I think in light of Kraft's statement this AM it's pretty clear that they want players to be all in and leaders who will work with them and not deliver ultimatums or draw lines in the sand as Mankins seems to be attempting to do. A new deal for him may not take priority over a new deal for the franchise. And they aren't looking to reward guys with top tier deals unless they are also prepared to step up and be leaders. Mankins has been a good soldier until now. How far he goes with this will bear watching. It could get ugly if he digs his heels in at this juncture. A week before the draft he becomes the exclusive property of the NEP whether he signs his tag or not, and in mid June if he still hasn't they can effectively cut his comp in half based on 110% of his 2009 salary. If they see a situation like that unfolding, who knows what they will decide to do.