Few players will appreciate the air-conditioned dorms of Missouri Western State University more than 
The linebacker never had the luxury of cooler living quarters during their four years at West Point. So as players reported for three weeks of training camp, the former cadet appreciated a place to escape from the hot summer heat.
He also appreciated that his arrival in St. Joseph’s meant he’ll have the chance to make an NFL final 53-man roster in September. The Army required Campbell to serve two years before heading for the pros, meaning the 2008 seventh round draft pick waited until 2010 to appear for the Detroit Lions.
Now with the Chiefs, Campbell will lean on those two years of military service and his four years at West Point when competition heats up on Friday.
“We have a quote when we walk into the West Point Football field,” said Campbell. “It says ‘On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that on other days and other fields will bear the fruits of victory.’ It means that the seeds you sow while playing this game, the intrinsic qualities that it takes to play this game run parallel with other fields of battle on other days.”
Campbell and other Chiefs players will have to battle harder than ever before in order to keep their jobs. With more players gunning for roster spots than ever before, this year’s training camp figures to be the most competitive in recent history.
That means these three weeks will be extra-important for Chiefs reserve players trying to keep their spots or move up on the depth chart.
“I can’t worry about that (competition),” Copper said. “I look forward to it. This is training camp, so you have to look forward to it.”
Training camp will be a platform for Copper and others to prove their worth. And for most if not all of those players, special teams play will factor in as Chiefs coaches evaluate whether or not they deserve playing time.
Because of injuries to starters
Hartman said he’s looking forward for any opportunity to come his way.
“We all want to come out, play well, turn the heads of the coaches, and get noticed” said Hartman. “It’s a great opportunity for me.”
Hartman can model his first season after another Chiefs player in order to make the most of that opportunity. Defensive back
“I’m really just trying to contribute as much as a can to the team,” Brown said about his goals for this year. “Wherever the coach asks me to go out there and perform, that’s where I’ll go ahead and do.”
That mindset is the same one Campbell brought with him to St. Joseph this year. After earning an invitation to three training camps, he said he needs to show more consistency before latching onto a regular season roster spot.
“I have a good play here and there, and then there are some plays where it just doesn’t happen,” said Campbell. “If I can find that level of consistency, I’ll be alright.”
