Chad Hall, Caleb Campbell cut as NFL teams pare rosters
September 4th, 2010 | Air Force Army Football | Posted by Sean Smyth
Service academy products Chad Hall (Air Force) and Caleb Campbell (West Point) saw the turk on Saturday, and they had to bring their playbooks — Hall (cut by the Eagles) and Campbell (cut by the Lions) were sliced as teams reduced their rosters to meet the NFL’s 53-man roster mandate by today.
And according to the Twitter realm, it looks like both will end up on the practice squads of the teams that cut them. Reporter Adam Caplan claims that the Eagles would like to put Hall on their practice squad. Campbell, a seventh-round pick by Detroit in 2008, tweeted that he’s already been signed to the Lions’ practice squad.
Players on practice squads can be plucked by any NFL team, so if a better opportunity comes along, Campbell and Hall can chase it.
NFL dream flickers for service academy alums
August 30th, 2010 | Air Force Army Football | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Army 1st Lt. Chad Campbell has one preseason game left to prove he's an NFL linebacker. (Getty Images)
It started out with so much promise. Air Force 1st Lt. Chad Hall peppered the highlight shows hauling down long passes as Philadelphia Eagles coaches lavished praise on one of three service academy alums competing in NFL training camps this summer.
However, the harsh reality of the NFL is starting to catch up to the three lieutenants now that most NFL teams have finished three preseason games and coaches have to make hard decisions over who will end up on their 53-man rosters. Right now, it doesn’t look too good for Hall, Army 1st Lt. Caleb Campbell and Air Force 2nd Lt. Ben Garland. Slots on the practice squad look like the best case scenario.
First, you can pull Garland out of the equation immediately. The standout defensive end who graduated from the Air Force Academy last year has to serve two years before he can apply for early release from his active-duty commitment. The real question for Garland will be if he accepts a pilot slot, which would add on five years to his service commitment and likely end his NFL dreams.
Hall and Campbell are the ones with the most riding on their summer NFL performances. This is their shot. If they don’t at least make a practice squad, they return to active duty.
Chad Hall appears to be losing ground in fight for Eagles roster spot
August 29th, 2010 | Air Force Football | Posted by Phil Creed
Air Force Lt. Chad Hall had unspectacular performance for the Philadelphia Eagles during their 20-17 win against Kansas City on Friday. It’s the second preseason game in a row in which Hall has failed to stand out, bad news for a player considered to be a longshot to make the Eagles 53-man roster.
Hall had no catches in the game against the Chiefs, and just five yards on two punt returns. A week ago against Cincinnati, Hall had two catches for only nine yards. And after getting two carries as a running back in the Eagles first preseason game, Hall has not had a chance to carry the ball since.
Local sportswriters are starting to speculate that he may be the odd man out in the battle for one of Philly’s wide receiver roster spots.
“He was a nice story for a little while in camp but I think it’s safe to say Chad Hall won’t make the roster,” DelawareOnline.com’s Geoff Mosher wrote Sunday. “His best value is in the return game but he didn’t show enough to make anyone think DeSean Jackson should take a seat to him. As for being a slot receiver, the Eagles don’t need him there badly enough to keep a roster spot for him.”
The Trentonian’s Bob Grotz also predicts Hall will not be picked for the last wide receiver spot.
The Eagles have relied solely on Hall as a punt returner so far in preseason, but the little lieutenant hasn’t been able to break out a big play. Making thing harder for Hall is that, barring injury, starting wide receiver DeSean Jackson is considered one of the more dangerous punt return men in the NFL. Jackson has been banged up in the preseason, and many teams are wary of using a #1 receiver as a punt returner because of the punishment players take in that role. But Jackson’s injuries don’t sound too serious, and it doesn’t sound like Hall has done enough in the return game for Philly to keep him solely to catch punts.
Two weeks ago Hall’s performance in Philadelphia’s first preseason game briefly made him the buzz of Eagles training camp. But going into the final week of the preseason, there may be little he can do to improve his stock. Teams have to cut down to 75 players by Aug. 31, with final cuts coming on Sept. 4. If he can make it past Tuesday’s roster trimming, he’ll have one more chance to shine when the Eagles play the Jets on Thursday.
