Mankins Days as Pat Over?

[Marqui]

IMO, the #1 priority on this team is acquiring 2-3 impact front 7 defensive players. If they can nail those players down and commit to a running game that opposing defenses will respect on 3rd and 3 and no one that runs when the score is 31-3 Pats in the 3rd qtr, then there is no reason why this team cannot win a SB. With that said, to run the ball as effectively as I mention you do need a guy like Logan Mankins to do it. However, this team won with Joe Andruzzi, Neal and Mike Compton at G so it is possible.

Pats are probably going to have to trade up in the draft to get those 2-3 impact front 7 defensive players. I doubt Hali/Ngata will even sniff free agency, unfortunately. They might be able to get an elite franchise RB like DeAngelo Williams though.

 

[upstater1]

Pats are probably going to have to trade up in the draft to get those 2-3 impact front 7 defensive players. I doubt Hali/Ngata will even sniff free agency, unfortunately. They might be able to get an elite franchise RB like DeAngelo Williams though.

We have no idea how Belichick evaluates those players. When he passed on D Robertson and took Ty Warren instead, people probably thought he was maximizing his draft value instead of moving boldly like the Jets did. He simply did not have Robertson rated highly.

We just don't know what he thinks of the top dogs.

 

[flycessna]

Pats are IN the middle of rebuilding an entire team.. we lost almost half the team from 09 to 10..

I will be very curious to see what exactley BB has in store this year..

Depth is always a focus and you dont get depth when your paying individuals as the number one player in the league... Especially when its questionable if they are the number 1 and evem more when you consider their impact value..

Great QB's vs Average QB's...well their is no comparison.. Great Guards vs average guards... well they are closer then you think thery would be..

The difference for me with Mankins is HIS particular impact surrounding the offensive line.. Him and Light are leaders.. and he raises the play of other players..

Mankins might be worth a one or two year contract at top pay while they continue to rebuild and retool the line.. I doubt he will want that

As for salery cap I've read a lot of conflicting reports, The one that makes the MOST since is that the Pats look like they have a high salary team but that is just because of the bonus's paid for new contracts like brady's and that they really have one of the lowest team salaries..

It is also true this team has the least amount of free agents in the league with the MOST players under contract and has one of the highest cap rooms..

Add to that all the picks they got and the mobility they have in this years draft there is really nothing they cant do going after and signing the players they WANT to sign..

Now its a question of what they want to do and what they decide to do.

 

[Marqui]

We have no idea how Belichick evaluates those players. When he passed on D Robertson and took Ty Warren instead, people probably thought he was maximizing his draft value instead of moving boldly like the Jets did. He simply did not have Robertson rated highly.

We just don't know what he thinks of the top dogs.

Sure, but I find it hard to believe anyone doesn't rate Hali/Ngata/D.Williams as elite players at their respective positions.

 

[goheels22002]

Keep in mind that once Colvin got hurt vs Indy, AD moved out of the ILB position and assumed the OLB role and recorded 13 sacks in his next 19 games. He then got hurt, aged quickly and evolved into a complete jerk.

The signing was a bad one long-term, but short-term it was decent.

Great point on AD. He was excellent in the role for which they acquired him and then got moved around and became a head case.

On Mankins, that won't happen. Ironically, Mankins may be one of the top beneficiaries of the new CBA which almost everyone, including the NY Times business reporter assigned to that story, agrees will have a rookie salary scale meaning more money goes to veterans, particularly RFAs. My guess is the Pats use the franchise tag on Mankins and agree to a new 3-4 year deal after the CBA is ratified this summer.

Mankins is definitely worth top-at-his-position money and who cares if he holds a grudge as long as he's protecting the Pats' #1 asset - #12?

 

[DarrylStingley]

Logan Mankins is an elite player. He's one of the very best at his position.

Unless he's a negative leader in the locker room, you don't let those kind of guys go.

Find a way to keep him.

 

[ATippett56]

However, this team won with Joe Andruzzi, Neal and Mike Compton at G so it is possible.

