When it comes to Will Campbell, most of the conversation has revolved around his arm length. Or lack of such.
That’s been a source of great debate regarding the Patriots first round pick, who was taken fourth overall.
Once you get past the arms, however, there’s so much more to learn about the Patriots rookie left tackle.
One Campbell trait that needs no scrutiny?
His ability to to lead and set the desired culture.
While rookies typically don’t feel comfortable enough in the early going to assert themselves, Campbell isn’t the type to wait for the timing to be right.
Listening to Brad Davis, his offensive line coach at LSU, Campbell will establish his presence right away. He watched him do it as a freshman, witnessed the transformation of the line right away, and has no doubt Campbell’s impact will be immediate.
“As a rookie, as a young player, he can go in and absolutely change the culture of the offensive line in that organization,” Davis said when reached last week. “He doesn’t have to go in there and do anything out of the ordinary. He just has to be himself.”
Between his work ethic, practice habits, preparation, it’s hard for others not to take note of how much Campbell cares and wants to win.
Davis said if he had a meeting at 2:30, Campbell would arrive at 2:00. He’d watch film and take notes to make use of the 30 minutes he had before the meeting.
If the players were expected to be in the weight room to lift at 6:30, Campbell would be there at 5. Over the course of his three years at LSU, Davis said there was no deviation.
“He’s not going to have to come in, and fight for his voice. The people who are wired like him, and have a true love of the game, and a desire to improve, they’ll gravitate toward him,” Davis said. “And he’ll be able to cultivate a culture of guys that want to win. That’s what this kid’s makeup is.”
That’s the culture Mike Vrabel is trying to build. He wants players who will buy in and put the team first.
He’s also cleaned house of the old guard, parting ways with five of last year’s captains (David Andrews, Joe Cardona, Deatrich Wise, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jacoby Brissett). So there’s room for new leadership in the room.
During his introductory press conference Vrabel described his vision for the types of players he wanted to bring in and go to battle with.
“Winners come in all shapes and sizes. We’re going to have leaders. Leaders are going to identify themselves,” Vrabel said. “I know that our staff and our ability to create winners and competitors are probably easier than it is to create leaders, and the leaders are going to identify themselves. The leaders are going to be the ones that define the culture. The culture will be what drives and gives you the results that we’re all after.”
Davis believes what Vrabel and the Patriots are building is the perfect environment for Campbell not only to thrive, but coax others to do the same.
Based on Vrabel’s remarks, Campbell, who’ll be in town for the start of Patriots rookie minicamp on Friday, certainly fits. He could be a foundational piece not only on the field, but in the locker room.
“If you have a rare talent like that, with those kind of traits, and you support him, and surround him with people who are like him, then, you just let him do what he does best – and that’s lead,” Davis said. “He was the leader of our team. The heartbeat of our team for that matter.
“He’s absolutely going to change the organization. Not to say the place needs to be changed, it’s a real good organization. But I’m going to tell you, this kid is going to make an impact that hasn’t been felt around there in awhile.
“He’s special. I’m not making this up because I’m his coach. I’m just telling you who he is.”
Campbell’s approach, how he goes about preparing each week to take on the opposing team’s best pass rusher is another sign of his character. His desire to win.
According to Davis, Campbell leaves no stone unturned.
“He’s not going to overmatch everybody he plays against. He’s just going to go out and work at his craft. He’s going to prepare throughout the week. He’s going to study his opponent,” Davis said. “He’s going to give himself every advantage he can give himself so he doesn’t just rely on his physical talent, he’s going to study the most intricate parts of a defender’s game. Their stance, their hand placement, their alignment … from Sunday to Friday, that’s where he excelled. That’s the part the Patriots saw.”
Davis believes Vrabel & Co. would have been “crazy” not to take Campbell with the fourth overall pick.
While he checked off the box of a major need, being Drake Maye’s blindside protector, Campbell does so much more.
He constantly pushes the envelope.
“He has traits that are consistent with highly successful people. It’s almost a level of insanity that most people can’t match,” Davis said, “because he loves the sport of football that much.”
Davis, who was at Arkansas before joining LSU, recruited Campbell as a high school player. He’s known the Louisiana native for some time.
While there’s some who question how successful he’ll be with measurables that don’t bode well for tackles, Davis has no doubt.
“He doesn’t expect to fail,” Adams said of Campbell. “He’ll run the organization. He’ll be the face of that franchise. That place will catch on fire. He’s that special.”
