Is Mankins play worth 6.5M more than Connolly

[mgteich]

So your plan is to expect Neal to come back healthy so that you have the mighty interior of an oft-injured Neal, Koppen and Connolly, with Wendell and Ohrnberger as the mighty backups????

Thanks; I'll pass.

1. Brady is the franchise and Wilfork is the anchor to the defense. Those guys were indispensable.
2. Bodden was signed at a bargain rate and next year he'll play RCB across from McCourty.
3. Mankins held out for the same reasons he is playing out the rest of the season. The amount of $$$ he wanted and what the Pats were willing to offer was obviously wide enough that a contract didn't get done. He is playing to earn that accrued year for his shot at free agency.
4. I have heard reports that Mankins said some regrettable things about the Krafts in the heat of negotiations and that's the reason the Pats pulled their offer.
5. Mankins is a really good guard, but guards are replaceable. When Mankins went down Connolly stepped in and the Pats OL performed at the #1 level in the NFL according to CHFF's numbers (how accurate they are, who knows). In any case when Neal went down, that's when Mankins became absolutely necessary to have. Before that he was a luxury. Right now he is a necessity.
6. When Neal returns to healthy status, Mankins will be a luxury again. The Pats may well choose to draft another guard if Mankins is still looking for that ridiculous 8M+ per season number. Remember the divide between Branch's asking price and the Pats offer wasn't that big, but pride makes people do strange things. Branch was exiled to Seattle and he came back and hasn't come back much richer for the experience except that he now has a greater appreciation than ever what a great QB like Tom Brady can do for him.
7. What makes you believe that Mankins would accept 6.5M per when the offer taken off the table was rumored at 7M+ and laughed at by Mankins' agent?

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Much as I like Mankins (and yes, the Oline is clearly better with him). Not sure we'll be in the market for him. We won't pay top #'s for a guard for more then 1 year. I think we may franchise him for a year, but no way we break the bank over the long haul for him.

It's obviously apparent we won't be getting the hometown discount either.

 

[DaBruinz]

1. Brady is the franchise and Wilfork is the anchor to the defense. Those guys were indispensable.
2. Bodden was signed at a bargain rate and next year he'll play RCB across from McCourty.
3. Mankins held out for the same reasons he is playing out the rest of the season. The amount of $$$ he wanted and what the Pats were willing to offer was obviously wide enough that a contract didn't get done. He is playing to earn that accrued year for his shot at free agency.
4. I have heard reports that Mankins said some regrettable things about the Krafts in the heat of negotiations and that's the reason the Pats pulled their offer.
5. Mankins is a really good guard, but guards are replaceable. When Mankins went down Connolly stepped in and the Pats OL performed at the #1 level in the NFL according to CHFF's numbers (how accurate they are, who knows). In any case when Neal went down, that's when Mankins became absolutely necessary to have. Before that he was a luxury. Right now he is a necessity.
6. When Neal returns to healthy status, Mankins will be a luxury again. The Pats may well choose to draft another guard if Mankins is still looking for that ridiculous 8M+ per season number. Remember the divide between Branch's asking price and the Pats offer wasn't that big, but pride makes people do strange things. Branch was exiled to Seattle and he came back and hasn't come back much richer for the experience except that he now has a greater appreciation than ever what a great QB like Tom Brady can do for him.
7. What makes you believe that Mankins would accept 6.5M per when the offer taken off the table was rumored at 7M+ and laughed at by Mankins' agent?

Expecting Neal to be back healthy next season is like expecting to win the lottery without buying a ticket. It's not happening..

Mankins is more than a really good guard. Mankins is an All-Pro. He ranks up there with Steve Hutchinson. Anyone who hasn't noticed the significant difference in the O-line since Mankins return is wearing a blindfold.

The key to getting Mankins re-signed is to make sure he is directly involved in the negotiations. That way there can be no mis-understandings and the agent can't make bogus claims or mis-represent the Patriots offer.

