Mankins could hold up settlement

**BearStuff** · 07-18-2011, 08:10 AM

Logan Mankins could hold up settlement by demanding free agency

Posted by Mike Florio on July 17, 2011, 3:17 PM EDT

Getty ImagesAs the Brady antitrust action chugs toward conclusion, Ron Borges of the Boston Herald points out that, to the extent the settlement of the lawsuit depends on the approval of the men whose names appear on it, Patriots guard Logan Mankins could demand that he not be subject to the franchise tag in exchange for dropping the case.
Borges points to a dynamic we’ve mentioned several times — the fact that the plaintiffs in the Reggie White antitrust lawsuit received a lifetime exemption from the franchise tag as part of the 1993 settlement.
But that case was about securing free-agency rights, not about countering the league’s lockout leverage. Before Saturday, when word emerged for the first time that the NFLPA* wants to restrict the franchise tag to only one year per player, there had been no suggestion that today’s players were disputing any aspect of the pre-2010 free agency rules.
Last time around, the NFLPA decertified after a failed strike, and after months of litigation ultimately secured a verdict that resulted in a settlement providing real free agency. This time, the NFLPA shut down when backed against the wall via the threat of a lockout, and real negotiations toward a new labor deal began less than three months after the case was filed.
It arguably would represent the height of selfishness, then, for Mankins or any other named plaintiff to dig in his heels and request a cookie, especially since Mankins was at best an absentee litigant, participating in (as far as can tell via Google) none of the grueling and time-consuming talks that have placed the parties on the precipice of an agreement in principle.
Borges’ column seems to be sufficiently informed to suggest that someone close to the talks fed him with the idea, and with the notion that Mankins perhaps would accept in lieu of free agency the money he would have made if he hadn’t held out for a large chunk of the 2010 season.
And so the pink champagne remains on ice. Hopefully, we won’t eventually have to hit someone upside the head with the bottle.

**soulman** · 07-18-2011, 09:20 AM

Interesting that he should have that power. I know he didn't like being franchised but he still stands to make out like a bandit. No matter whether it's a one year deal or a new contract he'll still be the highest paid OG in the NFL.

**Riczaj01** · 07-18-2011, 12:35 PM

Fine by me if he does....if the Bears get him b/c of it ;p

**soulman** · 07-18-2011, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

Fine by me if he does....if the Bears get him b/c of it ;p

Somehow even if he did I just can't see the Bears outbidding the Pats for him.

**Dagan81** · 07-18-2011, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by soulman

Somehow even if he did I just can't see the Bears outbidding the Pats for him.

That all depends on how much he wants out of New England. You have to look at the Patriots' salary cap situation and see. I heard somewhere that the Pats had the highest payroll in the league last year, and they have a history of not pushing the envelope when it comes to resigning star players, especially if they think they can get draft picks for them.

**Riczaj01** · 07-19-2011, 07:53 AM

That's my thing; w/all that is going on between the two parties; I don't know that Mankins will want to go back.

I just hope if he does becomes available that we push HARD and PUBLICALLY for him.

**soulman** · 07-19-2011, 09:57 AM

Well they've franchised him so he's either playing for the Pats or they'll trade him and it won't be cheap in that regard either. Think back to what JA said about trading away future picks and add to that the kind of money Mankins can command and there's no way I can see the Bears getting into that spat.

How unhappy can Mankins be playing for a team who's a perennial SB contender? It's all about the $$$ and him wanting to be one of the highest paid Olineman in the league. He's looking for LT kind of $$$ as an OG. No way Mankins becomes a Bear,

**soulman** · 07-19-2011, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by soulman

Well they've franchised him so he's either playing for the Pats or they'll trade him and it won't be cheap in that regard either. Think back to what JA said about trading away future picks and add to that the kind of money Mankins can command and there's no way I can see the Bears getting into that spat.

How unhappy can Mankins be playing for a team who's a perennial SB contender? It's all about the $$$ and him wanting to be one of the highest paid Olineman in the league. He's looking for LT kind of $$$ as an OG. No way Mankins becomes a Bear,

I guess unhappy enough to be asking for $10 mil to settle his participation in the lawsuit against the NFL. According to this both he and Vincent Jackson want compensation or to be released from the bondage of their Franchise Tags and made UFA's. There's speculation that the NFL will pay them just to settle the suit and get on with the season.

Plaintiffs want to get paid or be free agents Aaron Wilson

Print This Send ThisJuly 19, 2011, 08:24 AM EST
8 Comments

So, what do some of the plaintiffs in the players' class-action antitrust lawsuit want in exchange for settling with the NFL and dropping their legal complaint? A lot of cash, or being declared free agents.

According to Yahoo! Sports, the agents for New England Patriots Pro Bowl offensive guard Logan Mankins and San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson want to be granted unresticted free agent status or be given $10 million apiece for settling. The players sat out several games after not being given long-term offers to their liking. Now, they are designated as franchise players.

Per the report, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees might also want compensation.

“[Manning and Brees] don’t really have that much to gain because they’re both quarterbacks,” a source said. “They pretty much have all the leverage they could want. But I think some other guys are going to expect to be compensated.” Added an NFL Players Association source regarding Jackson and Mankins:“They’re asking for something they believe – and I think most people would believe – is fair compensation for what they’ve had to go through. My guess would be that the owners or the league will pay them.”

Bottom line: Settling lawsuits is rarely a free enterprise.

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Aaron Wilson covers the Ravens for the Carroll County Times

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