Mankins Still Says He’s Not Ready To Return
January 28th, 2016
Logan Mankins talks to Joe at the Pro Bowl
Is Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht scouting guards at the Senior Bowl this week? Perhaps he should be.
During an exclusive interview with JoeBucsFan.com in Hawaii yesterday, Mankins talked about his future.
Back in December, Mankins told Joe he was mulling retirement. He reiterated that sentiment to other media as the season closed.
Three weeks later, Mankins has yet to decide, so he said yesterday.
“Not yet, I’m trying to just take my time and make the right decision. Things like that, usually, you don’t want to rush into,” Mankins said.
Joe asked Mankins whether he had a timetable of letting the Bucs know before free agency begins in March.
“Right. I want to give them the earliest notice that I can to not put them in a tough situation,” Mankins said. “So, eventually, they’ll be the first ones to know, other than my wife and kids.”
Mankins is tough to read, but it smells to Joe like Mankins is about ready to hang it up. He doesn’t even want to hunt wild boar again.
Yesterday on SiriusXM NFL Radio, former Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon spoke in detail about how hard it is for longtime veterans to find the drive to put in the offseason work necessary succeed in the fall. Gannon explained how that motivation often arrives for younger players just two weeks after the season. For guys like Mankins, it can take months, if it comes at all.
Mankins has $7 million on the table, if he plays in 2016. That’s a lot of incentive, even for a guy with worn down knees.
Joe hopes Mankins returns. He was such a powerful influence for rookies Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet, and second-year guard/tackle Kevin Pamphile, and Mankins played pretty damn well, too.
January 28th, 2016 at 6:29 am
C’mon, Logan, we need one more season from you. Aside from the $7M payday and getting more games with Winston, you’ll get to be a part of a strong playoff run and cement your legacy as one of the best guards of your generation.
January 28th, 2016 at 6:32 am
The Bucs have so many holes it would be nice if Logan gave the Bucs one more year.
The Bucs could draft a guard in the fifth or sixth road as a developmental prospect.
Early rounds of the draft need to go towards
DL and DB’s
January 28th, 2016 at 6:35 am
You never want a PRO BOWL PLAYER to leave your team but like the great New England Patriots coach Bill said, “You rather get rid of the player 2 yrs early then 2 yrs late” and guess who knows this ? Right! Jason and Logan. Keep in mind 7mil will not be on the table for him @Joe. The BUCS will without a doubt restructure Logan and Vince contract. So honestly I think this is it for him and it should be (not being rude to Logan just thinking of the best route for the BUCS future) . Let the kid Pamphile get in and show what he can do 3yrs later . Nothing wrong with get younger, quicker,and stronger.
January 28th, 2016 at 6:40 am
Why Play?
We are selfish BUCS fans because he is a good player and the BUCS still have him under contract,
But other than the obvious 7 Million reasons, why Play?
He was traded away to somewhere he did not want to play
Not that he hates Tampa but it is just away from his family
He initially Suffered a bit with a bad season
But then this past year made it back to the ProBowl.
So as a player he has climbed back up that mountain of peak performance.
The BUCS are not going to the Super Bowl next year his last obligated contrat year and he won’t sign another contract long enough that would put him on a BUCS team within reach of the Super Bowl
so why play?
Retire on “top”, Mankins.
Thank you but move on to that big BBQ of life after Football
January 28th, 2016 at 7:04 am
Mankins needs to listen to his body. A wise coach once said, “It’s All About The Future.”
He needs a good maintenance team to allow his body to perform at its best. ie., Chiropractor, Massage Therapist, Acupuncturist, Yoga Teacher & a chef to cook organic foods specially if he wants to walk and remember his name in 15 years…
If he doesn’t think about his body, he might end up Very, Very Disappointed!
January 28th, 2016 at 7:40 am
Man, what a difference a year makes. This time last year, we were all saying he was over the hill and needed more BBQ time. Now we all hope he is back. I can’t blame the guy. He misses his family, and this team is on the upswing, but it’s still re-building. If he does step away, Grand Slam Licht will make the moves to make sure all is well on a good, young, developing offensive line.
January 28th, 2016 at 7:46 am
Off topic but…kind of no brainer that we Bucs fans won’t cheer for the stinking panthers…More reasons though > original Bucs Fred Pagac and Bill Kollar are assistant coaches on Broncos staff!
January 28th, 2016 at 7:59 am
If he doesn’t came back maybe they could plug in Kevin pamphile he wasn’t that bad when they used him as the 6th oline man and he was pretty decent when he filled in for an injured Logan mankins
January 28th, 2016 at 8:19 am
He knows the Bucs are planning to ask him for a pay cut. This is bargaining.
Mankins might retire if the Bucs call his bluff. But he is stating he won’t play for less money.
January 28th, 2016 at 8:30 am
Well, if he retires the Bucs offensive line is screwed unless they draft a strong guard…and that would hurt the defense badly.
Maybe they can find one in free agency? That’s how they got him.
January 28th, 2016 at 8:31 am
Brett Says
“He knows the Bucs are planning to ask him for a pay cut. This is bargaining.
Mankins might retire if the Bucs call his bluff. But he is stating he won’t play for less money.”
Doubtful that’s the reason, because if he retires he gets zero money.
January 28th, 2016 at 8:32 am
Not to mention the Bucs are already in an extremely good cap position already. Several things come off the books this year. They don’t reallt need to cut pay…this year.
Unless they land a huge free agent…as in really huge.
January 28th, 2016 at 9:09 am
I really hope that Logan decides to return to the Bucs for one more year. That’s all we need … one more year.
