Connolly is a downgrade from Mankins just like Connolly was a downgrade from Neal in 2010. Kline and Devey are downgrades from Mankins.
To state the New England Patriots are a better football now without Logan Mankins is ludicrous.
You're talking about ONE position.
There are 11 on the field.
This move will strengthen the team at several other positions.
November 11, 2001: " “It is what it is. Nobody scripted it this way. It just worked out that way. My job — I have been here for two years — my job is to make the best decisions for the football team, and that’s what I am going to do. I am going to make the best decisions I can for the football team,” Belichick said of his decision. “T-E-A-M, as in team. I can’t make them for an individual or a group. I have to do what’s best for the entire team.”
September 2, 2003: "“This is a player and a person that I have immense respect for, and means a lot to this team and this organization. It is just unfortunate that this was kind of a casualty of the way the system is right now,” Belichick said. “Of all of the players that I have released in my career this easily would be the hardest. It’s an unfortunate situation all the way around, but one that we’ve made and we will have to move forward with.”
August 26, 2014; "“Logan Mankins is everything we would ever want in a football player. It is hard to imagine a better player at his position, a tougher competitor or a person to represent our program. He is one of the all-time great Patriots and the best guard I ever coached. Logan brought a quiet but unmistakable presence and leadership that will be impossible to duplicate. Unfortunately, this is the time of year when difficult decisions have to be made -- and this is one of the most difficult we will ever make -- but like every other decision it was made for what we feel is in the best interests of the team.”
