Check please.

Will the newest New England Patriots offensive lineman be able to reach over and grab it from yours truly with those perceived ? Gosh it sure would help because if you haven’t noticed, it’s getting more and more expensive to dine out these days.

Enough. What’s the fuss? Why the complaints? It’s amazing how football fans — and not just in New England – moan and groan about their team’s offensive line and then a few months later moan and groan some more when that team chooses an offensive lineman high in the draft. Or anywhere in the draft.

But that was clearly the case on Thursday night when the New England Patriots chose LSU left tackle Will Campbell with the fourth pick overall in the NFL Draft. Campbell was heralded as the top offensive lineman in the draft. Tackle or guard? Sure seems like he’s a tackle, allowing just five sacks in three seasons, well over 2,000 snaps.

Plus, listen to him talk, He’s all about protecting the quarterback. Campbell takes it personally. And he wanted badly to play for the Patriots, a team he loved watching win Super Bowls – remember what that feels like? – growing up.

“I just think that the culture and the New England Patriot logo speaks for itself,” Campbell said. ” I believe in the guys in that locker room. I believe in the quarterback. Coach Vrabel is my kind of guy. He’s all ball and no BS, and that’s what I want to play for. He’s very hands-on. He loves the players that he coaches, and I just want to be a part of that.”

Make no mistake, his demeanor was a lot of why Campbell is a Patriot. Vrabel admitted it’s how the board fell and how they and everyone it would fall. But there is the argument that there were better players out there. In this draft? After the top three, it’s all a blur. Close your eyes, put your finger on a name, and there’s your guy.

We don’t care about arm length. Can he protect the QB? Sure seems like he did fine at LSU.

“We love his football character, his play demeanor, his play style, how coachable he is,” Pats coach Mike Vrabel said. “A 21-year-old player that’s started 38 of 40 games in the SEC is something that is impressive.”

We’ll see how it works out. The Patriots weren’t going to try to move up to any of the top three spots and give up draft capital. They’ve won four games two years in a row; they need players. Good players.

We say they got one on Thursday night. He can buy, we’ll take care of the tip.

Tom King may be reached at @Telegraph_TomK on twitter, or tking@nashuatelegraph.com