Guard Logan Mankins more of a leader in second year with Bucs Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer Wednesday, June 17, 2015 6:09pm 
[EVE EDELHEIT | Times]TAMPA — In the fall, the Bucs traded for Logan Mankins less than two weeks before the start of last season, and the late arrival made it difficult for him to establish himself as a leader.With a full offseason and familiarity with his teammates and coaches, six-time Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins, now 33, has stepped up as a vocal leader, not only on the offensive line but for the Bucs as a whole."Everything you're looking for in a leader," coach Lovie Smith said after the second day of the team's mandatory minicamp. "I'm talking about a guy that's going to set the right example, say things that need to be said at the perfect time. We haven't voted for captains yet, but it's safe to say he's going to be one. Guys just naturally move into those positions, and when he talks, everybody listens."As Tampa Bay works to turn things around from a 2-14 season, offensive line is a crucial position, tasked with protecting rookie quarterback Jameis Winston and re-establishing the running game the team need to control the line of scrimmage.The Bucs, who had gone years without drafting an offensive lineman, have put four draft picks into the line in two years, including 2015 second-rounders Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet, who could both step in as starters. The two 2014 picks, tackle Kevin Pamphile and guard Kadeem Edwards, have worked with the starting unit at times in practice this week.Having a veteran presence on the line, as with Mankins, center Evan Smith and tackle Demar Dotson, will be crucial in the development for the line's future."This year's been nice. I've been here for all the OTA's and minicamp now, so we've got a good thing going now," Mankins said. "We all know our pecking order and how things are supposed to be, how (offensive line coach George Warhop) wants it and how the older guys want it. I think our group is coming together good."Mankins spent 11 seasons with the Patriots without winning a Super Bowl, and that stung more when New England went on to win a championship this past season. He said his focus now is getting the Bucs toward being a winning program, putting a disappointing 2014 in the past."Logan, he's taken a leadership (role) to make sure we don't go down that same path we went down last year," Dotson said. "I think we've all got a mind-set to work, and we don't want a repeat of last year. I think we're going to do whatever it takes to make sure we don't go through that repeat."As for the rookies, Mankins has been pleased with their progress, though he's quick to point out that they've had to test themselves only in noncontact practices, with the real challenge coming in six weeks with the start of training camp."It starts off with talent. Everyone needs talent. They're both smart guys, and you need that," Mankins said. "You need tough guys, and we'll see how tough they are in camp. They've got two of the three right now, and we'll see what they have with the third one."Contact Greg Auman at gauman@tampabay.com and (813) 310-2690. Follow [member=23448]gregauman[/member].
