New England Patriots Links 3/23/10 - Agent: Mankins 'So Mad He Can't See Straight'

Mike Reiss said Bill Belichick touched on Logan Mankins' absence this morning:

"I’ve spoken with Logan a couple times and we’ll leave those conversations privately," Belichick said. "Logan is a good player. He’s done a good job for us. I’m sure it will all get worked out in the end."

Asked if keeping all players happy with their contract status was one of the toughest parts of the job, Belichick said: "That’s the NFL. That’s one of the challenges."

Tom E. Curran notes Belichick loves him some Tebow.

"Great career, great player," Belichick said when the subject of the Gators quarterback was broached. "I think it's obvious within the last six weeks his mechanics (are being worked on) and they've improved. Which is a credit to him, he's really coachable and he works very hard. I'm sure that whatever he feels he needs to do he'll work very hard at, whatever that is. Athletically, he tested very well at the Combine which you can see on the field."

When asked if he felt Tebow would be willing or able to make a position switch when he gets to the NFL, Belichick said, "My sense of Tim Tebow is, if you asked him to play nose he'd play nose. I think he's that kind of kid. Whatever you asked him to do, he'd do."

What kind of nose tackle would he be? "He'd be one of the faster ones," Belichick replied. "I don't know what a team would do with him but he's a really interesting player. He's had a great career. It speaks for itself. Second-leading passer in SEC history. Tremendous production. (The Gators) hardly ever lose. There's a lot to like."

Mike Reiss offers the transcript of his one-on-one interview with Bill Belichick.

Q: On a personal note, how much longer do you want to keep doing this? Are you still energized?

A: "Yeah. I don't have any number on it, but I'm excited about the 2010 team. I think we have a long way to go. I hope that we can put together a good club. I know this will be a very competitive division -- the Jets played in the AFC championship game, the Dolphins won the division two years ago. I'm sure Buffalo will be re-energized with Chan [Gailey]. It's a real competitive situation and I hope our team can be competitive in our division and in the AFC, which is also very strong, with the North and of course Indy in the South, and the West, we'll see San Diego. There are some other strong teams out there too."

TEAM TALK

• Andy Hart says Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have formed the foundation the league's most successful franchise has been built on since the turn of the century. 
• The NFL explains how the 32 compensatory choices were awarded to 19 teams this year, and the formula it uses to determine who gets them.
• Patriots Today - Meriweather eager to make the leap. (2.51 min. video)

LOCAL LINKS

• Tom E. Curran reports Logan Mankins' agent Frank Bauer revealed Mankins is "so mad he can't see straight." He wanted to sign an extension last year.
• Chris Gasper notes after talking with Frank Bauer, the agent for Logan Mankins, he learned that Mankins is not very happy about his contract status.
• Karen Guregian feeds us some tidbits from Bob Kraft's Breakfast with the media.  He touches on Brady's contract, team chemistry, the proposed OT change, Wilfork, and the upsetting home playoff loss to the Ravens.
• Shalise Manza Young offers her thoughts on Robert Kraft's candid meeting with the media.
• Shalise Manza Young notes Robert Kraft is preaching patience on wide receivers. He says it's problem, but at the moment it's still a March problem.
• Tom E. Curran reports Robert Kraft can't get over how the 2009 season ended and is committed to improving the team.  Interesting, Kraft feels the '07 SB loss came down to Asante Samuel not making the interception.
• Albert Breer offers some quick-hits from Roger Goodell's Monday address to the press.
• Jeff Howe writes about the proposed rule change to protect defenseless players.
• Ron Borges discusses the criticisms of the current OT rules and the problem with the proposed changes. He thinks it will be harder to pass than health care.
• Mike Reiss rehashes a column he wrote from March, 2007 where Bill Belichick details his thoughts on overtime rules.
• Karen Guregian notes Bill Belichick has been in favor of having a shortened overtime period, with teams essentially playing on into an extra session until time expires.
• Chris Gasper lists five of the proposed rules changes being discussed at the NFL owners meetings, other than OT.
• Jeff Howe notes that with mentor Ed Reed by his side, Brandon Meriweather hopes to take the next step in becoming a headier player.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) An NFL meetings primer: Parties, golf, meetings and an underlying theme - labor.
• Alex Marvez (Fox Sports) Is sudden death OT too sudden?
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) reports the NFLPA believes overtime changes are a subject for union bargaining.
• Don Banks (SI) Snap Judgments: Musings, observations and the occasional insight as the NFL Annual Meeting cranks to life.
• Thomas George (NFL Fanhouse) Goodell under pressure from all sides.
• Judy Battista (NY Times) Roethlisberger's conduct draws the ire of Goodell.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) League is focusing on improving the in-stadium fan experience.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) Fins owner lets Parcells spend whatever.
• Tim Graham (ESPN) AFC East mailbag.
• Bucky Brooks (NFL.com) Draft Prospects generating buzz among scouts.
• Tony Pauline (SI) Pro Day Tracker.