Mike Dussault

The Patriots are scheduled to have mini-camp next week but I’m not sure if there will be media access, so this could be the last chance we have to hear about what’s going on in Foxboro these days until training camp.

First off, there’s a report from the Denver Post that the Pats sent Logan Mankins a letter notifying him that if he doesn’t sign his RFA tender by next week they will decrease his pay for 2010. Basically it comes down to this simple math for Logan:

• Sign RFA Tender, make $3.268 million in 2010.
• Don’t Sign RFA Tender, make $1.54 million in 2010.

Either way the Patriots hold all the cards. I’m sure the media will begin hammering the Pats for this, but look, they’re playing by the rules. I know everyone wants to live in a land where the best players get huge deals and are with the team forever but it’s far from that simple. If the NFLPA doesn’t like it, then they should negotiate to kill that, along with the Franchise Tag, in the next CBA.

It’s hard for fans to swallow when the team has power over a player, but that’s professional football. Get over it.

On to the OTA Huddle up after the jump…

Mike Reiss finally reports some news on Tyrone McKenzie, as well as a Ron Brace update:

Patriots followers haven’t seen much of Tyrone McKenzie, the 2009 third-round draft choice who missed his rookie campaign with a torn ACL. His reputation is as a Ted Johnson-type run-stuffer who could be a first- and second-down type option, and then coming off the field in passing situations in favor of more speed. But that might be underselling McKenzie, who at one point in this practice was the lone inside linebacker on the field in a sub package. He should be one of the more interesting players to watch in training camp as we learn more about his skill set.

With starting left defensive end Ty Warren not practicing, 2009 second-round draft choice Ron Brace stepped in next to Vince Wilfork when the team was working in its base 3-4. This was a reminder that while Brace didn’t see much time during his rookie campaign (approximately 50 defensive snaps all season), he very much remains in the team’s plans.

McKenzie played in three college programs and produced in all of them. His versatility is vastly underrated to this point, and he could even project as a pass rusher. Everyone wants to put the young Patriots linebackers in a box… a Ted Johnson-type, a Mike Vrabel-type, and so on… but the fact is that no two players are the same, and BB will use them each to maximize their strengths. What those are we’ll just have to wait and see.

As for Brace, a solid year on run downs from him would be greatly helpful to the Pats organization that could desperatly use a young, stout defensive lineman. He will be a player to watch in training camp.

Ian Rapoport has a Crazy Legs update:

It appeared that Shawn Crable got more looks with the big team, while Marques Murrell was with the scout team

It’s minor progress from last week for Crazy Legs, when he was running only with the scout team, but it’s progress none the less. Biggest question I have is whether or not he’s playing special teams.

Albert Breer (not FakeAlbertBreer) has an update on the one and only Patriot I can’t stand, Matthew Slater:

Matthew Slater, likely a player on the bubble, got some love from his teammates after making a great sideline catch on an out cut near the goal line (there was no defense for the drill); several receivers slipped trying to make the same catch on the wet grass.

Slater seems like a hard working, good kid, but I am DONE with him as a kick returner. It’s been two seasons of him catching the kick and running full speed into the closest oncoming defender, getting himself absolutely laid out, and thus firing up the other team. I get it. He’s fast. He works hard. He also never started at UCLA and there’s a reason. Lack of vision. I try not to be a hater, but I really would like to see the team say “Later Slater”.

Some other minor notes to pass along:

• Welker was back out there again. This is really a great sign that he has not suffered any setbacks. Look no further than Thomas Davis of the Panthers who was just coming back from an ACL injury himself and re-tore the same ACL this week in OTAs. Things like that remind you that nothing is guaranteed and we’re lucky Welker has had smooth sailing so far.
• Patrick Chung continues to run with Meriweather as a starting safety while James Sanders watches. Something tells me Sanders could be headed for the trade block if he’s not already there. He was a steadying force last year down the stretch but his high salary and low ceiling might open the door for Chung to become the starter.
• Per Jason LaCanfora of NFL Network there’s still no real interest in Adalius Thomas. I try not to bash Thomas too badly, I feel like it’s more of a bandwagon thing to hate him, when no one really had a problem with him until this season. But it’s really interesting that no one wants him. Not even Rex Ryan. Says something about Adalius for sure.