Buccaneers’ Logan Mankins: ‘I might be in a little decline’
Logan Mankins has left New England and arrived in Tampa. Nine years a Patriot, he’s a Buccaneer now. The trade came as a surprise to many. Many reasoned, however, that Mankins game was slipping as the 33-year-old got older.
More from New England Patriots
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Patriots backup plan for DeAndre Hopkins is a shot in the dark
- NFL rumors: Patriots screwed themselves with DeAndre Hopkins pursuit
- Bill O’Brien arrival did not end the road for one disliked Patriots coach
- 3 biggest mistakes from the NFL offseason
“I might be in a little decline,” Mankins said, via ESPN.com. “I don’t know. How many guys that have played 150 games are still on the upswing? I’ve played a lot of games, a lot of snaps. But I feel like I still have something to give this game and give to this team. I’ll try my hardest for them. If it’s not good enough, it’s not. If it is, it is.”
Mankins was still one of the best lineman on the Patriots at the time of his departure — if not the best. He’s probably the best lineman on the Bucs, too. But he’s not comfortable yet. According to ESPN.com, he speaks as if he’s shell shocked.
“I knew what I had there, but I don’t know what I have here,” Mankins said. “Only time will tell.”
There’s one solution to his problem — he’s just going to find out where he stands. For a guy who has spent so much time in one system, however, it will likely feel like a considerable transition.
“It’s going to be tough,” Mankins said. “We’ve got a week until the first game. I’m going to try to take it in stride. I’ve got the weekend to try to get down some of the mental part of it and then all next week at practice. I’m sure the guys are going to help me as much as possible and I’m going to try my best.”