I owe Will Campbell an apology.

[UGAPatsfan]

I took major issue after the game with him refusing to speak to media after having an awful game.

I called him weak and maybe even a ****y…if I didn’t, I thought it.

Most of that came from a personal belief that you need to be accountable and visible when things go poorly just as when things go well. I also didn’t love that Drake sat there and took the lumps, while Will didn’t.

But this quote today (courtesy of BSJ) changed my mind:

“ I'm not gonna give any sound bites today, but the guy in the locker room [after the game] is a young man who has a lot of emotions, who probably doesn't care what he says," Campbell explained. "I'm trying to think of the best way to say this ... . When I get emotional, I tend to have no mind, and that's not the way that I need to approach this thing. And like I said, I know myself, and if I would have spoken after, I would have said something that I didn't need to say. So I slept on it. I watched it. I know what I gotta get better at and move on."

I now realize the kid knows himself and exercised sound judgement that he was better off saying nothing than what he likely would have said in the moment.

That’s actually impressive.

I was unfair to him, and I was wrong.

His performance remains another issue entirely, but his post-game handling of it wasn’t what I thought it was.

 

[Patsfan1645]

I have not been impress with Will since his return from IR. Is the injury still a huge part of the problem, I don't know. I fully understand why he did not speak. Just watch the kid and really listen to him. He wants to be the best and when he doesn't meet his own expectations he struggles to deal with it. I like that fire and determination in him. He is young he will get better at harnessing his emotions. Will he be the long term tackle, who knows. I want to see him healthy, more time in the weight room (he is still growing) and working to adjust to the NFL level of competition. I think we will know a lot more about Mr. Campbell come the end of next year. If he hasnt anchored down the left side then you look to see if he can become a solid guard. I'm not ready to give up on this young man who has a desire to be great.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I'm hoping this lights up a fire the same way ed oregons rejection fueled him. To think a 23 kid has maxed out on his strength technique and knowledge is foolish. Orlando paces are generational and when was the last great tackle

 

[UGAPatsfan]

I'm hoping this lights up a fire the same way ed oregons rejection fueled him. To think a 23 kid has maxed out on his strength technique and knowledge is foolish. Orlando paces are generational and when was the last great tackle

Sneaky good point about his body still developing. Remember the viral beer chug video of him shirtless at the Bruins game? I actually remember thinking…”kid needs work on that physique”.

But…compared to Onwenu , Campbell is Adonis.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

I think it's important to be accountable and visible to your teammates when you mess up. I don't think the players in the locker room actually give a crap about if you talk to the media or not. I think the whole stand up there and answer questions to prove you're accountable is fan/media driven. What's really accomplished by talking to the media and saying you played bad? So internet trolls can turn soundbites or your crying face into memes? So the Felgers of the world can take on sentence out of context and spin it like you don't actually care or are making excuses/blaming someone else?

I don't see it actually being important to guys in the locker room that someone who had a bad game partake in a public humiliation ritual that fans/media like to put athletes through. Accountability to the guys in the locker room is what I would think really matters.

 

[dliverey44]

I took major issue after the game with him refusing to speak to media after having an awful game.

I called him weak and maybe even a ****y…if I didn’t, I thought it.

Most of that came from a personal belief that you need to be accountable and visible when things go poorly just as when things go well. I also didn’t love that Drake sat there and took the lumps, while Will didn’t.

But this quote today (courtesy of BSJ) changed my mind:

“ I'm not gonna give any sound bites today, but the guy in the locker room [after the game] is a young man who has a lot of emotions, who probably doesn't care what he says," Campbell explained. "I'm trying to think of the best way to say this ... . When I get emotional, I tend to have no mind, and that's not the way that I need to approach this thing. And like I said, I know myself, and if I would have spoken after, I would have said something that I didn't need to say. So I slept on it. I watched it. I know what I gotta get better at and move on."

I now realize the kid knows himself and exercised sound judgement that he was better off saying nothing than what he likely would have said in the moment.

That’s actually impressive.

I was unfair to him, and I was wrong.

His performance remains another issue entirely, but his post-game handling of it wasn’t what I thought it was.

After I read your comment I was like WOW, dude is a young kid that just got his ass kicked and has an injury. I thought your comment was a **** move. But that fact that you recognized it and gave a public mea culpa is a sign that you sir a good dude and I apologize for the things I thought about you after reading it.

 

[itgl72]

So, we all CAN, get along!

 

[Steve102]

I took major issue after the game with him refusing to speak to media after having an awful game.

I called him weak and maybe even a ****y…if I didn’t, I thought it.

Most of that came from a personal belief that you need to be accountable and visible when things go poorly just as when things go well. I also didn’t love that Drake sat there and took the lumps, while Will didn’t.

But this quote today (courtesy of BSJ) changed my mind:

“ I'm not gonna give any sound bites today, but the guy in the locker room [after the game] is a young man who has a lot of emotions, who probably doesn't care what he says," Campbell explained. "I'm trying to think of the best way to say this ... . When I get emotional, I tend to have no mind, and that's not the way that I need to approach this thing. And like I said, I know myself, and if I would have spoken after, I would have said something that I didn't need to say. So I slept on it. I watched it. I know what I gotta get better at and move on."

