Blasting The Patriots
August 27th, 2014
Few media types in New England are not scared of Bill Belichick like good guy and straight-shooter Tom Curran. The long-time football scribe in the Boston area now types for CSNNE.com and is never holds back.
In his reaction to the Patriots trading All Pro guard Logan Mankins to the Bucs, Curran came out blasting the Patriots for what it seems he believes to be a desperate move, that it is so unsure at tight end it had to let an icon like Mankins go.
The Patriots have made roster moves in the past that drop out of the sky like a meteor. Many times. The immediate fallout revolves around what the team will miss. Tom Brady has said over and over and over, that mental toughness is going to be what decides how far this team goes. Nobody is more mentally tough than Mankins. Brady’s also said that a team has to be able to run it when the opposition knows a run is coming. Mankins is a damn road-grader. Leadership matters. Hard to find a better or more positive leader than Mankins. Do I like the move? No. I hate it. Do I understand the reasons for it? Yes I do. Do I think they should have drafted a tight end to avoid being caught short? Yes. It’s all tied together.
Wow. Read those traits on Mankins? Don’t think the Bucs didn’t get a good deal?
Yes, there are some negatives to this trade on the Bucs end. The Bucs want to be diverse on offense. A cog to that diversity is now gone.
But to be honest, you can draw up all the pretty plays on you iPads and whiteboards all you want. Without execution (read: blocking) it doesn’t matter a damn bit how cool those plays look in theory, they will all get blown up.
Mankins takes care of a major, major hole the Bucs had.
August 27th, 2014 at 1:09 pm
I think his ability as a great run blocker will be huge for opening up our playbook. Seems like a pretty good fit right now all things considered. And I think a lot of Pats fans will be surprised with how good Wright will do in that offense. Good trade by both teams in my opinion.
August 27th, 2014 at 1:12 pm
Its a trade that works well for both teams.
Not quite sure I understand how so many question Belicheats moves. Have they not made the playoffs pretty much every year since 2001 and been in the AFC Championship for the last 3 straight seasons?
I get it that the media needs to question things but where’s the benefit of the doubt for the Patriots here?
Just because some dork reporter doesn’t understand it, doesn’t mean its a bad move.
August 27th, 2014 at 1:14 pm
I doubt the cog was going to make the team.
August 27th, 2014 at 1:15 pm
Hey
Belichic let him know he didnt want him
Tampa fans should let him know we are very glad to have him
August 27th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Lets hope the guy can stay healthy.
August 27th, 2014 at 1:22 pm
This was a fantastic deal. Tim Wright was NOT going to be a cog to any aspect of our offense this year. He was going to get cut by Saturday. Everyone who’s complaining should STFU. We got Mankins for a 4th round pick.
August 27th, 2014 at 1:32 pm
I like the trade, but to insinuate Tim Wright, who was arguably the second-best player on offense last year, was going to be cut is a bit far-fetched.
August 27th, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Yes, high-5 Bucs for the move. You got a great player at a position of need. But it’s a position that you could not have evaluated worse to start the season. So the way I see it, it all being said and done: we got a guard w talent compatible (at 32) to either Joseph or zuttah, at a price at where we were w Joseph, down still another starting guard, w an additional 6th, at the cost of a fourth and our best TE from last year.
It’s a disorganized math equation that looks to me like we lost more in an effort to begin catching up for where we started. So what was their game plan exactly?
August 27th, 2014 at 1:36 pm
Makings gave up 9 sacks last year, though it’s unclear how many of those were in part due to the play of the other linemen. That’s an awful lot for the 3rd highest paid player at his position to give up.
This is your next story line Joe.
August 27th, 2014 at 1:40 pm
Nothing like quality leadership on both sides of the ball!
August 27th, 2014 at 1:41 pm
The reactions for Mankins are similar to the reactions of letting Brooks go… he is a fan favorite for New England… his name and legacy is bigger than his play.
Fans only want names… they don’t understand offensive line play.
August 27th, 2014 at 1:42 pm
Love the deal. This will allow L&L to make things right next year by drafting a QB and 2 OL in the first couple rounds. I think Mankins might have 3 servicable years left with the first two being borderline probowlish. He will not get the attention in Tampa that he did in NE blocking for Mr. Brady. This will allow us to bring in some new talent and be taught the right way to do it by a true professional in Mankins. There are lots of QB’s coming out of college this next year. Can’t wait to see the true QB of the future! This move just bought us time to fill the rest of the holes on this team. I see year number 3 being the true report card on this team. Next year will be the new Qb’s learning under Josh. He did sign a two year contract, right? I then foresee Josh as the new QB coach for Lovie in the third year. Everybody wins! BTW… keep Glennon, he is a very good backup QB in this league. BUT that’s all he will ever be, a GOOD backup! Waiting for the MOB to crush me 🙂
August 27th, 2014 at 1:43 pm
Tim Wright would not have gotten cut, Say it to help you make yourself fell better but its not true. Even though Dealing with the Patriots is like Dealing with the Devil, this move worked out for us both. We got a OG that we desperately needed, and gave up a TE that we no longer needed. If he is good for 2-3 years then it was a solid trade, that OL hole was to large to have and easily loses us 2 games this season. Bucs fans and every fan wants a win now team… this move was a step foward
August 27th, 2014 at 1:45 pm
That was pretty tame compared to how our media acts, or reacts daily. I mean they may be set back and upset about this but they haven’t gone off the deep end and gone all negative like some personalities we know.
August 27th, 2014 at 1:50 pm
If Wright got cut in favor of Luke Stocker the outrage here would be off the charts. And deservedly so, and it would be scary as hell that Wright, whose one season numbers crush Stockers career numbers, would be viewed as more cutable than Stocker. The NFL in 2014 needs pass catching tight ends substantially more than blockers.So I doubt Wright would have been cut, but if he had it would have been a mighty frightening sign.
