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

[Wozzy]

Draftscout.com (formerly NFLDraftscout.com) has published Wingspan going back to the 2013 draft.

Rashawn Slater - 80 1/8
Braden Smith - 78 1/8
Berhard Rainmann - 81 1/4


What's interesting is how people like @State have taken to yammering about Wingspan because they know that if they talk about Arm Length, they'll get shut down by people bringing up Dante's interviews on the subject.

Slater has made a pro bowl/all pro team, neither Smith or Rainmann have… make of that what you will.

Again, I’m not emotionally invested of Campbell succeeding or failing at offensive tackle… but as a draftnik I find it silly that pointing out a potential weakness is taboo.

I said this about Campbell before the Patriots drafted him, I’d be a hypocrite for saying it didn’t matter after they did.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Agreed, I argued with posters for a month prior to the draft that tackle was where they would go in the first round.

Left tackle is one position you simply have to have. OL is a priority period, but good left tackles are so hard to come by that you have to grab them when you have that shot. Overall I believe in BPA inthe draft, but QB and left tackle are exceptions to the rule.

 

[patfanken]

Slater has made a pro bowl/all pro team, neither Smith or Rainmann have… make of that what you will.

Again, I’m not emotionally invested of Campbell succeeding or failing at offensive tackle… but as a draftnik I find it silly that pointing out a potential weakness is taboo.

I said this about Campbell before the Patriots drafted him, I’d be a hypocrite for saying it didn’t matter after they did.

Here's the thing, Woz. Noone condemns you for your opinion and concerns. They were valid when originally brought up during the draft process and into the 2025 season. HOWEVER, during the first 13 games of the season, those concerns seemingly were determined to be unfounded given his actual play. Not that his play was unblemished over those games before his injury, but the fact that his arm length had anything to do with those issues. You there was no point in the season where you could say, "if his arms were an inch longer, he would have made that block".

The same thing goes for his play during the playoffs. If his arms had been 3 inches longer, it wouldn't have made any difference is the reason for his issues during that run. His major issue was his inability to set his base and anchor so he could stop the power rush of those great rushers and thus be able to use his great athleticism to THEN mirror after the initial push. There were other reasons for his flawed performance as well like playing next to a an out of position rookie who was ALSO having issues, and having no help from his TE's, and just being a not fully grown 21-year-old NFL novice.

BTW- Speaking of Campbell, has any mediot comment on Campbell's appearance during OTA's. Does he look bigger, stronger or the same to these guys?

So to go to this thread and STILL see the short arm talk being revived is kind of ridiculous, because we've been there and done that already. Campbell had issues during the playoffs, but his arms being about an inch shorter than optimal wasn't one of them.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Here's the thing, Woz. Noone condemns you for your opinion and concerns. They were valid when originally brought up during the draft process and into the 2025 season. HOWEVER, during the first 13 games of the season, those concerns seemingly were determined to be unfounded given his actual play. Not that his play was unblemished over those games before his injury, but the fact that his arm length had anything to do with those issues. You there was no point in the season where you could say, "if his arms were an inch longer, he would have made that block".

The same thing goes for his play during the playoffs. If his arms had been 3 inches longer, it wouldn't have made any difference is the reason for his issues during that run. His major issue was his inability to set his base and anchor so he could stop the power rush of those great rushers and thus be able to use his great athleticism to THEN mirror after the initial push. There were other reasons for his flawed performance as well like playing next to a an out of position rookie who was ALSO having issues, and having no help from his TE's, and just being a not fully grown 21-year-old NFL novice.

So to go to this thread and STILL see the short arm talk being revived is kind of ridiculous, because we've been there and done that already. Campbell had issues during the playoffs, but his arms being about an inch shorter than optimal wasn't one of them.

Right on the money Ken. Campbell has a number of areas he needs to improve, but longer fingernails isn't one of them. And the talk of moving him to guard is idiotic. You don't create holes at positions just for the hell of it .


And the " short arm talk" is really only being brought by the same idiots who didn't want them to draft him, and are just retreading their stupid old draft takes. Although I have absolutely no doubt that State still believes that Spencer Rattler is a better quarterback than Drake Maye.

