Logan Mankins traded to Tampa Bay

[tims4wins]

One thing to mention about Tim Wright was that all of his receptions came in the last 14 games - he didn't catch a pass in weeks 1 and 2 (and only caught 1 pass in week 3). Not sure how many snaps he was getting during that time.
 
Take the remaining 53 receptions for 565 yards and 5 TDs and prorate from 13 games to 16 and you get 65 catches for 695 yards and 6 TDs.
 
By comparison, Hernandez averaged 74 catches for 824 yards 7.5 TDs per 16 games played.
 
He's probably not Hernandez, but he has been productive.

 

[RG33]

I dont think Wright was a big driver in this trade.

I have to agree. I think the cap savings and 4th round pick were pretty fair value. Wright is gravy that hopefully can contribute in a spot where the Pats lack depth. BB clearly must think that the OL will survive without Mankins.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

pats sign Incognito by tonight?

I'd feel bad for Fleming.
 
I Not that TE is a position of depth, but neither is OL. Only takeaway is they must love Devey?
 
A stunner.

 

[ivanvamp]

Could be a combination of reasons:
 
(1) They have a need for a good, young TE and they like Wright.
(2) They think that Mankins is declining and not worth the money.
(3) They want the cap space to extend someone like Revis or McCourty.
 
Why couldn't all of these things be part of the reason?  Why does it have to be just one thing or another?  Why couldn't they have looked at all of this and said, you know, given all this, it just makes sense to make the move now.

 

[H78]

Could be a combination of reasons:
 
(1) They have a need for a good, young TE and they like Wright.
(2) They think that Mankins is declining and not worth the money.
(3) They want the cap space to extend someone like Revis or McCourty.
 
Why couldn't all of these things be part of the reason?  Why does it have to be just one thing or another?  Why couldn't they have looked at all of this and said, you know, given all this, it just makes sense to make the move now.

 
Exactly what I was thinking. This is spot on.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

He's probably not Hernandez, but he has been productive.

 
I'd hope not. 

 

[lambeau]

Kline graded out same as Mankins this preseason at LG and the coaches love him--so I see that.
But it's odd BB did not give one guard snap preseason to Connelly or Cannon (I thought Connelly at center meant something)--and I can't see Devey or Halapio being ready.
I really thought Wendell was a problem last year in pass protection, but they must be standing pat.
Unless....Alex Boone has Revis' agent (a holdout expert) and they are in a serious standoff with SF...Kline-Connelly-Boone I could like.

 

[Stitch01]

Could be a combination of reasons:
 
(1) They have a need for a good, young TE and they like Wright.
(2) They think that Mankins is declining and not worth the money.
(3) They want the cap space to extend someone like Revis or McCourty.
 
Why couldn't all of these things be part of the reason?  Why does it have to be just one thing or another?  Why couldn't they have looked at all of this and said, you know, given all this, it just makes sense to make the move now.

I just think if you apportioned the value of the trade it would be something like 7 points for cap space  2-2.5 points for the 4th round pick .5-1 point for Wright

 

[Super Nomario]

If memory serves, Mankins was forced into playing LT for about a game and a half last year - the 2nd half of the loss @ Miami, and the following week @ Baltimore. While the Pats lost at Miami, they did put up 450 yards, and Brady was only sacked once. The Pats had 22 carries for 96 yards that game.
 
The following week they destroyed Baltimore. Only 300 total yards, but they did run it really well with 34 carries for 142 yards. They played ahead for much of that game. Brady was sacked twice that game.
 
Obviously it is SSS, but the line seemed to fare just fine without Mankins at LG. And you have to assume Solder at LT > Mankins at LT.

