Bears GM Phil Emery did a nice job securing a quality backup quarterback for the 2012 season. Its tough duty for Campbell to log a victory against San Francisco Monday Night now that he received the starting nod, but it would have been tough for Jay Cutler too.
There are pros and cons to both quarterbacks in their style of play, but both are experienced quarterbacks who have proven they can win games in the NFL. One of Emerys responsibilities is to build the strongest roster possible and the quarterback position was one of many positions he upgraded last off-season after he became GM of the Bears.
Campbell didn't have any delusions of grandeur when he agreed to sign with the Bears. Emery, Lovie Smith and Mike Tice were all up front with Campbell explaining what his role would be as Cutlers backup. So far, Campbell has performed his duties beautifully. Campbell works hard preparing himself, his teammates like him and hes experienced as a backup or a starter. Many people forget Campbell was a first-round draft pick of the Washington Redskins when coming out of Auburn. He was a first-rounder because hes physically talented passing a football.
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Like most players, not just quarterbacks, Campbell is not responsible for variables out of his control. Being drafted by a poorly run organization at the time like the Redskins, or playing last year for a very fragile Raiders organization with its own set of recent failures cannot be put on Campbells shoulders.
What can be placed on Campbell is his play in numerous systems with numerous different coaches. Campbell is a player who never has been given the opportunity to grow comfortable into one particular system. Circumstance, changes, bad teams or his own shortcomings as a player, which are not many, have held Campbell back from blossoming into a star quarterback in the NFL.
When talking with Campbell during training camp, he welcomed the opportunity to regroup, rethink and reevaluate his NFL career in a stable environment the Bears were offering. Campbell also made it clear he is a starting-caliber quarterback and his goal is to be in that role again. Monday night may offer Campbell that opportunity again.
Campbell is not a quarterback known for turning over the football. In fact, when playing for the Redskins, Campbell was criticized for playing too conservative and not taking enough chances down the field. For the record, not throwing interceptions is a good quality to have as a quarterback, not a bad one.
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The problem for Campbell was he did not have a defense in Washington like he has in Chicago. Campbells conservative style of play actually suits the Bears very well.