“He’s Not Looking At Retirement By Any Means”
March 25th, 2015
Is barbecue-yearning left guard Logan Mankins a renowned player mired in a steep decline, or did he just need adjustment time and is now ready to revive and thrive?
Wearing a snappy black buttoned down shirt and looking like he spent the offseason in the gym, Lovie Smith was asked about Mankins today at the NFL Owners Meetings in Phoenix.
Specifically, Lovie was asked if Mankins is contemplating retirement and whether he knows how long Mankins wants to play.
“Forever, yes. Forever is what Logan will tell you,” Lovie said. “He’s not looking at retirement by any means. I’m excited about getting him there for an offseason. Of course, we got him last year late in the process.”
Lovie reiterated that Mankins is a key leader. That’s why, in part, Lovie is excited to have him there when the team reports back to work in April. Last year, Mankins arrived in Tampa via a trade in late August. He appeared in stunned disbelief before local media.
Joe has been harsh on Mankins, and his play deserved it. But Joe is holding out hope that Mankins could be a different player after having time to settle in.
Coming to last year’s Bucs after nine seasons in New England could rattle even the toughest of the tough.
March 25th, 2015 at 1:03 pm
man, the off-season is sooo much more exciting then a Lovie coached football game!!!
March 25th, 2015 at 1:06 pm
Thanks Joe. As you might know or not I was the wondering whether he might hang it up on us before the season started.
March 25th, 2015 at 1:08 pm
surround the guy with a little talent…that would help as well 🙂
March 25th, 2015 at 1:15 pm
The Barbecue Master Lives On! (favorite nick name for a bucs player as of now)
March 25th, 2015 at 1:16 pm
a lovie endorsement….the kiss of death
March 25th, 2015 at 1:19 pm
Anytime Mankins gets brought up, all I can think is the Massachusetts area code better be blocked at OBP. No more getting robbed blind by New England please.
March 25th, 2015 at 1:22 pm
Idle speculation. Non story. Not worth the ink.
March 25th, 2015 at 1:30 pm
Jameis can spend some time learning the ropes and balloon to 300+ lbs and take over the LG position 🙂
March 25th, 2015 at 1:37 pm
Logan Mankins = tired, worn-out, beat-up, weary old dog.
March 25th, 2015 at 1:59 pm
bucco brice…repeat after me.
Jameis is our savior.
Jameis is our savior.
March 25th, 2015 at 2:01 pm
@Buc1987:
…and I thought Joe was telling us that Dirk Koetter is the savior….
March 25th, 2015 at 2:04 pm
Lovie says Jameis “hasn’t had a chance to develop his body”…making excuses for him already…my god this will be a severe train wreck…can’t get off the big macs…
March 25th, 2015 at 3:08 pm
I want his Tri-Tip seasoning recipe more than I want to see him block!
March 25th, 2015 at 4:06 pm
Mankins is not stupid, he is getting paid and even if (or though) he knows he is not top notch any more, he also knows that this line sucks so bad that he will not be cut for the next two years on this particular team. He got lucky and on most any other team he would either be cut, or have to take a pay cut to keep a job, but not playing for the Bucs. We are his golden parachute. He probably could go out there with a walker and still get a check.
March 25th, 2015 at 4:26 pm
All of you writing Mankins off as old and washed up had better wait. We won’t know what he has left unitl we start playing in Sept. A full year in the system, plus being able to have a full training camp with the other OL players and being better acclimated to the heat may very well enable him to play much better than last year so I’m going to withhold judgement until after we’ve played a few games in Sept.
March 25th, 2015 at 5:45 pm
Mr. T
That post made entirely too much sense. It was rational and lacked hyperbole and name calling. How dare you rattle the natives cages with logic?
March 25th, 2015 at 5:59 pm
Lovie said. “He’s not looking at retirement by any means. I’m excited about getting him there for an offseason. Of course, we got him last year late in the process.”
He’s retiring.
March 25th, 2015 at 9:28 pm
Sure, it is rattling to leave the Pats – especially when you’re making $8+ mil a year!
This just feels and sounded too much like Michael Johnson where they missed the smell of their former teammates’ jock straps. I’ll believe he’s different when I see what we traded and are paying for: leadership, production, and experience.