Former Patriots captain likes what he sees from Will Campbell

FOXBOROUGH — After spending the primary eight seasons in New England, Deatrich Smart’s job on Wednesday was to make former teammate Drake Maye’s life depressing throughout joint practices with the Commanders.

It was a job simpler stated than achieved, as the previous Patriots captain bumped into a troublesome matchup towards New England rookie left deal with Will Campbell.

Smart — who signed a one-year cope with Washington in March after closing out an prolonged run in Foxborough — had loads of reward for New England’s new offensive lineman.

“Nice man,” Smart stated of Campbell. “Actually good at utilizing his arms. I might say he does a superb job of effort. He informed me on the sphere that he desires to get higher and study, and the whole lot he does, he takes it as a lesson. So kudos to him.”

Each Campbell and Smart had a number of battles throughout Wednesday’s apply in Foxborough, together with three matchups in 1-on-1 reps that led to a pair of decisive wins for each participant — in addition to a stalemate. 

The primary collision course between each gamers regarded as if it was a draw, as Campbell was initially knocked again — however managed to comprise Smart’s outright bull rush. On the second try, Smart’s try at slicing to the within towards the previous LSU standout led to Campbell knocking him off steadiness and dropping him to the turf.

Smart ended the bout on a excessive word, slipping previous the rookie for a transparent win earlier than transferring on to crew drills.

“Very sturdy man on the level of assault,” Smart stated of Campbell. “I met him within the run sport a little bit bit, we type of stalemated, ball went the opposite approach, however nice participant. I feel he has a really excessive ceiling.”

Whereas Campbell’s competitiveness, approach, and physicality have routinely been introduced up as strengths within the 2025 first-round choose’s sport, there are nonetheless a number of query marks concerning how the offensive lineman will maintain up towards prime NFL competitors. 

A participant like Smart presents an attention-grabbing matchup for Campbell, given his explosive velocity and lanky body, headlined by his arm length at 35 ⅝ inches. 

How Campbell and his 32 ⅝ inch arms deal with themselves on the subsequent degree bears watching. However Smart believes {that a} participant can’t be judged on issues like measurables — particularly weeks earlier than they face actual sport motion throughout the common season. 

“Humbly talking, no one has my size,” Smart stated of his arms and whether or not he presents a troublesome matchup for somebody like Campbell. “However he has actually good arms. … I’ve confronted tackles who’ve quick arms earlier than, lengthy arms. It’s not in regards to the dimension of the deal with, however the coronary heart. So he has that.”

Past his compliments directed towards Campbell, Smart — alongside Washington teammate and former Patriots regular Jonathan Jones — mirrored with fond recollections on his prolonged tenure in New England. 

“I’m endlessly grateful,” Smart Jr. stated of the Patriots “Discovered so much right here, I all the time say I received my grasp’s and my PhD right here… However this place was great, from the followers to the possession to the help workers, even from the grass individuals to the cafeteria individuals.

“It’s all the time cool coming again to a spot that you simply spent a lot time, gave a lot time, gave your physique to a spot like this glorious fan base, great crew,” Smart added.

 

Conor Ryan is a workers author overlaying the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Pink Sox for Boston.com, a job he has held since 2023.