National Football League

Little buzz heading to trade deadline; Bears hurting on OL, but deal looks unlikely

Published Oct. 19, 2010 10:11 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

If nothing else, the season's first six weeks proved there are a lot of flawed teams, especially in the NFC.

In the NFC North, the Bears are struggling on the offensive line, the Detroit Lions are struggling in the back seven, the Green Bay Packers are struggling at running back and the Minnesota Vikings are struggling at cornerback.

Yet, with the trade deadline at 3 p.m. today, there is hardly a buzz about teams burning phone lines to wheel and deal.

''It's been real quiet,'' one NFC personnel executive said.

Bears general manager Jerry Angelo told the team's website last week that, ''in all likelihood, I don't see anything happening with us.''

There were no indications Monday to suggest otherwise.

Given their issues up front -- the Bears have been sacked a league-high 27 times, and their run offense is ranked 26th in the NFL -- they have been linked to New England Patriots two-time Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins.

But that possibility is prohibitive for several reasons.

First, after trading away a couple of high draft picks in recent years, the Bears aren't inclined to part with their 2011 picks, which are all intact. Indications are the Patriots are seeking a first-round pick for Mankins but might be willing to settle for a third-rounder and a conditional pick.

Second, the Bears are believed to have tapped the money allocated for players, most notably acquiring defensive end Julius Peppers via free agency. Mankins is expected to be seeking a contract in line with Jahri Evans, who in May signed the league's highest-paid contract (seven years, $56.7 million) for a guard with the New Orleans Saints.

Third, there's a belief that the Patriots don't want to part with Mankins. They'd rather punish him and call his bluff. The Patriots and Mankins were reportedly close to a contract in September, but the player refused to publicly apologize for comments he made in June that were critical of owner Robert Kraft.

Mankins isn't being paid, and he must sign his one-year tender and report to the Patriots by Nov. 16 to earn an accrued season and make himself eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2011.

Mankins' agent, Frank Bauer, also represents Bears coach Lovie Smith and several other assistant coaches. Bauer has been mum on Mankins.

San Diego Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson also has refused to sign his tender and is available.

ESPN reported Sunday that every player on the Oakland Raiders was available.

If the Bears were willing to trade a player already on the roster, they only have a luxury at seemingly two positions: tight end and receiver. Kellen Davis has flashed enough potential that he could have some appeal, while a veteran such as Desmond Clark could interest a team angling for a playoff push and in need of help at the position. Receiver Devin Aromashodu might not net much, in terms of draft compensation, but would they be willing to part -- for the right price -- with Johnny Knox?

The former fifth-round pick is an asset as a receiver and a returner, which he's presently not doing because Danieal Manning has excelled in that role.

Such scenarios are often mentioned yet hardly pursued.

On Monday, two NFL head coaches were exasperated with questions about players who were perceived to be on the trade block. Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh insisted there's ''no Willis [McGahee] trade talk,'' referring to his running back who didn't even play Sunday. Meanwhile, Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan wasn't as definitive -- but equally animated -- about high-priced defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who has been inactive for two consecutive games.

''God, I'll be glad when that's over with,'' Shanahan said of today's trade deadline, according to the Washington Post, ''so we don't have to talk about this anymore.''

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League