 

[mayoclinic]

The same thing goes for his play during the playoffs. If his arms had been 3 inches longer, it wouldn't have made any difference is the reason for his issues during that run. His major issue was his inability to set his base and anchor so he could stop the power rush of those great rushers and thus be able to use his great athleticism to THEN mirror after the initial push.

I think the playoffs proved that a short-armed, short-wingspan LT hopping on one leg does not work well against top defenses.

 

[Real fan 02]

I think the playoffs proved that a short-armed, short-wingspan LT hopping on one leg does not work well against top defenses.

In past 25-30 Plus seasons we've had at LT...
Bruce Armstrong
Matt Light
Nate solder
One good season from Trent brown.

Campbell will have a chance to really supplant himself at the position in be in good company, also set himself up for generational wealth.. all needs to do is be Matt light Esque.. those guys listed above above never saw anything remotely close to What a starting LT sees today in the NFL. He has many reasons to want to play well.. it's all on him.

 

[mgteich]

Something of note to think about.. Holley on NBC sports Boston the other night mentioned something that I can really see come to fruition.. as Ownenu and his contract situation I can see a scenario where he's not here next season AVT plays RG, Campbell played LG and Lomu is LT..

Halley must be reading this board. We've discussed this possibility several times.

There was never any guarantee of Onwenu being here in 2027, although I think that is now MORE likely, certainly more possible.

While we were always going to draft an OG next year, moving AVT to RG has been discussed. Of course, this scenario leaves a hole at RT.

 

[patfanken]

I think the playoffs proved that a short-armed, short-wingspan LT hopping on one leg does not work well against top defenses.

Here's where we differ on this issue. In your post you state his short arms and wingspan as equal detriments to his knee injury as reasons for his subpar performance in the playoffs, and the fact is we DON'T know this to be true. We don't know AT ALL whether the short arm **** mattered at all. We DO know that his inability to be able to consistently set and anchor, so he was able to halt power rushes was THE major factor. We also have failed to acknowledge the effect of having Henry and a struggling Wilson on either side were ALSO factors in his struggles. Having a capable experienced LG next to him last season would have DEFINITELY helped a 21 year old LT.

I have mentioned these things before. They are FACTORS, not excuses. Plus, it has to be understood that at the end of THIS season, Campbell (and every other 2nd year player) will STILL have lots of areas where he can grow and improve moving on. We won't see the Will Campbell that "is what he is" until he's ready (or not) to sign his extension.

Sometimes I think my life would have been a lot less aggravating if we had traded down a bit and picked Membu and played him at RT and Moses at left. I think that team would have made a similar run in the playoffs more or less. Then we pick Lomu to ease into the LT role kind of like Solder did his rookie year. With the end result of having a dominant RT and talented LT prospect for 2026, which will mesh perfectly for 2027 which will likely be the season where we have the full roster to be an AFC powerhouse with a dominant OL and top 5 QB, a true Superbowl favorite.

Oh that 20-20 hindsight, such a gift.

 

[mayoclinic]

Here's where we differ on this issue. In your post you state his short arms and wingspan as equal detriments to his knee injury as reasons for his subpar performance in the playoffs, and the fact is we DON'T know this to be true. We don't know AT ALL whether the short arm **** mattered at all. We DO know that his inability to be able to consistently set and anchor, so he was able to halt power rushes was THE major factor. We also have failed to acknowledge the effect of having Henry and a struggling Wilson on either side were ALSO factors in his struggles. Having a capable experienced LG next to him last season would have DEFINITELY helped a 21 year old LT.

I have mentioned these things before. They are FACTORS, not excuses. Plus, it has to be understood that at the end of THIS season, Campbell (and every other 2nd year player) will STILL have lots of areas where he can grow and improve moving on. We won't see the Will Campbell that "is what he is" until he's ready (or not) to sign his extension.