 

[ATippett56]

The New England Patriots need to sign Mankins to a contract extension. Stephen Neal has become injury prone and will turn 35 years old next season. According to Miguel, Dan Connelly is signed through 2011 but plays better at right guard than left right guard. In the meantime, the New England Patriots could expend a second or third round 2011 draft pick on an offensive guard for a long term replacement for Dan Connelly.

Miguel's UNOFFICIAL 2010 Patriots Salary Cap Information Page

NFL Draft Scout----Powered By: The Sports Xchange

 

[JFK]

Not 6.5 More. The truth is that Connoly is underpaid.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

What do you guys think will happen this offseason with Mankins?

I'd bet they'll make him the big offer again (I remember something about us offering him a deal that made him one of the highest paid OG's in the league)... you think he will take it this time? Would we up the offer if not? I seriuosly have no idea what's going to happen with him, but regardless of the cap situation I don't think we'll cave in to higher demands. Despite his great play and the fact that he improved our offense, I think the Pats still have the advantage here in terms of bargaining after the strong start. With the surplus of picks we have, taking an interior lineman with one of the first 3 picks is an option, though I hope we find a way to keep him.

 

[JFK]

What do you guys think will happen this offseason with Mankins?

I'd bet they'll make him the big offer again (I remember something about us offering him a deal that made him one of the highest paid OG's in the league)... you think he will take it this time? Would we up the offer if not? I seriuosly have no idea what's going to happen with him, but regardless of the cap situation I don't think we'll cave in to higher demands. Despite his great play and the fact that he improved our offense, I think the Pats still have the advantage here in terms of bargaining after the strong start. With the surplus of picks we have, taking an interior lineman with one of the first 3 picks is an option, though I hope we find a way to keep him.

We'll have to pay him more/year because he is underpaid this year..Maybe 8.5-9mil/year...
Winning the SB might make him stay but I doubt he wants to stay here.

 

[PatsFan2]

If Logan Mankins ends up on the Colts i would be Pissed. Along there OL i am sure they could use a guy like him.

 

[SanAngeloState]

We'll have to pay him more/year because he is underpaid this year..Maybe 8.5-9mil/year...
Winning the SB might make him stay but I doubt he wants to stay here.

Market rate is market rate. YOu don't pay more because you got a good deal this year.

I don't think they pay him 2x what they pay Light and about 10x what they pay other OL. I think they let him walk. I have no idea why he thought 8M per year or whatever was an insult.

Guards are supposed to be a dime a dozen...they should be able to pick one up in the draft....whether he'll be an immediate starter who is as good as mankins is unknown. I wonder too how ohrn-bust is doing. Why did they draft such a bust as him?

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Hopefully they re-sign him now, long before free agency. Mankins needs to be re-signed, he is an absolute beast, and brings up the play of those around them. Anyone who has played offensive line will tell you, knowing the guy next to you is more important than anything else. Keeping Light-Mankins together is a MUST!

Maybe the Pats can re-structure his tender, give him a few more scheckles for this year and get him to sign a long term deal before the season is over. Then they can work on Light.

Let's face it, the Pats are going to need to draft a center-guard (I say draft Pouncey on the heels of the sucess that the Pats have had drafting "the other twin" who stayed behind for another year in school). Kazcur will be back next year, leave the Sea Bass where he is, draft a starting RG.

 

[DaBruinz]

Let's face it, the Pats are going to need to draft a center-guard (I say draft Pouncey on the heels of the sucess that the Pats have had drafting "the other twin" who stayed behind for another year in school). Kazcur will be back next year, leave the Sea Bass where he is, draft a starting RG.

Kaczur is another injury prone guy. With his bad back and his age (only 1 year younger than Light) I wouldn't count on him.. This is another reason I think the Pats need to draft a RT..

As for Pouncey, his best position is guard. I'm pretty certain that I've heard people say he's got lots of issues with center. I'd rather the Pats draft a Center who can play guard than a guard who can play center.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

We'll have to pay him more/year because he is underpaid this year..Maybe 8.5-9mil/year...

Isn't this almost what they offered him last year? Or was it around $7M, I can't remember what it was