To me the issue isn't so much the loss of Mankins but the interior OL in general. Brady faced something like the 3rd or 4th most interior pressures of any QB in the NFL, and we all know he doesn't have the mobility to do much if his G or C gets flattened. As noted above, some of that was questionable play design on play action, but a lot of it was just getting straight-up beat (phragle has a library of Wendell-getting-steamrolled anti-porn somewhere). All of Mankins / Wendell / Connolly had pass-blocking struggles at times last year, per both PFF and the eye test. Mankins' departure means we're likely not replacing either Wendell or Connolly; either that, or we're revamping the entire middle of the OL, which poses its own problems. At any rate, it looks like there are almost certainly going to be OL problems next season, which is frustrating.

 

[Myt1]

I hear you RO, but you have to give up something to get something. In this case it fills the most glaring need on offense (even more than a guard) and frees up a ton of dough.
 
Unexpected and even as shocking as letting Seymour or Milloy go, but it's a winner. 

What are they spending that dough on this season?

 

[Super Nomario]

What are they spending that dough on this season?

You can roll over unused cap space, so probably nothing this year but something later.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

You can roll over unused cap space, so probably nothing this year but something later.

 

 
Thanks for the cap space Logan!
 
Get Mr. Kraft on the phone!. 

 

[Seels]

I didn't like the Mankins contract when he signed it and at this point it's insane. Sure the Buccs can afford him but paying an interior lineman in his 30's that kind of cash isn't a winning recipe.
 
Also Mankins has been pretty average since returning from the ACL, pro bowl statuses be damned. I like it if not for nothing else the cap savings alone.

 

[Phragle]

A extension would lower McCourty's cap hit in 2014 and Mankins was gone in 2015, so I'm not sure how a McCourty extension is a reason behind it or more likely after this.
 

To me the issue isn't so much the loss of Mankins but the interior OL in general. Brady faced something like the 3rd or 4th most interior pressures of any QB in the NFL, and we all know he doesn't have the mobility to do much if his G or C gets flattened. As noted above, some of that was questionable play design on play action, but a lot of it was just getting straight-up beat (phragle has a library of Wendell-getting-steamrolled anti-porn somewhere). All of Mankins / Wendell / Connolly had pass-blocking struggles at times last year, per both PFF and the eye test. Mankins' departure means we're likely not replacing either Wendell or Connolly; either that, or we're revamping the entire middle of the OL, which poses its own problems. At any rate, it looks like there are almost certainly going to be OL problems next season, which is frustrating.

 
Yeah. The Wendell part is a huge blow. I've already been thinking of ways they'd be better off without him even after this news. (Mostly hoping Fleming and Cannon emerge at guard /dream)
 

What are they spending that dough on this season?

 
Could be a Revis deal, or some other big acquisition.

 

[tims4wins]

To me the issue isn't so much the loss of Mankins but the interior OL in general. Brady faced something like the 3rd or 4th most interior pressures of any QB in the NFL, and we all know he doesn't have the mobility to do much if his G or C gets flattened. As noted above, some of that was questionable play design on play action, but a lot of it was just getting straight-up beat (phragle has a library of Wendell-getting-steamrolled anti-porn somewhere). All of Mankins / Wendell / Connolly had pass-blocking struggles at times last year, per both PFF and the eye test. Mankins' departure means we're likely not replacing either Wendell or Connolly; either that, or we're revamping the entire middle of the OL, which poses its own problems. At any rate, it looks like there are almost certainly going to be OL problems next season, which is frustrating.

 
Hard to argue with any of this, but it's also hard to know how much of the pressure was tied to the receiving game and all of the snaps the rookies were getting, plus losing Vereen and Gronk. This is another reason why it's so hard to evaluate line play, it is tied to every other position on the field.
 
The Pats have won Super Bowls with the likes of Brandon Gorin, Tom Ashworth, and Russ Hochstein starting; while I have always like Mankins, I'm not sure we are going to look back at his departure in January or February and say he would have been the difference.

 

[Green Monster]

Now they can trade for Giancarlo Stanton !!!!

