Apparently that rule only applies to players
under contract; since Mankins didn't sign his tender, he's not under contract.
OTOH, a certain "Island" in New Jersey
is subject to this rule. . . . :singing:
Yeah, Mankins only loses his accrued season if he doesn't report by week 10.
Technically Mankins is a free agent and not under contract - but he's an RFA and of course that's the big sticking point here... had we not been in this CBA transition he WOULD be an UFA.
So I guess some of the questions Mankins would be asking himself is whether the next CBA would continue to treat him like an RFA even if he sat out the entire season.
On that count I think it's unlikely the next CBA would contain a provision for players in Mankins situation who sat out all 2010, seeing as they already served an extra year as an RFA.
That being said, if Mankins held out all season, followed by a lockout in 2011, and entered free agency in 2012 if a new CBA can be hammered out, that's a long time of inactivity and Mankins should be seriously wondering what the market value for a 30 year old inside lineman who hasn't played in 2 years would be, assuming the CBA is even friendly to the players in general or players in Mankin's situation in particular.
We don't have all the details of the Patriots offer to Mankins but even a deal that's 20% less than Jahiri Evan's contract (or at least that's what Mankin's agent was complaining about) strikes me as the better alternative for Mankins.
Jahiri Evans was 26 when that contract was signed this year. Mankins would be 30 with 2 years of inactivity in 2012 and if the owners get their way the salary cap isn't going to rise as dramatically in the future.
That's a long time to wait for a payoff that I think would be less than his current offer - and he'd be missing the guaranteed money over the next 2 years as well, and be 2 years closer to retirement.
If Mankins is thinking this through clearly, injury or no injury to Kaczur, it's in his best interest to settle with the Patriots and take the cash he can now, before the lockout.