Big weekend for the little lieutenant
August 16th, 2010 | Air Force Football | Posted by Phil Creed
Chad Hall couldn't hang on to this pass during the Eagles exhibition game against the Jaguars on Friday night. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Air Force Lt. Chad Hall is still a long way from making the Philadelphia Eagles 53-man regular season roster. But he’s a lot closer than he was last week.
The undrafted free agent put together a strong performance in Friday’s preseason victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, making big plays at multiple positions. Hall was so impressive that could very well be turning into one those determined underdogs (think Vince Papale) who endears himself to a city, judging by weekend headlines in some Philadelphia-area papers:
“Free agent Chad Hall steals the show in Eagles first exhibition game”
“Air Force veteran Chad Hall off to high-flying start with Eagles”
“Bubble-guy Hall knows he has a chance to make Eagles roster”
Hall played wide receiver, running back, punt returner and kickoff returner against Jacksonville, and excelled in every role. After pulling in a long pass from third-string quarterback Mike Kafka, Hall used his speed and some sharp moves to turn the play into a 57-yard catch-and-run (watch it here.) As a running back, the 5-foot-8 Hall showed his explosiveness again on a 22-yard run. And on special teams, Hall returned two punts for seven yards — not “wow” stats, yet he was singled out for praise by head coach Andy Reid for showily sound judgment on deciding what punts to field. Hall returned kickoffs as well after Philly’s regular returner went down.
According to Hall of Fame sportswriter Ray Didinger, Hall’s breakout performance means he’s crossed the line from a longshot roster-filler to a guy coaches now have to take seriously.
“Right now, the Eagles’ coaches are looking for reasons to keep Chad Hall,” wrote Didinger. “That’s not to say he is a lock to make the final roster. He still has a lot to overcome, including his size (5-foot-8) and the fact that the Eagles have a surplus of receivers. But Hall has crossed that all-important point where the coaches now want to give him the benefit of the doubt.
“He had an impressive debut in the preseason opener against Jacksonville. Coach Andy Reid singled him out for praise. Of course, this all could go out the window if he muffs a punt or drops a pass in the end zone this Friday in Cincinnati, but for now the former Air Force lieutenant has the coaches stroking their chins and wondering: ‘What can we do with this guy?’”
Caleb Campbell, Chad Hall make long-awaited NFL debuts this weekend
August 13th, 2010 | Air Force Army Football | Posted by Phil Creed
Barring some unforeseen disaster, Army 1st Lt. Caleb Campbell will play his first NFL game when he runs out onto the field Saturday for the Detroit Lion’s first preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s a huge step for a guy that spent the last two years on active duty in the Army and far, far away from the world of professional football.
Campbell did a few interviews recently where he said he kept his distance by choice. While the former 7th-round draft pick had no say in his NFL dream being abruptly put on hold by the Army in June 2008, Campbell did make it a point to not even attend an NFL game while on active duty.
““I had a lot of opportunities over the last two years to go to NFL games, and I kind of just sat back and said, ‘You know, I’m not doing it yet. I’m holding onto this dream,’” Campbell told the Detroit Free Press. “It’s another story within my bigger story, I guess, with what’s gone on in my life. But it’s definitely going to be a milestone in my life running out onto an NFL field.”
Campbell is expected to get playing time on special teams and at backup linebacker against Pittsburgh. He’s admitted the that the transition from safety to linebacker has been tough. Coupled with the fact that he’s learning a new position, he’s doing so while playing at the highest level of the sport after two years away from the game.
“I came back physically prepared, but mentally it’s been an absolute challenge,” Campbell told the Free Press.
Hall ready “to shine”
The only other person at an NFL training camp who can truly understand what Campbell is going through is Air Force Lt. Chad Hall.
Hall, a 2008 graduate of the Air Force Academy who starred as a running back and kick returner for the Falcons, has also been out of football since 2008 while serving on active duty. He managed to earn a slot at the Philadelphia Eagles camp, and tonight he makes his NFL debut.
It’s been a long time coming, but like Campbell, Hall can’t wait to finally suit up in the NFL.