August 27th, 2014 at 1:57 pm
” the way I see it, it all being said and done: we got a guard w talent compatible (at 32) to either Joseph or zuttah, at a price at where we were w Joseph, down still another starting guard, w an additional 6th, at the cost of a fourth and our best TE from last year.”
Joseph/Zuttah are not in the same class as Mankins.
August 27th, 2014 at 1:59 pm
@Joe
Has Logan Mankins passed his physical?
August 27th, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Tim Wright = Best Tight End from a 4 – 12 Team
Was in danger of being cut next week by this year’s team
So it was Mankins for a BUCS 2015 Fourth Rounder essentially
August 27th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
“But to be honest, you can draw up all the pretty plays on you iPads and whiteboards all you want. Without execution (read: blocking) it doesn’t matter a damn bit how cool those plays look in theory, they will all get blown up.”
Yep your right. For the Billionth time FOOTBALL IS WON and LOST IN THE TRENCHES
August 27th, 2014 at 2:20 pm
Hey, look: a Bostonian being rash, judgemental, and argumentative. Novel.
August 27th, 2014 at 2:34 pm
Yesterday on his show, Booger MacFarland was talking about why TWright was going to get cut if we didn’t trade him…. the reasons were: way too many dropped balls in practice, his tweener skill set (not a strong enough blocker to lineup inline and for teams to use LB’s to cover him, and not enough speed to get open vs DB’s), and we have 3 other TE’s who were going to make the roster ahead of him….. So, there u have it. We essentially got Mankins for a 4th round pick, so everyone should be happy.
August 27th, 2014 at 2:44 pm
RCH,
The guy played thru a tore ACL for an entire season. Staying healthy I am not worried about. I doubt he would stay in the sideline for what ever is ailing Bowers! He would grin and bare it thru the pain…
August 27th, 2014 at 2:53 pm
@ Buc the Haters
Just because Booger McFarland voices his opinion on the situation doesn’t mean it is so. Perhaps it was the plan, but keeping Stocker and cutting Wright would seem like a horrible plan base on health and production.
@ Posey99
You should add Mankins in his prime was better. The Logan Mankins the Bucs are getting may not be quite the same (age/injury/different system), so we should temper expectations a bit. Davin Joseph was a good player for us too, but age and injury takes a toll on these guys.
August 27th, 2014 at 3:14 pm
Wright wasn’t much for blocking, so if he was in, you were pretty much telling the defense you were throwing the ball.
August 27th, 2014 at 3:17 pm
@ToesOnTheLine Says:
“…keeping Stocker and cutting Wright would seem like a horrible plan base on health and production.”
Totally agree Toes. I don’t understand how anyone could rationalize Wright getting cut after what he did last year. Is is possible that Wright has not been playing as much to keep him healthy for this trade? After all, Licht has been talking to Belicheat since mid July, before camp even opened.
I love Mankins, but this trade proves to me that giving Zuttah away was stupid.
August 27th, 2014 at 3:20 pm
Is is possible that Wright has not been playing as much to keep him healthy for this trade?
___________
Harry,
Excellent point. Once in a blue moon you say something I agree with. LOL!
August 27th, 2014 at 4:33 pm
If the Pats were in such need, then why did we have to throw in a 4th? Could Licht not get the deal done without it? Why?
Can’t wait for Mankin to show on the field that he is worth it!
August 27th, 2014 at 5:26 pm
I love this trade as much as anyone here! BUT…..We need to here from Mankins himself how he is dealing with a trade that I guess surprised the crap out of him. In my business it would be like being the GM of a five star hotel in Hawaii your whole career and being transferred to a four star hotel in Detroit..(sorry Detroit) I am sure he is a man of integrity and will play out this year. How will his attitude be and will he just retire next year if he does not like Tampa? I can not wait to see his response.
August 27th, 2014 at 5:39 pm
It was reported today that the Pats asked Mankin to take a cut in pay this preseason, and he refused. This deal is about the Pats clearing enough cap space to extend Revis’s contract and covering their butt for not drafting a TE because they know Gronk could go down at anytime. Their punishment of Mankin for refusing the paycut just bolstered our weakest link on this team.
August 27th, 2014 at 7:46 pm
I am soooooo stoked!
And were gonna legalize herb in November!
Things are lookin up Florida!!
McCoy= Best DT in the NFL
Mankins=Best OG in the NFL.
Boys, we are strong in the trenches!!
Super Bowl or bust baby!
August 27th, 2014 at 8:13 pm
@Boomer33, I completely agree w/ your analysis.
On a different note…I feel this move reflects what the staff thinks of ASJ, and, of course, that gaping hole at both Guard spots. Both ASJ and Wright are versatile tight ends. Why not give ASJ more touches instead of splitting them with Wright? This move shores up our Guards (and the entire line), and gives the rookie TE a chance to shine.
August 27th, 2014 at 9:30 pm
In the NFL, it’s all about fitting into the Scheme.
Lovie’s TEs Block. Period.
Wright-not a good blocker. That’s why Licht has been working on Trading him for a month
The Pats? In their frequently used two TE offense, one is an in line Blocker(Gronk), the other is lined up like an H Back.
Wright can do that.
But it was also Money. They have to go WR shopping, and needed the money.
Won’t it be funny if Logan Mankin wins his first SuperBowl ring here, ater 9years with Brady,Belacheat, and the “elite” Patriots? Lol
August 27th, 2014 at 10:19 pm
@Buckneckid – People said the same thing when we let Bennett go