Ah, you have jumped to step 2 of my diabolical plan.
Seriously, this crap happens all of the time in business (and sports, I guess). Someone plays hardball, some BS concessions are made, and then the two sides come together. A week later it's all forgotten.
To those suggesting the Pats play hardball, who exactly does that benefit? Why should the Pats punish themselves by fielding an inferior O-line and risk their franchise player if they can get this thing done and bring in their stud guard with a couple minor concessions?
Get that hick in F-boro now!
I'm a pragmatist myself. I wouldn't pay 7 million for a guard, I don't think he makes 7 million dollars worth of difference.
However, it's not my money. If they think so, why isn't Mankins waking up? Is he going to sit out the year?
I think they just wait for more cuts, there have hardly been any and they already found two experienced guards. If they get lucky and find a good vet, and i think that's quite possible, they've saved a huge on a term contract and maybe they can spend that on a thin position like pass rusher, instead of one where the have 5 or 6 guys backed up and can pick up an experienced vet for nothing every week as cuts are made.
The only reason to pay a guard exorbitant money is he makes any running back into Jim Brown, like Hannah did. Have we had an awesome running game I'm not aware of?
For all these posters about Brady on his ass, guards aren't primary pass protectors, tackles are. Mankins is being over hyped and an above average vet is not worth 7 million dollars less, sorry.
Why didn't Brady die with Compton, Andruzzi and Hochstein in front of him? Fact is, guys of that caliber or better will be available for zero in the next two weeks. If I were Mankins agent, I'd hustle his ass into camp before the next round of cuts, and an apology yo Mr. Kraft would be a nice gesture. I'm sure BB doesn't give a flying fart.