Poor showings from Patriots left tackle Will Campbell were a common theme of the team’s run to the Super Bowl. New England’s left tackle was operating at far from full health during that stretch. 
During Campbell’s first remarks after New England’s Super Bowl loss, he said (via MassLive’s Mark Daniels) he suffered a torn ligament in his knee during the regular season. Campbell had not fully recovered by the time the playoffs began, and the ailment affected him through all four of the team’s postseason games.
Campbell noted the injury was not an excuse for his poor play, but it does at least partially explain his struggles. The fourth overall pick in last April’s draft was unable to consistently hold up in pass protection during the Patriots’ journey to Super Bowl LX. New England’s offensive line – which had Campbell as well as fellow rookie Jared Wilson as a starter at left guard – was a major talking point leading up to the game. Seattle’s defense was highly successful in pressuring quarterback Drake Maye, something which led to the Seahawks’ victory. Campbell in particular endured a rough outing in the title game.
“Will is 22 years old,” head coach Mike Vrabel said (via Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network) when speaking to the media on Tuesday. ” He’s our left tackle. He’ll get better. He’ll get stronger… there’s plays he’d like to have back. We’re not moving Will to guard, center, right end or anything else.”
Leading up to the draft, Campbell’s arm length was a source of concern with respect to his ability to remain a left tackle at the NFL level. The LSU product operated on the blindside throughout his rookie season, one which was interrupted by an MCL sprain. Campbell returned to left tackle duties upon return, and based on Vrabel’s comments he will again be counted on to serve as an anchor of New England’s offensive line moving forward. A return to full health will be the priority in this case, and Campbell’s ability to improve in Year 2 will be key in determining the Patriots’ success next season.
Good timing on the story 😂 this can’t possibly be trying to save face. That turnstile was dealing with a knee guys, that’s the issue 😂
Gotta love the NFLPA and ‘player safety’ rules.
The injury is not an excuse yet stories are coming out about it as he’s being criticized in the media. Sure.
Being a rookie and a little undersized against some of the most physically imposing pass rushers in football was already enough. But think a lot of Sunday’s problems could be chalked up to blocking scheme as much as individual blockers.
Right on cue, here come the excuses!
Campbell literally said its no excuse.
Its a fact, not an excuse. Anyone that saw him play before the injury ans after knew something was wrong. He was a top 10 LT in the league before the injury.
People want to jump to the arm length, but analysts with linemen backgrounds have mentioned it was power and footwork, not his arm length that was causing him problems.
Campbell isnt going to be elite most likely. Hes got work to do to continue to improve. But being hurt isn’t an excuse, it was just a fact of the situation.
So they didn’t have a healthy backup who was better then an injured Campbell ? Either he is an all-world player who is still better than most people even if he has an injury or the Patriots didn’t have good enough backups.
Not many teams have a good LT backup. Yes, youre going to battle with your guys if they can suit up. Vederian Lowe is not a great player either. He was a turnstile last year. Might as well roll with your guy to try and get experience. He struggled mightily. But Lowe would have as well.
I also think most realize the Patriots were not yhe most talented team in the league. Depth certainly is/was an issue. Definitely a priority of the off season.
has nothing to do with his short arms. right. see ya at guard
These excuses after his awful performance are slightly less embarrassing than that Norwegian Biathlon medalist who used his post-race interview to admit to cheating on his girlfriend earlier today.
He should’ve been named MVP of the superbowl as he was clearly the best player for Seattle ;).
I don’t think that New England can come up with an excuse out of this because:
a) if this is a lie, then that means Campbell is just that bad at LT, and he has to be moved to G, and now you have to explain why you took a Guard at 4 overall.
b) if this is true, that means Vrabel allowed him to play while completely ineffective due to an injury, which is a serious coaching miscue.
I’ve heard this guys name a lot the last few days lol