PatsPropaganda

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Logan Mankins

Pats Posits: Let the Free Agency Games Begin!!

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The new league year starts Wednesday, but things are already underway with the “legal tampering period” which should make for a bunch of deals getting into place ahead of time. For the Patriots, the new is starting to finally trickle in with restricted free agent signings.

— James Develin announced that he’s returning to the Pats on a new one-year deal. This likely saved the Pats some money by not having to tender Develin. Now, coming off a broken leg, Develin has a chance to prove he’s back to form and can help re-establish a Patriots ground game that was murdered by attrition in 2014.

— Justin Coleman, coming off an impressive rookie season in the slot, Josh Boyce and tackle Cameron Fleming have been tendered as well. Wasn’t sure if Boyce would be back, but Coleman and Fleming were locks and help round out the depth. Brandon King is also in discussions to return, likely under a tender offer. Rufus Johnson, LaAdrian Waddle and Kevin Hughes are the only RFA/ERFA’s left that we haven’t gotten word about.

— Logan Mankins announced his retirement which once again shows the Pats are usually right on with their “one year early rather than a year late” personnel philosophy. Mankins is one of those all-time Patriots players who somehow managed to have his career span the exact time frame Belichick and Brady went Super Bowl-less, 2005-2013. It’s too bad Mankins never got a ring in New England, but he’s still one of the best maulers of all time. Playing on a torn ACL in 2011’s Super Bowl might just embody everything Mankins stood for in New England.

— The Pats also picked up Rob Gronkowski‘s $10 million option ensuring Gronk stays with the team through 2019, though another extension seems certainly likable at some point in the next couple years, depending on how healthy Gronk stays. He’s missed just two games the last two seasons, if he keeps up that pace he’ll own pretty much every tight end record in the books.

— Eric Weddle thinks he’d be a good fit with the Pats and as much as I love the player it’s hard to see how he’d fit in New England with Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung and Duron Harmon, with Jordan Richards also in the mix. Yes of course Weddle and McCourty would be probably the best safety combo in the league, but they’re not paying Chung to sit on the bench at this point, so I really don’t see it happening.

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It’s more than the play that I think the Patriots will miss most; it’s the leadership and enforcer-type mentality. Mankins brought a toughness, attitude, and you’re-not-going-to-mess-with-us type approach to the field that is going to be hard to duplicate. I don’t see anyone on the current Patriots’ line who could fill that void right now.

Behind Logan Mankins’ trade from New England Patriots to Buccaneers – ESPN Boston

Totally agree with this point from Mike Reiss.

https://www.patspropaganda.com/its-more-than-the-play-that-i-think-the-patriots/

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Logan Mankins is everything we would ever want in a football player. It is hard to imagine a better player at his position, a tougher competitor or a person to represent our program. He is one of the all-time great Patriots and the best guard I ever coached. Logan brought a quiet but unmistakable presence and leadership that will be impossible to duplicate. Unfortunately, this is the time of year when difficult decisions have to be made – and this is one of the most difficult we will ever make – but like every other decision it was made for what we feel is in the best interests of the team.

Bill Belichick Statement on Logan Mankins trade.

TwitLonger — When you talk too much for Twitter

https://www.patspropaganda.com/logan-mankins-is-everything-we-would-ever-want-in/

Patriots Annual Shocker: Logan Mankins sent to Tampa Bay for TE Tim Wright

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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.

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.

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.

Patriots Training Camp Preview: Offensive Line

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The offensive line has long been a point of pride for the New England Patriots. But recent years have brought transition, and they will be further put to the test with this offseason’s departure of legendary offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia.

The Pats were able to reinforce their line in the draft this year, and with the return of Sebastian Vollmer, the Pats should once again be able to give Tom Brady top-notch protection.

Here’s our preview of the offensive line.

Heading into the draft, I felt it was critical that the Patriots used multiple picks to solidify the interior of their offensive line. Center Ryan Wendell and right guard Dan Connolly had inconsistent years in 2013, casting doubt on whether either of them are long-term solutions at their respective positions.

Wendell was re-signed for a low money deal, further reinforcing that he’ll have to win his starting spot in 2014. Connolly was thought to be a potential cap casualty, with a cap hit in excess of $4 million this season, but so far he’s remained on the roster. 

But he shouldn’t get too comfortable, especially with rookie Jon Halapio in the mix. Bryan Stork is another rookie who should compete directly with Wendell for immediate playing time, though he had his fair share of botched snap penalty laps in OTAs.

Stork (6’4", 313) and Halapio (6’3", 323) have better size than Wendell (6’2", 300) and Connolly (6’4", 305). If they don’t see significant time early in the season, they should figure in to the long-term plans of the team.

Of course, the tone-setter of the line is Logan Mankins, who, despite a reputation of being the premiere mauler in the NFL, still had his fair share of bad plays in 2013. He’s due for an $11 million cap hit in 2015, and if he’s not back on top of his game in 2014, he could be a cap casualty next offseason. A restructure might be in his future regardless.

At tackle, the Pats will return bookends Nate Solder and Sebastian Vollmer, one of the best starting duos in the NFL. Solder battled some inconsistency in his second full year as the starting left tackle, but his size and athleticism are second to none and he should continue to develop.

Marcus Cannon did an admirable job filling in at right tackle after Vollmer, was lost for the 2013 with a broken leg. He also has some versatility to play guard and that helps his roster chances. While there was a time when many thought Cannon’s best fit was at guard, it’s our view that he can simply fill in there if necessary, but he’s best served as a tackle.

Rookie tackle Cameron Fleming adds depth at the position, though the scouting reports felt he was primarily a right tackle. This could be good insurance for Vollmer, who has battled injuries and will account for a $6 million cap hit in 2015. Cannon also is in the last year of his rookie deal, so the selection of Fleming seems very much focused on protecting the Pats for this coming offseason more than it’s about 2014.

Josh Kline is a guard who showed some promise last season in spot duty. Braxton Cave, Chris Barker, Chris Martin and Jordan Devey round out the training camp roster, and will likely need injuries to make the squad.

Projection: Wendell is only a center, while Connolly’s cap hit is certainly not in his favor. Would the Pats be willing to cut loose two of their veteran interior offensive linemen in a move to save money and go with a youth movement? They’d likely take some lumps early if they do.

Perhaps keeping Connolly around, because he started 2011 at center as well, is the safest play while Stork and Halapio develop. 

The Pats are well-stocked at tackle and prepared for the future. An extension for Solder would make sense this season, as he’d likely be a hot commodity if he hits free agency next spring.

If Mankins returns to form and Stork/Halapio are able to solidify the interior problems, the Pats could be on track to restore the level of protection Tom Brady was used to for most of the last decade. 

And as Brady enters his late-30’s he’ll certainly need it.

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