is also listed on the team roster as a tackle. Clearly, the Raiders hope that Campion can help them at one one position or the other.
The differences between the two offensive blocking positions are not No. 1 on Campion's mind. The 6-4, 304-pounder has the size to handle most National Football League (NFL) linemen. Instead, Campion is looking for a home.
"I'm new so I'm trying to fit in out here," said Campion. "It's been the most comfortable I've been. It's gotten to the point now that it's my job. I just gotta roll with the punches."
Campion has been a rolling stone since leaving NDSU in his senior year to train in New Orleans for the 2002 NFL draft. A shoulder injury during pre-season camp in North Carolina left him on the sidelines. The Panthers had to waive him and that gave St. Louis a shot. In quick succession, Campion was a Ram, then a Green Bay Packer and then Seattle Seahawk. Last summer, he was playing football for Frankfurt, West Germany and helped that team win the European NFL title.
Campion is fully healthy physically but the troubles he has run into in catching on permanently with an NFL team have been daunting.
"I've been trying to get back into playing shape mentally," said Campion.
Campion shares a locker room with the likes of Tim Brown, Jerry Rice, Rich Gannon, Warren Sapp, Lincoln Kennedy and Ted Washington. These big NFL names are teammates to Campion.
Rising at 6 a.m. each day, he practices, works out on weights, studies films and attends team meetings.
"It's just kind of like a fraternity," said Campion. "It's not that big a deal."
Coming up this Saturday in Harvey, N.D. is a very, very big deal. Campion will marrying a former NDSU classmate, then return to California for what he hopes will be some stability in a job where every snap counts.
By Brian Hansel
Pete Campion is "coming of age" as an NFL football player.
The Fergus Falls native, who was drafted in the seventh round by 2004 Super Bowl finalist Carolina in 2002, has been in Oakland since April, working out with Al Davis' famous Raiders, who made a big-time grab for the Super Bowl ring in 2003, then went to pieces last year. Campion believes the Raiders have as much talent as anyone but with 16 players on the roster with 10 or more years of NFL experience, they need an infusion of younger talent, especially on the offensive and defensive lines. New head coach Norv Turner is taking the team in that direction. The Raiders made the nation's top lineman, 6-8, 320-pound Robert Gallery of Iowa, their No. 1 pick in the draft in April and took Jake Grove, a 6-3, 300-pound center from Virginia Tech with their second choice.
"I'm just working every day," said Campion. "Everyone is a great guy, you'd be surprised."
Listed on Oakland's depth chart as a third string offensive guard, the former North Dakota State University star is also listed on the team roster as a tackle. Clearly, the Raiders hope that Campion can help them at one one position or the other.
The differences between the two offensive blocking positions are not No. 1 on Campion's mind. The 6-4, 304-pounder has the size to handle most National Football League (NFL) linemen. Instead, Campion is looking for a home.
"I'm new so I'm trying to fit in out here," said Campion. "It's been the most comfortable I've been. It's gotten to the point now that it's my job. I just gotta roll with the punches."
Campion has been a rolling stone since leaving NDSU in his senior year to train in New Orleans for the 2002 NFL draft. A shoulder injury during pre-season camp in North Carolina left him on the sidelines. The Panthers had to waive him and that gave St. Louis a shot. In quick succession, Campion was a Ram, then a Green Bay Packer and then Seattle Seahawk. Last summer, he was playing football for Frankfurt, West Germany and helped that team win the European NFL title.
Campion is fully healthy physically but the troubles he has run into in catching on permanently with an NFL team have been daunting.
"I've been trying to get back into playing shape mentally," said Campion.
Campion shares a locker room with the likes of Tim Brown, Jerry Rice, Rich Gannon, Warren Sapp, Lincoln Kennedy and Ted Washington. These big NFL names are teammates to Campion.
Rising at 6 a.m. each day, he practices, works out on weights, studies films and attends team meetings.
"It's just kind of like a fraternity," said Campion. "It's not that big a deal."
Coming up this Saturday in Harvey, N.D. is a very, very big deal. Campion will marrying a former NDSU classmate, then return to California for what he hopes will be some stability in a job where every snap counts.