Pats Pulpit
The first-round rookie has been a mainstay at left tackle this spring.
The lack of pads or contact throughout organized team activities led to relatively quiet times for the New England Patriots’ offensive lineman. But that does not mean this time of the year is not important — especially with Mike Vrabel leaning heavy into 11-on-11 work.
That rings particularly true for rookie Will Campbell, who has been a mainstay at left tackle throughout OTAs.
“It’s been good,” Marrone said of the rookie’s spring. “We’re working really a ton on the details and fundamentals. Every rep — he’s gotten a lot of reps — the way Coach Vrabel has the practices set up, we’ve gotten a lot of great work against our defense. All those things are going to help him. I think he’s progressing towards when we get to training camp. So, it’s been great from that standpoint.”
Campbell has often been matched up against third-year defensive lineman Keion White, a strong challenger for the rookie due to his size and explosiveness which again puts Campbell’s well-discussed pre-draft measurements into the discussion.
“[Arm length is] something that you look at and you look to see if it affects the way the player plays,” Marrone said. “We’re just working basically fundamentally, and the details, and seeing all the different looks you can see, and he’s been doing a great job of that.
“He’s continuing work hard every day. He’s been out here. He goes to work every day. Every day you’re learning something, and you’re getting better, and you’re not trying to make the same mistake twice, and that’s how he’s gone about it. He’s gone about his business very professional and that’s a great start.”
White is just one member of what New England is hoping to be a disruptive pass rush this season. Campbell has also seen talented pass rushers Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson along the edge while Milton Williams and Christian Barmore have set the stage to be one of the best interior duos in football.
Working against that unit this spring and summer should only make Campbell and the Patriots offensive line better entering the season.
“I think Will, and the entire group, has really done a nice job of trying to deal with a difficult front,” offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said. “We’re getting a bunch of different looks — this time of the year is so great for that. You just put all those reps on the film, and then we have them to teach off of as we go into training camp in July and August. So he’s really grinding away. He’s getting a lot of looks against a lot of good players, a lot of high-tempo reps.”