I now realize the kid knows himself and exercised sound judgement that he was better off saying nothing than what he likely would have said in the moment.

That’s actually impressive.

I was unfair to him, and I was wrong.

His performance remains another issue entirely, but his post-game handling of it wasn’t what I thought it was.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

After I read your comment I was like WOW, dude is a young kid that just got his ass kicked and has an injury. I thought your comment was a **** move. But that fact that you recognized it and gave a public mea culpa is a sign that you sir a good dude and I apologize for the things I thought about you after reading it.

All good amigo I deserved that.

 

[50-yard-line]

I sprained my MCL in August (softball). It took me 8 weeks to be able to do anything, and another few before I would dare try to move hard on it.

Every sprain is different, of course. Mine was low grade and they never expected I'd need surgery.

Something else beyond the injury happened to Campbell and Wilson, and probably Maye...this season was way more taxing on them than anything they had ever experienced. The rookie wall is real, and though Maye isn't a rookie, he only played 13 games last year - 21 this year. Vrabel made it clear he's sticking with Campbell at LT - he knows better than I do. After this year, in Vrabel I trust.

They're young. They'll get stronger, smarter, and more experienced.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

I'm hoping this lights up a fire the same way ed oregons rejection fueled him. To think a 23 kid has maxed out on his strength technique and knowledge is foolish. Orlando paces are generational and when was the last great tackle

Also, we need coach O back in college football for no other reason than he’s hysterical saying mundane things.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

I sprained my MCL in August (softball). It took me 8 weeks to be able to do anything, and another few before I would dare try to move hard on it.

Every sprain is different, of course. Mine was low grade and they never expected I'd need surgery.

Something else beyond the injury happened to Campbell and Wilson, and probably Maye...this season was way more taxing on them than anything they had ever experienced. The rookie wall is real, and though Maye isn't a rookie, he only played 13 games last year - 21 this year. Vrabel made it clear he's sticking with Campbell at LT - he knows better than I do. After this year, in Vrabel I trust.

They're young. They'll get stronger, smarter, and more experienced.

Yeah I fully admit that Vrabel’s confidence in Campbell’s future today swayed me. I trust Vrabes. If he sees a good LT in future Will who the heck am I to disagree? Now go get us a nasty LG and we’ll see.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

I want like…a Richie Incognito kind of glass eater next to Campbell.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

So, if all this injury stuff is true, why didn't Lowe and Dobbs play instead? Lowe was arguable better than Campbell when he played (this year) and Dobbs has proven himself time and time again in the NFL. I would rather have had a healthy Dobbs than a Drake who couldn't hit the side of a barn. Lowe would surely have been better than Turnstyle T-Rex

 

[FCB02062]

Campbell was average at best - and that's a stretch - before the injury and he was a complete ****ing turnstile after he came back. He should've stayed on the DL. Lowe couldn't have been any worse. Lowe could've allowed a playoff record # of pressures as Campbell did. Campbells terrible play could potentially scare Maye for his career. Not sure how many QBs bounce back from such a complete and utter falling off a cliff as Maye had from regular season to playoffs - statistically the largest drop in the history of the NFL.
I really hope he gets some good stuff to help him heal 100%. If not, the transition to guard will happen by mid season

 

[UGAPatsfan]

So, if all this injury stuff is true, why didn't Lowe and Dobbs play instead? Lowe was arguable better than Campbell when he played (this year) and Dobbs has proven himself time and time again in the NFL. I would rather have had a healthy Dobbs than a Drake who couldn't hit the side of a barn. Lowe would surely have been better than Turnstyle T-Rex

Argument about Campbell is fair…I have no idea if Lowe would have faired better but also do know that he wouldn’t have.

But Dobbs?

You can’t bench a young franchise QB who CAN play physically in the Superbowl. That’s just not a message you can walk back.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I think maybe it was a team decision for him not to address the media. His play reminded me of Reggie Ray in "Varsity Blues" and the spoof "Not Another Teen Movie" where he was another concussion away from being brain dead, but the HC's in both movies didn't care.

Not only could Campbell have suffered an even worse injury, but he could've also gotten Maye seriously hurt as well.

 

[dliverey44]

Yeah I fully admit that Vrabel’s confidence in Campbell’s future today swayed me. I trust Vrabes. If he sees a good LT in future Will who the heck am I to disagree? Now go get us a nasty LG and we’ll see.

I have been firmly on the sign David Edwards train. Spotrac projects his AAV at 20 M, maybe its a little rich, but he is a very good LG. I can't imagine the Bills do not resign him though.

Sad day

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Sneaky good point about his body still developing. Remember the viral beer chug video of him shirtless at the Bruins game? I actually remember thinking…”kid needs work on that physique”.

But…compared to Onwenu , Campbell is Adonis.

Interesting on the emotion. Can be a plus or could be a minus

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Also, we need coach O back in college football for no other reason than he’s hysterical saying mundane things.

Plus his voice