 

[Super Nomario]

I didn't like the Mankins contract when he signed it and at this point it's insane. Sure the Buccs can afford him but paying an interior lineman in his 30's that kind of cash isn't a winning recipe.

For Tampa, it's basically just a 3/$20 MM deal.
 

A extension would lower McCourty's cap hit in 2014 and Mankins was gone in 2015, so I'm not sure how a McCourty extension is a reason behind it or more likely after this.

In the long run, they save Mankins' 2014 salary ($6.25 MM) by trading him now versus cutting him after the season; that's money that could go to a McCourty (or Revis, etc.) extension.
 
 

Hard to argue with any of this, but it's also hard to know how much of the pressure was tied to the receiving game and all of the snaps the rookies were getting, plus losing Vereen and Gronk. This is another reason why it's so hard to evaluate line play, it is tied to every other position on the field.

To some extent, but probably less true for interior OL than for OT. Brady had the shortest time-to-sack in the NFL last year (3.32) - some of that is his inability to extend plays with his legs, and some is maybe some busted play action stuff, but in the aggregate it suggests these weren't coverage sacks, by-and-large.
 

The Pats have won Super Bowls with the likes of Brandon Gorin, Tom Ashworth, and Russ Hochstein starting; while I have always like Mankins, I'm not sure we are going to look back at his departure in January or February and say he would have been the difference.

You can probably make this argument about any position other than QB. 

 

[tims4wins]

Thanks for the time to sack data SN. That is enlightening.

 

[ifmanis5]

Mankins has been coming up small in big games for years. I don't know if getting rid of him is a solution but in my mind he was part of the problem against elite DLs.

 

[Bongorific]

In BB we trust. This offseason was about as close to a "win now" mode that BB has demonstrated. I think this is a little different than Seymour in that context. There may be something in camp causing BB to think losing Mankins is a positive or, at worst, a neutral move for this season.

 

[Phragle]

Hard to argue with any of this, but it's also hard to know how much of the pressure was tied to the receiving game and all of the snaps the rookies were getting, plus losing Vereen and Gronk. This is another reason why it's so hard to evaluate line play, it is tied to every other position on the field.

 
Not always

 
"Hey Wendell are you going to block that guy? Nah? Ok."
 

In the long run, they save Mankins' 2014 salary ($6.25 MM) by trading him now versus cutting him after the season; that's money that could go to a McCourty (or Revis, etc.) extension.

Unless it's a Revis/Andre Johnson thing, I don't see the point. They had plenty of room for the McCourty extension this season already. Also it's not 6.25 in the long run. That's this year. I believe what you roll over gets cut in half for 2015.

 

[slamminsammya]

All this hand wringing about the line reminded me of that one time: 
 
Warren Sapp picks the Panthers.

 

[Super Nomario]

Not always

 
"Hey Wendell are you going to block that guy? Nah? Ok."

Looks like just as much Connolly's fault to me. Of course that problem isn't fixed, either.
 

Unless it's a Revis/Andre Johnson thing, I don't see the point. They had plenty of room for the McCourty extension this season already. Also it's not 6.25 in the long run. That's this year. I believe what you roll over gets cut in half for 2015.

I don't think that's right. Everything I've read (such as this article) indicates that it's one-for-one.

 

[Manramsclan]

Absolutely stunning news.  Do they love Marcus Cannon at guard?  Do they have another move to make?
 
The interior OL was shaky at best WITH Mankins.  Now without him, it's an even bigger question mark.  I mean, what the fuck here?  I know they need a TE, but let's be real here.  Logan Mankins was still the best OL on the team and it's a pretty major downgrade to the OL.  Not sure why they did this, but I'll wait until Week 1 starting lineup to fully judge this move.

 
I just had a text conversation with my friend where we came to the exact conclusion.  I wonder if Mallett is going in a trade for an interior OL.

 

[Tony C]

The only thing I don't like about this is the faint whiff of Greg Schianner, Rutgers Whisperer, lurking in the background like an SBD...