“2.5 yrs since my last time under the lights, can’t wait, time to shine!” Hall said on Friday morning on Twitter.
Despite being considered a long-shot to make the 53-man roster, the 5-foot-7 Hall has managed to impress in camp. He’s practiced at both receiver and running back, and is also expected to get a chance to return punts tonight.
Two days ago Hall made the “Play of the Day” at practice, according to PhillyBurbs.com. Hall managed to snag a long pass that had appeared to be overthrown by reaching out and grabbing it with one hand, keeping his feet, and then running away from the defensive back covering him.
Fans can watch Hall and the Eagles tonight on the NFL Network, which will air the Eagles-Jaguars game at 10:30 ET.
Garland expected to get lots of PT
The only other service academy graduate currently on an NFL roster is 2nd Lt. Ben Garland, a 2010 graduate of the Air Force Academy. Garland is using leave to participate in Denver Broncos training camp, but will be reporting to his first active-duty assignment later this month.
While Garland’s commitment means he has no chance of making the active roster, the Broncos do have the option of putting him on the military/reserve list to keep his rights. According to head coach Josh McDaniels, the team plans on giving Garland a lot of playing time Sunday night against Cincinnati to evaluate him further.
Garland, who qualified for a slot at pilot training school at Laughlin Air Force Base, has not decided if he will accept that position, which comes with a longer service commitment. If he decides not to become a pilot, Garland would be able to apply for early release in two years, just like Hall and Campbell did.
The Denver-Cincinnati game will be shown live on NFL Network on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Academy grads tweet from NFL training camps
July 30th, 2010 | Air Force Army Football | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Caleb Campbell receives his diploma at his graduation from West Point. (AP photo)
You can follow Army Lt. Caleb Campbell and Air Force Lt. Chad Hall on Twitter as they both try to make NFL rosters this summer after two years away from football. Cambpell (@LT_Campbell53) and Hall (@chadhall16) started training camp this week with the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles respectively.
Both are long shots to make the roster, but have each earned praise from their teams and surprised outside observers with their talent.
Hall, a standout wide receiver/running back/kick returner at the Air Force Academy, is trying to make the Eagles as both a receiver and a third down running back. His senior year, 2007, he was named Mountain West offensive player of the year after he racked up 2,683 all-purpose yards and scored 16 touchdowns.
Air Force Lt. Chad Hall makes a catch at Eagles training camp.
Campbell, a safety at West Point, will try earn a roster spot as a linebacker with the Lions. He was the touchstone for the debate over whether academy grads should be allowed to play on pro teams after the Lions drafted him in the 7th round of the 2008 NFL draft.
Hall has provided a blow by blow of his time in training camp with gems like: “Practice #3 was great, it was a tough morning and hard to get going, once I got between the lines it was on. Thrown to a lot & caught em all.” Alright, so Hall might not have the entertaining flair that @OGOchocinco might, but it gives a good inside look at what their days are like.
Should all pros get released?
July 2nd, 2010 | Army Baseball | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Caleb Campbell, right, who was drafted into the National Football League by the Detriot Lions, salutes as he receives his diploma at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., Saturday, May 31, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Everyone threw up their arms after former West Point safety Caleb Campbell was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 7th Round of the 2008 NFL Draft and Army Secretary Pete Geren decided to not free him from his 5-year service commitment. Some Campbell supporters pointed to former NBA star David Robinson, who graduated from the Naval Academy, as an example of why the military should allow the few academy graduates who have a shot to play for a professional team to pursue their dreams. The services can then reap the rewards of free publicity.
This year, Campbell will be at Lions training camp after being released from his active-duty commitment. He will instead serve the Army for the next six years in the Individual Ready Reserve as part of the policy Geren signed in 2008. Former Air Force Academy standout Chad Hall was also released from his commitment and has a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. If Hall or Campbell don’t make their respective team’s rosters, they have to return to active duty. Again, it’s all about the free publicity for a military that depends on young men and women, many of whom watch the NFL and other professional sports, to sign up for their services.
Here’s my question, though: Where do you draw the line?
