Roses For Mankins

by Richard Hill on Jun 13, 2011 12:00 PM EDT in Opinion/Analysis

Bold Prediction: The Patriots will re-sign left guard Logan Mankins for a long term deal.

I said it. Mankins is the best offensive lineman on the Patriots' and its not even close. Right tackle Sebastian Vollmer is in the second tier, and then left tackle Matt Light and center Dan Koppen are in the third tier. Mankins is to the offensive line what Vince Wilfork is to the defensive- dominant.

Mankins has spent the last season in limbo with the Patriots, joining the team halfway through the season in order to register a contract year. Mankins wanted a long term deal worth the value of the top guard in the league. The Patriots were willing to pay him a long term deal worth the value of a top guard in the league. The difference was anywhere from half a million a season to a over one million per season between the two deals and both parties could not come to an agreement. As a result, Mankins ended another successful season with questions about his Patriots' career in front of him.

However, the sharp relationship between Mankins and the organization has softened over the past year. Prior to last season, Mankins was saying that he wanted to be traded, and by the end of the year he believed there was a possibility he would return to the team. The wording might not be strong, but he shifted his attitude from "anger" towards the franchise towards a desire to figure out his future, even if that happens to be with the team.

Mankins loves it in New England. He loves his offensive line brethren. The offensive line loves him back. Quarterback Tom Brady loves him. Team owner Bob Kraft loves him.

Most importantly, head coach Bill Belichick loves him.

A large portion of this off-season has been a respect-fest between Mankins and Belichick. Belichick knows that Mankins is the best offensive lineman for the team and is willing to add some sugar into the conversation to lure Mankins back. The Patriots had tagged Mankins prior to the off-season NFL fallout, which put Mankins in an unfortunate position. He must have been wondering if he was going to have to sit through another painful season with the Patriots' franchise tag. Despite the high price, Mankins would rather have a long term contract with stability instead of a one year deal- especially if he could play with his guys on the Patriots.

As a result, Belichick has made it obvious how much he respects Mankins. He sent first round pick left tackle Nate Solder to talk to Mankins in order to learn the Patriots' offensive line. He could have sent Solder to speak to long time Patriots left tackle Matt Light because they play the same position. He could have sent Solder to talk to long time Patriots center Dan Koppen because he's still under contract. Instead, he sent Solder to speak with Mankins- a player that neither is under contract, nor plays the same position. That's a large sign of respect.

Oh, and Mankins has already spoken with Solder.

"Yeah, I have spoken to Nate. He seems like a great guy. I gave him a little advice. Tried to help him out the best you can in the situation that we’re in right now," Mankins said of Solder, a left tackle who was selected in the first round of last month’s draft by New England. "I’m more than willing to help any young guy who needs anything. Look — he’s in a tough situation right now. He doesn’t know what’s going on. he has no coaches to talk to. He’s just trying to make it in this league, and if I can help him, I will."

That's the response from a guy who wants to be on the team. Belichick threw Mankins a bone, and Mankins accepted. Trust building 101.

That's not the end, though. The NFL Network has been running down a list of the top 100 NFL Players in the league, and Mr. Mankins showed up at #39 overall. The Hoodie was chosen to present the piece.

"There are tough players and then there are the super tough guys. I’d say Mankins would go into [the second] category. Both physically and mentally, he’s as tough as they come. … You could honestly pick out any one of 30 plays of him in any game and find him really dominating guys."

Belichick loves him some Mankins and Mankins must have smiled upon hearing praise from his head coach.

One of the key points of this off-season is how well this team can perform under a short pre-season. Bringing back not only the best offensive lineman, but also one of the more experienced would help tremendously. Watch out for more roses being tossed from Belichick and the Patriots in the direction of Mankins and watch Mankins continue to serve the team from afar.

It's going to happen. Mankins will receive a long term offer and he will accept. It's just a matter of when.

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Comments

Depends if he's still listening to his agent.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by insertscreenname on Jun 13, 2011 12:30 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah

I felt this way after watching the clip.

Non Sibi Sed Patriae ;I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life.
In Bill We Trust.

by NinjaZX6R on Jun 13, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

I hope so, but I'm only cautiously optimistic.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
Official Fire-Puncher for Pats Pulpit an SB Nation Blog

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jun 13, 2011 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

The Mankins situation reminds me of the Vince Wilfork situation before.

Remember Wilfork saying that the franchise tag would be “a slap in the face ?”

And then remember the Patriots…. giving him the franchise tag ?

Wilfork ended up with a long term deal. And honestly to me, the Patriots will give Mankins a long term deal.

Sometimes they franchise tag people to give themselves an extra year with them, i.e. Asante Samuels.

Sometimes they franchise tag people so they can trade them and not lose them to free agency without compensation i.e. Matt Cassel.

In the case of Wilfork and Mankins, they’re using the franchise tag to buy them some extra time when it comes to reaching a long term agreement.

by UtopianAverage on Jun 13, 2011 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

They can always do a long term deal that includes the franchise as well.

