Lions rookie sticks it to Navy, sort of

June 14, 2008

Look for Lions rookie safety Caleb Campbell on Army recruiting posters any day now.
OK, not really. But some folks in and around the nation's service academies say that Campbell's situation in Detroit could give Army's athletic programs an edge over rivals Navy and Air Force.

The Army is letting Campbell, a seventh-round pick in April's draft, pursue his Lions career while completing his military obligations as a recruiter and in the reserves under the Alternative Service Option
program.

Meanwhile, Navy pitcher Mitch Harris, a 13th-round pick by St. Louis in last week's baseball draft, was told Thursday to forget about doing the same.

Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter ruled that Harris must serve a five-year active-duty commitment, starting next week.

"At this point in time, the nation being at war takes precedence," Navy spokeswoman Lt. Karen Eifert said. "We need all of our manpower to be deployable to meet their service obligation."

That's where the Black Knights could gain an athletic advantage.

"Our coaches are now operating under a significant handicap when recruiting head-to-head with Army," Navy athletic director Chet Gladchuk said. "It may not be reflected on the playing field today, but I can guarantee you that it will result in a competitive disadvantage down the road."

So while Campbell never beat the Midshipmen during his college career, he has annoyed them -- at least indirectly.

Rouge preservation
British Columbia Sen. Larry Campbell -- no relation to Caleb -- introduced a bill this week aimed at preventing the NFL from putting a franchise in Canada. The bill was introduced in response to the decision to hold eight Bills games in Toronto over the next five years.

Such an expansion would mark the end of the Canadian Football League, Campbell warns.

"As proud Canadians and fans of the CFL, we must make every effort to defend our own brand of football," Campbell said.

And what a brand it is, eh, Charles Rogers?

Press clipping
• Bob Hille, Sporting News, on the Red Wings: "They lifted the Cup again. Good thing. If Detroit had lost, the city was going to start going by 'Bad NFL Draft Town.' "