Patriots signed LG Logan Mankins to a new six-year contract.

Owner Bob Kraft confirmed Wednesday that the Patriots intend to sign LG Logan Mankins to a deal making him a "Patriot for life."

Mankins is arguably the best guard in football, and Kraft appears to be tiring of the pains caused by the team waiting to lock him up. They're lucky Mankins still wants to be a Patriot. Still under 30, he could use Bucs RG Davin Joseph's seven-year, $53 million blockbuster as a starting point. That's a $7.5-8 million annual average, and Mankins is a much better player.

Patriots signed G Logan Mankins to a one-year contract.

As the Patriots' franchise player, Mankins will play for $10.51 million this season. He'll go after the long-term deal he has coveted next offseason while making more this season than he had in his previous six years combined.

Patriots franchise player Logan Mankins plans to sign his one-year tender and report to training camp on time.

By signing the tender, Mankins guarantees himself at least $10 million this season. It's a hefty sum to pay a left guard, but Mankins is perhaps the most dominant player at his position in the game. Although he has grumbled about not getting a long-term deal, he's apparently ready to play nice in the hopes that the Patriots will eventually lock him up.

Mike Freeman of CBSSports.com reports Logan Mankins and Vincent Jackson are still holding out for $10 million apiece to settle the Brady v. NFL antitrust suit.

Jackson has tweeted that he's not holding out for any special considerations, but the NFLPA lawyers certainly are on his behalf. Attorney Jeffrey Kessler, in particular, is slowing the process with this ridiculous demand as well as the delay in union recertification.

CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman reports some members of the NFLPA's executive committee were "infuriated" by the news that four plaintiffs in the Brady v. NFL antitrust suit wanted special considerations.

"They want blood," one player said. Most notably, Vikings punter Chris Kluwe took to Twitter Tuesday to criticize Logan Mankins, Vincent Jackson, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees for being greedy enough to hold up a deal. While it's true that the four plaintiffs were slowing progress, none of them asked for special considerations. The NFLPA's attorneys asked on their behalf until it became clear that the majority of players (as well as the general public) were up in arms over their demands.

Updating previous items, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Patriots LG Logan Mankins has "made no specific financial requests" relating to his franchise tag in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

A Yahoo Sports report stated that Mankins asked for compensation from the league, but Schefter says he just wants to be an unrestricted free agent. Vincent Jackson, per Schefter, is the only player who has formally requested money back for having to sit out games last year and now sporting the franchise tender. Mankins still seems likely to play 2011 in New England.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the league has begun contacting the plaintiffs in the Brady vs. NFL anti-trust suit about a potential settlement.

Schefter calls it a "necessary step to the end the lockout." The players involved in the suit, highlighted by Patriots OG Logan Mankins, were seeking a guarantee that their free agency could no longer be restricted by the franchise tag going forward. It's not clear yet if the NFL will give in on that issue.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that Monday and Tuesday's CBA negotiations are needed to settle a "handful of unresolved issues."

According to Mortensen, one of the main "unresolved issues" is the future of the franchise tag. The players are seeking to limit its use to just once per career. Currently, it can be used up to three times. The players are also looking to settle the Brady antitrust lawsuit, with the hope being none of its 10 named plaintiffs will be subject to any free agency restrictions in 2012 if they are not signed to long-term deals this summer. Such a ruling would mean Logan Mankins, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Vincent Jackson could all be headed for unrestricted free agency next offseason.

The Boston Globe believes it's unlikely the Patriots will sign franchise player Logan Mankins to a long-term contract extension this summer.

Mankins' franchise tender, which will pay him a guaranteed $10.1 million, appears likely to stick under the new CBA, and there have been no signs of late the Pats plan to lock up their left guard for any longer than that. Yet to hit free agency after six years in the league, Mankins has a right to be bitter, but will be making more in 2011 than he has the past six years combined.

CSN New England's Tom Curran believes the Patriots would be roughly $18-to-$20 million under a possible $115 million 2011 salary cap.

That includes the approximate $10.1 million franchise player Logan Mankins is expected to receive. All that cap space doesn't help Mankins in his search for a long-term deal, but does decrease the already long odds the Patriots deal their long-time left guard.

Patriots franchise player Logan Mankins concedes that he is opening to signing a long-term deal in New England.

"I think about it every now and then but I'm not putting any answers out there yet," he said. "We'll see when we get down that road." Mankins was adamant about not playing a down for the Pats last year before the NFLPA advised him otherwise midway through the season. He can collect over $10 million guaranteed by playing the 2011 season on his one-year franchise tender.

The Boston Globe's Greg A. Bedard does not expect the Patriots to trade franchise player Logan Mankins this offseason unless somebody overwhelms them with an offer.

Mankins' agent recently called his treatment by the team a "travesty," but the Pats are still claiming they want to lock him up long-term. New England hasn't exactly acted in good faith with Mankins, but did sign Vince Wilfork to a long-term deal after franchising him last offseason, and will likely make a real effort to do the same with their left guard once the CBA mess is sorted out.

The player rep for LG Logan Mankins is "considering all options" in response to the Patriots' franchise tag.

Agent Frank Bauer, hyperbolic as always, deemed the Patriots' treatment of Mankins a "travesty." It's an interesting way to describe a player set to earn over $10 million this year. Just a little bit of perspective would be nice, but that is often asking too much in this business. Bauer and the Pats have talked about a long-term deal, but it "cannot be worked out."

The Patriots released a statement regarding franchise player Logan Mankins Monday stating that they remain intent on signing the left guard long term.

"We have not been able to reach a long-term agreement, despite many attempts and proposals by both sides," the statement read. "That remains our objective in utilizing the franchise designation and we are hopeful that Logan will be a Patriot for many years to come." The Pats franchise tagged NT Vince Wilfork last year, but signed him to a five-year deal the next week.

Patriots designated LG Logan Mankins as their franchise player.

The value is projected to be roughly $10.1 million. Though Mankins expressed displeasure should he receive the tag earlier this offseason, the Pats were never going to let him leave without compensation. A Pro Bowler in three of the last four seasons, Mankins was deservedly a first-team All-Pro in 2010 despite holding out until the eighth game of the season. Owner Bob Kraft has indicated that he wants to lock Mankins up long term.

The Patriots are still expected to use their franchise tag on LG Logan Mankins.

Mankins reportedly "wouldn't be happy" about being franchised. Owner Robert Kraft reached out to Mankins, saying "Logan Mankins is one of the best players on the team. I just personally want to say, I hope he's with us for a long term, and we're going to try to do whatever we have to do to make sure that happens." He's not going anywhere.

The Boston Herald reports the Patriots fully plan to use the franchise tag on LG Logan Mankins for a second straight year.

The first day of the tagging period passed without a move, but it's "definitely coming." In the meantime, the sides have an opportunity to negotiate a long-term deal. If Mankins signs the tender, he will earn $10.51 million in 2011. Mankins balked at signing last year, holding off until early November.

Owner Bob Kraft was noncommittal Friday when asked whether the Patriots would franchise tag free agent LG Logan Mankins.

Kraft says the Pats want to have Mankins around long term, but GM/coach Bill Belichick would obviously have to approve that, and he isn't necessarily willing to commit lots of money and years to an offensive guard. Mankins remains likely to be franchise tagged, assuming the designation is available.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick reportedly met with free agent OG Logan Mankins at last week's Pro Bowl.

Mankins told the Boston Herald that it was a "nice talk," and Belichick did most of the speaking. The Herald speculates that Belichick might've expressed interest in retaining Mankins, or at least telling him the Pats would wait to see what happens with the CBA before presenting formal contract offers.