It becomes extra cash up front, and is worth a bit less as time goes on. Essentially the deal they were going to offer him plus one year of franchise cash.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jun 13, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

I think this last franchising was because they didn’t get a deal done by the end of last season. So instead of having him sign a new deal now, they want to wait until after the new cba. It would only make sense that they wouldn’t offer a new contract until they know the new terms. With the franchise tag it will just give them time to get the deal worked out after the lockout without having to really compete with other teams.

by Oughat on Jun 13, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I sure hope they re-sign him

He brings such a physicality to the O-Line. Solder and Mankins on the left side could really propel the run game to the next level.

It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.

by BigRussNovak on Jun 13, 2011 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

and the fact he's a beast at protecting Brady helps, too.

It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.

by BigRussNovak on Jun 13, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

So right on that one.

by Patriots12 on Jun 13, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I can’t see the Patriots winning a title without Mankins right now. Too many holes in the line to plug if he leaves.

by Patriots12 on Jun 13, 2011 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

They would have to switch to a more 2001-esque offense.

Lots of quick slants, screens and HB dump passes….which is very possible, considering the skill set of the WR corps and the new faces in the RB corps. Recent acquisitions at other offensive positions suggest the Patriots could do without Mankins, if need be. It would free up a significant amount of money to go after a pass rusher in free agency, too (if and when that arrives). Also, Belichick isn’t one to turn down a good trade deal – if someone offers him a first for Mankins, I can’t see him turning it down.

by nbradley07 on Jun 13, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Mankins is more important than a pass rusher right now

1. New rules make pass rush more of a risk than before.(not sure when the NFL is just going to put flags in the QBs belt)
2. Pressure alone makes the QB rush the throw…a dangerous thing against our secondary which should be much improved. Cunningham was a 1/2 step away a lot last year. I assume he and Moore are going to be improved this year.
3. We drafted 2 RBs and a blocking TE which leads me to believe we want to add a little smash mouth attitude football to our offense on occasion. Mankins is the epitome of smash mouth football…he has one heck of a nasty streak.
4. If all goes well including resigning Mankins, we have most of the pieces for one massive line. Vollmer/Solder outside. Mankins/Cannon inside. When Koppen is the “weak link” of your O-Line you are in good shape. He is a more than serviceable C for a couple of years while we search for a replacement.

by BenCoatesFTW on Jun 13, 2011 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Ninja and I are lobbying for "Michael Brewster 2012"

if he was Koppen’s replacement, he could step right in and play at an extremely high level. A line of Solder-Mankins-Brewster-Cannon-Vollmer would be absolutely dominant.

It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.

by BigRussNovak on Jun 13, 2011 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Add Ethan too!

Non Sibi Sed Patriae ;I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life.
In Bill We Trust.

by NinjaZX6R on Jun 13, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Campaign slogan?

“We want a Brew!”

Deep in enemy territory

by JeffyB on Jun 14, 2011 7:38 AM EDT up reply actions

You want a brew in Two-Zero-One-Two?

It’ll never catch on.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jun 14, 2011 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

If the Patriots draft him and he demands a big contract,

I’m calling it. $50 says there will be a post on the Pulpit entitled “Brewster’s Millions.” And if not, I’ll be severely disappointed at the missed opportunity.

It matters not how strait the gate, nor charged with punishments the scroll:
I am the Master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.

by BigRussNovak on Jun 14, 2011 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

If the line wasn’t in shambles. And certainly with the playoff loss against the Jets, I can’t see that being a good scenario. We need mashers. And with 3 new bodies on the line that puts Tom at great risk. Don’t like that idea. Besides the pass rush thing TO ME is way overblown. We have guys who can get there.

by Patriots12 on Jun 13, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

At worst, he should be back for this season.

I don’t care who you are, nobody holds out when 10.1 million is on the line

by dreynoldsPATS on Jun 13, 2011 2:24 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

There certainly is potential for him to be signed.

I just hope time doesn’t scar anything.

"All truths are easy to understand once discovered; the point is to discover them." - Galileo

by AtomicDawg on Jun 13, 2011 3:44 PM EDT reply actions

Signing him makes enormous sense

Apparently his original contract plus last years partial year gave him 8-9 million over 5 years. This year the franchise tag will give him 10 million in 1 year. The reported offer he found insulting last year was reportedly 7-8 million a year. It is hard to believe money will be an issue. They are talking nicer; the questions also arise where would he want to go; with Solder, Vollmer and maybe Cannon why would the Pats pass on an opportunity to insure a solid line foundation for the next few years.

by WRMaurer on Jun 15, 2011 7:48 AM EDT reply actions

Really money WAS the issue though.

I don’t think he has anything bad to say about BB or his teammates so the only thing other than another “insulting” deal that could get in the way is his feelings for Kraft.

by Oughat on Jun 15, 2011 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions