NFL Lockout: Logan Mankins May Be Holding Up Potential Settlement

New England Patriots offensive guard Logan Mankins could be holding up a potential settlement and end to the NFL lockout by demanding free agency rather than be subjected to New England's franchise tag. 

Ron Borges, of the Boston Herald, reports that both sides have nearly agreed on multiple issues, but the Patriots offensive guard is likely going to hold up the potential settlement. 

Mankins, who was a restricted free agent prior to the 2010 season, rather than becoming an unrestricted free agent due to the non-presence of a salary crap. Mankins then did not attend any of the Patriots' mini-camps and training camps and held out until week 11 of the 2010 season. 

Following the conclusion of the 2010 season, New England then used their franchise tag on Mankins, however Mankins did not sign the offer sheet prior to the lockout beginning. 

Many may label Mankins as being a selfish human-being as he's going to hold up a potential settlement due to his wishes to test the free agent waters, as he's been absent in every single meeting between the sides. 

However, it just appears that the 29-year-old Mankins is seeking for a long-term contract from the Patriots, but the Boston Globes Shalise Manza Young believes that the Patriots will be unable to grant Mankins' wishes. 

As of right now, it appears that we're still in the midst of labor talks and that both sides still have a lot to decide on, even though both sides have reportedly agreed on the majority of the issues. 

It still remains unclear on when the lockout will be officially over, but the antics from Mankins will not speed up the process one bit. Borges does hint in this column that he believes someone is feeding Mankins this idea. Hopefully Mankins will lay back a bit and allow the process to conclude and then he can deal with his contract issues with the Patriots on his own time, rather than the expense of the other 31 franchises. 

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