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Albert Breer reports Logan Mankins is angry about the Patriots not 'keeping their word,' but clarifies that the Patriots did make him an offer.
"After the 2008 season, me and my agent approached the Patriots about an extension and I was told that Mr. Kraft did not want to do an extension because of the [NFL labor situation],’’ Mankins said. "I was asked to play ’09 out, and that they would address the contract during the uncapped year. I’m a team player, I took them at their word, and I felt I played out an undervalued contract.
"Right now, this is about principle with me and keeping your word and how you treat people. This is what I thought the foundation of the Patriots was built on. Apparently, I was wrong. Growing up, I was taught a man’s word is his bond. Obviously this isn’t the case with the Patriots.’’
According to an NFL source, a five-year deal worth approximately $7 million per year has been on the table "for a significant amount of time,’’ which would have placed Mankins among the top five highest-paid players at his position.
Shalise Manza Young notes Sam Cunningham says it is "wonderful" to be remembered by fans who chose him as this year's Patriots Hall of Fame inductee.
"It is really, really special," he said. "The two others that were on the nominating list - Jon Morris and Houston (Antwine), both of them deserve this as much as I do, maybe more. They were before me; they set the foundation...I'm just ecstatic about being part of the Patriots Hall of Fame."
"To be remembered by them is wonderful. At the end of the day, all you have is how you were remembered," he said.
Ian R. Rapoport reports Wes Welker's trainer, Jeremy "Troll" Subin, explains that the goal for Welker is to have him take the field in 2010 free of concerns.
"Part of that is introducing unpredictable things," said Subin, a diminutive former power lifter who has been a trainer for 16 years. "If he can’t control what’s happening by trying to do the drill perfectly, then it’s more realistic for what his job entails. The unbridled sacrifice-your-body-for-the-team approach is very difficult to simulate, but the better that can be provided for him, the easier it’s going to be when he goes back to work."
"To change direction, to plant, to be balanced, to be able to move, control himself when he’s tired," Subin said. "We’re on all different kinds of surfaces with him - on a matted area inside, or on the grass, on field turf, on the sand, balancing, on different kinds of balance devices where it’s rotational components."
TEAM TALK
- Patriots announced that the fans voted Sam "Bam" Cunningham into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
- Erik Scalavino details today as a select group of supporters find out what a day in the life of a Patriots player is like.
- Paul Perillo discusses the newest fundraiser from the Patriots, called the Leadership Blitz.
- Patriots announce individual game tickets will go on sale June 21.
- Patriots Today - Leadership Blitz. (2.49 min. video)
- Patriots Today - Sam 'Bam' is Hall-bound. (3.05 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Albert Breer examines the Mankins situation with a league-wide look at the guard position.
- Karen Guregian asserts Logan Mankins is out of line to criticize Robert Kraft and the Patriots, and should have kept his mouth shut.
- Tom E. Curran doesn't expect Logan Mankins to back down one inch.
- Albert Breer notes Logan Mankins is one of 212 players this year who would have earned their freedom in the past, now being denied the chance to go out and cash in.
- Albert Breer wonders what it would take for the Patriots and Mankins to break the impasse. The tender offer has been officially dropped to $1.54 million, but can still be negotiated.
- Mike Reiss offers his opinion of what I think one of the primary issues is between Logan Mankins and the Patriots in their contract negotiations.
- Tom E. Curran says there are three things that genuinely matter in contract negotiations, with length and guaranteed money being the biggies.
- Albert Breer says to expect the Patriots to ramp things up today at Mini-camp.
- Mike Reiss looks at the top storylines at the last five Patriots mini-camps.
- Mike Reiss notes the reason rookie Kade Weston has been missing from OTAs is because of a work visa issue, as Weston was born in Trinidad & Tobago.
- Albert Breer reports Wes Welker's quick return was impressive, to be sure. But it wasn’t unprecedented.
- Albert Breer reports Patriots owner Robert Kraft is "very excited about this team" and he "can't wait for football to start."
- Christopher Price offers an update on the Patriots' draft class signing information.
- Sports' Museum's 2010 Tradition honored former Patriot linebacker Steve Nelson among others at TD Garden Monday night.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Mankins wants out of New England.
- Andrew Brandt (Nat'l Football Post) Restricted free agents truly restricted.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Video: AFC East 2010 preview.
- Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) Great interest in Brady, Manning negotiations.
- Adam Schein (Fox Sports) 2010 NFL Organizational Rankings.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Revis' bold statement full of curiosities.
- Tim Graham (ESPN) Rex Ryan maintains his Super Bowl plans.
- Ray Holloman (NFL Fanhouse) Finding Wooden's heir: Who is the greatest living coach?