 
Hey, he's been pretty good for us with Talib, etc.
 

I think Mankins was the best run blocker on the team still.  I'll give you that his pass blocking had slipped, but do you really think Cannon will do a better job?  The only thing I like about this trade currently is the cap space going forward.  If Cannon or whoever his replacement is turns out to be better, then great and obviously we'll all be happy with this trade especially if Wright contributes.  But, sitting here right now it's very hard to say that the interior OL is better than what it was when we last saw it.

 
Sure...but not arguing that it's better. The question is if it is worse and/or is it much worse. Definitely not much worse and given Mankins decline I don't think worse, but it's really hard to say given we don't even know who will be taking his slot.
 

Icognito's press conference where he talks about how feminine Brady looks wearing those Uggs is going to be tremendous television.

 

 

[dbn]

Now they can trade for Giancarlo Stanton !!!!

 
This is at the same time the best and the worst post in this thread.
 
There are many better posters than I at player evaluation, but I watch a lot of Patriots football and my $0.02 is that Mankins' pass blocking had slipped quite a bit, whiffing on blocks far more often than one would like. However, he seemed a beast in the running game. I remember there being many plays where he pulled and leveled a LB, opening a huge hole.

 

[soxfan121]

 
This is at the same time the best and the worst post in this thread.
 
There are many better posters than I at player evaluation, but I watch a lot of Patriots football and my $0.02 is that Mankins' pass blocking had slipped quite a bit, whiffing on blocks far more often than one would like. However, he seemed a beast in the running game. I remember there being many plays where he pulled and leveled a LB, opening a huge hole.

 
FWIW, Mankins graded out at +8.6 in 2013 per PFF scores, with a very good (but not All-Pro level) +11.5 run blocking but a -4.4 pass blocking score. He was the highest rated guard with a negative pass blocking score.

 

[mascho]

It begins...
 
@DougKyedNESN  15s
Darrelle Revis says "the atmosphere was a little down" after Logan Mankins trade.
 
@MikeGiardi  2m
Chandler Jones then said politely that he would not answer any questions about Logan and if we had any to ask Bill. #patriotstalk
 

 

[mabrowndog]

Haven't had much time to delve into this today, but maybe others here who are following the transaction wire more closely can chime in. Are there any recent or upcoming cap-related cuts by other teams that have/will put any decent OLs on the market who might be fits on the Pats?

 

[mabrowndog]

Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss 22m
Logan Mankins' locker, with nameplate above, is still filled with belongings. Has the look of a player who was prepping to practice today.
 
Mike Petraglia ‏@Trags 21m
Matthew Slater said it was difficult focusing on practice as #Patriots players were informed of Mankins deal before practice
 
Mike Reiss ‏@MikeReiss 54s
Nate Solder on how difficult it was to hear Mankins news: "It is all coming on us pretty quickly, so really I just reflect. Awesome guy."
 
Andre Carter ‏@mr_carter93 6m
Best of luck to Logan Mankins. One of the toughest offensive lineman I've been around throughout my career.

 

[RedOctober3829]

It begins...
 
@DougKyedNESN  15s
Darrelle Revis says "the atmosphere was a little down" after Logan Mankins trade.
 
@MikeGiardi  2m
Chandler Jones then said politely that he would not answer any questions about Logan and if we had any to ask Bill. #patriotstalk
 

Let's hope there isn't a 31-0 loss to Miami that comes as a result.....

 

[soxfan121]

Haven't had much time to delve into this today, but maybe others here who are following the transaction wire more closely can chime in. Are there any recent or upcoming cap-related cuts by other teams that have/will put any decent OLs on the market who might be fits on the Pats?

 
No way to tell, yet. The Patriots always seem to cut "name" veterans earlier than most teams and it is thought that it is to allow them longer to look for a new job elsewhere (Tommy Kelly for example). 
 
