Kampman agrees to terms w/ Jacksonville

[Captain Erv]

Hate to lose him, but was pretty much expected. I'm curious as to why he would choose Jacksonville, I think he could have had a bigger impact somewhere else as I don't consider the Jags to be anything special. I guess money talks.

Jaguars agree to terms with DE Aaron Kampman
Source: Jacksonville lands three-time Pro Bowl selection from Green Bay

* By Michael C. Wright

Jacksonville took Step 1 toward improving its pass rush early Sunday morning when it reached an agreement in principle - according to a league source - with unrestricted free agent defensive end Aaron Kampman.

Kampman flew into Jacksonville on Friday night, and spent Saturday afternoon meeting with the staff. The veteran defensive remained in town late Saturday night as talks between the sides resumed past midnight.

Kampman agreed to terms after midnight, but length and terms of the contract weren’t immediately available.

Jacksonville targeted Kampman from the onset of free agency, along with former Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who reached an agreement with Detroit on Friday. Vanden Bosch’s deal - reportedly worth $26 million (including $10 million in the first year) - likely set the framework for a possible contract with Kampman, who is expected to provide an upgrade for a Jags defense that finished last season with a league-low 14 sacks.

Although he’s coming off a torn left anterior cruciate ligament, Kampman, 30, is a year younger than Vanden Bosch, and despite playing in just nine games last season, produced a half sack (3.5 sacks) more than his counterpart (3).

Coming off his worst season since 2004 in terms of sack production, Kampman tallied 37 sacks from 2006-08, but struggled last year when the Packers brought on new defensive coordinator Dom Capers, who switched the club’s base scheme from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Kampman appears to still be in the prime of his career, and would provide a welcome complement to start opposite former first-rounder Derrick Harvey.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Kampman was placed on Green Bay’s injured reserve after tearing the left anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during a Week 11 win over San Francisco. A Chicago Sun-Times report, citing a league source, recently said that Kampman is ahead of schedule in his recovery. It’s believed that Kampman would be limited throughout minicamps, but ready by the start of training camp in July.

Kampman had been rumored to be drawing interest from Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Seattle. By coaxing Kampman to take his first free agent visit to Jacksonville, the Jags undoubtedly increased their chances of landing him.

Over eight NFL seasons, Kampman has logged 104 starts, in addition to producing 458 tackles (320 solo), and 54 sacks while forcing 14 fumbles.

Jaguars sources had also identified Detroit Lions free agent defensive end Jared DeVries as a fallback option if the club couldn’t re-sign Kampman or free agent Reggie Hayward.

Hayward might also remain in the club’s plans. The Jags offered Hayward a one-year deal worth a little more than the veteran minimum $755,000 on Thursday, but the nine-year vet opted to explore his options in free agency. Hayward told the Times-Union on Saturday that he liked the organization and the fans, but added that the situation is more about “business” than anything else.

michael.wright@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4657. Follow him on Twitter @jagsreporter.

[Turk Nowitzki]

Honestly, I think this is probably best for everyone. It really sucks it had to end this way but he just wasn't a fit in the 3-4. I fully believe he's still capable of big sack totals in a 4-3 and I wish him all the best.

[jakecronus8]

Ted is moron for not trading him. I hate Ted. So
much.

[jimmybones]

Yeah me too, I hate the incredibly talented and young core he's built that won 11 games last year...hate it

[Mags FTW]

Ted is moron for not trading him. I hate Ted. So
much.

I made an effort to say hi to you tonight.

But seriously, Kampy does not fit in a 3-4.

[trwi7]

UPDATE: According to reporting done by Tom Silverstein, the Packers could still get a compensatory as high as the third round next year for losing Kampman, provided he plays well.

While Kampman is 30 -- a little-known league rule put the ceiling of a comp pick at the fifth round for a player that age -- he has less than 10 years experience. Player needs to be 30 and have at least 10 years experience to cap the compensatory pick at a fifth-rounder.

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/86739407.html

[xTitan]

I am a bit surprised he signed so quickly, considering he has little competition left on the market, tells me 1 of 2 things could have happened. One, the Jags payed him an absolute boatload of money or two, the Jags signed him quickly and either didn't check out his knee or it wasn't a big priority to do it....who knows.

[jakecronus8]

I'm not upset we lost him, I'm just upset we lost him for nothing. Wr could have gotten a late first or early second pre injury. Sometimes I think Ted thinks he's smarter than he really is.

[chuckleslove]

Well here is to hoping he plays well. He was a good player for us, didn't fit our new system. Wish him well and if he plays well we could get a 3rd round pick still which makes it even better to root for him.

[dedned]

Ted is moron for not trading him. I hate Ted. So
much.

bologna. its all Kampmans fault. I hate Kampman and will boo him if he ever plays at Lambeau. How dare he play for another team. Kampman is the anti-christ.

[Kerb Hohl]

Ted is moron for not trading him. I hate Ted. So
much.

bologna. its all Kampmans fault. I hate Kampman and will boo him if he ever plays at Lambeau. How dare he play for another team. Kampman is the anti-christ.

Got a link to the "Kampmann cries at retirement, then sits at home for 2 months saying he wants to come back and play but actually not coming, then telling the lineman coach that he and his agent have decided to put the Packers in a corner" article?

I'll also wait for Kampmann to quit on another team and use them as a springboard to get to our most hated rival by issuing a phony retirement and helping a division opponent try to beat us over the phone.

[xTitan]

Ted is moron for not trading him. I hate Ted. So
much.

bologna. its all Kampmans fault. I hate Kampman and will boo him if he ever plays at Lambeau. How dare he play for another team. Kampman is the anti-christ.

I agree with you...when he quit and was crying at that press conference like a little baby.....then demanded to play for the Packers biggest rival....what a total D-Bag....and I am total idiot who blindly followed Kampman and STILL believes he can do no wrong....what a complete moron I must be....eh?

[RiotPunch]

Called it. Why the H*LL didn't TT swap 1st's with JAX and tag'n'trade Kamp to them?

[slappyg]

Everyone saw this coming. Am I stupid or could we have traded him when we realized he wasn't a fit for the 3-4 and got something of value, like maybe a decent cb.

[ReasonablySober]

Would have preferred to trade him last offseason and said as much, but I always liked Aaron and wish him the best.

[Thunder Muscle]

Seems like a classy guy and has been a good Packer, but not surprised he left.

Surprised Jacksonville spent the money though, thought they would shed payroll maybe.

[MikeIsGood]

Would have preferred to trade him last offseason and said as much, but I always liked Aaron and wish him the best.

Agreed. I wanted him traded last offseason, as well...

Anyways, he was great here for a lot of years, he just didn't make sense playing in the 3-4.

[jimmybones]

Called it. Why the H*LL didn't TT swap 1st's with JAX and tag'n'trade Kamp to them?

[El Duderino]

I was listening to Wilde the other day and was surprised when he said multiple players told him they'd be happy to see Kampman not be back.

[rilamann]

Good,I would have been pissed had we re-signed him.He's getting old,coming off a major injury and doesn't fit our scheme.