Kraft Hoping To Make Mankins 'Patriot For Life'
BOSTON (CBS) – Last year Logan Mankins and the New England Patriots were in a messy situation. This year already looks to be different.
Mankins signed his franchise tender and reported to camp on time this year, despite not getting a contract extension. But if the team's owner has anything to say about it, the Patriots starting guard will be around for a long time.
"Our good friend Logan Mankins will be signed up soon, hopefully, to be a Patriot for life," said Robert Kraft on Wednesday on the Gillette Stadium field. "If I have a vote, it will get done. But the other side has got to want it too. It's our desire and it's always been our desire."
Mankins held out last season, in what turned into an ugly back-and-forth with the Patriots. He accused the organization of lying to him in the past, assuring him he would get a long-term extension. When that did not happen, the three-time Pro Bowler held out until Week 8.
Mankins made it clear when he reported to camp this season he never called Kraft himself a liar, and said he has never had any problems with the Patriots owner. The feeling is mutual.
Camp Blog: Mankins Says He "Never Had A Problem" With Kraft
"All I know is I take it, any face to face discussions I've had or private discussions, have all been positive. I hope he's a patriot long-term," said Kraft.
Robert Kraft On Logan Mankins
Kraft credited the Patriots locking up veterans like Tom Brady, Vince Wilfork and Stephen Gostkowski long-term before the NFL lockout hit with giving them the ability to lock up Mankins as well.
"I think we did our planning knowing the kind of environment we were coming into, and we tried to position ourselves so we had our core veterans and we could continue to sign the people we want to sign," said Kraft. "We think that Logan is among the best there is at his position. We drafted him and we want him. "
