Watt’s Pick-Six Puts Him In Rare Company, That Of Texans LB Coach Vrabel

By Matt Hammond

September 29, 2014

J.J. Watt’s stellar season continues. He added an interception returned 79 yards for a touchdown in yesterday’s 23-17 Houston Texans win over the Buffalo Bills, despite Watt apparently being exactly where the opposition wanted him. He has 16 quarterback hits, 13 hurries, three batted passes and a blocked extra point, all of which either lead the NFL or are simply remarkable for a 3-4 defensive end.

But he also has a receiving touchdown, that one yard grab he pulled in against the Oakland Raiders. When coupled with his pick-six yesterday, that puts Watt in rarefied company that, interestingly, includes Mike Vrabel, now the Texans linebacker coach.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Watt is only the second player since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 with a touchdown reception and an interception returned for a touchdown in the same season. The other was Vrabel.

Fun facts aside, Watt’s contribution to a 3-1 Texans team has been simply incredible. If he keeps this up, and if Houston takes the AFC South (and maybe even if they don’t), Watt is entering the discussion for league MVP. Only two defensive players have ever won (Alan Page, Lawrence Taylor) the last in 1986 (Taylor).

Patriots’ Nate Ebner finding a place on defense

Nate Ebner (43) leads the Patriots with five special teams tackles this season, and has registered the first two defensive tackles of his career.

By Michael Whitmer

SEPTEMBER 26, 2014

FOXBOROUGH — Before the sixth play of last Sunday’s game between the Patriots and Raiders, Nate Ebner left the sideline and joined his teammates on the field. Except the Patriots weren’t punting or kicking, and weren’t receiving a punt or kick. This play didn’t require any of the special teams units.

No, Ebner was sent in to play in the Patriots’ sub package, when they wanted an extra defensive back because they were expecting the Raiders to pass. Which Oakland tried to do in this instance, but Derek Carr’s third-down attempt fell incomplete.

Ebner checked in the next time the Raiders’ offense faced a third down. And the next, and the next, and the next. He got 10 defensive snaps in all, one week after playing a career-high 14 defensive snaps against Minnesota.

Not bad for a special teams regular who played just three defensive snaps while at Ohio State. Not in a game, or even a season. Ebner was on the field for three defensive plays the entire time he spent with the Buckeyes.

Now, in his third season with the Patriots, Ebner has been called upon to assist with one of the most important jobs a defense has: Stop the other team on third down, force a punt, and get your offense the ball back.

Playing defense might not be something Ebner did much of before, but he’s doing it now, and doesn’t seem impressed or awestruck or concerned about why.

As Ebner would say, “Why not?”

“I’m never going to put limitations on myself, I never have. I don’t think I would be where I am today if I ever limited myself,” Ebner said this week, as the Patriots continued preparations for Monday night’s game at Kansas City. “I just try to attack each day, get better at what I’m working on, and the rest will take care of itself. They’ve challenged me, and I’ve tried to do as best I can with it and learn.”

Patriots fans might be familiar with Ebner’s story, but the key points bear repeating. He didn’t play football in high school. At all. His focus was rugby, and he was good enough to play on multiple United States national teams. He finally gave football a try when he enrolled at Ohio State: Initially as a walk-on, but then he earned a scholarship. Ebner’s role with the Buckeyes was almost exclusively contributing on special teams.

Despite his lack of playing experience, the Patriots selected Ebner in the sixth round of the 2012 draft, a head-scratching novelty pick to most draftniks. Only, the Patriots never viewed him that way. Here Ebner is, two-plus seasons later, a veteran of 33 regular-season and four playoff games in the NFL.

“His development has really been outstanding,” coach Bill Belichick said recently. “I would probably put him in the, not the all-time top, but maybe in the top 5 percent all time of players that I’ve coached, from where they were in college to how they grew in the NFL. Nate had almost no defensive experience at Ohio State. He’s adapted in a relatively short amount of time to the knowledge of our defense, to the understanding of opponents’ offenses, to instinctiveness and reading and recognition at a position that he plays right in the middle of the field, which is among the most difficult — inside linebacker and safety, where the volume and the number of things that can happen are the greatest.”

Ebner is listed on the unofficial depth chart as a third-string safety, and at 6 feet, 210 pounds would be considered way too small to play linebacker in the NFL. But against the Raiders, Ebner had his share of snaps lined up where a linebacker would typically play.

The Patriots used Ebner in a variety of ways: He was on the line of scrimmage during the Raiders’ second series, and was picked up by an offensive lineman on a blitz. He also frequently covered tight end Mychal Rivera, who finished with two catches for 11 yards. Ebner brought down Rivera after a 3-yard gain early in the second quarter; since the Raiders needed 10 yards to pick up a first down, Ebner’s tackle — one of two he was credited with in the game — guaranteed that a fourth-down punt was coming from the Raiders.

