- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 441,647
- Reaction score
- 44
FOXBOROUGH - Meet Will Campbell, the new poster boy for the Mike Vrabel Way.
He’s exactly what Vrabel is looking for as a “foundational” piece, a culture builder, a leader and an absolute force to be reckoned with for opposing teams.
Was the LSU tackle the “best” player available at No. 4?
No.
And if many of the draft experts are to be believed, it wasn’t particularly close. There were at least a half-dozen players rated above him on draft boards.
According to Vrabel, however, Campbell was in fact the best, as in best player for the Patriots.
“This was a very, very easy pick for us,” Vrabel said when asked about the decision to go with Campbell in that spot.
It was easy because of an overwhelming need to protect Drake Maye’s blind side, and because Campbell has all of the traits that Vrabel covets.
So best player be dammed. Ditto for the tackle’s arms being too short. In Vrabel’s mind, Campbell checks off the most important boxes.
Since his introductory press conference in January, to the first night of the 2025 NFL Draft three months later, the Patriots coach has been preaching about the culture he wants to set, and the type of team he wants to showcase on the football field.
At the Patriots draft party Thursday night, speaking to a crowd assembled at Gillette Stadium ahead of making the pick, Vrabel beat that drum.
To the season ticket holders, he talked about his team having an “identity” the fan base would be proud of.
“They’re going to have a play demeanor that you’re gonna appreciate, that you’re gonna want to cheer for, that you’re gonna want to support, that you want to rally behind,” Vrabel said, addressing the crowd.
It’s a take no prisoners demeanor. It’s being hard-nosed, tough, and willing to do whatever it takes to win.
An hour later, Vrabel chose a player that embodied that identity in spades.
Campbell has long wanted to be a Patriot. His post-college mission was to put it all on the line to protect a Patriots quarterback, telling NFL Network he would “fight and die to protect (Maye)” with everything he has.
“We love his football character, his play demeanor, his play style, how coachable he is,” Vrabel said. “A 21-year-old player that’s started 38 of 40 games in the SEC is something that is impressive.”
Vrabel then relayed that on a recent trip to visit and workout Campbell, the kid’s end game was obvious. It screamed from his play style and demeanor.
“I’ll just tell you this. When we went down there to work him out, he showed up with one purpose, and that was for us to pick him,” Vrabel said. “From the time that we walked in the building to the time that we left and got on the plane, he had one objective, and that was to prove to us that he was the right player for us.”
While maybe not the best talent available at No. 4, Campbell, a three-time All-SEC pick, was considered the best tackle by many.
How would he describe himself as a player?
“Nasty,” Campbell answered on a video call with the local media not long after being selected. “I’m going to go out there and give everything I have every single play to protect my teammates, protect my quarterback, and just put the Patriots in the best position possible to help win games on Sundays.”
Listening to Campbell, it’s hard not to come away impressed. He does talk the talk. And watching his tape, backs it up.
Will he eventually have to move to guard, because his short arms don’t translate into being an NFL tackle?
Maybe.
But Vrabel wasn’t concerned about whether or not that scenario would play out. He wasn’t worried about possibly being wrong about Campbell, his very first pick running the ship.
Vrabel was more focused on the type of team he wants to build. Every move he’s made in free agency, every player he’s signed, or dumped from the 2024 team, was with the same purpose in mind - assembling the type of team he wants, and believes will win.
“We coveted this player. This was a very good football player,” Vrabel said of Campbell. “I think part of the draft is adding great pieces and great players to your roster, which is what we did ... We’ve watched every game that he’s played, put a lot of work into this, and we’re all excited and happy that he’s here.”
Campbell fits the mold, and then some. Like him or not, that’s why no one else had a chance.
Continue reading...
He’s exactly what Vrabel is looking for as a “foundational” piece, a culture builder, a leader and an absolute force to be reckoned with for opposing teams.
Was the LSU tackle the “best” player available at No. 4?
No.
And if many of the draft experts are to be believed, it wasn’t particularly close. There were at least a half-dozen players rated above him on draft boards.
According to Vrabel, however, Campbell was in fact the best, as in best player for the Patriots.
“This was a very, very easy pick for us,” Vrabel said when asked about the decision to go with Campbell in that spot.
It was easy because of an overwhelming need to protect Drake Maye’s blind side, and because Campbell has all of the traits that Vrabel covets.
So best player be dammed. Ditto for the tackle’s arms being too short. In Vrabel’s mind, Campbell checks off the most important boxes.
Since his introductory press conference in January, to the first night of the 2025 NFL Draft three months later, the Patriots coach has been preaching about the culture he wants to set, and the type of team he wants to showcase on the football field.
At the Patriots draft party Thursday night, speaking to a crowd assembled at Gillette Stadium ahead of making the pick, Vrabel beat that drum.
To the season ticket holders, he talked about his team having an “identity” the fan base would be proud of.
“They’re going to have a play demeanor that you’re gonna appreciate, that you’re gonna want to cheer for, that you’re gonna want to support, that you want to rally behind,” Vrabel said, addressing the crowd.
It’s a take no prisoners demeanor. It’s being hard-nosed, tough, and willing to do whatever it takes to win.
An hour later, Vrabel chose a player that embodied that identity in spades.
Campbell has long wanted to be a Patriot. His post-college mission was to put it all on the line to protect a Patriots quarterback, telling NFL Network he would “fight and die to protect (Maye)” with everything he has.
“We love his football character, his play demeanor, his play style, how coachable he is,” Vrabel said. “A 21-year-old player that’s started 38 of 40 games in the SEC is something that is impressive.”
Vrabel then relayed that on a recent trip to visit and workout Campbell, the kid’s end game was obvious. It screamed from his play style and demeanor.
“I’ll just tell you this. When we went down there to work him out, he showed up with one purpose, and that was for us to pick him,” Vrabel said. “From the time that we walked in the building to the time that we left and got on the plane, he had one objective, and that was to prove to us that he was the right player for us.”
While maybe not the best talent available at No. 4, Campbell, a three-time All-SEC pick, was considered the best tackle by many.
How would he describe himself as a player?
“Nasty,” Campbell answered on a video call with the local media not long after being selected. “I’m going to go out there and give everything I have every single play to protect my teammates, protect my quarterback, and just put the Patriots in the best position possible to help win games on Sundays.”
Listening to Campbell, it’s hard not to come away impressed. He does talk the talk. And watching his tape, backs it up.
Will he eventually have to move to guard, because his short arms don’t translate into being an NFL tackle?
Maybe.
But Vrabel wasn’t concerned about whether or not that scenario would play out. He wasn’t worried about possibly being wrong about Campbell, his very first pick running the ship.
Vrabel was more focused on the type of team he wants to build. Every move he’s made in free agency, every player he’s signed, or dumped from the 2024 team, was with the same purpose in mind - assembling the type of team he wants, and believes will win.
“We coveted this player. This was a very good football player,” Vrabel said of Campbell. “I think part of the draft is adding great pieces and great players to your roster, which is what we did ... We’ve watched every game that he’s played, put a lot of work into this, and we’re all excited and happy that he’s here.”
Campbell fits the mold, and then some. Like him or not, that’s why no one else had a chance.
More Patriots Content
- 6 wide receivers Patriots could target in second round
- How draft experts graded Patriots picking Will Campbell at No. 4
- 10 best players available for New England Patriots on NFL Draft Day 2
- Why Will Campbell wanted to play for Patriots, ‘all ball, no BS’ Mike Vrabel
Continue reading...
