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Longtime Patriots assistant Dante Scarnecchia explained why he isn’t worried about Will Campbell
"I think that’s a huge advantage to him. And to me, that lessons the risk factor."
Dante Scarnecchia’s take on Will Campbell: As analysis of the Patriots’ decision to select offensive lineman Will Campbell with the fourth overall pick in the recent 2025 NFL Draft continues to emerge, one man’s opinion holds particular weight in New England.
Dante Scarnecchia, who coached the Patriots’ offensive line for multiple decades (including during the Super Bowl-winning era), was asked about Campbell in a recent interview with Karen Guregian of MassLive.
Scarnecchia, who has been formally retired since 2019, doesn’t place as much emphasis on Campbell’s reported arm length. The 21-year-old was cited in the pre-draft process by analysts for having slightly shorter arms than most players at his position in the NFL.
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“He’s learned to survive against great pass rushers, even though his arms are whatever they are,” Scarnecchia told Guregian. “I’ve never met him. I’m anxious to see him play. But I think a lot of people are more worried about this guy than he is about himself. I think that’s a great place for him to start.”
Campbell played for LSU in the Southeastern Conference for three seasons, starting even as a true freshman.
In the view of Patriots’ analysts, the risk around the arm length is more than made up for by other factors Campbell has going for him.
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“No one has questioned his athleticism and his skillset. No one has because there’s nothing to question,” Scarnecchia explained. “He can really move. He’s athletic for the size he has. He can run fast, he can bend really well. He’s got great-change-of-direction skills. Everybody just has a hard time with his arm length.”
“Look, this kid has already gone against guys that are NFL-caliber players,” Scarnecchia concluded. “I think that’s a huge advantage to him. And to me, that lessons the risk factor.”
Trivia: Dante Scarnecchia first coached for the Patriots in 1982. Who was the team’s head coach that season?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He also coached the Colts (after his time with the Patriots).
Scores and schedules:
The Celtics defeated the Magic 120-89 in Game 5 of the first-round playoff matchup on Tuesday, eliminating Orlando with a 4-1 series win. Boston will now face the winner of the ongoing Knicks-Pistons series (New York leads 3-2).
The Red Sox also won on Tuesday, defeating the Blue Jays 10-2. The two teams play again this evening in Toronto at 7:07 p.m.
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- Jayson Tatum scores 35 as Celtics surge past Magic and into second round: Takeaways
- Magic coach bemoans lack of a call that ‘changed the series’ vs. Celtics
- Red Sox slug five home runs, pound Blue Jays 10-2
- Ex-Patriots Super Bowl champ: UNC should consider firing Bill Belichick
- Jimmy Kimmel ribs Bill Belichick for ‘doozy’ of an interview
- Aaron Judge offers support for Jarren Duran after heckler’s comments
- Patriots release long snapper Joe Cardona after 10 seasons with team
- ‘I would want to play quarterback for that guy’: Dan Orlovsky impressed by Patriots draft pick
- Round 1 style roundup: Celtics fashion plays from the NBA postseason
The end of the Celtics-Magic series: The Inside the NBA Crew sent the Magic to “Trash Mountain.”
On this day: In 2021, Jayson Tatum tied a franchise record with 60 points in a 143-140 overtime Celtics win over the Spurs.
Daily highlight: Blue Jays centerfielder Daulton Varsho made a truly preposterous catch after initially falling down during the eventual loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday.
Trivia answer: Ron Meyer
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