Logan Mankins: "I'm Back and Ready To Go"

[TBradyOwnsYou]

I will admit, when he held out I said some un-kind things about him. However, watching his press conference I feel like I want to be a hypocrite and take most of it back.
I defended Moss's comments about wanting a new contract as I expected him to leave it all on the field and not let it affect his game.
I was wrong on that one too.
I also said I didn't want Branch back because he already hurt the Pats before, then he turns around and verbally felates Brady every time he's in front of a camera (which buys points in my eyes no matter who does it!).

I will not be sending my resume to the Pats FO any time soon!
Mankins is back early and appears to be on the same page as Branch, that they just want to do everything they can to make the Pats better, and Moss is busy self destructing at light speed.
I tell you what. I've never been so happy to be so wrong!

 

[Deus Irae]

The only reason Logan's back is to get credit for a full year. I'd sit him on the bench forever. Principle my azz.

So you think the smart move is to take the offense's 2nd best player back (they have to, because they offered the tender and didn't rescind it) after he properly exercised his rights under the CBA, cut another player instead of cutting the returning player (Cutting Mankins could now be done, since the tender's been signed), and then keep that returning player on the bench while they're already a man short and he's a significant upgrade over the man currently in the lineup?

 

[DW Toys]

It was what it was
but now...
It is what it is

Pats are a better team once Logan is ready to play

Just a rental at this point. I would sit his Cowboy buttocks for what he did to the Team he professes to love. At least Moss showed up.
Let Dan C. get the playing time to further develop to hone his skills so when Bronco Butch leaves in 2011, we don't miss a beat. #63 has not been perfect but has delivered better than any thought. What a great revelation that Mankins picked up on and to let us all know.
So if the CBA gets restructured and we lose Mankins, we get "gotzo" for him doing us all a favor and playing the last half of the season.......big woop!

Your last Team poison to dump BB. Do...your...job!
DW Toys
P.S. Look at the numbers. The Pats were a better Team with Moss too. Felger gets a massive "F" for not doing his homework. Let's ask Welker and Brady?
Also did not some of us mention here that Branch would be injured once again? Well all of those who said that, you were right.

 

[tajapandu]

Why would you be pissed about the team VASTLY upgrading the LG position? And why would the locker room be pissed? Both are now in an open competition with Connolly having an eight week advantage on Mankins. If Connolly is the better of the two, he'll earn the starting nod. If not, it will go to Mankins.

please, take your rational thought elsewhere. we like to hold irrational grudges around here.

 

[juxtapoz15]

Players don't tend to be as foolish about this stuff as the fans do. I'm sure the people in the locker room will be fine with Mankins starting once he is in football shape. He's the vastly superior player, after all, and he's very well liked by his teammates, from all accounts.

Totally agree with this point. I think fans take a different approach to players then management. I think players, coaches, GMs, etc. view Logan sitting out as it being all within his rights of doing so. It is in the CBA that he can sit out as leverage against the team. Just as a team can apply a franchise tag to a player to keep them under contract for another year. I may not like the way he handled himself before he started sitting out. But, if the team can welcome him back with open arms then I am willing to do the same. I think that Logan might realize that the Pats did put a fair offer on the table and sign a long term extension in the offseason. If not, and he signs with another team I wish him the best of luck with no hard feelings.

 

[Sicilian]

So you think the smart move is to take the offense's 2nd best player back (they have to, because they offered the tender and didn't rescind it) after he properly exercised his rights under the CBA, cut another player instead of cutting the returning player (Cutting Mankins could now be done, since the tender's been signed), and then keep that returning player on the bench while they're already a man short and he's a significant upgrade over the man currently in the lineup?

Not only do I agree with this point, but now I want a Guinness.

 

[Fencer]

"Now gimme my job back, Dan."

If they bench Connolly for this selfish moron I'm gonna be pi...er, mad. And I'll bet some in the locker room will be too.

Seriously, some of the lesser OL can play well for PART of a season but not a whole one (wear and tear). Think Russ Hochstein.

Ivan Fears' comment about Mankins being "fresh" brought that into focus.

 

[SanAngeloState]

I don't think he's VASTLY superior to Connelly.

If his attitude is so good and he loves playing with the guys, then why the bizarre holdout for absolute top dollar?

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Just a rental at this point. I would sit his Cowboy buttocks for what he did to the Team he professes to love.

That's where I stoped reading.

Thankfully the irrational, emotional fanbase is not our GM.

 

[reflexblue]

"Now gimme my job back, Dan."

If they bench Connolly for this selfish moron I'm gonna be pi...er, mad. And I'll bet some in the locker room will be too.

I'm with you, he has to earn his spot back.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

"Now gimme my job back, Dan."

