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

[Real fan 02]

I personally would keep Campbell at tackle until proven otherwise. I think he would be a fabulous RT.

Are you sure Mayo.. I just got drafted..

 

[mayoclinic]

I said tackle. I didn't specify which side.

I'd personally like to see Caleb Lomu win the LT job, and Will Campbell move to RT in 2027.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Are you sure Mayo.. I just got drafted..

I hope he dances like this after he blocks the defender and Maye gets rid of the ball.

Channel his inner Chris Canty.

 

[Real fan 02]

I hope he dances like this after he blocks the defender and Maye gets rid of the ball.

Channel his inner Chris Canty.

LOL.. the only way I want to see him dancing is after...

 

[Huckleberry1]

Kyed's take makes no sense. How are supposed to play as well on an injured knee against the best defenses in football as you did before getting injured?

If Lomu ends up being the better tackle by all means swap sides with them, but creating a hole at tackle they will need to use another high pick to fill is stupid. They can get a very good guard prospect on day 2 of next year's draft, or they can fill it in free agency, there is no need to creat holes at critical positions when they don't exist.

 

[Thelonious]

The best man plays. A variety of factors, sometimes tough to balance, often impossible to quantify, go into determining what "best" means, and you have to be patient in allowing what's up to reveal itself, but if you're in charge of the roster, it's your job to figure it out.

Campbell's struggles post-injury are a factor worth considering, but only in quite a qualified way. That decline is almost certainly more attributable to his injury than it is a true reflection of his potential.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

It's preliminary to be having the Campbell-Lomu discussion. After this season is when that will happen. Can't see them putting another 21 yo rookie at LT, which would also create a logjam at RT or Guard where competent veterans already man those spots.

This year, Lomu develops as a swing tackle, and Campbell picks up where he left off before his knee injury.

 

[Wozzy]

Kyed's take makes no sense. How are supposed to play as well on an injured knee against the best defenses in football as you did before getting injured?

I think this injury talk and how well Campbell played prior to it is overblown. He got hurt in week 12, weeks earlier in Cleveland Myles Garrett abused him and got 5 sacks in a game… at least three of those were on Campbell including a strip sack.

It’s easy to play well against the dregs of the NFL, not as easy to play well against the best of the best. Campbell needs to prove he can do that, otherwise slide him inside to guard.

If Lomu ends up being the better tackle by all means swap sides with them, but creating a hole at tackle they will need to use another high pick to fill is stupid. They can get a very good guard prospect on day 2 of next year's draft, or they can fill it in free agency, there is no need to creat holes at critical positions when they don't exist.

If Campbell continues to struggle with speed, I don’t think moving him to the right side is the answer. They have other tackle prospects that could play in Bryant or Crownover if Moses is not available.

 

[Diffs4]

Campbell struggled in the Houston game too. You are correct.



The Texans DL was constantly pushing Campbell into Maye and the Houston DL was able to get a hand on the ball knocking it out. That's 2 games where WC was shaky and not what you want to see from a starting LT. The Broncos game wasn't a real barometer to judge Campbell by since half the game was played in the snow giving the defense poor footing.

Will Campbell’s playoff struggles hit new low to start AFC Championship Game vs. Broncos

The first quarter hadn't even ended, and Will Campbell was already seen struggling once again on the offensive line.

sports.yahoo.com

Post AFCC, Will Campbell fans were whistling all the way to Santa Clara. Then reality paid a visit. The Pats obviously have concerns because to don't draft a OT with the first pick for the following season when the left side of your OL was destroyed in the Super Bowl.

"Will Campbell fans" what does that mean. Do you mean Patriot fans hoping that Campbells play was injury related. Yes I plead guilty. Most want what is best for the team. Some just want to be right either way. I do not dismiss the idea that if he struggles again this year that he will not be the left tackle going forward despite what the Pats have said. They have to say that. I like Lomu a lot. You do not have to look very hard to see a future where he is the left tackle and Campbell is the right tackle or a guard. If that makes the Pats a better team I think most would be fine with that even ones like me who want Campbell to succeed at LT. If Campbell comes out and balls he will likely stay at LT. Let's see how it plays out but the haters taking a victory lap may or may not be premature. He was much better in the regular season than the playoffs. I am hoping it is injury related. It may not be, we shall find out. But these declarative statements either way need to wait.

 

[TheRainMaker]

"Will Campbell fans" what does that mean.

It means exactly what it says. There are posters or fans in general that get too attached to a player and become hellbent on defending him no matter what - even if it means putting the team 2nd.

Isaiah Wynn was a LT and was so terrible it got to a point of consecutive games he was getting thrown to the ground at least once per game. Posters here would bust out the pitchforks if anyone dared to criticize him. He eventually moved to G which has kept him around the NFL.

Cole Strange was the previous OL that was not well liked among many, but a small % of posters would try their hardest to defend him. He's now on his 3rd team.