With our top draft picks the Bucs have to focus on defense. Too many holes to fill there. We might be able to pick up a ‘project Olineman’ later in the draft, but teams don’t normally find rookie starters that deep down I’d think. Plus starting Pamphile, Smith and Marpet … all very good players but each still with limited experience … puts the leadership mantra on Hawley and Dotson. I love Dots but I don’t see him being the leader that Mankins is. Not sure if Hawley’s up to being the Lead Dog on our OLine yet, although I really like the way he plays.
When it comes to leadership, guys like Logan Mankins are special, and hard to replace. Remember when he went down for a couple games this past year? From several interviews, it sounded like the other OLinemen really missed all the little tips he’d toss out before each play. That’s invaluable.
January 28th, 2016 at 9:10 am
Come on back Logan! Give us another great offseason and keep teaching the young guys.
I have no issues with him playing half a season and then putting Pamphile in at guard. A half season with Mankins coaching up the younger guys is worth the 7 Million.
The OL and our QB are the future. We need both to succeed.
January 28th, 2016 at 9:11 am
1 one more season would be extremely helpful, as long as he’s willing to put in the amount of work to be in the shape he was this year. Otherwise, he should retire on top.
He really had to bust his A$$ last year training and working out in order to be an effective player again and I’m sure that’s what he doesn’t know if he’s up for. Understandable I guess, but for $7mil? C’mon bro, man up.
January 28th, 2016 at 9:15 am
this is why you should always draft BPA vs Need. Value for stud Guards in the second round is historically high, Vadal Alexander should be there, but two others that could fall to the third is Sebastian Tretola and Denver Kirkland (I like guards from pro style offenses and I have an SEC bias on lineman as well) Once again, wish we’d have used that 6th or 7th on La’el Collins
January 28th, 2016 at 9:22 am
@BuccaneerBonzai
“Maybe they can find one in free agency? That’s how they got him.”
Nope, they got him via trade, Tim Wright and a pick to the Pats for him.
January 28th, 2016 at 9:42 am
Whenever a veteran player starts thinking about retirement…..it’s time to retire. Mankins has had a terrific career and has been a great addition to the BUCS program but it is time to move on. Thanks Logan for all you have contributed to the BUCS program.
January 28th, 2016 at 9:42 am
Mankins has been a gladiator for a long long time. And that’s ages in the NFL. I played 4 yrs of college ball and am paying dearly into my 50’s. So I can just imagine what guys who have played 10 plus yrs in the NFL go through. NFL players have injuries they take to the grave. And their pain is neverending once the music stops. Sure they are being compensated. But the ordinary sports fan has no idea what their bodies go thru. I don’t blame him one bit if he does not come back. His body probably wants to quit. His mind does not. Whatever he decides to do I wish him well. We’d better start thinking of his replacement…this season.
January 28th, 2016 at 9:57 am
@Bucco Brice
kind of no brainer that we Bucs fans won’t cheer for the stinking panthers
Oh noes…I don’t have a brain!!! LMAO I’m cheering for the Panthers big time!!!
I’m rooting for the Panthers big time. I’d love the see the Bucs play a defending SB champ twice next year. Bigger challenge for us…and a bigger feather in our cap if we win. I always root for our divisional opponents to win if they’re in the game.
But I also have grown to really like Cam Newton…both his talent and his joy for life. I love the way he started the custom of giving balls to the kids in the front row.
Buc fans generally have second and third favorites…
For me..my 2nd favorite team is the Bengals..I grew up there..
my 2nd favorite QB is Aaron Rodgers but by 3rd fave is Cam.
I do not have to hate an opponent to enjoy the contest. I think #3 and Cam have the potential to make one of the most compelling story lines in the NFL for years to come. A Bucs-Panthers matchup will become must see TV across the nation if the Bucs can continue to improve. And while I admire and respect Cam’s talent…I feel very good about our chances with #3 at the helm.
January 28th, 2016 at 10:10 am
I’m a Kevin Pamphile believer!
January 28th, 2016 at 11:38 am
It would be great to keep logan so he can continue to lead those young guys. But i think our o line will do fine without him talent wise he is no more a great player, burt he is still a great leader.
Imo, the biggest mistake the bucs made was cutting derrick beooks during their youth movement. Regardless of his talent at the time, he was still the heart of the team. When you cut out the heart the rest of the body dies. And that is what happened. Would be cool if we could retain mankins as an O line assistant if he does hang up the cleats. I doubt that would happen though, at least not in tampa.
January 28th, 2016 at 12:03 pm
I’m also pulling for our division mates to bring the trophy home. I dislike the Broncos and am sick and tired of seeing Manning’s commercials. Go away you old weenie armed washed up codger. This game should produce a Carolina style beatdown like Arizona took.
January 28th, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Logan Mankins is a great Gaurd, and fantastic at mentoring our young linemen.
But he will retire, probably this year.
We could have signed Ritchie Incognito. Who is also at Probowl. Who had a great year. Who has been credited with mentoring line, and bringing ferious attitude.
And Ritchie is dying for the next season to get here.
His only offense, was making a guy cry. A guy who has quit the game- because everything made him cry.
Never should have been in the NFL.
If Mankins retires, sure wish our starting guards were Ali Marpet and Ritchie Incognito.
Last time I’ll beat that drum. Its just pathetic that we have become so effeminint, that we allow some whinny waste of flesh, to besmerch an All pro’s career.
They shoulda just slapped that crybaby- and sent his ass home, kleenex box in hand
January 28th, 2016 at 2:40 pm
7 mil for one last ride, with a chance to wash the taste of a .333 winning percentage in Tampa out of your mouth, ought to be plenty of motivation. I hope he’s also thinking in terms of legacy as well, he has a chance to end his tampa career viewed as the same type of mentor and catalyst that nickerson was for the young bucs of 20 years ago, or what andreychuck was to a talented bunch of lightning players who’d never seen winning.