New England Patriots Should Show Left Guard Logan Mankins the Money

The New England Patriots last week placed the franchise tag on the team's outstanding left guard, Logan Mankins. However, it's unclear if Mankins and the Patriots can reach agreement on a new, long-term deal, and, if they cannot, whether Mankins will actually show up and play with a good attitude in 2012. The strong possibility of a lockout only complicates the situation. 

Regardless of the franchise tag, Patriots' owner Robert Kraft has said the team wants to work out a contract extension for Mankins.  But Mankins and his agent have bitterly complained about the team's recent approach. 

If he signs the franchise tender, Mankins would earn a one-year salary of $10 million in 2012—a tremendous level for an offensive lineman. However, Mankins and his agent are apparently still weighing what to do because Mankins badly wants a chance to be an unrestricted free agent so he can get a long-term deal. If there is a lockout, there could be a disagreement between the players and the NFL over the use of franchise tags. 

Mankins got into an awful contract dispute with the Patriots prior to the 2010 season when the team tendered him as a restricted free agent. Mankins was so unhappy that he chose to sit out the team's first nine games.  He played the last seven and did so well that he was still named to the NFL Pro Bowl team despite playing far less than other teams' offensive linemen.

Mankins is an exceptional offensive lineman and whether he returns to the Patriots with a good attitude is argubly one of the most significant uncertainties for the team to address in the offseason. 

There are many good reasons the Patriots should give Mankins an extension and a high enough salary that it satisfies him and keeps him on the team. The following are 10 of those reasons:

1. The Patriots desparately need Mankins, football-wise, if they intend to compete for a Super Bowl in the next few years while quarterback Tom Brady remains in his prime. 
2. Mankins is really, really good—one of the NFL's very best offensive linemen - and, his return to the team in mid-season in 2010 made a significant difference in the team's overall play.  How often does one offensive lineman's play stand out that glaringly? Mankins was terrific.
3. Mankins is one of only a few "stud," "standout" "star" players left on the Patriots. Sometimes, you have to overpay your best players.  Mankins deserves it more than most Patriots.
4. Brady likes Mankins. So do his teammates. So does coach Bill Belichick.
5. Mankins plays with an "edge." He plays with a fire lacking in some of his teammates. The Patriots badly need any sort of that attitude they can get right now. 
6. The Patriots' offensive line performed very well for most of the 2010 season, but they had a particularly poor game in the team's playoff loss the NY Jets. The line, which may lose veteran lineman Matt Light, needs Mankins to continue at a high level.
7. The Pats' offensive line did better at opening holes for the running game in 2010.  Again, Mankins was a key contributor to that.
8. The Patriots' refusal to pay certain standout players (Assante Samuel, for example) has hurt them in the past. They should have learned that lesson by now. 
9. The Patriots have acknowledged Mankins is worth a high salary.  They're arguing about the margins, but, even if they dislike paying a little bit more, how would that "extra" money be better spent?
10. It's in the team's best interests, by far, to have Mankins around and happy for a long time.