NFL odds: Army decision robs Lions of draft pick

By Jordan Walters
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

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When the Detroit Lions used the 218th overall pick on Army safety Caleb Campbell in April’s draft, it was a national story because the U.S. Army had put in a new rule saying that if Campbell made the team, he would be allowed to play in Detroit and carry out his service as a high-profile recruiter in the area.

But military policy was reinterpreted in recent weeks. The Army on Wednesday officially informed Campbell, a second lieutenant, and the Lions that he would be required to serve at least two years on active duty before he could apply to be released.

He already had agreed to terms with the Lions (but hadn’t signed the contract) and was due to start training camp Thursday. Campbell was expected to be a special teams contributor and was being moved to linebacker.

"Oh yeah, I cried, because I wanted a shot," Campbell said after learning of the decision.

Lions coach Rod Marinelli said the Lions checked with West Point as late as last week after hearing rumors that the policy was under review.

"We were assured everything was fine," said Marinelli, an Army veteran. "Obviously nobody likes surprises, but you've just got to salute and move on."

Lions president Matt Millen received a letter from Army Lt. Col. Jonathan P. Liba that explained the situation. Liba wrote that a subsequent defense department policy superseded the Army policy instituted in 2005, and the Army policy had been revised to align and comply with it.

Campbell, who trained at West Point to be an air defense artilleryman, may apply for release from his active duty obligation in May 2010 to play pro sports.

Campbell’s father, Gregg, said: "If the Army intended on reversing the policy, why did they wait right before the first day of training camp?"

The Lions will retain Campbell's rights as an unsigned draft pick for now. That option gives them the most flexibility, in case something changes again, but they must sign Campbell before next year's draft or they will lose his rights.

 

"I'm in great shape and I'm going to stay in great shape,” Campbell said. “I'm going to fulfill my duty to the United States Army and do what I've got to do. One day, hopefully I'll get another opportunity to play in the NFL."

Campbell’s next assignment will be a year as a graduate assistant football coach for the Army, either at the U.S. Military Academy or the service academy's preparatory school. After a year, he said, he will report to officer training.

This will be a huge PR hit for the military, but if the Roger Staubachs and David Robinsons of the world had to serve before playing pro sports, I guess it’s understandable. Rules are rules, but the timing was awful.

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