At first glance, Bruce Campbell has all what it takes to serve as Toronto’s blind-side protector, all the necessary attributes any team covets from its starting left tackle.

There’s foot work, athleticism, a history of high-end play, a work ethic and a commitment.

There’s a love of the game Campbell has rediscovered at the Argos’ Florida camp, but there’s also a question, an unknown that can’t be properly addressed until the Argos strap on the pads and engage in physical contact.

But there’s potential and a hope that Campbell will emerge as a key anchor on the Argos’ offensive line.

“I need the live contact of getting hit,’’ began Campbell.

“It’s been a couple of years since I last played football, but the body feels good and I’m just looking forward to hopefully making the team and getting live contact again.”

Big and strong, athletic and nimble on his feet, Campbell was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round in 2010.

He would eventually make stops in Carolina, Washington and in New York with the Jets.

A shoulder injury cut short Campbell’s time in the NFL.

When the opportunity presented itself to sign with the Argos, he jumped at it.

“I really wanted to get back out on the football field and play,’’ he said. “I wanted to see exactly where I was.”

Overcoming the odds has been part of Campbell’s life.

As a sophomore in high school, he was diagnosed with a rare disorder known as Chiari malformation, a life-threatening disease that required surgery.

In layman’s terms, it’s an affliction that affects brain tissues.

Surgery would allow brain fluid to flow properly to his head, but there was no guarantee that Campbell would ever play again.

Running down the back of his neck is a scar from the procedure Campbell underwent.

Now it’s the shoulder that needs to be tested under contact, which won’t happen until Campbell takes part in the Argos’ main training camp later this month.

High-tempo

‘If he looks as good in live contact drills and during pre-season play as he has at mini-camp, Campbell has the potential to be a big-time player.

Admittedly, he knew nothing of the CFL and the game when he signed with the Argos.

“It’s football and at the end of the day, I knew I’d be happy just playing football.”

Getting exposed to the one yard off the line of scrimmage, learning the Argos’ system and adjusting to the team’s high-tempo style at mini-camp should serve Campbell well when he auditions for full-time employment.

“It’s definitely a change,’’ Campbell said of the CFL.

“It’s a lot faster game. From what I know about it right now, I enjoy the game and I’m looking forward to playing the season and hopefully getting back into football.”

Campbell, who also played basketball in high school, is a 6-foot-6 lineman.

His father, Bruce (Soupy) Campbell, passed away from cancer.

At Providence, the senior Campbell played on a legendary basketball team that included Marvin Barnes and Ernie Digregorio.

The Argos need to fill the void at left tackle left by SirVincent Rogers, who signed a free-agent deal this off-season with Ottawa, a team flush with money.

At first glance, Campbell is more athletic, has a better build with impeccable foot work.

“Bruce is a gigantic man with good feet,’’ said Argos head coach Scott Milanovich.

“He’s looked great out here and it’s been very impressive, but we don’t know how it’ll translate when we put the pads on.

“I’m very anxious to see him when training camp starts.”

Based on what he’s seen, Milanovich believes Campbell has a chance to get as many reps as possible come training camp, the kind of reps set aside for a starter.

“The only way to do that is to get him in there and evaluate him,’’ said Milanovich.

No one should ever read too much into a mini-camp setting, but Campbell has looked good.

How he looks in a few weeks will determine how Campbell fits into the Argos’ equation.

KILGORE FINDING HIS FEET AT CAMP

Accuracy is among the priorities at the quarterback position, an area one can’t properly assess with so many new receivers who are completely foreign to the game and system.

It’s why Logan Kilgore was not being judged on his throwing accuracy at Argos mini-camp staged at IMG.

“Feet and rhythm with the timing of what it’s going to look like,’’ said head coach Scott Milanovich of Kilgore. “He’s done a nice job.

“He knows what’s going on and he’s done a nice job of being a leader. That’s what concerns me (as a coach).”

Kilgore is a strong-armed quarterback who was first exposed to the Argos system at last year’s Florida camp held in Lakeland.

He would join the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and then join the Argos late in the CFL season.

He is more familiar with the concepts having seen Ricky Ray at work and having been around backups Trevor Harris and Mitchell Gale.

“It’s been a great offence for me,’’ said Kilgore.