Player Profile

PRO: In four NFL seasons, Dan Campbell has proven himself to be a much more valuable contributor than his stats might lead you to believe. The Cowboys took advantage of free agency to add Campbell, the kind of durable player - 48 consecutive games played - and hard worker you want on a young team, to the roster this offseason. Originally a third round draft choice (79th overall) by the Giants in 1999, Campbell has developed into a reliable receiver and sturdy blocker who continues to improve each season. In addition to work on offense, he has also been a valuable blocker on special teams.

2002: Campbell's blocking was instrumental in the career-years of both Kerry Collins (4,073 yards passing, a club-record) and Tiki Barber (1,387 rushing yards, a career-high and the second best total in club history). Despite the addition of Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey, Campbell started all 16 games and caught 20 passes for 155 yards (a 7.8 yard average) and a touchdown. In the season opener against San Francisco (9/5), Campbell finished with one reception for nine yards. His blocking in the running game at St. Louis (9/15) helped the Giants gain 103 yards on the ground, and he added two receptions for five yards in the passing game. Although he did not record a catch against Seattle (9/22), he did manage a five-yard kickoff return in the first quarter. Campbell finished with three receptions for 30 yards, including a 20-yard reception on third-and-three that extended the drive that resulted in Marcellus Rivers' game-winning 17-yard touchdown reception at Dallas (10/6). His lead blocking in the game also helped Barber gain 94 yards on 17 carries. Campbell recorded a 19-yard catch against Atlanta (10/13), and he added two receptions for 19 yards against Jacksonville (11/3), where his blocking helped the Giants gain 177 yards on the ground. Campbell had an outstanding day at Minnesota (11/10) when he finished with a career-high four receptions for a career-high 35 yards. He also added a career-long 27-yard reception in the third quarter that helped set up an Amani Toomer 11-yard touchdown reception. Campbell had a key seven-yard reception to convert a third-and-four in the first quarter to extend a drive that would result in a Matt Bryant 43-yard field goal against Washington (11/17). Against Tennessee (12/1), he finished with one reception for one yard and a touchdown. His only touchdown of the season gave the Giants a 10-7 lead in the second quarter. Campbell's blocking prowess helped Barber gain 203 yards on 32 carries in the regular season finale against Philadelphia (12/28) that clinched a playoff berth for the Giants. In the NFC Wild Card Game at San Francisco (1/5/03), Campbell finished with two receptions for 13 yards, and his run blocking helped Barber gain 115 yards on 26 carries.

2001: Campbell played in all 16 games for the second straight year, earning 13 starts. He led Giants' tight ends with 13 receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown. Nine of his 13 catches resulted in a first down. He caught at least one pass in each of the last eight games. Campbell caught his first pass of the season, for a then career-long 22 yards, at Kansas City (9/23). He scored his only touchdown of the season on a one-yard pass from Collins to give the Giants a 16-9 lead in the fourth quarter against Washington (10/7). Campbell contributed a reception for 11 yards and outstanding blocking that helped the Giants rush for 186 yards at Arizona (11/11). The following week, he added two receptions for 29 yards, including a season-long 25-yard catch at Minnesota (11/19). He had an eight-yard reception against Oakland (11/25) and two catches for eight yards at Dallas (12/9). Campbell had one reception against both Arizona (12/15), for 13 yards, and Seattle (12/23), for 16 yards. At Philadelphia (12/3), he finished with two catches for a season-high 31 yards. Both receptions came on a drive in the fourth quarter that ended with Ron Dayne's 16-yard touchdown run to give the Giants a 21-14 lead with 2:43 remaining in the game. Campbell closed out the season with a nine-yard grab against Green Bay (1/6/02).

2000: Campbell started four-of-16 games and finished third on the team in touchdown receptions with three, despite catching just eight passes. He also saw action in double tight end formations and on special teams in all three postseason games but did not record a postseason reception. Campbell started opening day against Arizona (9/3) as the Giants opened the game in a two tight end formation and recorded his first career reception when Collins completed a pass to him for a 10-yard gain. He had a season-long reception of 13 yards at Chicago (9/17). At Tennessee (10/1), the Giants again opened the game in double tight end formation, and Campbell recorded his first career touchdown in the fourth quarter when he caught a one-yard pass. He left the game at Cleveland (11/5) in the fourth quarter after suffering a blow to the head. He contributed a two-yard touchdown reception against Detroit (11/19). Campbell started at Arizona (11/26) as the Giants opened the game in a double tight end formation. In that game, he caught his third touchdown reception of the season on a five-yard pass from Collins.

1999: As a rookie, Campbell played in 12 games with one start. The majority of his action came on special teams, but he also saw action as an extra blocker on offense. He earned his first NFL start when the Giants opened in a two tight end package against the N.Y. Jets (12/5), and his blocking helped the Giants gain a season-high 152 yards on the ground. He suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in the Friday practice prior to the Buffalo (12/12) game.

College: As a senior in 1998, Campbell shared tight end duties with Derrick Spiller, starting at the "B" slot against Colorado and Oklahoma, at split end against Texas and at flanker in the North Texas and Baylor clashes. He finished with 12 receptions for 143 yards (11.9 avg) and a pair of touchdowns. He also added three tackles on special teams. Campbell gained 26 yards on two grabs against Iowa State and made a crunching block to open a hole used by Burnest Rhodes for a two-yard touchdown run. He caught a two-yard scoring pass against Baylor and had a 37-yard reception against Texas to set up a touchdown. In 1996, he played in every game, starting at tight end against North Texas and at split end against Texas, finishing the year with eight receptions for 103 yards (12.9 avg).

Personal: An agricultural development major, Campbell was a consensus Texas Top 100 selection while playing a variety of positions at Class 3A Glen Rose, Texas, High School. He combined for over 1,000 rushing and receiving yards as a fullback and tight end, catching 27 passes for 423 yards and five touchdowns in his final year. Daniel Allen Campbell and his wife, Holly, have a son, Cody (7/16/99).