How Serious Is Logan Mankins' Injury?

by Richard Hill on Jan 13, 2012 1:01 PM EST in Opinion/Analysis

I'm not a doctor so I won't speculate the extent of Patriots left guard Logan Mankins' sprained MCL. I will talk about the potential repercussions if Mankins is not ready to play on Saturday night.

Mankins is regarded around the league as one of the best guards and one of the best linemen. He's had a tough year (and you could speculate further about his new contract, but I don't believe it), but we've looked at how difficult his schedule has been. Whether he's been playing a Pro Bowler or a Pro Football Focus star, he's been squaring off against one of the elite players in the league.

This week won't get any easier. The Broncos feature Broderick Bunkley, one of the best run defending defensive linemen in the league. Bunkley plays only a half to a third of the snaps as he's primarily just a run defender. His job is to force opposing teams into 3rd and long situations- and he's one of the best in the league at his job.

That's where the importance of Mankins comes into play. If Mankins is hobbled or is unable to play, then Bunkley will get to play against back-up Ryan Wendell (who played extremely well in Week 17) or Donald Thomas (who played pretty well in Week 16). Should Mankins be unable to play, the generally untested and undersized 6-2, 290 lbs Wendell will have to face off against Bunkley and the Broncos ferocious defensive line.

Even though Mankins has had a down year, would you rather Mankins face Bunkley, or would you be fine with Wendell or Thomas?

Personally, I think a healthy and prepared Wendell might be able to do the equivalent job a seriously injured and hobbled Mankins would be able to do. 75% Mankins = 100% Wendell. Everyone is reporting that Mankins was limping around, which is not a good sign with the game only a day away, so he's clearly not at 100%.

Not to look beyond the Broncos, but if Mankins is under 75%, the Patriots should sit Mankins. Mankins could do serious damage to his knee and it might take longer for it to heal. If he's able to play at a high level, then by all means he should take the field. If not, he should sit and rest up for the next game (hopefully it's next week).

So my question to you all: Would you play Mankins, even if he's injured, or how would you arrange the Patriots offensive line?

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I’ve always been a believer in not playing injured players
I don’t think a 75% Mankins would be as good as a 100% Wendell

by quadruple option on Jan 13, 2012 2:07 PM EST reply actions

As much as I like Mankins and the intensity he brings,

I would rather he be healthy to face JJ Watt or Haloti Ngata (if the Pats win this game, naturally.) Put Marcus Cannon in place of him. 6’6, 365 lbs, and will have the help of wily veteran Matt Light right next to him. Have Gronkowski chip (essentially knock off their feet) the edge rusher, and have Light give Cannon a hand briefly, and then deal with the edge rusher.
Or, some reasonable facsimile thereof.
Point being, sit Mankins, let someone play in place of him. My suggestion would be Cannon, since he was going to be our RG of the future anyway.

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by BigRussNovak on Jan 13, 2012 2:09 PM EST reply actions

He hasn't been

himself this year, either, and I would wager he won’t return to his usual form until next season. This is obviously even more true when hampered by an injury. Continuity and experience on this O-Line is key, but there’s no use trotting him out there if he’s 75%.

He’s a fighter, though, and he definitely won’t be his decision to sit. This one’s up to the coaches.

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by Adam Fox on Jan 13, 2012 2:24 PM EST reply actions

love mankins, but i agree

we are fortunate to have great depth on our OL, despite all of the injuries. even if vollmer can’t go, we’ve got thomas/wendell/cannon/solder/light/waters/connolly. between thomas/wendell/waters/cannon, i think they can hold the interior fort down. if he can play without limitations, there’s no way he’s not playing. but if he’s hurt, let him rest.

by jamiesinnott on Jan 13, 2012 2:26 PM EST reply actions

High praise for Bunckley

a guy who the Eagles were disappointed in, and released after a few years of waiting for him to improve. Maybe he has, finally, with the Broncos?

by furiousd on Jan 13, 2012 3:16 PM EST reply actions

He did a great job this season.

PFF loves him and, after watching a few Broncos game, I can totally see why. Totally devastating in the backfield.

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by Richard Hill on Jan 13, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

I'd dress Mankins, but I wouldn't plan to play him.

Injuries happen and his might not be as bad as someone who gets hurt game day. Also a good knee brace will do wonders to take the stress off of ligaments.

I think Cannon would be better than Wendell from a physical standpoint. Wendell might have better technique, though.

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by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 13, 2012 3:22 PM EST reply actions

Technique trumps strength

Tedy Bruschi- "How do we feel about a victory?"
Team- "Aww Yeah!!!"

by freeland1787 on Jan 13, 2012 6:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I'd definitlely be cautious with him

I’d like to think whether Mankins plays in this one will have a lot of determination on the outcome. It seems to me we had guys stepping in and up all year on the O-line, and I also think this is an area where the extra week could have really helped to solidify the roles of the back-ups, wendell, thomas, Cannon, etc, so i feel ok letting him sit if he is not at least 90%.
By the way Richard, , i brought this up in another post, but had no reply: wasn’t it Jahri Evans that Mankins(or his agent) were holding up as the comparable salary he should have gotten? I’ve always liked Mankins, but Evans is one of the unsung heros of the Saints this year, the guy is dominating. Would have liked to see Logan respond in kind.

by furiousd on Jan 13, 2012 3:22 PM EST reply actions