Mankins Misses Mini-camp Due to Contract Issues

Ever since Logan Mankins was picked by NFL’s New England Patriots during the 2005 draft, he has never missed a game. However, due to a contract dispute, Mankins skips the three-day mini-camp. This was after he stated that he wants to be traded into another team. Technically, Mankins is not required to attend the three-day minicamp training sessions because he is unsigned as a player after finishing his five-year contract. Since Mankins is a restricted free agent, any team that decides to draft Mankins will have to deal with 1st and 3rd-round draft option if the New England Patriots won’t be able to match the offer. What coach Belichick has to say Based on a statement given by Logan Mankins to ESPN, he is very frustrated with everything that happened, and with how the negotiations went. He also said that he wants to be traded, and that he doesn’t really need to be where he is right now. When asked during a news conference, New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick didn’t address the questions regarding Mankins, even if he was asked a total of four times during the said event. According to Belichick, the situation (contract dispute) is between the involved individuals. His main goal is to not meddle in such affairs but to coach the players. During the news conference, Belichick was also asked if Mankins had already told the club or him about his desire to be traded. However, Belichick only responded that this issue was already tackled. What other team players have to say Other players from the New England Patriots didn’t have too much to say regarding the issue. According to Tully Banta-Cain, the team’s linebacker, he’s sure that everything will be sorted out once the timing is right. The team is currently focused on improving their play, especially since many members are excited to get back on the field. Vince Wilfork, the team’s nose tackle, also experienced a contract dispute last season. However, he refused to comment on Mankins’ situation. Details on the contract dispute Since the current NFL season is a no-salary cap season, players with about 4 or 5 years of experience and who would have become free agents during a season with salary cap must now wait and complete their sixth season. As a one-year tender contract, the New England Patriots offered Mankins with a contract that’s worth $3.268 million. However, since Mankins didn’t sign the dotted line on or before the 11:59 p.m deadline, the team decided to lower the contract to $1.54 million. This decision was in accordance to the team’s right to lower the offer if the player wasn’t able to sign the original contract within the given deadline. After the 2008 NFL season, Mankins and his agent asked for a contract extension. However, they were told by Robert Kraft (team owner) to wait due to NFL labor issues. According to Mankins, the New England Patriots should have kept their word regarding the contract details. But since it seems that the team wasn’t able to do so, Mankins is sticking to his decision to get a trade off.