This transformation, from a special teams fringe player to a third-down sub addition, hasn’t been easy, or overnight. Ebner is quick to credit the reasons it’s been possible: a willingness to learn, a coaching staff willing to teach, and teammates willing to help.

“I spend a lot of time with [safeties] coach [Brian] Flores. I have to say that I’ve learned quite a bit from the veteran guys as well, we’ve had great leadership the years I’ve been here,” Ebner said. “They’ve been in the league for a while, and they know more about the details, every aspect of playing safety, so I just try to take as much as I can from them.

“From a size and speed and strength standpoint, I’ve always been there, but the game is so much more than that. It’s definitely a challenge to get a feel for the different ways the game can be played and recognize things, trying to pick those things up and learn, starting to recognize things quicker, then doing them better.”

Learning a new position is easier for some than for others. Ebner was named an all-academic selection by the Big Ten while at Ohio State.

“He’s a smart guy, he really picks things up,” said Devin McCourty, who made the switch from cornerback to safety after joining the Patriots. “The crazy thing with Nate is he understood a lot of what we were talking about from the very beginning. I remember his first training camp he was always around the ball. He ended up with four or five interceptions in like two weeks.

“He also didn’t know everything, and I think his hard work allows him now, he really understands the defense a lot more, and I think that’s a credit to how much work he’s put in.”

According to team statistics, the two tackles Ebner had on Sunday are the only two defensive tackles in his NFL career. He does have 33 special teams tackles — including a team-high five this season — and might best be known for the two fumble recoveries he had on special teams last year. The first, in overtime against the Broncos, led to a winning field goal.

“Nate has, I’d say, far exceeded our expectations defensively based on what he had coming out of college,” Belichick said. “Nate has worked very hard and the play time that he’s earned defensively has come through his hard work and performance and consistency. It’s really been good.”

So, how good of a defensive player can Ebner become? Tsk-tsk. You’re forgetting that he doesn’t place limitations on himself.

“Only time will tell. You work so hard every day, of course you want to find out what you can be,” Ebner said. “That’s with anything in life, not just football.”

Aaron Kampman gave Packers a boost getting to the QB

Aaron Kampman led the Packers in sacks in 2008, including this one of Minnesota’s Tarvaris Jackson.

By Martin Hendricks

Sept. 23, 2014

Green Bay — Aaron Kampman stood in the Lambeau Field tunnel, surrounded by former Packers players dating back five decades.

Moments after walking onto Lambeau Field for halftime introductions during alumni weekend Sept.14, Kampman talked with long-time members of the Packers' game-day operations crew.

Kampman updated staffers on how he was building a house for his family of six, cutting the oaks from his Iowa land for the floors.
"It's a great thrill to go out that tunnel," Kampman said. "In front of these great fans.

"But what I remember most is not the games or the wins or losses. I remember the people: my teammates, coaches and the people who worked here behind the scenes. At the end of the day, you remember the people."

Kampman, 34, will be remembered as one of the most productive pass rushers in franchise history, recording 54 sacks to rank fourth on the all-time sack list, behind only Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (74 ½), Reggie White (68 ½), and Tim Harris (55).

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound defender was a blue-collar player who endeared himself to Packer fans with his unselfish and relentless play on the field and his commitment to his family and others off it.

Kampman was drafted by general manager and head coach Mike Sherman in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL draft.

He had all the measurables (4.74 in the 40-yard dash, 33-inch vertical leap, 420-pound bench press) to warrant being drafted earlier, but was available when Green Bay made the 156th overall pick.

Kampman once semi-jokingly attributed his later draft position to the perception of being labeled "a slow white guy" from the University of Iowa. No matter the label, Kampman did what he always does: roll up his sleeves and work to earn a spot.

That approach has served Kampman well since high school, where he played for one of the most influential figures in his life: head coach Ed Thomas at Aplington-Parkersburg.

He had a decorated prep career as a linebacker, earning Iowa Class 2A player of the year, Parade Magazine All-American, and USA Today second-team All-American honors.

His college career at Iowa began at linebacker, but ended with one hand in the turf.

After starting 11 games at linebacker in his sophomore season, he was switched to defensive end. Kampman blossomed, earning first-team All-Big Ten and academic All-American honors in his senior year and serving as a Hawkeye co-captain.

Kampman quickly showed he had the attitude, intelligence and ability to be successful on the NFL level.

He started six games as a rookie, sharing time at left defensive end with Vonnie Holiday. He recorded just a half-sack in Green Bay's 12-4 season, but would increase his productively exponentially over the next three seasons.