Hall’s whirlwind week ends with a pro contract
March 12th, 2010 | Air Force Football | Posted by Phil Creed
Chad Hall fights for yards during Air Force's win over Notre Dame his senior season in 2007. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Air Force 2nd Lt. Chad Hall took a trip from Hill Air Force Base to the University of Utah on Monday, where along with current and former Utah football players, he auditioned in front of NFL scouts at the university’s Pro Day combine.
It was a day for which the 2008 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate had been preparing for two years, sometimes working out after 12-hour days and often making the 40-minute drive to the university five or six times a week during the winter months in order to use indoor facilities there.
“It was work and then train and then sleep,” Hall said in an interview with After Action on Friday. “I had to give up my social life for a bit.”
When he got a call from the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, it confirmed Hall’s feeling that he’d performed well at the combine. The Eagles called him again Tuesday, and Wednesday he was on a flight to Philadelphia. Hall worked out for the Eagles again Thursday, and then was offered a three-year contract with the team to be their newest kick returner/wide receiver.
He then did an interview for the Eagles’ Web site, went to the airport and flew back to Utah.
Exhausting?
“A little bit, you could say that,” Hall said.
There won’t be much letup for Hall after these frantic five days. He’s now in the process of getting his early release from active duty, which he’s allowed to apply for after serving 24 months of his commitment, according to official Defense Department policy. Hall is unsure how long the process will take, and for now he’s remains maintenance officer for the 421st Fighter Squadron, which is part of 388th Fighter Wing at Hill.
According to DoD policy, if a service member is granted early release from active duty, he will serve in the Reserve for double the time of his remaining active duty obligation, which would be six years for Hall. Service members granted early release are also subject to repay the cost of their educational benefits, which is prorated based on the amount of active-duty time served.
Hall said he’s received plenty of congratulations and support from his fellow airmen at Hill, but that it’s not easy to face leaving them.
“They’re excited for me. They also don’t want to lose me. It’s a tough situation,” Hall said. “I’ve been here for two years and made a lot of close friends. I’ve met a bunch of great men and women.”
First Chad Hall, now Caleb Campbell
March 11th, 2010 | Army Football | Posted by Phil Creed
Today was apparently “sign a service member” day in the NFL. Former Army safety Caleb Campbell has been offered a contract by the Detroit Lions, according to goblackknights.com. This news comes on the heels of former Air Force Academy all-purpose man Chad Hall inking a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Campbell is still stationed at Fort Sill, Okla., according to goblackknights.com, but is in the process of being released from active duty.
Campbell was drafted by the Lions in the seventh round of the 2008 draft. He attended a team mini-camp but was denied the chance to sign a contract with the team. Then-Army Secretary Pete Geren changed the Army policy on service members playing pro sports, requiring Campbell and other soldiers to serve at least two years on active duty before being allowed to ask for an early release from their obligation.
The old Army policy would have allowed Campbell to play for the Lions after he graduated from West Point. My colleague Michelle Tan explains:
In the past, the Army allowed soldiers to be released from active duty commitments to participate in pro sports and other activities that offer the Army a recruiting or public affairs benefit. Soldiers serving the two years on active duty could be assigned to the recruiting unit closest to the location of their sports team or activity. The soldier would then conduct recruiting activities to support the Army instead of, for example, serving in a line unit in Iraq.
The Army perhaps showed tremendous foresight by not allowing Campbell to play in Detroit, as he avoided being a member of the dreadful 0-16 squad that was quite possibly the worst team in NFL history.
Last season one service academy graduate — New Orleans Saints fullback Kyle Eckel — played in the NFL.
Eagles sign former Air Force star Chad Hall
March 11th, 2010 | Air Force Football | Posted by Phil Creed
Chad Hall, left, avoids Notre Dame linebacker Brian Smith during the Falcons' win in South Bend in Nov. 2007. Hall rushed for 149 yards and had 31 receiving yards in the game. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Former Air Force Academy running back/receiver Chad Hall signed a three-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles today.
Hall was the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year in 2007, when he rushed for 1,478 yards and caught 50 passes for 524 yards. That season he was the only player in the nation to lead his team in rushing, receiving and return yards.
According to the AP article, Hall has been serving at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, for the past two years.