Devin McCourty was a 1st round pick CB who was getting torched at such an alarming rate starting in 2011 and didn't stop in 2012. This forced BB to find some way to stop the bleeding. There are posters to this day that are still in denial at how bad McCourty was at CB (even during his rookie season). After Chung got injured, BB moved McCourty to FS where his play improved. That's when Talib got traded for and the secondary was immediately stabilized.

There seems to be a trend with fans in general that if their team drafts (insert player) that means they must be good and won't be a bust. It's insanity because there are busts every year. Pre injury, Campbell wasn't that good, but posters don't want to hear that because he was 4th overall pick. Just like Jaguars fans don't want to hear how bad Travis Hunter was his first season where the team traded up to get him. Abdul Carter is another player stat geeks try any word salad they can to deny how bad he was as the 3rd overall pick. I was pissed when the Pats allowed him to break his 12 game streak without a full sack.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

It means exactly what it says. There are posters or fans in general that get too attached to a player and become hellbent on defending him no matter what - even if it means putting the team 2nd.

Isaiah Wynn was a LT and was so terrible it got to a point of consecutive games he was getting thrown to the ground at least once per game. Posters here would bust out the pitchforks if anyone dared to criticize him. He eventually moved to G which has kept him around the NFL.

Cole Strange was the previous OL that was not well liked among many, but a small % of posters would try their hardest to defend him. He's now on his 3rd team.

Devin McCourty was a 1st round pick CB who was getting torched at such an alarming rate starting in 2011 and didn't stop in 2012. This forced BB to find some way to stop the bleeding. There are posters to this day that are still in denial at how bad McCourty was at CB (even during his rookie season). After Chung got injured, BB moved McCourty to FS where his play improved. That's when Talib got traded for and the secondary was immediately stabilized.

There seems to be a trend with fans in general that if their team drafts (insert player) that means they must be good and won't be a bust. It's insanity because there are busts every year. Pre injury, Campbell wasn't that good, but posters don't want to hear that because he was 4th overall pick. Just like Jaguars fans don't want to hear how bad Travis Hunter was his first season where the team traded up to get him. Abdul Carter is another player stat geeks try any word salad they can to deny how bad he was as the 3rd overall pick. I was pissed when the Pats allowed him to break his 12 game streak without a full sack.

Campbell is insufficient evidence, like with many of the debates here. People are way too quick to label someone a bust. He was playing well for a rookie, his knee injury should've been declared season-ending, and now he's back to resume his development.

Cole Strange was injury related. Like AVT, when he's healthy he's a starter in this league all day long.

With McCourty, you could tell from day 1 he wasn't a great CB, he got some lucky bounces his rookie year. Wynn was talented but frustrating, hard to define what his problem was.

 

[Real fan 02]

Campbell is insufficient evidence, like with many of the debates here. People are way too quick to label someone a bust. He was playing well for a rookie, his knee injury should've been declared season-ending, and now he's back to resume his development.

Cole Strange was injury related. Like AVT, when he's healthy he's a starter in this league all day long.

With McCourty, you could tell from day 1 he wasn't a great CB, he got some lucky bounces his rookie year. Wynn was talented but frustrating, hard to define what his problem was.

Agreed. Wynn like Harry and like Keon white all talented guys but thier problems were tied to attitude and entitlement.. white was exactly who Vrabel was referring to when he said were going to end entitlement when he took over!

Harry was arguing with WR coaches and storming off the practice field.. Wynn argued with trainers regarding his ankle rehab and was missing appointments.. white refused to accept coaching to help his game when Vrabel took over..

Campbell has 0 of these issues he has every bit of the RIGHT attitude to get better as a player.

 

[ViperGTS]

I don't care if he moves to RT down the road and Lomu plays LT. Or Lomu plays RT or whatnot, who cares. It's what's best for the team. If the team sees that Lomu is doing a better job at LT in OTAs and through TC....guess what happens?

I doubt there are any sacred cows with the Patriots. I really like Campbell but it's what's best for the team as usual.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Campbell is insufficient evidence, like with many of the debates here. People are way too quick to label someone a bust. He was playing well for a rookie, his knee injury should've been declared season-ending, and now he's back to resume his development.

Campbell has been scrutinized from day one because of his short arms and there are posters that flat out don't like it. The elite rushers did expose that easily chopping his arms down and getting around the edge last season. But the lack of power in his lower body has been evident since his first game which many are in denial over. This is going to haunt him until he improves it.

Cole Strange was injury related. Like AVT, when he's healthy he's a starter in this league all day long.

Strange wasn't good even when on the field.

With McCourty, you could tell from day 1 he wasn't a great CB, he got some lucky bounces his rookie year.

Many deny this and point to his "Pro Bowl" selection as him being elite.

Wynn was talented but frustrating, hard to define what his problem was.

He looked good in his very limited time in 2019 because Tom Brady made his life easy getting rid of the ball quickly. The problem was he was an injury liability. Every season he ended up on IR at some point.

