Is Logan Mankins the sickest man in America? By Nate Davis USA Today SportsFeb 3, 2015
G Logan Mankins spent 2014 with the Buccaneers after nine years in New England. (Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports) If you’ve ever seen an NFL Films marathon of Super Bowl highlights or a countdown of worst Super Sunday moments, then you’ve likely heard broadcaster Verne Lundquist bellowing, “Bless his heart, he’s got to be the sickest man in America!” That proclamation came after Cowboys tight end Jackie Smith had a surefire TD pass from fellow Hall of Famer Roger Staubach ricochet off his chest in the end zone during Dallas’ 35-31 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIII. Who’s the sickest man in America this week, members of the Seattle Seahawks coaching staff notwithstanding? Maybe another possible Hall of Famer: Logan Mankins. Mankins was the final pick in the first round of the 2005 draft, selected 32nd by the New England Patriots. After nine mostly excellent seasons in Foxborough, he was unceremoniously deported to the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers two weeks before the start of the 2014 season for TE Tim Wright and a fourth-round draft pick. So to review: •Mankins was drafted three months after the Patriots beat the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX •He started 130 games for New England, mostly at left guard but occasionally (and capably) filling in at left tackle, his college position •He was named to six Pro Bowl squads and was a first-team all-pro in 2010 despite missing seven games due to a holdout •He was then traded five months before the Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX, a game where Wright had little impact So Mankins was a full-fledged member of the Patriots for 112 months of their 120-month championship interlude, leaving Logan’s run defined by quality performance but nary a ring. Sometimes, the Patriot Way can be incredibly cruel.
