If you’ve been following the Patriots for long, you might be familiar with their penchant for stunning trades during the last week of preseason, usually over Labor Day weekend. The most famous example came in 2009 when they sent Richard Seymour to Oakland.
The trend continued today with the Pats sending starting guard and captain Logan Mankins to the Tamp Bay Buccaneers for move tight end Tim Wright and a fourth-round draft pick.
The move also opens up a bunch of cap space for the Pats.
The #Patriots clear $5.755M in 2014 cap space by sending Logan Mankins to the #Buccaneers. Revis extension coming?http://t.co/e2Nt1iw9V7
— Spotrac (@spotrac)
As that tweet speculates, this could very well be a precursor to an extension for Revis, but the Pats were going to have to deal with Mankins’ contract at some point and they tend to cut ties a year too early rather than a year too late.
The Pats were razor-thin at tight end and really had no move “F” tight end on their roster. Wright should provide another weapon for Tom Brady after picking up 54 catches and five touchdowns as a rookie in 2013.
There is definitely a role for Wright on the Pats.
Tim Wright ran a 4.65 40 with a 4.47 short shuttle, 7.27 3 cone, 9’10" broad jump, 36" vert at 6-3, 219 pounds at Rutgers pro day last March
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyedNESN)
As for the offensive line, my bet would be that they stick with Connolly at right guard and Ryan Wendell at center as they have the last two seasons, while Josh Kline slips into Makins’ left guard spot. Kline did well there in 2013 against the Ravens and the Pats have never been shy about getting their young offensive linemen in the lineup.
Bryan Stork, Jon Halapio and Jordan Devey should continue to develop and could challenge for starting spots not too far down the line.
Shocking trades and personnel moves are nothing new to Bill Belichick. The first was the famous release of Lawyer Milloy in 2003 and this move with Mankins fits the mold of those that came before – high-priced veterans whose play and value don’t quite match what they’re making.
All eyes should be on Wright this Thursday against the Giants, as well as what the offensive line looks like.