Why the Patriots Must Resign Logan Mankins

Last year the New England Patriots were embarrassed by the Cleveland Browns. The Pats were a much better team, but on that Sunday it is was all Cleveland. Maybe that beat-down inspired the Patriots, because they won their final 8 regular season games, behind Tom Brady’s record long streak without throwing an interception. This streak is often accredited to Brady no longer having to force the ball to Randy Moss.

The Minnesota Vikings released Moss less than 4 weeks after trading a 3 rd round pick for him. Therefore, it was clearly a good deal for the Patriots to unload him. However, did his departure really contribute to their offensive improvement?

You can blame forcing the ball to Moss for Brady’s interceptions. You can even blame Brady’s higher sack totals for waiting on the Moss deep routes. However, a deep threat like Moss cannot be blamed for the low rushing numbers. Eventually, Mankins return has to be credited with some of this offensive boost.

Logan Mankins was holding out for a long term contract last year, causing him to miss the first 7 regular season games. In his first game back, the Pats were embarrassed by the Browns. But for the rest of the regular season the Patriots offense dominated. Brady threw 0 interceptions the rest of the regular season. (He threw 1 INT in their postseason loss to the Jets.) The Pats had at least 100 rushing yards every game for the rest of the season. (They even had 113 rushing yards in their playoff loss). Ben Jarvis Green Ellis averaged at least 4 YPC every game (even during the playoff loss) after the Cleveland debacle. How much credit should Mankins receive for this?

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Everyone agrees that the Pats offensive improved in the 2 nd half of last season. This improvement is usually highlighted by Brady’s 0 INTs, which is an unbelievable accomplishment. But, it causes fans to ignore the huge strides the rushing game took once Mankins returned to the lineup.

Without Mankins the Pats had 119 rushing yards with 3.7 YPC against Miami. With Mankins the Pats had 181 rushing yards with 4.0 YPC against Miami. Without Mankins the Pats had 52 rushing yards with 2.6 YPC against the NYJ. With Mankins the Pats had 101 rushing yards with 3.9 YPC against the NYJ in that famous Monday night shellacking. When Mankins played the Patriots rush offense looked dominant. They even averaged 7.1 YPC vs. the Green Bay Packers.

The Patriots offense improved in all aspects when Mankins returned to the lineup. Offensive line is the toughest position for fans to assess talent level. But the numbers do not lie. In addition, almost every football expert will tell you Mankins is an elite guard.

I hate that Mankins held out last year. I cannot remember another time when an interior lineman held out for a better contract. His contractual complaints are his only off the field problems, but they never affected his effort level. The fact is he is an unbelievable talent and the Pats are much better with him.

By: Clark Mann
ProFootball-fans.com New England Patriots Correspondent