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Read the original article on MassLive.
When it comes to Will Campbell, most of the conversation has revolved around his arm length. Or lack of such.
That’s been a source of great debate regarding the Patriots first round pick, who was taken fourth overall.
Once you get past the arms, however, there’s so much more to learn about the Patriots rookie left tackle.
One Campbell trait that needs no scrutiny?
His ability to to lead and set the desired culture.
While rookies typically don’t feel comfortable enough in the early going to assert themselves, Campbell isn’t the type to wait for the timing to be right.
Listening to Brad Davis, his offensive line coach at LSU, Campbell will establish his presence right away. He watched him do it as a freshman, witnessed the transformation of the line right away, and has no doubt Campbell’s impact will be immediate.
“As a rookie, as a young player, he can go in and absolutely change the culture of the offensive line in that organization,” Davis said when reached last week. “He doesn’t have to go in there and do anything out of the ordinary. He just has to be himself.”
Between his work ethic, practice habits, preparation, it’s hard for others not to take note of how much Campbell cares and wants to win.
Davis said if he had a meeting at 2:30, Campbell would arrive at 2:00. He’d watch film and take notes to make use of the 30 minutes he had before the meeting.
If the players were expected to be in the weight room to lift at 6:30, Campbell would be there at 5. Over the course of his three years at LSU, Davis said there was no deviation.
“He’s not going to have to come in, and fight for his voice. The people who are wired like him, and have a true love of the game, and a desire to improve, they’ll gravitate toward him,” Davis said. “And he’ll be able to cultivate a culture of guys that want to win. That’s what this kid’s makeup is.”
That’s the culture Mike Vrabel is trying to build. He wants players who will buy in and put the team first.
He’s also cleaned house of the old guard, parting ways with five of last year’s captains (David Andrews, Joe Cardona, Deatrich Wise, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jacoby Brissett). So there’s room for new leadership in the room.
During his introductory press conference Vrabel described his vision for the types of players he wanted to bring in and go to battle with.
“Winners come in all shapes and sizes. We’re going to have leaders. Leaders are going to identify themselves,” Vrabel said. “I know that our staff and our ability to create winners and competitors are probably easier than it is to create leaders, and the leaders are going to identify themselves. The leaders are going to be the ones that define the culture. The culture will be what drives and gives you the results that we’re all after.”
Davis believes what Vrabel and the Patriots are building is the perfect environment for Campbell not only to thrive, but coax others to do the same.
Based on Vrabel’s remarks, Campbell, who’ll be in town for the start of Patriots rookie minicamp on Friday, certainly fits. He could be a foundational piece not only on the field, but in the locker room.
“If you have a rare talent like that, with those kind of traits, and you support him, and surround him with people who are like him, then, you just let him do what he does best – and that’s lead,” Davis said. “He was the leader of our team. The heartbeat of our team for that matter.
“He’s absolutely going to change the organization. Not to say the place needs to be changed, it’s a real good organization. But I’m going to tell you, this kid is going to make an impact that hasn’t been felt around there in awhile.
“He’s special. I’m not making this up because I’m his coach. I’m just telling you who he is.”
Campbell’s approach, how he goes about preparing each week to take on the opposing team’s best pass rusher is another sign of his character. His desire to win.
According to Davis, Campbell leaves no stone unturned.
“He’s not going to overmatch everybody he plays against. He’s just going to go out and work at his craft. He’s going to prepare throughout the week. He’s going to study his opponent,” Davis said. “He’s going to give himself every advantage he can give himself so he doesn’t just rely on his physical talent, he’s going to study the most intricate parts of a defender’s game. Their stance, their hand placement, their alignment … from Sunday to Friday, that’s where he excelled. That’s the part the Patriots saw.”
Davis believes Vrabel & Co. would have been “crazy” not to take Campbell with the fourth overall pick.
While he checked off the box of a major need, being Drake Maye’s blindside protector, Campbell does so much more.
He constantly pushes the envelope.
“He has traits that are consistent with highly successful people. It’s almost a level of insanity that most people can’t match,” Davis said, “because he loves the sport of football that much.”
Davis, who was at Arkansas before joining LSU, recruited Campbell as a high school player. He’s known the Louisiana native for some time.
While there’s some who question how successful he’ll be with measurables that don’t bode well for tackles, Davis has no doubt.
“He doesn’t expect to fail,” Adams said of Campbell. “He’ll run the organization. He’ll be the face of that franchise. That place will catch on fire. He’s that special.”
