Patriot forever? Mankins ends contract drama with six-year deal

All of the contract contentiousness between the New England Patriots and All-Pro guard Logan Mankins is finally over.

NFL Network's Michael Lombardi confirmed Wednesday that the Patriots have signed Mankins to a six-year contract. By signing Mankins to the long-term deal, the Patriots also lowered the six-year veteran's salary cap number, according to Lombardi. The story was first reported by ESPN.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft hinted to reporters early Wednesday that Mankins, who was set to play under a one-year, franchise-tag tender contract worth $10 million, would soon be signed to a long-term deal.

"Probably you'll see our good friend, Logan Mankins, will be signed up soon, hopefully, to be a Patriot for life,” Kraft said, according to the team's website.

The value of the six-year deal was not known, but a source told the Boston Herald that Mankins will be the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in the league.

Yahoo! Sports reported Wednesday that the Patriots got some help in paying Mankins from recently acquired defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. Citing a source familiar with the deal, the website reported that Haynesworth, who was due to earn $5.4 million in 2011, reduced his base salary to $1.5 million.

He can earn the money back in incentives, including $1 million if he plays in 20 percent of the plays and an additional $590,000 when he hits 45 percent, 50 percent, 55 percent, 60 percent and then 65 percent, according to the report. He can also earn $400,000 if he makes the Pro Bowl.

Haynesworth was traded from the Washington Redskins to New England for a late-round draft choice. The Patriots could not be reached for comment.

A first-round draft pick of the Patriots in 2005, Mankins sat out the first eight weeks of the 2010 season after holding out over his status as a restricted free agent. Mankins signed his tender and reported to the team on Nov. 2 and started the final nine games of the season.

He was still named as a starter in the Pro Bowl, his third career selection.

Mankins had criticized the Patriots organization just before starting his holdout on June 14, 2010, the day before the team's minicamp began. He said the club asked him to play in 2009, the final year of his original five-year contract, and they would address his contract concerns after that season. He also said he wanted to be traded.

"Growing up, I was taught a man's word is his bond," he said in June 2010. "Obviously, this isn't the case with the Patriots."

He later apologized.

Mankins also was one of 10 players who were plaintiffs in an antitrust lawsuit filed against the NFL a few hours before the lockout began.

"All I know is," Kraft said Wednesday, "any face-to-face discussions I've had (with Mankins) or any private discussions have all been positive."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View the original article here

Panthers, LB Johnson agree to six-year, $72 million contract

Free-agent defensive end Charles Johnson agreed to a six-year, $72 million deal to return to the Carolina Panthers, a source with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday.

Will Brett Favre come out of retirement for the third time? Is Ahmad Bradshaw bound for Miami? Find out where players might end up in NFL.com's free agency tracker. More...

Johnson's contract, which he can't sign until Friday, comes with $32 million guaranteed, the source said. Johnson opted to re-sign with the Panthers after the NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons hotly pursued him.

The Panthers made Johnson a top priority after he shined last season in place of Julius Peppers, who left for the Chicago Bears in free agency.

"The Panthers told me the whole time they were going to come after me hard," Johnson said Tuesday after the team announced it had come to undisclosed financial terms with the player. "I had to see it to believe, but they did."

Johnson said he was "blown away" by Carolina's offer, and the money convinced him to choose the team over the Falcons and Denver Broncos, who also expressed interest.

"Could you have turned that down?" Johnson said with a laugh.

The Panthers put the full court press on Johnson. General manager Marty Hurney, coach Ron Rivera and several members of the defensive staff flew to Miami on Monday night in an effort to make sure Johnson wouldn't get away.

"A lot of people in my family were rooting for me to sign with Atlanta because it was closer to home and they could come see me play," said Johnson, a native of Hawkinsville, Ga. "But I think they understand."

Johnson had a breakout season for the Panthers in 2010, with 11.5 sacks in his first year as a starter. He had a combined 10 sacks in his previous two seasons playing behind Peppers and Tyler Brayton.

Johnson said he was impressed at how important the Panthers made him feel by bringing a good portion of the coaching staff on the trip.

"They showed so much respect for me; I wanted to show it back," Johnson said.

Aside from the money, Johnson said his love of the Charlotte community played a role in his decision.

"Once you are settled in somewhere you get comfortable," Johnson said. "Money aside, it wasn't a hard decision for me to leave because I am tied into Charlotte."

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

View the original article here