Raiders relying on untested Campbell to lead offense

Eleanor Roosevelt put together a perfect 8-0 regular season in 2008 before falling to Wise in the first round of the playoffs. This year, with the glut of the team returning, they could repeat as conference champions and make a deeper run in the postseason.

But they'll have to do it without Mike Thomas, their starting quarterback the last three seasons. Instead, the burden falls on Aaron Campbell , a 6-foot, 165-pound rising senior who hasn't been tested. Currently, the expectations are modest.

"We just want him to compete," said Roosevelt coach Tom Green. "We have so many good athletes, we want him to be able to make good decisions and not lose games."

That doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, but that's because Campbell is largely an unknown. He played in seven games last season, but most of his work came during mop-up time, when Roosevelt had the game well in-hand.

"We had so many blowout games and I should have given all the kids more snaps," Green said. "That's kind of my fault."

When Campbell did get into a game, he basically became the middleman. His job was to make sure the ball arrived safely in the running back's hands. Campbell estimates that he threw about 10 passes last season.

"We were usually pretty far ahead, so when I got in we just did a bunch of run plays," Campbell said.

Campbell will finally get his chance to lead the Raiders in 2009. And although expectations are tempered, Roosevelt might have a star in the making.

Campbell attacked the offseason-conditioning program. He added about 10 pounds of muscle to his rail-thin frame, and he lowered his 40-yard dash time by 0.2 of a second. Last Friday night, he ran a 4.51 at the DeBartolo Sports Combine at Georgetown Prep, which was the fastest time for a quarterback at the combine.

"I've been working on my speed a lot," Campbell said. "That was the fastest time I've ever ran, and one of the coaches told me I was one of the top performares at the camp."

Campbell also managed to heave the ball 65 yards downfield, displaying arm strength that surprised Green.

"I'm kind of like [Missouri quarterback] Chase Daniels," Campbell said. "I'm mobile in the pocket and I have a big arm."

If Campbell can be a fraction of the quarterback Chase Daniels is, Roosevelt should be in good shape. The problem is the Raiders aren't a run-and-gun offense. They run a triple-option, which basically means passing is limited. The offense requires quick decisions, accurate pitches and precision passing. Gunslingers need not apply.

On top of that, the option quarterback must be strong and sturdy, because their bodies are exposed on nearly every run play. Campbell has added bulk, but he's still only 165 pounds.

"You take a beating," Green said. "So it's going to be tough for him. He's going to be hit every play."

Green, however, is confident Campbell can handle the mental aspects of the position. He spent all last season studying film, and that's continued so far this offseason. On the practice field, he rarely made mistakes and seemed to understand the intricacies of the offense (when to pitch the ball, how to read a linebacker), according to Green.

"He's not the biggest or strongest, but he has good study habits and he knows what's going on," Green said. "And all of that stuff is just as important to me as being 6-3 and throwing the ball 70 yards."

Campbell is deadest on leading the Raiders to a perfect season, but he's also thinking about his future. He wants to play college football and has received recruiting mail from the Division I-AA and Division II levels. But in order to draw in the suitors, he's going to have to stand out at combines (there is no game film or stats to look at).

He got off to a good start at the DeBartolo Combine, and in two weeks he'll try to repeat the performance at the Schuman's Ultimate 100 Combine. After that he'll attend several one-day college camps at Maryland, Virginia, Pittsburgh and Towson.

"Right now, I see myself at the Division I-AA level," Campbell said. "Elon, Richmond, James Madison -- those are the places I'm looking at."

Green isn't ready to call Campbell a college quarterback. He's well aware that Prince George's County isn't a hotbed for quarterback prospects, which is one strike against Campbell. Physically, Campbell's weight concerns Green. And on the field, Campbell must demonstrate better pocket presence, footwork and the ability to throw on the run.

"Can he play at the next level? I don't know yet," Green said. "Until we get in pads and get going, we don't know what Aaron can do. The jury is still out. I'll be able to tell you by Week 3."

In other words, Campbell needs a stellar senior season to solidify his prospect status.

"He's doing everything asked of him," Green said. "The only thing he has to do now is go out and have a great senior year. If he can do that, he'll be fine."