Every team has to be down to 53 after the next game, so there could very well be some bigger "name" guys available at that point. 
 
However, I doubt the Pats are hoping for a surprise cut. This trade was probably done on merit - as in, we have these four guys who could start for us, Logan makes by far the most money and has the biggest trade value, so let's go with the other three. 

 

[soxfan121]

Let's hope there isn't a 31-0 loss to Miami that comes as a result.....

 
Why? Worked out OK last time. 

 

[MalzoneExpress]

It begins...
 
@DougKyedNESN  15s
Darrelle Revis says "the atmosphere was a little down" after Logan Mankins trade.
 
@MikeGiardi  2m
Chandler Jones then said politely that he would not answer any questions about Logan and if we had any to ask Bill. #patriotstalk
 

 
 

Let's hope there isn't a 31-0 loss to Miami that comes as a result.....

 
Nope. 31-0 loss to the Giants, but who really cares about the 4th PS game.

 

[dcmissle]

"We're running a business here". Nobody is safe. Nobody.

This is as it should be in the NFL. But everyone should laugh in their faces when owners pull heart strings and start talking about "family."

 

[JohnnyK]

A extension would lower McCourty's cap hit in 2014

Maybe they could structure it in a way that it doesn't, eg. with a higher base this year but a slightly lower signing bonus. Saves room in the future.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

I love this deal.  Absolutely love it.  Just as much as I hated the way the Pats drafted this year.  Aaron Hernandez was the most important offensive player, when it came to game planning, not named Brady.  He was the guy that created the matchups that got Gronk open, allowed the holes to open in the running game, and kept guys like Welker (now Edelman) and the outside receivers from being double covered.  They moved him all over the field, from the far outside to the backfield to the slot and everywhere in between.  I've said for some time that the loss of AH was a bigger blow to the offense than the injuries to Gronk, and while Wright is not exactly like Hernandez, he accomplishes a lot of the same that AH did, when it comes to how they can use him in the game plan.  He may very well be the next closest guy to AH in the entire league when you actually look around. He can't block, but he isn't going to be asked to block very often.  The Pats passing game opens up their running game, and not the other way around, and this opens up their passing game. 
 
Mankins was clearly on the downside, he's expensive, and BB got more for him now than he would get at any point after today.  We've had issues on the O Line in the past, but this team is almost a mortal lock for the playoffs barring some sort of apocalyptic injuries, so there is a ton of time for that group to come together throughout the season.  The fourth round pick was just a cherry on top, and if it leads to a Revis extension, well, that's a big ass second helping of ice cream.
 
I fucking love this trade, and I think folks are going to love Timothy Wright when they see him play.  He's the new breed of TE, the TE2 that really is more of a WR/TE.  We used to say when the Pats had Gronk, Hernandez, Welker, etc., "how do you cover them all?"  I think we'll be saying that again with Wright in short order.  He's a player.  54 catches last year with flotsam and jetsum throwing the ball to him is no small feat, especially when you consider they also had no running game after Doug Martin got hurt, so he was facing a ton of double coverage. 
 
I couldn't be happier.  Time to go re-sort my TE rankings for my upcoming FFL drafts.  Wright just became a top 10 TE. 

 

[Stitch01]

Man, I hope you guys are right on Wright, that take seems massively overoptimistic to me.  If Wright is good and contributes meaningfully this year its a very good trade.  I just think that's a lot to expect.
 
According to PFF, Hernandez broke 23 tackles to lead the league in '11, then 9 the next year when he was banged up and missed time.  Wright broke one tackle last year according to the same site.  Maybe there is a massive game charting discrepancy in there somewhere or the usage in each offense is just completely different, but Im not sure he's that similar to Hernandez.

 

[mwonow]

I'll miss Logan's toughness.
 
That said, he (as was pointed out upthread) was part of the problem over the past few years. Opponents know if they can move Brady from the inside, they're in good shape - so they send the rush inside, and our interior OL, Mankins included, was not holding the fort.
 