Right after the 2004 NFL Season, the New England Patriots drafted Logan Mankins in the first round and Nick Kaczur in the third round. Dan Connolly is not the answer at right offensive guard especially if the New England Patriots desire a more effective running game in the 2011 NFL Season.

 

[upstater1]

Sure, but I find it hard to believe anyone doesn't rate Hali/Ngata/D.Williams as elite players at their respective positions.

Well, now they're great in FA, but I'm talking about trading up in the draft. Plenty of people doubted Hali.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I really don't want to have to use a pick to replace mankins. Its like treading water.

Yes and no. Also factor in how much less they'll pay his replacement than they pay him; that money can go into re-signing key players and/or bringing in FAs to shore up the roster. Anytime you can replace a guy with extreme contract demands with a guy on a rookie contract that isn't at the very top of the draft, you've helped your salary structure if nothing else.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Well, now they're great in FA, but I'm talking about trading up in the draft. Plenty of people doubted Hali.

KC fans *hated* Hali and thought he was a complete bust until Crennel came to town. He was generally regarded as too small to play DE, too slow to play OLB, and when he'd spend his offseasons doing unorthodox stuff like taking brazilian jiu-jitsu lessons, he was pretty much universally mocked for it. Of course, these were the same people who are still complaining that they gave up too much for Matt Cassel, so what can you do...

 

[ATippett56]

Yes and no. Also factor in how much less they'll pay his replacement than they pay him; that money can go into re-signing key players and/or bringing in FAs to shore up the roster. Anytime you can replace a guy with extreme contract demands with a guy on a rookie contract that isn't at the very top of the draft, you've helped your salary structure if nothing else.

What you propose is the New England Patriots would have to upgrade the left offensive guard and right offensive guard position via the 2011 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, the 2011 NFL Draft seems awfully weak with regards to offensive guard talent. In the meantime, the New England Patriots need to seriously upgrade the 3-4 outside linebacker position as well as the 3-4 right defensive end position. If Matt Light departs via free agency, the New England Patriots will have to upgrade the left offensive tackle position via the 2011 NFL Draft.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Right after the 2004 NFL Season, the New England Patriots drafted Logan Mankins in the first round and Nick Kaczur in the third round. Dan Connolly is not the answer at right offensive guard especially if the New England Patriots desire a more effective running game in the 2011 NFL Season.

You are factually correct but my origional point was that during their SB run, at both guard positions they had a street FA, a UFA and a cap-casualty in Compton.

My point is that talent can be found at guard without breaking the bank or spending high draft picks.

 

[part-timer]

Mankins stays one more year. He will be franchised and reports to play to achieve agreed upon insentives and get to walk free next year. This similar to Samuals deal. Mankins gets to walk free and chase his big contract next year without the signing team having to deal with giveing up valuble picks. The Pats get Mankins for one more year to help transition the newly drafted OL prospects. NE will draft OT 1st rd. (Carimi,Castonzo),C/G 2nd RD. (Pouncey,Wisniewski), and G 3rd rd. (Ijalana). Pats. offer last year was honest and fair and will not change. Mankins did not agree and will not change his mind. Only options left sign and trade,not so easy for all sides to agree on terms of Draft compensation, contract, and accepible team for trade, or franchise sign and walk deal.

 

[ATippett56]

You are factually correct but my origional point was that during their SB run, at both guard positions they had a street FA, a UFA and a cap-casualty in Compton.

My point is that talent can be found at guard without breaking the bank or spending high draft picks.

It's obvious the offensive line talent on the current Patriots roster is not Super Bowl quality since the Ravens and Jets defense manhandled the New England Patriots offensive line in consecutive playoff games. Stephen Neal can't be relied on to stay healthy for sixteen games let alone the playoffs. Stephen Neal turns 35 years of age next season. Dan Koppen regressed during the 2010 NFL season and his performance against the NY Jets in the 2010 Divisional Playoff game was less than inspirational. Dan Koppen turns 32 years of age next season. None of the backup interior offensive lineman on the New England Patriots are quality starters as evident that Dan Connolly is the highest backup on the depth chart.