Logan Mankins Seemed Dazed
August 28th, 2014
A shell-shocked Logan Mankins, with much of his trademark burly beard gone, took to a podium set up in a VIP room in the bowels of the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway two hours before kickoff this evening. He met with assembled members of the Tampa Bay pen and mic club and bartenders shocked since they had yet to pour a drink.
Mankins, an All-Pro guard from New England, was swapped in a bombshell trade to the Bucs earlier this week. It was Mankins’ first meeting with the local fourth estate.
At times, Mankins seemed he was about to break out in tears. He stood slumped forward, constantly staring ahead with a faraway look in his eyes, mumbling answers. He wasn’t rude, but he clearly seemed homesick for New England.
“I love that place [New England],” Mankins said. “But I’m but moving on. I don’t want to disappoint [Lovie]. … Lovie is my coach now.”
Joe, in a way, can understand where Mankins’ head is. He was a key member of a perennial Super Bowl contender. Then, in a snap of a finger, he is shipped off to a franchise that is on its third coach in four years and hasn’t tasted the fruits of a playoff win going on 12 years and counting.
Mankins had to leave close friends behind not to mention uprooting his family. He spoke of taking his kids shopping today and stocking their bedroom dressers with loads of Bucs gear.
The only show of emotion Mankins displayed was when he was asked if his skills were diminishing with age. Let’s just say that irked him. Later, he was asked about his health and he quipped, “My health is fine. The season hasn’t started yet.”
In a sobering remark, Mankins confessed, “I don’t know how I am going to learn the playbook in a week.”
Leaving the Patriots, he said, was “a sad day.”
August 28th, 2014 at 6:36 pm
Indeed…..nobody happy in that household……..
August 28th, 2014 at 6:39 pm
Joe, Let’s make this the last picture of Logan in a Patriots uniform. He’s a buccaneer now. Don’t blame him for being sad and confused. He will be highly motivated in my opinion. Belicheck has a way of getting in people’s heads.
August 28th, 2014 at 6:39 pm
If you have a photo of Mankins in a Bucs jersey, that’s one helluva find.
August 28th, 2014 at 6:43 pm
I think once he gets his head around it and gets a chance to look around he will realize it’s a up and coming young team and not a bad town to enjoy yourself and raise a young family.
August 28th, 2014 at 6:46 pm
Ya gotta feel for the guy and his family. Out of left field this came on them. 72 hours ago they were getting ready for a new season with the Pats, a team he spent virtually his whole career with and probably thought he would retire with. My heart goes out to the Mankins family.
That said, welcome to the Bucs. You are wanted here and appreciated. You can make a difference here that you likely couldn’t have in NE. You can finish your career helping turn a sad and pathetic franchise back into respectability. You’ve always been up to the challenge. Do it one more time.
August 28th, 2014 at 6:49 pm
This guy truly feels betrayed by Bill Belicheat. After he settles in and gets a taste of all the “Tampa Bay” area has to offer, the warm reception, from the team, and all it’s fanbase, he’ll wish he had been traded sooner!
August 28th, 2014 at 6:52 pm
He doesnt want to be here and it seems to show a lot. If he doesnt come around quickly his play will suffer. I hope he adjusts quickly. More importantly, WANTS to adjust at all.
August 28th, 2014 at 6:59 pm
Now his kids can learn to hate Boston teams like the rest of America.
August 28th, 2014 at 6:59 pm
Maybe the Bucs will trade him back……after they Sign Richie …who would be thrilled to suit up for the Bucs !
August 28th, 2014 at 7:06 pm
Welcome to the Buccaneers Logan!!
August 28th, 2014 at 7:10 pm
The presser is up on the Bucs site of Mankins!
August 28th, 2014 at 7:22 pm
Logan, we can understand how you feel right now, we were all shocked with the trade too. You will help bring a winning attitude back to the Tampa Bay Bucs! Welcome to Tampa!!!
August 28th, 2014 at 7:23 pm
Just like getting dumped by a girl after 3 or 4 days he will move on and forget her
August 28th, 2014 at 7:44 pm
Welcome to Tampa, Mr Mankins
The Italian and Chinese Food is not as good here as it was back home in Boston, but we think you will enjoy Grouper and Cuban Sandwiches !
We are thrilled to have you, and in time, you will come to love Tampa 🙂
August 28th, 2014 at 7:59 pm
I think after the media mess last year, he is pretty uncertain of Tampa. Once he gets settled in, I’m sure he will be fine.
He hasn’t even practiced yet.
I do expect him to have a rough start to the season though. He’s right, learning hte playbook in a week is impossible.
August 28th, 2014 at 8:06 pm
Welcome Mr. Mankins.
Believe it or not- you will have an opportunity to win a SuperBowl ring here.
Probably not this year, but I believe starting next year we are a contender
August 28th, 2014 at 8:13 pm
Like I said: will he embrace the Bucs or when the shock wears off will he be pissed.
August 28th, 2014 at 8:19 pm
Eric it’s more like getting a divorce after 9 years. Little different.
August 28th, 2014 at 8:44 pm
Once his first check down here cashes, he’ll be fine!
August 28th, 2014 at 9:19 pm
If the Bucs start 0-3 I can see him pretty much mailing it in. Gotta be really difficult going from a team that was playoff bound and a likely AFC title contender to a team that will be fighting for to be .500 totally out of the blue. Wouldn’t blame him if his play dropped off, can’t be easy for him.
August 28th, 2014 at 9:33 pm
This guy is a natural football player. Once he gets acclimated and his family gets settled in he will be a force! He just got some rude awakening of the Patriots way of doing things and A little shocked.
He is going to like playing for the Bucs and will get really fired up very quickly.
Im positive about it.
August 28th, 2014 at 10:43 pm
70degree winters and no state income tax. I think he’ll settle in just fine.
August 28th, 2014 at 10:49 pm
He was leaning over because his wallet is so fat.
Boo hoo! They asked him to take a pay cut and he wouldn’t take it. Suck it up and get on with it. He made his own big boy decision. I hope he doesn’t look around and notice the talent around and simply mail it in.
August 29th, 2014 at 7:14 am
Well Logan, if you took a pay cut you might still be in New England.