 

[scott99]

I like Andrews a lot, and I’m sure he has good insight and good contacts, but this is all speculation on his part.

 

[Real fan 02]

Campbell has been scrutinized from day one because of his short arms and there are posters that flat out don't like it. The elite rushers did expose that easily chopping his arms down and getting around the edge last season. But the lack of power in his lower body has been evident since his first game which many are in denial over. This is going to haunt him until he improves it.

Strange wasn't good even when on the field.

Many deny this and point to his "Pro Bowl" selection as him being elite.

He looked good in his very limited time in 2019 because Tom Brady made his life easy getting rid of the ball quickly. The problem was he was an injury liability. Every season he ended up on IR at some point.

Is exactly why Vrabel's said what he said he wants guys to get stronger and Matt light is same body type as Campbell and had a dam good 10 year career with " short" arms as they say.. here are some elite OTs with the short arm syndrome to some.

 

[Wozzy]

Is exactly why Vrabel's said what he said he wants guys to get stronger and Matt light is same body type as Campbell and had a dam good 10 year career with " short" arms as they say.. here are some elite OTs with the short arm syndrome to some.

Now do wingspan.

This conversation is muddy because people here keep saying “arm length” when Campbell’s weakness is total wingspan.

Stop saying arm length, it’s confusing people.

 

[Real fan 02]

Now do wingspan.

This conversation is muddy because people here keep saying “arm length” when Campbell’s weakness is total wingspan.

Stop saying arm length, it’s confusing people.

Ya wozzy. Let the national media pundits know how ya feel.. technique is what matters most. Do you know how mike Tyson was able to be so dominant as a boxer with short arms? Technique and foot work..

 

[patfanken]

I think this injury talk and how well Campbell played prior to it is overblown. He got hurt in week 12, weeks earlier in Cleveland Myles Garrett abused him and got 5 sacks in a game… at least three of those were on Campbell including a strip sack.

It’s easy to play well against the dregs of the NFL, not as easy to play well against the best of the best. Campbell needs to prove he can do that, otherwise slide him inside to guard.

If Campbell continues to struggle with speed, I don’t think moving him to the right side is the answer. They have other tackle prospects that could play in Bryant or Crownover if Moses is not available.
[/Qb

I think this injury talk and how well Campbell played prior to it is overblown. He got hurt in week 12, weeks earlier in Cleveland Myles Garrett abused him and got 5 sacks in a game… at least three of those were on Campbell including a strip sack.

It’s easy to play well against the dregs of the NFL, not as easy to play well against the best of the best. Campbell needs to prove he can do that, otherwise slide him inside to guard.

If Campbell continues to struggle with speed, I don’t think moving him to the right side is the answer. They have other tackle prospects that could play in Bryant or Crownover if Moses is not available.

You are playing pretty fast and loose with your stats Woz if are using the Garrett game as an excuse. First of all, using the best pass rusher this past decade vs a 21-year-old rookie as an example is cynical at best as well as "implying" all 5 were his fault. Actually, there were 3 sacks he was involved with. One he was supposed to get a chip by Henry and Henry never even touched him or made him change his route to the QB. That put Cambell at risk, because he made is drop based on his expectation of where Garrett would be after a chip. I remember that play specifically because of the total futility of Henry's chip attempt. A second was on an inside move by Garrett and having Wilson getting beat on the inside and picked up by Bradbury and not being in position to help seal his outside game on the Garrett move. In his confusion he ended up blocking no body. Campbell, expecting help on the inside, watch Garret get leverage on him and couldn't do anything but try and slow down his momentum. I don't remember anything about the 3rd one.

So, while he had his failures during his first 13 games, Campbel graded out rather well, and he and Membu were both close to each other at that point as the top graded rookie OT's IIRC. That wasn't a mirage, Cambell was doing a good job playing a tough position, despite having to overcome several already well documented obstacles.

The other thing you don't seem to take into account is that Lomu (the LAST of the top OT prospects picked) is going to have the SAME issues Cambell fought thru in 2025. He is also 21, needs to add strength and power to his game and like Campbel, he will be going into a new and difficult system, and have issues with stronger power edges. Fortunately, Lomu doesn't have to get thrown to the wolves like Will did. Barring injury, he will get a chance to ease his way into the league playing a key depth role.

We all got to see and analyze all of Will's mistakes ad infonitum, which is Latin for "****ing over and over and over again". Why do a lot of you seem to want to see them happen all over again with his carbon copy and waste all of the lessons that Cambell learned through the experience.

There have been reports that Maye looks a little bigger and "thicker" this season at OTA's Hopefully we will hear that Campbell looks thicker and stronger as well.

 

[Wozzy]

Ya wozzy. Let the national media pundits know how ya feel.. technique is what matters most. Do you know how mike Tyson was able to be so dominant as a boxer with short arms? Technique and foot work..

You sound like someone afraid to post the data.