Wow we almost forgot about our little Pro Bowl left guard, didn’t we? It is good to have my Mankins back and from the sound of it, the players are excited too.
The Pats shot at gaining homefield advantage will be put to serious test over the next three weeks. Wins over Indy and Pittsburgh would really put the Pats in the driver’s seat for one of the top two seeds in the AFC, and getting Mankins back now could be just the boost they need. Not to mention that Cleveland won’t be a walk in the park but I don’t expect to see much if any of Logan this weekend.
Everyone thought Mankins would be back at the end of November but Adam Shefter dropped yet another Patriots news nugget at halftime of the Monday Night Game that he’d be back today. So why’s he back early?
My guess is that he saw the Patriots doing really well without him and realized why wait? If he reports now he gets in shape quicker and will be better able to help the Pats push to the playoffs.
Ultimately Mankins playing well for a dominant Patriots team is what will be best for him if he’s going to secure the big free agent deal he so covets.
I’m glad the wait is over, and I expect to see him start against the Steelers.
