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USA Today
03-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Patriots reporter addresses specific concerns regarding Will Campbell
New England Patriots rookie Will Campbell is coming into the 2025 season with a ton of expectations, despite being new to the NFL. The offensive tackle is one of the highest-rated rookies in Madden NFL 26, and he has been under a heavy microscope since he first stepped onto the practice field. Campbell himself admitted on Friday that the NFL is vastly different than the collegiate ranks, noting that he has not been able to get away with some of the same stuff he did in college. Boston Sports Journal's Mike Giardi pinpointed some concerns in a recent column earlier this week. 'Up until Wednesday's practice, Campbell had been fine. He's shown to be an above-average run blocker during the padded practices we've seen, and while exposed at times as a pass blocker, it's not anything I didn't expect,' Giardi wrote. 'The two sacks allowed on Wednesday were concerning, and he was beaten on another play as well, but Drake Maye sidestepped the rush. Campbell had more issues on Friday and was beaten on back-to-back reps by Truman Jones. Welcome to life as an NFL left tackle.' The early struggles are certainly expected, given that Campbell is a rookie adjusting to the NFL level. His play overall could have a major impact on the Patriots offensively considering he is expected to serve as the starting left tackle. The receiving weapons won't matter if the team fails to protect second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
USA Today
12-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Patriots insider made surprising pick for team's offseason MVP
Patriots insider made surprising pick for team's offseason MVP Boston Sports Journal's Mike Giardi gave his MVP of the offseason, and it wasn't necessarily the answer you would expect. "Mike Vrabel," Giardi said, when appearing on the Pats Interference Football Podcast. "Just again, night and day, just how the operation is run. And I can tell you, last year, there were a lot of times where I wrote in my notebook, 'What the hell are they doing?' Or something to that degree. "And this year, I find myself scribbling in my notebook like, 'Hey, Vrabel was here, and then like 20 seconds later, he's on the other end of the field talking to a DB, and then he's on the sideline talking to one of the coaches. Then he is over here talking to a special teamer.'" The Patriots hired Vrabel in January, and he has immediately changed the culture. From sweeping coaching changes to additions made to the front office, along with helping lead the charge in the 2025 NFL draft war room, Vrabel seems to have his fingerprints on everything. On paper, the Patriots look more competitive than they've been in years. Time will tell if that statement holds up when they start playing actual football games. However, it's already clear that Vrabel has made a strong impression right out of the gates. The Patriots expected nothing less when they rushed to hire him in the offseason. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
USA Today
05-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Josh McDaniels reportedly had major role in adding this coach to Patriots staff
The New England Patriots have made several coaching staff moves since Mike Vrabel took over as head coach. However, at least one of those moves reportedly came at the hand of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. According to the Boston Sports Journal's Greg Bedard, McDaniels is believed to be behind the decision to hire Todd Downing as the Patriots' new wide receivers coach. Downing most recently coached with the New York Jets as their quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator. He took over the offensive playcalling duties following Nathaniel Hackett being fired by the team. 'They went through extensive searches, specific to the wide receivers position, they talked to a lot of college receivers coaches,' Bedard said on the 'Greg Bedard Patriots Podcast.' 'But from what I understand, Vrabel was not going to force anybody on McDaniels. From what I understand, Vrabel wasn't even involved in the Todd Downing interview. 'He wanted to make sure that if it was Todd Downing, that McDaniels really wanted him. From what I understand, that is true. McDaniels really wanted him, really liked him. McDaniels, he didn't even need a former receivers coach. He just wanted a really good coach.' There's hope that McDaniels choosing the wide receivers coach will help with the overall cohesiveness of the offensive coaching in New England. The development and production at the wide receiver position have been a struggle for the team for years. Perhaps they'll get closer to fixing it with this latest coaching move.