"Aaron has a phenomenal work ethic and leadership on the field and off," said defensive line coach Bob Sanders in a 2005 article. "He takes care of himself as far as the weight room, he's ready to go every day, and he's the kind of guy that loves the game.

"He's done an excellent job in developing his pass rushing skills.... Enthusiastic guys like that are fun to be around and fun to coach. He commits so much to the game and it makes me as a coach be the best I can be to help him."

Kampman totaled two sacks in 2003, 4 ½ in 2004, and 6 ½ in 2005 before his breakout season.

In 2006, he led the NFC and was second in the league with 15 ½ sacks, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in Mike McCarthy's first season as head coach. He also set a franchise record for tackles by a defensive lineman with 113, breaking the previous mark of 107 recorded by Ezra Johnson in 1983.

Kampman was twice named NFC defensive player of the week — joining Reggie White (1998) as the only Packers defender to accomplish that feat.

He followed up his career season with 12 sacks in 2007 to again pace all Packers players. Green Bay advanced all the way to the NFC Championship Game, losing in overtime, 23-20, to the New York Giants at Lambeau Field.

"It was a great season," Kampman said of the 13-3 campaign. "We came back to beat Seattle in the 'Snow Globe' game in the playoffs and then lost a tough one in the cold to the Giants for the championship."

It was also Kampman's last season with Brett Favre, and their relationship went far beyond the gridiron.

"Brett was a great football player and teammate and so much fun to be around," he said. "I'm so glad that I got to know him as a person."

He registered a team-high 9 ½ sacks in 2008 during a turbulent 6-10 season — the first with Aaron Rodgers succeeding Favre as the Packers starting quarterback.

In 2009, Kampman was switched to linebacker in a coaching move that was questioned and scrutinized by the media, but never by the player himself. Ever the consummate team player, Kampman did his best to perform in his new role at left outside linebacker.

As rookie Clay Matthews emerged as Green Bay's premier pass rusher, Kampman finished fourth on the team with 3 ½ sacks. Matthews led the team with 10, followed by Cullen Jenkins (4 ½), Nick Barnett (4), and Brad Jones (4).

Kampman's season was cut short by a knee injury that landed him on injured reserve in early December. In March 2010, he signed a lucrative $25 million, four-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

In two injury-filled seasons, Kampman recorded just four sacks and was released in June 2012. He formally retired from the NFL in 2013.

"I was fortunate to play in the National Football League and had eight great seasons in Green Bay," he said.

Kampman said it was difficult to single out games or performances, but he did mention the Packers' thrilling 34-31 victory over the Vikings in Minnesota on Christmas Eve 2004, when Ryan Longwell booted a 29-yard field goal as time expired to clinch the NFC North Division title.

Sherman granted the team a three-day weekend off for the accomplishment.

"That was a great victory on Minnesota's home field," Kampman said. "I had a pretty good game I think. And it was great to have the extra time off at Christmas to spend with my family."

Kampman is noted for his faith and devotion to his family, which was a product of his blue-collar Iowa roots. He grew up in Kelsey, a small Iowa town with no stoplights and a population of approximately 80.

Hard work was and still is a way of life in the rural community. Kampman's father, Bob, owned a lumber yard and his grandfather farmed 200 acres.

Bob Kampman's three sons loved nothing more than to accompany him to the lumberyard and help stack wood, sweep floors or assist with any other chores.

"My dad was my role model," Kampman said. "We wanted to be like him."

When the boys entered high school, Aaron and his older brother, Andy, started their own shingling business, Kampman Construction.

Kampman returned to his high school in the fall of 2008 to give a pep talk to the football team after the high school was destroyed by a tornado.

Today, Kampman and his high school sweetheart and wife, Linde, are enjoying the process of building the dream home for their family. "A labor of love," he said with a smile.

Kampman still closely follows the Packers and is an assistant line coach at his children's high school.

"It's great to come back to Lambeau and visit everyone," Kampman said. "I enjoyed playing here and we have many great memories of being part of the Green Bay community and Packers organization. This is a truly a special place."

AARON KAMPMAN FILE
College: University of Iowa.
Packers years: 2002-'09.
Jersey number: 74.
Packers highlights: Unheralded draft choice who developed into one of the NFL's elite pass rushers. Led Packers in sacks from 2006-'08, including career and NFC high of 151/2 in 2006. Pro Bowl selection (2006-'07) and named All-Pro (2006-'07). Played in 112 regular-season games in Packers tenure.
Other teams: Jacksonville Jaguars (2010-'11).
Residence: Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Occupation: Currently serving as general contractor and assisting in building his family home. Also an assistant high school offensive and defensive line coach.