Retirement Thoughts For Logan Mankins
December 23rd, 2015
Logan Mankins
It’s fair to ask 33-year-old Logan Mankins, with 11 NFL seasons under his belt, about how much longer he wants to keep playing.
So today, Joe asked Mankins whether he’s pondering when his career will end.
“Yeah, I think about it. I’m not going to get into it,” Mankins said.
Asked next by another reporter about pressing on after a good 2015 season, Mankins opened up a bit in the locker room.
“There’s pros and cons to everything. Sometimes I think I want to. Sometimes I know I want to,” Mankins said. “It just comes down to after the season you see, and evaluate where you are in your life. You’re always looking at where you are with your family, where you’re living, what you want to do, if you have other plans.”
Mankins sure sounded like a guy considering retirement.
Earlier this year on the Buccaneers Radio Network, it was noted that Mankins’ wife and children aren’t living in the Tampa Bay area with him. Perhaps that’s a major consideration.
Mankins enters the final year of his contract in 2016, when he’s due about $7 million. That cash could be a major factor, too. Also, if the six-time Pro Bowler is thinking about potential Hall of Fame consideration, then another solid season (he was just named a Pro Bowl alternate) anchoring a good offensive line certainly would help his cause.
December 23rd, 2015 at 9:32 pm
His wife and kids not living here may be an incentive.
December 23rd, 2015 at 9:39 pm
I think that sometimes the wives have more say than we know.
Why would anybody want to play in Tampa Bay?
December 23rd, 2015 at 10:32 pm
Mankins wasn’t good this year, Pro Bowl Blows
December 23rd, 2015 at 10:34 pm
I doubt he walks away from the 7M and I would bet his wife has a say in that. I hope he does stay. The influence and mentoring he brings to the OL on this team, you would have a hard time measuring. Not to mention the last thing this team needs to worry about is his replacement, with all the other pressing needs. With Mankins looming retirement, even if it is after the 2016 season, is a reason to draft an OL so he can show him the way.
December 23rd, 2015 at 10:34 pm
“Why would anybody want to play in Tampa Bay?”
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I could think of many reasons. First of all, cheap cost of living and no state income tax. That makes a huge difference. Also, much less media pressure being in a small market. The weather is a huge plus. There is also lots to do, especially for families. Playing for a player’s coach is a benefit as well. We may not like him, but it is very difficult to find too many players that don’t like playing for Lovie. Playing with an up and coming QB with an incredibly high ceiling is a huge incentive. Good QB’s can make bad teams pretty good. There’s a bunch more depending on the situation. I can’t think of too many better places to play, unless you are one or two years from retirement and you are chasing a championship. We don’t want those kind of guys anyway.
December 23rd, 2015 at 10:36 pm
“Mankins wasn’t good this year, Pro Bowl Blows”
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Have you been studying film of our guard play this season? Hard to imagine he hasn’t played well when we have potentially the NFL rushing leader, and our rookie QB is probably going to throw for close to 4000 yards. Then again, I’m not scouring the All-22 footage like you probably are.
December 23rd, 2015 at 11:46 pm
Hat tip to U Mr. Mankins. U performed will above many of our expectations this year (myself included) Unfortunately if U decides to retire, we would probably have to address immediately. Through the combination of the upcoming 2016 Free Agency & NFL Draft.
Aaron Boone – (F)
Boone is versatile veteran that can play Both Guard (LG/RG) & Tackle (LT/RT) spots.
Spencer Drango -(Draft)
Like Boone, Drango is another versatile young guy, that can play both guard & tackle positions.
(Possible Projection)
LT Donovan Smith | Kevin Pamphile
LG *Aaron Boone | *Spencer Drango
C Joe Hawley | Josh Allen
RG Ali Marpet | Antoine Everett
RT Demar Dotson | Gosder Cherilus
December 23rd, 2015 at 11:50 pm
If the wife has a say, then there is no way she lets him walk away from 7 million dollars. She plans on keeping up with her luxurious life style.
December 24th, 2015 at 1:31 am
I’m hoping that Lovie Smith is also considering retirement. He hasn’t had a decent season in 5 years and he is clearly suffering the effects of his age. He basically had 3 good seasons in 11 years in the NFL, no player could get away with that for so long. And ask anyone in Chicago or Tampa, he has pissed away far more seasons than he has contributed to positively. Time to go!
December 24th, 2015 at 3:24 am
Mankins didn’t play well this year? You’re absolutely nuts and I’m going to throw in legally blind just for fun. Mankins has been very solid and who do you think was the glue that gelled this O Line. Even at their worst, the O Line always gave us a shot to win. Aaron Donald was a nightmare for anyone they put on him and that was Mankins worst game but the O Line was a surprising strength for us. They will be even better next year. I respect Mankins decision and we will be fine if he retires, but the man has been a rock for us.
December 24th, 2015 at 7:02 am
Mike Says:
December 23rd, 2015 at 9:39 pm
I think that sometimes the wives have more say than we know.
____________________
Very true. My kids went to same school as Martin St. Louis’ kids, and know with a good deal of certainty it was Marty’s wife, not him, that wanted out of Tampa. She never did like living here and wanted to move back to the northeast where she was from. The day he was traded she removed the kids in the middle of the day from school, and never heard a thing again from them. Not that that was the only reason, but just as we normal guys get crap from our wives, so do these guys.
December 24th, 2015 at 9:59 am
[…] “Yeah, I think about. I’m not going to get into it,” Mankins said. […]
December 24th, 2015 at 10:36 am
@Hawaiian- Yeah man, forget about facts! Those things just get in the way of ignorance!
Overall sacks allowed: 7th best in the NFL
AND
2nd leading rusher (behind the great AP) in the NFL
That doesn’t sound too bad to me.
Stay another year Logan! You’re a big part of the ‘coming of age’ of this group. If you do retire, best of luck to you. You had a great career!
December 24th, 2015 at 10:43 am
How old are his kids
December 24th, 2015 at 12:32 pm
Don’t let the Florida border line hit you in the ass on the way out.
December 24th, 2015 at 1:13 pm
^^^ Thanks for making my point!
December 24th, 2015 at 1:24 pm
he’s got 7 million reasons to play next year. the year after that when he’s comparing 1 year deals from so-so teams for half the money or less, he’ll hear the call of retirement much more clearly
December 30th, 2015 at 11:56 am
Never have understood the separating family to work thing. I know I would follow my wife anywhere and she would me for the right opportunities. Kids adjust, come along, are stronger from the experience. And you have $7 mil to help adjust…. Only excuse I could give her would be health concerns.