Drafting bigger guys (Stork, Halapio) was one step towards fixing that. I think this is another. Most folks have been painting Cannon as a goner after this year, figuring there isn't enough OL money to go around. Maybe this gives the Pats some dough for Cannon *and* Revis...

 

[Auger34]

Kline graded out same as Mankins this preseason at LG and the coaches love him--so I see that.
But it's odd BB did not give one guard snap preseason to Connelly or Cannon (I thought Connelly at center meant something)--and I can't see Devey or Halapio being ready.
I really thought Wendell was a problem last year in pass protection, but they must be standing pat.
Unless....Alex Boone has Revis' agent (a holdout expert) and they are in a serious standoff with SF...Kline-Connelly-Boone I could like.

 
I live in Tampa and I am a Buc fan (root for both the Bucs and Pats actually). The thing to keep in mind with this post is that I think the Bucs valued Boone more highly than Mankins and had the same opportunity to trade for him as the Pats do now. I think the price on Boone is a good amount higher than the price on Mankins was. I can't see BB trading a 3rd round or higher pick to acquire Boone (not to mention the contract it would take to sign him).
 
On Wright- He is a very good receiving TE and I think the Pats will use him like they did Aaron Hernandez. Move him around a lot, play him at H-back some, try and get him into match-ups that they can exploit.
However, he is a really bad run blocker and his status on the Bucs wasn't all that solid. Lovie actually came out and criticized him recently talking about how he really needed to step up and be better in practice. (only reason why this is relevant is that Lovie really doesn't call out anyone in the media and challenge their practice habits). He was also basically the 4th TE on the depth chart behind Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Brandon Myers, and Luke Stocker.
But in the end, I think Josh McD and crew are more creative than Lovie and the Bucs offensive brain trust and I think he will end up being a pretty valuable player for the Pats this year

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Jeez, you are a honk. There is no way you can call this a winner right now. This could be a massive failure.

Why is a second TE more important than G?

It's Tim Wright + cap relief + 4th rounder for a position where there's more depth than at TE.
 
So guessing whether or not Logan will continue to decline or return to a PB-level guard + the % of production he can provide out of old Herb's role, I say this is a winner at this point in time.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

Also, given the history of integrating young receivers into the Pats offense and the fact that we are one week before the season, I don't think Wright is going to be super useful in '14 and definitely isnt going to do much early on.

 
 

Man, I hope you guys are right on Wright, that take seems massively overoptimistic to me.  If Wright is good and contributes meaningfully this year its a very good trade.  I just think that's a lot to expect.
 
According to PFF, Hernandez broke 23 tackles to lead the league in '11, then 9 the next year when he was banged up and missed time.  Wright broke one tackle last year according to the same site.  Maybe there is a massive game charting discrepancy in there somewhere or the usage in each offense is just completely different, but Im not sure he's that similar to Hernandez.

 
I haven't watched any of Tim Wright, but I don't think this should be a focus of concern. We saw a few rookie WR's last year catch on pretty quickly with Thompkins & Dobson,  the latter of which played at least 75% of snaps before getting injured, culminating in his beastly performance against the Steelers.
 
I also wouldn't be surprised if the learning curve for Wright was minimal. Mike Sullivan was his offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, and Sullivan made his bones with the Giants, who run a variation of the same Erhardt-Perkins system that the Patriots use. I don't know what scheme the Buc's ran, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was a EP variation. Wright could very well be stepping into a comfortable situation.

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

I'm sure Mel Kiper is saying, "told you so". 

 
First of all, I love this post.  
 
Secondly, I'm now 100% certain in the next three years I'll see a scroll on ESPN, "Tom Brady Traded to ________".  
 
Fuck George Gervin and Lt. Tom Kazansky, Bill Belichick is the real Ice Man.  Cold as can be with freezing water running through his veins.

