Zelophehad
09-16-2010, 03:26 AM
Cowboys deal for Mankins unlikely (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/blog?name=schefter_adam&id=5575151)
September, 15, 2010
Sep 15
9:48
AM ET
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Mankins is one of the best at his position. But can the Cowboys afford to sign him?
Adam Schefter often answers reader questions. Have one of your own? Submit it here (http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/mailbag/_/id/28045/adam-schefter).
Q: Any truth to the rumors that the Dallas Cowboys (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys) are having discussions with the Pats about acquiring Logan Mankins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8446)? I know you're the man in the know. This seems like a slam dunk move to me. What is the possibility of us seeing such a move?
-- Brad (Louisiana)
A: Don't see it happening, Brad. The Cowboys invested an awful lot of money in Miles Austin (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10147) last week, and it would cost a lot to land Mankins. There is no doubt the Cowboys would like to have him -- every team in the league would. The issue is any team that wants him must compensate the Patriots and the player. The Patriots will want a fair price in return, and Mankins will want a contract that resembles the one given to New Orleans guard Jahri Evans (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9694). It will be a pricey move for any team to make, and it's hard to see a team, including Dallas, willing to spend on both ends at this time.
Q: I'm a big fan of the New England Patriots (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/ne/new-england-patriots), just wondering if you think the Pats have a chance to win the division after Sunday's game, or do you think they will make the playoffs by winning the wild card?
-- Michael (Fredericksburg, Va.)
A: Michael, hard not to like the Patriots' chances, not only after Sunday, but all along. This is a quarterback league, and the Patriots have the best and most experienced quarterback in the division, by far. But beyond that, New England has had an awful lot of high picks in recent years, stockpiling picks in ways that almost no other team does. There are lots of young, talented players around that organization. They're getting their chance, and they're delivering. Your team's in good shape, Michael.
Q: With Matt Moore (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11128) both ineffective and injured on Sunday, how long before the ball is in Jimmy Clausen's hands? Do you think that the Carolina Panthers (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/car/carolina-panthers) benefit more from throwing him into the fire sooner rather than later?
-- Wes (Carmel, Ind.)
A: Wes, for the time being, the job belongs to Moore and will continue to belong to him. My sense -- and this is just a guess -- is the Panthers will continue to give Moore every opportunity to succeed, and it will do so for a while. But if it's midway through the season and he's not delivering, the team might be inclined to think about Clausen. But it's hard to imagine it coming anytime soon, unless Carolina has misjudged Moore.
Q: How big of an impact on the Green Bay Packers (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/gb/green-bay-packers) will this Ryan Grant (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9475) injury have? They've got the best offense in the league, but do they lose that title without their number one back?
-- Marcus (Minneapolis)
A: It's a blow, Marcus, no doubt. It's not a rushing-based offense, but it's still tough to lose a back of Grant's stature. Now there will be more pressure on Brandon Jackson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10507), though he once was a second-round pick. Packers fans can take solace is because the running back has been the most disposable position on the football roster. Somehow teams usually find a way to plug in another back. But Green Bay is going to win on the strength of Aaron Rodgers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8439), assuming the line can give him time. It didn't do such a good job of that in the opener, and the line will need to be better in every way going forward.
Q: What's the latest you're hearing about Kevin Kolb (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10480)? Is there any chance he's good to go for Sunday? And if not, do you see there being much of a drop off with Michael Vick (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2549) under center?
-- Tim (Philadelphia)
A: Tim, as has been reported, Kolb will not practice until Friday, so it's hard to imagine him starting Sunday. For starters, the Eagles will spend Wednesday and Thursday installing the game plan, and teams want their quarterbacks to be a part of it. But more significantly, concussion guidelines dictate that anyone who suffers one usually needs to rest one week from the time he is fully asymptomatic. Kolb complained of not feeling right on Monday, so that means he might not be able to play until Monday at the earliest, if the Eagles are going by the rules. Something tells me the team is going to be careful with how it uses its players and start Vick at quarterback in the next game.
