2010 NFL Predictions: Holdouts That Could Last Into the Regular Season

There are many things an NFL fan can count on every offseason. Trades, free agents, the draft, training camp, Brett Favre contemplating retirement, and last but not least, holdouts.

As Bill Simmons pointed out, there are several different types of holdouts, but whatever type they may be, they are a distraction that can get ugly fast if things aren’t worked out quickly.

Such is the case for these four players, that could have their holdouts last into the start of the season.

Marcus McNeill OT, San Diego Chargers

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KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 25: Marcus McNeill #73 of the San Diego Chargers looks on from the bench during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on October 25, 2009 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Marcus McNeill is one of three former Pro Bowlers to hold out on the San Diego Chargers (Now it's two, considering Shawne Merriman has reported to camp).

Jets offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson recently got a nice contract and McNeill wants in on the action. Chargers GM A.J. Smith, stubborn as ever, reduced the offer for McNeill from one-year, $3.168M to $600,000 dollars.

The Chargers and McNeill are in a deadlock, and the situation is only made worse for San Diego by other injuries at tackle to Tra Thomas. The two sides are talking, though it would seem that McNeill has the leverage here. He is confident something can get worked out sooner than later.

Darrelle Revis CB, New York Jets

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 31: Darrelle Revis of the New York Jets looks on during the 2010 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 31, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

It’s become the prime topic of focus on HBO’s hit TV series “Hard Knocks”. Jets owner Woody Johnson even admits that his gut feeling is that Darrelle Revis won’t play this season.

Revis became nearly historic for his ability to shut down some of the league’s best receivers. Still, he’s only set to make one million next year. He wants a contract in the neighborhood of Nnamdi Asomugha’s three-year, $45.3 million deal that made him the highest-paid cornerback.

Losing the No. 1 corner not just on their team, but in the league, would be a tremendous blow to a defense that relies heavily on its ability to shut down the pass.

The Jets and Revis’ agent have agreed to keep the contract talks and any subsequent flame-throwing behind closed doors, but does that mean a deal will get done? Not necessarily.

Logan Mankins OG, New England Patriots

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 09: Logan Mankins #70 of the New England Patriots stands on the sideline against the New York Jets during the NFL game on September 9, 2007 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Patriots defeated the Jets 38

Mankins was one of the many that was set to become an unrestricted free agent that instead became restricted due to the uncapped year. The Patriots offered him the highest tender possible, but Mankins felt disrespected after being told that the team would address a long-term deal in 2010.

The Boston Globe recently interviewed Mankins' agent, Frank Bauer, who told the Globe that the Patriots have "totally lost this player mentally" as the saga continues.

For a team that has lost a lot of veteran leadership over the past few years, this could be seen as a big blow. And while Mankins is one of the best at his position, he’s only a guard. Plenty of teams have gotten by without one.

Mankins seems content to sit out as long as he needs to in order to be satisfied, and the Patriots seem to be okay with letting him do just that. There doesn’t seem to be an easy resolution to this one.

Vincent Jackson WR, San Diego Chargers

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SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Wide Receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers readies himself before playing the Miami Dolphins at Qualcomm Stadium on September 27, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

The Chargers pass-heavy offense has come to rely on Vincent Jackson's unique combination of size and speed, and could feel the effects of that rather quickly in asking guys like Malcolm Floyd and Legedu Naanee to play on that level.

Jackson is asking for a deal similar to what Brandon Marshall got with Miami—four years, $47.5 million. With another DUI on his record and a three-game suspension looming upon his return, it seems highly unlikely that A.J. Smith is eager to pull the trigger on that one.

Jackson has gone on record saying that he’s prepared to sit out the whole year waiting for a long-term deal he can respect. If that’s the path he chooses to take, Jackson may be waiting awhile for Smith to come around.

If Floyd or Naanee can step up, though, it could be even longer, or maybe Jackson will see that the Chargers may not need him as bad as he needs the Chargers and an elite quarterback like Philip Rivers.