Patriots, Mankins "Far Apart" in Contract Talks

The New England Patriots and Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins have begun talks on a long-term contract, but Mankins' agent doesn't sound as though he's expecting to reach a deal anytime soon.

"There has been discussions," Bauer said to Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald. "We’re pretty far apart. Let’s leave it at that."

Mankins has stayed away from the team's off-season workout program, and is unlikely to attend the team's voluntary "Organized Team Activity" sessions, which begin on May 24. The Patriots also have a mandatory mini-camp scheduled for June 15-17.

"No, I have no comment on that" Bauer said when asked about Mankins attending the mini-camp.

Mankins has yet to sign his one-year tender, which carries a $3.268 million dollar base salary for the 2010 season. If Mankins does not sign the tender by June 15, the Patriots could reduce the tender to 110% of Mankins' 2009 base salary, which would be $1.54 million dollars.

Likely complicating contract negotiations between the Patriots and Mankins is the 7-year, $56.7 million dollar contract extension that Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans recently signed with the New Orleans Saints. Also a restricted free agent tendered at the "First- and Third-Round" level, Evans will receive $19 million dollars--a $12 million dollar signing bonus and $7 million dollars in base salary--in the first year of the deal.

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