Sometimes I think my life would have been a lot less aggravating if we had traded down a bit and picked Membu and played him at RT and Moses at left. I think that team would have made a similar run in the playoffs more or less. Then we pick Lomu to ease into the LT role kind of like Solder did his rookie year. With the end result of having a dominant RT and talented LT prospect for 2026, which will mesh perfectly for 2027 which will likely be the season where we have the full roster to be an AFC powerhouse with a dominant OL and top 5 QB, a true Superbowl favorite.

Oh that 20-20 hindsight, such a gift.

Where did I say they were equal factors?

A long-armed LT with greater wingspan hopping on one leg would have fared equally poorly, IMO.

I do believe that Will Campbell has limitations due to his frame. He compensates for them with smarts, physicality, and athleticism. His injury completely reduced his ability to do so. His ability to compensate will never be 100% perfect, but when healthy it should be adequate to stay outside.

I have thought about the Membou situation many times. We desperately needed a LT for 2025, and had RT Morgan Moses under contract. But in the retroscope, Lomu/Membou would have been perfect.

 

[mgteich]

Here's where we differ on this issue. In your post you state his short arms and wingspan as equal detriments to his knee injury as reasons for his subpar performance in the playoffs, and the fact is we DON'T know this to be true. We don't know AT ALL whether the short arm **** mattered at all. We DO know that his inability to be able to consistently set and anchor, so he was able to halt power rushes was THE major factor. We also have failed to acknowledge the effect of having Henry and a struggling Wilson on either side were ALSO factors in his struggles. Having a capable experienced LG next to him last season would have DEFINITELY helped a 21 year old LT.

I have mentioned these things before. They are FACTORS, not excuses. Plus, it has to be understood that at the end of THIS season, Campbell (and every other 2nd year player) will STILL have lots of areas where he can grow and improve moving on. We won't see the Will Campbell that "is what he is" until he's ready (or not) to sign his extension.

Sometimes I think my life would have been a lot less aggravating if we had traded down a bit and picked Membu and played him at RT and Moses at left. I think that team would have made a similar run in the playoffs more or less. Then we pick Lomu to ease into the LT role kind of like Solder did his rookie year. With the end result of having a dominant RT and talented LT prospect for 2026, which will mesh perfectly for 2027 which will likely be the season where we have the full roster to be an AFC powerhouse with a dominant OL and top 5 QB, a true Superbowl favorite.

Oh that 20-20 hindsight, such a gift.

I agree that a better LG last year would have helped Campbell enormously. LG was a major failure on management last year.

IMO, counting on Moses to be our starting LT would have been an even greater failure. Moses is NOT a LT. He has played 287 reps at LT in his career, with 9258 reps at RT. I believe that Moses hasn't played LT since his 2-game stint in 2020 for WAS. Since then, Moses has been a very good RT. The team needed a RT, found Moses and paid him $10M a year to fill that role.

 

[State]

I think the playoffs proved that a short-armed, short-wingspan LT hopping on one leg does not work well against top defenses.

Joe Thuney says Hi. But he was able to do that in the SB with Chiefs--on both legs.

And people are avoiding how Myles Garrett, the superstar DE in Cleveland, abused Campbell in the regular season before Campbell's injury.

And speaking of Campbell's leg injury that people use to excuse his, um, rough outing in the SB, isn't that the job of his position coach to ensure he's physically able to get the job done?

Dougie, why'd you not put in the healthy backup? Esp when the team fell behind and went pass happy?

Vederian Lowe two seasons ago sucked but it was later revealed he played through a major pectoral tear that required surgery.

Campbell will be a GREAT LG. But I agree with Captain Stone. It'll be after this season as a middling LT. Sunk Cost Fallacy and all.

And the what-ifs of a Lomu/Membou starting OT duo will be a painful thought experiment. For years to come.

 

[TomPatriot]

As a starting-caliber Left Tackle on a legit contender? No I don't. In fact, I think this is gonna be Stumpy's last season as the starting LT of the NEP. 2027 will see him as the starter at either LG, RG or RT.

Maybe, but a pretty good LT names Rashawn Slater says hello. Pretty close to the same build and makeup. Campbell needs to be healthy and get reps. We’ll see.

 

[slash83]

This would be a good thing.