Here’s what crazy Boston loons like New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft are going to do next. They will be starting two rooks, Will Campbell and Jared Wilson, at OT on the left side to protect their franchise QB Drake Maye. This decision would leave the Patriots on track to be just the third team in 25 years to have two rookie blindside starters. The 2013 Chicago Bears and the 2019 Atlanta Falcons are the only other teams to accomplish this miracle, turned-marvel miraculous marvel, previously. Their season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders is set for September 7.
Will Campbell, the highly-touted first-round draft pick, will likely be the anchor on the left side. At the same time, rookie third-rounder Jared Wilson becomes the de-facto starter at left guard. Both players have shown what they’re capable of and have taken their place with the first unit in practice. Their long road together began well before the draft. Having trained alongside one another for years, they developed a powerful connection that showed during years of fierce competition and now fuels astounding teamwork on the field.
New head coach Mike Vrabel was particularly excited to have the rookie pair protecting Maye’s blindside. He noted, “We just talk about how fun it’s going to be — two rookies, next to each other, left guard and left tackle, on the blindside.” That excitement from the coaching staff is a testament to their hunger for improvement and progression. They are all set to start their 1st @uslpro professional season!
Youth and inexperience be damned, Campbell and Wilson have already indicated nascent signs of powerful chemistry. They communicate effectively on every play, focusing on cadence to ensure synchronization. Wilson emphasized this aspect of their partnership, stating, “We reiterate cadence to each other, contributing to our growing chemistry and confidence.” This partnership is key as they get ready to tackle the storm brewing during the next chapter.
This past year, the Patriots really struggled, with a 32nd ranked pass block win rate. This only put more emphasis on the strong performance of their offensive line. The upcoming matchup against the Raiders will test Campbell and Wilson’s abilities to handle NFL defenses.
Jared Wilson isn’t exactly new to high-pressure situation. He began 12 games at center for Georgia last season. He is committed to improving his technical skills, stating, “I’m learning new things every day, trying to be real technical in the work because center you’re playing even and going to guard you have to stagger.” His openness to change reflects a growth mindset that he’ll undoubtedly bring to his new role.
As both players continue to learn and adjust to their roles, they acknowledge that mistakes are part of the learning process. Wilson remarked, “Making mistakes every day, but trying not to make old mistakes.” This view point is appreciated as it is indicative of their self-awareness of the obstacles in their path on their journey to the professional game.
That doesn’t mean their performance will escape criticism. Coach Vrabel stressed that they had to do better even after Maye’s latest fumble. The rookie’s gaffe came when he was pushed back by a blitz coming from the left side of the line. He stated, “That’s a bad decision. We’re going to need better from him. I think he knows that.” That makes it all the more important for Campbell and Wilson to be on the same page. The jobs that they have, protecting their quarterback well enough, are stupid.
In fact, there are signs that Drake Maye himself is feeling quite optimistic regarding his new wall of protection. He noted their ability to create challenges for opposing defenses: “They all can make you miss. They can run over you. They can catch balls out of the backfield.” This versatility is just one more way to make defenses’ jobs more difficult as they look to slow down the Patriots’ myriad of offensive game plans.
As kickoff draws near, Will Campbell and Jared Wilson are amped up and ready to take on this new role. Boy are they ready to tackle that challenge! Wilson stated, “It’s going to be a challenge, and we know that, but we’re ready for it.” Their persistence will be crucial as they make their way onto the turf for the first time in their NFL debut.
Leave a Reply