PATRIOTS-80

Let's assume

(1) both players want to test the FA market.

(2) its probable both will be given silly money.

You can tag only one player. Would you rather tag Mankins, let Light go and play Solder. Or would tag Light for only one year, work Solder in the lineup and let Light go next year. You would get a FA comp pick for Mankins. The FA comp pick probably will be higher for Mankins than for Light.

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According to Rodney Harrison, new wide-receiver Wes Welker was “a pain in the butt” to deal with when he was with the Dolphins. “We had to double-team him because no one could stick with him man-to-man,” Harrison said.

townes

The tag requires a huge one year payment, there is no way you give that to Light. Tag Mankins if they can't sign him, if he sits so be it.

BlueThunder

What are the trade possibilities if Mankins doesn't show for camp ?

How about if he walks as a FA...comp pick...Can Pats pull the franchise tag at this point since he hasn't signed it...

I don't believe he will NOT play under the tag and hope they work out a long term deal that is amicable to everyone....but like fans have said...He's a GUARD.....not the QB or NT or top CB......

Are Pats better with Logan...sure

Are they $10mil better? .... Not likely

Think of what $10mil could buy on defense....

just sayin

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BradyFTW!

They have the same franchise tag number, and Mankins is the better player at the position of greater need.

patfanken

IMHO the only way that you can keep Light is if you actually could make a sign and trade deal with Mankins that would net you at least a 2nd day pick. THEN Light would have to be willing to play LG and go with Solder at LT. You could then cut Kascur and save his money as well and replace him with a worthy and more economical FA. There will be many out there with starting experience

ranklythat's a lot of IFs. it just seems easier to keep Mankins and let Light walk. If not easier then more likely

sbpatfan

Trade Mankins to Barfalo for his weight in buffalo wings. Let him rot there with all his cash.

jmt57

The Pats already tagged Mankins so it's a moot point, isn't it?

If you're suggesting the previous tags are revoked and only one new one can be applied I'd still go with Mankins, even though he is a guard.

Let's look at what the line would look like:

Tag Light:
Light - Connolly - Koppen - Cannon/Wendell/FA - Vollmer

Tag Mankins:
Solder/Vollmer - Mankins - Koppen - Connolly - Vollmer/Solder

Before you mention Kaczur, I've already thought of that. If the Pats can't afford both Light and Mankins, then either (a) they can't afford Kaczur at $4.5m either, or (b) cutting Kaczur helps them to sign both Mankins and Light.

Bottom line is I would prefer the lower option, tagging Mankins. I think opponents would crash the middle of the line and collapse the pocket with alarming ease without Mankins in that lineup. And before you say they did okay last year, keep in mind Stephen Neal was still playing then.

Frezo

Won't Mankins just sit out the required number of games again? No Thanks.

jmt57

Last year Mankins was making less than $100k per game.

Under a franchise tag in 2011 Mankins would forfeit about $650k per game.

There's a big difference between walking away from $10+ million and walking away from $1.5 million.


Mankins does indeed seem to be a guy who tends to hold principles above dollars far higher than most other players, but there's such a big difference in the salaries that I do not expect him to holdout half the season again.

Frezo

I wouldn't put it past him. IMO the Pats need to sign either Light or Mankins and ensure they are in from day one. (whenever that will be)