If they bench Connolly for this selfish moron I'm gonna be pi...er, mad. And I'll bet some in the locker room will be too.

I don't think so. Every player in that locker room knows it's a business and that their teammates have to act in what they perceive as their own best interests; they all work in a league where management cuts players whenever it thinks doing so is in its own best interests.

The average NFL career is 3.5 years and can end due to injury at any time, whether during a game or on the practice field. Players, especially outstanding players, have every right to act in such a way as they believe will maximize their own earnings potential.

If Logan is ready to play, in the opinion of BB and his coaches, he should play. If he isn't, he should sit. The bottom line is that this is a better Offense with a game-ready Logan Mankins at Guard.

 

[Peachhead]

IF the coaches feel that Mankins would do the best job protecting Brady, do you really want them to play somebody inferior?

Of course not. That was my basic point. Play who's best for the team. IMO Connolly is the better LG atm. The Oline is playing very well, and continuity is a big deal on an O-line. Mankins can't be in football shape and his timing with the others must be rusty.

The only thing Mankins has going for him at this point is he's the higher profile former starter.

I don't know why it seems many are down on Connolly. I think he's doing an excellent job. Most times when BJGE breaks a good run it seems Connolly is one of the guys opening the hole. IMO, OL as a whole is performing at near 2007 levels.

And FTR that "now gimme my job back" bit was a semi joke because he came off to me like that was going to be his next words.

 

[crowell33]

“I know one thing — I had a lot more faith in Dan Connolly than you guys did before the season started,” Mankins told reporters. “Dan’s a great friend of mine and he’s done a great job. It was fun watching him play and getting the opportunity to play and prove everyone that he could do it.”

Quite unselfish of Mankins, too bad he had to go thru all the red tape and miss that much time.

Yeah, the mans a real role model. The last player to show up for work in the entire NFL. Kind of guy you'd want in the fox hole with you.

 

[Bella*chick]

Of course not. That was my basic point. Play who's best for the team. IMO Connolly is the better LG atm. The Oline is playing very well, and continuity is a big deal on an O-line. Mankins can't be in football shape and his timing with the others must be rusty.

Perhaps this is true. But as you don't get to see what the coaches see, your opinion is just that....yours.

 

[TBradyOwnsYou]

Yeah, the mans a real role model. The last player to show up for work in the entire NFL. Kind of guy you'd want in the fox hole with you.

We don't use foxholes anymore...

 

[Gwedd]

We don't use foxholes anymore...

Or leather helmets.

This ain't the military. I get really tired of hearing athletes talking about "going to war" "bullets flying" and crap like that.

Just sayin'.......

 

[TheComeback]

I for one am very glad that Mankins is back. Ain't nothing wrong with a pro bowl interior lineman joining your team fresh for the stretch run. I think he's fully committed to helping the Patriots win and that's all I care about right now.

 

[TheComeback]

Or leather helmets.

This ain't the military. I get really tired of hearing athletes talking about "going to war" "bullets flying" and crap like that.

Just sayin'.......

Yeah, me too. My dad served in the Army for 22 years and it peeves me every time one of these guys talks about "going to war."

Get real...they need to keep their mouth shut. They have no idea what kind of sacrifices actual "warriors" make for far less pay, and at REAL risk to their lives.

Football is a game. It's not even close to war, and I don't care how tough these guys think they are. They aren't as tough as someone who's been to Vietnam or Iraq. Not even close. When they say "this is war" before an NFL game, I just want to throw up. Athletes are way, way over-glorified in our country. It's insane.

 

[mgteich]

Dante will start Mankins when and if he is a better option to protect Brady and give the team a better chance to win.

As far as him improving the team, I didn't know we had that many Ohrnberger supporters on this board. Ohrnberger couldn't make the 53. Why should I believe that Ohrnberger is a better option for the roster than Mankins?

If we had a chance to pick up an all-pro OL who knew the patriots offense, either as a backup or starter for half the season, we'd do so in a heartbeat. We might even have given up a draft pick before the trade deadline to pull off such an upgrade. After all, if Neal were to be injured, we'd be counting on Ohrnberger or Wendell or Ojinnaka. Can Mankins REALLY be a worse option that one of these?

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Of course not. That was my basic point. Play who's best for the team. IMO Connolly is the better LG atm. The Oline is playing very well, and continuity is a big deal on an O-line. Mankins can't be in football shape and his timing with the others must be rusty.

I think I feel a lot better letting Bill Belichick and Dante Scarnecchia decide who is the "better LG atm" and whether Mankins is "in football shape" or if "his timing...must be rusty."

I'd be delighted if they decide that Logan can start or get considerable playing time this week!