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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.I hope we sign him. I think Light is a tad overrated and had no business in the probowl last year...buts thats me. Id love to see us nab a true lt in the coming draft and then we could move light to the right where he belongs...then you let the rest duke it out over rg
I was surprised this past draft that Belichick didn't grab a big OG and move Mankins to RT. then again ... the O'Connell pick would not have happened so pick your poison I guess... right now I like the O'Connell pick.
Mankins has been a beast, and guards are always more highly coveted than tackles (having a big D-line blow up the middle creates problems running backs and TEs cannot readily address; edge rushers off tackles can be dealt with those extra blockers).
Nope, you got it backwards.
I cant really give a level headed assesment of anyone on our line. I'm still pissed at them all.
If he does it for the right money, I would love to resign Mankins. He is actually the only offensive lineman on our team that is true Pro Bowl calibur. Whoever said Light is a tad overrated was off. He is way overrated. Koppen is decent at best. I'd like to see us resign Mankins in the offseason then scrap the weak links (and there are a few of them) on the offensive line then rebuild through free agency and the draft. Brady will be returning from a blown out knee next year. Let's get him all the protection we can.
BB/SP spent heavily in this draft on LB and DB, O'Connell and to some extent Slater were the only Offensive investments. While there were a couple OL I liked in round 1, Mayo had pretty much been the guy I was looking for since my Chris Long fantasy wasn't happening. Now that Tommy has been lost for the season, I'm liking the O'Connell pick, a slight change from stunned silly - nice to be reminded that team is keeping their eyes open at Gillette.Oddly I like it less now... There was a run on OL early last draft that likely took signigicant value off the Patriots board. That said, if they upgraded that line there is the possibility that things unfold even in game 1 that preclude Brady going down. Just before he did he absorbed the first of what was again projecting to be many hits (knock downs hurt the QB just as much as sacks...). And if he returns on schedule O'Connell may never see the field in his 3 remaining years here, much like the guy he's backing up today...unless of course Tom gets knocked down one more time too many.
But that's just me...I been sayin' that for 2-3 years now through sports hernias, lis francs, probably shoulders. If you watch the Colts now, over and above regressing on D, you see what an insufficiently protected HOF QB results in. Still surrounded by his elite (skill) weapons but unable to effectively utilize them absent what was for 2-3 years one of the best overall OL's in the business. When you pass to run and you still can't run, the problem likely begins and ends at the LOS.
BB/SP spent heavily in this draft on LB and DB, O'Connell and to some extent Slater were the only Offensive investments. While there were a couple OL I liked in round 1, Mayo had pretty much been the guy I was looking for since my Chris Long fantasy wasn't happening. Now that Tommy has been lost for the season, I'm liking the O'Connell pick, a slight change from stunned silly - nice to be reminded that team is keeping their eyes open at Gillette.
Looking ahead to the 2009 draft, projections are calling for a strong class at OT, OC, and TE, with an average class at OG. In the draft forum I listed my "positional" priorities as OG/OT to target the revolving door at RG, TE to find the next Grahambo, and DL with Sey, Wilfork, Green, and Wright all in play over the next two offseasons, before trying to add additional LB, DB, QB, and P help.
Since Mankins' deal runs through 2009, I believe he is one of the guys in limbo related to the uncapped year.
If there is no agreement on a new CBA, Mankins is not an unrestricted free agent -- that's one of the terms in the CBA. Unrestricted free agency is not granted at four years under the uncapped terms, as I (weakly) understand it.
Thus, while his contract is up, he would be a restricted free agent under that scenario.
If a new CBA is signed, then to some extent that would define the competitive context for a Mankins contract.