The New England Patriots confirmed the use of the franchise designation and issued the following statement on Logan Mankins:
"Logan Mankins is a tremendous player. He has been a fixture on our offensive line since we drafted him in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft and he remains an important part of our future plans. Unfortunately, we have not been able to reach a long-term agreement, despite many attempts and proposals by both sides. That remains our objective in utilizing the franchise designation and we are hopeful that Logan will be a Patriot for many years to come."
Mike Reiss looks at the franchise tag from Logan Mankins' point of view:
Mankins prefers a long-term deal because it includes more guaranteed up-front money, but if the sides can't strike one, he would earn a projected $10.1 million on a one-year term. That's more than Mankins made in his first six years in the NFL. Considering that Saints guard Jahri Evans earned $26 million in the first three years of the deal he signed last offseason -- which is considered a comparable to Mankins' situation -- the franchise tag isn't entirely terrible for Mankins. He could follow a Walter Jones-type route and play on the franchise tag for consecutive years, earning his big money that way. It's not the desired route, because the risk is assumed by the player to make it through a season healthy, but there are cases where a player can maximize his earning power doing it that way.
Tedy Bruschi discusses a team perspective of the Patriots decision to place the franchise tag on Logan Mankins.
"I don't think anyone can complain about $10 million, which is what Logan Mankins will get with this franchise tag. But he isn't happy, because last year he was under that restricted tender, and he held out [through the first seven games]. He was hoping for a long-term deal. Will that get done? Maybe.
"This is what you should do, and this is how the Patriots operate when you're talking about their best players. They franchise them and make sure they don't go anywhere. This is the way you do business in the NFL, because Logan Mankins is one of the best guards, one of the best interior linemen in the National Football League. You have to keep him around, and if he exits, you make sure you get something for that. That's what the franchise tag ensures."
TEAM TALK
- Patriots Today - Best of 2010: Touchdown catch. (4.24 min. video)
- NFL Films: Top 10 lovable things from 2000s: Patriots dynasty. (3.02 min. video)
- NFL Films: Top 10 lovable things from 2000s: Brady vs. Manning. (3.10 min. video)
LOCAL LINKS
- Karen Guregian reports the Patriots became the first team officially to use the franchise tag on a player this offseason, placing the designation on Logan Mankins.
- Mike Reiss offers a few quick-hit thoughts from the Patriots placing the franchise tag on Logan Mankins Monday.
- Shalise Manza Young reports that In a move that was wholly expected and likely won't be well-received, the Patriots designated Logan Mankins as their franchise player for next season.
- Mike Reiss posts the video of Tedy Bruschi discussing the Patriots decision to place the franchise tag on Logan Mankins.
- Karen Guregian notes Herm Edwards summed up his time playing golf with Belichick as "a blast," and even wore a hoodie like his partner.
- Mike Reiss analyzes whether it makes sense for the Patriots to select another cornerback with their 17th pick in this year's draft.
- Mike Rodak focuses on who would be a free-agent fit at each position for the Patriots: Quarterback.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Rick Gosselin (Dallas Morning News) Youth, speed, coaching gives Patriots dynamic special teams unit.
- Adam Caplan (Fox Sports) AFC East offseason breakdown.
- Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Tag central: Who will get them if game goes on?
- Joe Fortenbaugh (Nat'l Football Post) Breaking down the first round: A look back at how the first round has played out over the last ten years.
- Andrew Struckmeyer (Pro Football Weekly) Draft dose: A look back at Mr. Irrelevant.
- Michael Lombardi (NFL.com) Championship teams are built based on evaluations made now.
- Pat Kirwan (NFL.com) Prolonged labor strike could give some competitive advantage.
- Tom Pedulla (USA Today) The NFL's labor dispute: Answers to key questions.
- Mike Florio (Nat'l Football Post) League files unfair labor practice charge over plan to decertify.
- Judy Battista (NY Times) NFL claims union is not bargaining in good faith.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Union says league's unfair labor practices claim has no merit.
- Jason Cole (Yahoo! Sports) NFL's complaint is maneuver vs. decertification.
- Michael Silver (Yahoo! Sports) Time to bench Richardson from bargaining game.
- Susan Edelman and Cynthia R. Fagen (NY Post) Jets' Cromartie struck son, cheated on drug tests: ex.
- Scott Miller (Nat'l Football Post) The immature Mark Sanchez.