September, 15, 2010
Sep 15
9:48
AM ET
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Comments (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/blog?name=schefter_adam&id=5575151#comments)6 (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/blog?name=schefter_adam&id=5575151#comments)
http://a.espncdn.com/i/mag/blog/2010/0915mankins_576x324.jpg
Nick Laham/Getty Images
Mankins is one of the best at his position. But can the Cowboys afford to sign him?
Adam Schefter often answers reader questions. Have one of your own? Submit it here (http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/mailbag/_/id/28045/adam-schefter).
Q: Any truth to the rumors that the Dallas Cowboys (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys) are having discussions with the Pats about acquiring Logan Mankins (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8446)? I know you're the man in the know. This seems like a slam dunk move to me. What is the possibility of us seeing such a move?
-- Brad (Louisiana)
A: Don't see it happening, Brad. The Cowboys invested an awful lot of money in Miles Austin (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10147) last week, and it would cost a lot to land Mankins. There is no doubt the Cowboys would like to have him -- every team in the league would. The issue is any team that wants him must compensate the Patriots and the player. The Patriots will want a fair price in return, and Mankins will want a contract that resembles the one given to New Orleans guard Jahri Evans (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9694). It will be a pricey move for any team to make, and it's hard to see a team, including Dallas, willing to spend on both ends at this time.
Q: I'm a big fan of the New England Patriots (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/ne/new-england-patriots), just wondering if you think the Pats have a chance to win the division after Sunday's game, or do you think they will make the playoffs by winning the wild card?
-- Michael (Fredericksburg, Va.)
A: Michael, hard not to like the Patriots' chances, not only after Sunday, but all along. This is a quarterback league, and the Patriots have the best and most experienced quarterback in the division, by far. But beyond that, New England has had an awful lot of high picks in recent years, stockpiling picks in ways that almost no other team does. There are lots of young, talented players around that organization. They're getting their chance, and they're delivering. Your team's in good shape, Michael.
Q: With Matt Moore (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=11128) both ineffective and injured on Sunday, how long before the ball is in Jimmy Clausen's hands? Do you think that the Carolina Panthers (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/car/carolina-panthers) benefit more from throwing him into the fire sooner rather than later?
-- Wes (Carmel, Ind.)
A: Wes, for the time being, the job belongs to Moore and will continue to belong to him. My sense -- and this is just a guess -- is the Panthers will continue to give Moore every opportunity to succeed, and it will do so for a while. But if it's midway through the season and he's not delivering, the team might be inclined to think about Clausen. But it's hard to imagine it coming anytime soon, unless Carolina has misjudged Moore.
Q: How big of an impact on the Green Bay Packers (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/gb/green-bay-packers) will this Ryan Grant (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9475) injury have? They've got the best offense in the league, but do they lose that title without their number one back?
-- Marcus (Minneapolis)
A: It's a blow, Marcus, no doubt. It's not a rushing-based offense, but it's still tough to lose a back of Grant's stature. Now there will be more pressure on Brandon Jackson (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10507), though he once was a second-round pick. Packers fans can take solace is because the running back has been the most disposable position on the football roster. Somehow teams usually find a way to plug in another back. But Green Bay is going to win on the strength of Aaron Rodgers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8439), assuming the line can give him time. It didn't do such a good job of that in the opener, and the line will need to be better in every way going forward.
Q: What's the latest you're hearing about Kevin Kolb (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10480)? Is there any chance he's good to go for Sunday? And if not, do you see there being much of a drop off with Michael Vick (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=2549) under center?
-- Tim (Philadelphia)
A: Tim, as has been reported, Kolb will not practice until Friday, so it's hard to imagine him starting Sunday. For starters, the Eagles will spend Wednesday and Thursday installing the game plan, and teams want their quarterbacks to be a part of it. But more significantly, concussion guidelines dictate that anyone who suffers one usually needs to rest one week from the time he is fully asymptomatic. Kolb complained of not feeling right on Monday, so that means he might not be able to play until Monday at the earliest, if the Eagles are going by the rules. Something tells me the team is going to be careful with how it uses its players and start Vick at quarterback in the next game.