 

[lambeau]

Depth at guard? I thought lasdt year was a disaster at RG; now there are two holes to fill and Kline to fill them both.

 

[Super Nomario]

It's Tim Wright + cap relief + 4th rounder for a position where there's more depth than at TE.

There's more depth in terms of names on the roster at G/C ... but it's unproven (Kline, Devey, Cannon as a G, the rookies) or proven wanting (Connolly, Wendell). And failure in the interior offensive line has a chance to submarine the whole offense, while failure at TE is less critical.
 

So guessing whether or not Logan will continue to decline or return to a PB-level guard + the % of production he can provide out of old Herb's role, I say this is a winner at this point in time.

I think Mankins is in decline, but that doesn't mean the options are better.

 

[RedOctober3829]

There's more depth in terms of names on the roster at G/C ... but it's unproven (Kline, Devey, Cannon as a G, the rookies) or proven wanting (Connolly, Wendell). And failure in the interior offensive line has a chance to submarine the whole offense, while failure at TE is less critical.
 
I think Mankins is in decline, but that doesn't mean the options are better.

Your last sentence is so true. I still think Mankins was their best option in the interior by a long shot but I also think he's taken a step back. Whoever steps in isnt a sure bet by any means to play to his level of last year let alone improve upon it.

 

[soxfan121]

Matthew Slater is, unquestionably, one of the best special teams performers in the NFL year after year. He's also been a Captain for the Patriots for several seasons. Ever wonder why?
 

"It is difficult," acknowledged special teams captain Matthew Slater, one of the team's locker-room leaders. "You know a guy for a number of years, you get to know his family, his kids, and that makes it tough. There is always a human element involved. 

"We signed up to do a job here, and we understand what that job entails, and we understand what comes along with that, but at the same time, you can't separate yourself from the human element, and the emotions and feelings that come along with it." 
...
Slater was asked how he thinks the locker room will respond to Mankins' departure. 

"I think we'll definitely have to be very mentally tough during this time, because Logan brought a lot in the department of leadership, a lot in the department in toughness. He brought a lot in a lot of departments," he said. 

"So we have to be mentally tough, we have to understand that Coach Belichick is always going to do what he thinks is best for the football team, and we just have to be resilient and move forward and there's still a job to be done. That's what we're here to do."
 

 

[TheoShmeo]

I hate seeing the Pats or any other team I follow trade or cut someone who is seemingly respected by the entire team.  I just today heard a podcast during which Edelman gushed about how tough Mankins is.
 
But Bill and staff sees this guy up close and personal every day, and I find the OL to be a very difficult part of the team to evaluate without coaches film.  There are times when a play is obvious, but often assigning credit or blame is reasonably difficult.
 
I can only conclude that BB saw a LOT of slippage and liked the return.  I also conclude that he sees a use of the salary cap dough.
 
Bottom line, there must have been a lot of on the field issues for Bill to part with a guy who seemed like such a force among his teammates.
 
I know this sounds like "In Bill I Trust" but that doesn't always apply.  In this circumstance, I'm willing to defer, even if it kind of pains me to see Mankins go.

 

[smokin joe wood]

Matthew Slater is, unquestionably, one of the best special teams performers in the NFL year after year. He's also been a Captain for the Patriots for several seasons. Ever wonder why?
 

 
That reads as a man who grew up in the game. He's also been told his entire life how unique it is that his dad played for one team his entire career. Guy seems to be able to separate himself from his emotions really well. 

 

[Dalton Jones]

I'm sure Mel Kiper is saying, "told you so".

I'll never forget the reaction on draft day by the ESPN crew, including Mel Kiper, when the Pats selected Mankins. They were utterly nonplussed, staring at each other, shuffling through their notes trying to find out who Mankins was and what to say about it. Six Pro-Bowls later and five All-Pro selections, Mankins finally moves on, trailing clouds of glory....