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Former Patriot David Andrews Believes Lomu Will Push Campbell For Starting Role

I wasn’t trying to attack you, but I think people genuinely don’t understand the difference or they’re just being willfully ignorant and can’t objectively assess the difference because they being homers.

It’s pretty simple if this math is correct:

The wingspan differential is more significant as Campbell's 77 3/8-inch wingspan is the shortest recorded for an offensive tackle at the combine since 2011, while Lomu's 82 3/4-inch wingspan sits just above the NFL average of 82.1 inches for tackles.

Total wingspan difference: 5 3/8 inches.

To estimate the torso contribution, we can subtract arm length from wingspan (wingspan ≈ left arm + torso + right arm). Assuming symmetrical arm lengths:

  • Campbell's torso estimate: 77.375" − (32.625" × 2) = 12.125 inches
  • Lomu's torso estimate: 82.75" − (33.375" × 2) = 16 inches
Torso/shoulder width difference: 3 7/8 inches.

This substantial torso differential explains why Campbell's short arms are compounded by an exceptionally narrow frame, while Lomu's wider chest and shoulders offset any perceived arm length concerns.



The 82.1inches is supposedly based on just 137 tackles. The list of tackles wasn't released so there is no way to factually check the number. There is also no way to confirm if there is any correlation between torso width and success since we don't have that list.

It's interesting that you couldn't be bothered to acknowledge that I put up a list of tackles and their shoulder-to-shoulder measurements or, as you called it "torso contribution". Aren't Penei Sewell, Paris Johnson, Jake Matthews, and Ronnie Staley considered very good to excellent Tackles.. All of them have torsos that are 13" or less in width..
 
True.

But he was also a rookie, and still capable of improving.
 
True.

But he was also a rookie, and still capable of improving.

Or, the team went with the player that Josh McDaniels had coached previously in Munford. The guy who had experience playing multiple O-line positions as well as being the 6th O-lineman/Blocking TE. Areas that Bryant may not have had experience with. And the Pats wanted Bryant to focus on learning the tackle position instead of complicating things.
 
No one would waste the energy to gas light you. You should work on your reading comprehension so you understand what exactly is being stated to you so you don't go around making ridiculous accusations.

Go back and READ what was said.:

"Arm length is a component of Wing span. In fact, it makes up 2/3 of the measurement."

YOUR response:
"Wingspan is what opponents have to contend with, not one arm."

No one made the argument that opponents only have to deal with ONE ARM. That was you making s**t up in a ridiculous response and not bothering to read what was said to you.
You're quoting from about 2/3rds of the way into a conversation.

Go back further and read before you vomit on these pages.
 
The 82.1inches is supposedly based on just 137 tackles. The list of tackles wasn't released so there is no way to factually check the number. There is also no way to confirm if there is any correlation between torso width and success since we don't have that list.
This is like saying we can't assume NBA centers do better when they're taller.
It's interesting that you couldn't be bothered to acknowledge that I put up a list of tackles and their shoulder-to-shoulder measurements or, as you called it "torso contribution". Aren't Penei Sewell, Paris Johnson, Jake Matthews, and Ronnie Staley considered very good to excellent Tackles.. All of them have torsos that are 13" or less in width..
It's interesting how you keep trying to catch me in a "got you" moment, but never actually provide the "got you" moment.

Wingspan:
Penei Sewell - 80 7/8"
Paris Johnson- 85 1/8"
Jake Matthews- 79 1/2"
Ronnie Staley - 84 1/4"
Will Campbell - 77 3/8"

Yeah you put up a list of tackles, a different list than the one you provide in this post above... because you're desperately searching around and finding I'm correct. Jake Matthews made one Pro Bowl, so there's that.

But let's do this meaningless exercise again, you go find another handful of tackles and you'll prove my point for me again when I post their wingspans.
 
Not a question of trading down; Membou could have been the pick at 4. There were threads about it, and some boards rated Membou over Campbell.





I hope you are right about Lomu/Campbell > Lomu/Membou.

I had Membou over Campbell because his upside is huge, the arguments against him were that he was a right tackle.
 
Membou was rated about evenly with Campbell, but ironically, we were focused on LT in 2025, especially after signing Morgan Moses.

I love Will Campbell's personality, intelligence, leadership. drive, athleticism, grit and strength. But he has a really narrow frame, and a weird build for a tackle, that I thought could pose problems.

Pre-injury Will Campbell exceeded expectations, except for the Cleveland. He used his smarts and athleticism to compensate for his limitations. Every OT struggles with some guys - Dwight Freeney used to own Matt Light. But overall, he was all we could hope for as a rookie LT.

Post-injury Will Campbell struggled, going up against top competition without being able to effectively plant. It messed him up. threw his technique off, and hurt his confidence.

We'll see what happens. Maybe he uses this plus the Pats drafting Lomu as motivation and gets better at LT. Maybe he moves over to RT. Maybe he kicks inside. I'm not worrying too much about it - I expect he will be a foundational OL at 1 or more positions, and that regardless of where he ends up the Pats will probably need to find 1 similar caliber OL for 2027

For me the priorities at tackle are size, athleticism, and demeanor, and while some question Lomu's demeanor I don't think it will be an issue. With the athleticism of today's Edge players you can't have tackles who aren't athletic, and the Patriots took 2 tackles the past 2 years who are among the most athletic to ever come out of the draft.
 
He was benched in favor of the blob Mister Mumpsferd, of whom this team wanted no part during the offseason.
Every teams Back up OL could be considered bums.. unless @mgteich wants Vrabel to Pull Bruce Armstrong out of retirement I really don't know what he's expecting from a backup.. could Baltimore say they have an all pro caliber C behind Linderbaum?.... I believe Cap sometimes we get a bit ahead of ourselves when it comes to all aspects of an NFL roster.. back ups are back ups for a reason.. you never hope to see them have to play..
 
I'd pay close attention to the Moses injury don't know the severity but the fact Lomu and Bryant rotated in at RT is worth paying attention..
Some of this will just be maintenance and load management with Moses. At his age he doesn’t need to learn how to play football. They need to get the young guys reps, it’s far more important.
 
Every teams Back up OL could be considered bums.. unless @mgteich wants Vrabel to Pull Bruce Armstrong out of retirement I really don't know what he's expecting from a backup.. could Baltimore say they have an all pro caliber C behind Linderbaum?.... I believe Cap sometimes we get a bit ahead of ourselves when it comes to all aspects of an NFL roster.. back ups are back ups for a reason.. you never hope to see them have to play..
Plugging along is NOT a negative. It is what backups do, whether they be youngsters or aging vets. Folks here denigrate "JAGs". "Just a guy" players are backups that you can count on, as Belichick taught us so well.

My comment was a compliment to Bryant who does all he can to contribute. I don't that he will make the 53, but he certainly could make it. Lots can happen. There is even an argument for him being the 5th OT, given that Moses is on a pitch count and Crownover isn't quite ready for prime time.
 
My hope for Bryant is that he makes the PS, and develops enough to be the #4 OT in 2027.
If Bryant is seen as likely to be our #4 OT in 2027, basically replacing Moses on the roster, isn't he worth being on the 53 this year?

is it worth putting him on the PS so he can be someone else's #4 OT? I would guess that there are teams who have much worse #4 OT's. I think that someone that is a reliable backup OT is worth a roster spot. OT's are very hard to find.

I would hope to keep both Crownover and Bryant on the 2026 53. Of course, we are also hoping that Moses will be on the 53.

Consider Wallace in 2025. Was he ever even active?
 
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