Patriots coach offers update on ‘very professional' 1st-round pick
As Will Campbell makes the leap to the NFL, his offensive line coach is pleased with the way he's acclimating.
Taken at No. 4 overall in April's draft, Campbell is expected to be New England's Week 1 starter at left tackle and has been repping there at voluntary OTAs. Spring is a tricky time to evaluate linemen — they're not in pads — but Doug Marrone provided a positive update on what he's seen from Campbell thus far.
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'It's been good,' Marrone said. 'We're working really a ton on the details and fundamentals. Every rep — he's gotten a lot of reps — the way Coach (Mike) Vrabel has the way the practices set up, we've gotten a lot of great work against our defense. All those things are going to help him. He's progressing towards when we get to training camp. So it's been great from that standpoint.'
Off the field, Marrone said Campbell's 'work and the dedication' have stood out to him. The 21-year-old has been present for all of the team's voluntary activities open to reporters.
Monday morning was the first time Marrone had spoken to the media since the Patriots drafted Campbell, so the offensive line coach was asked about the rookie's polarizing 32 ⅝ inch arm length measurements. Marrone acknowledged arm length can be a factor, but then veered his answer back into praising the early impression Campbell has made on him.
'It's something that you look at and you look to see if it affects the way the player plays. Right now, that's not going to change,' 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.
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'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.'
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