2014 Year in Review: August Edition

Patriots trade Mankins to Buccaneers for Tim Wright

Sep 7, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Logan Mankins (70) smiles on the bench during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

In a move that almost nobody saw coming, the Patriots dealt veteran linemen Logan Mankins to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for TE Tim Wright. In his rookie year with Tampa, Wright played all 16 games and was targeted 76 times for an average gain of 10.6 yards, and while he seemed like a nice addition the loss of Mankins seems to create confusion all over Foxboro. But as we have seen in year’s past, the Patriots usually know when it is the right time to move on from a player, just look at guys like Richard Seymour, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, so while it was shocking to see one of the core linemen leave one had to think the Patriots knew what they were doing. And with just one game left in the 2014 season it seems that once again the Patriots have made the right decision in acquiring Wright, his presence (particularly when Rob Gronkowski is also on the field) creates confusion for opposing defenses and usually leaves Wright as the open receiver. As a result Wright has been targeted 26 times, averages 9.6 yards a reception and already has caught 6 touchdowns which is more then he had in his rookie season in Tampa Bay. As the Patriots gear up for the playoffs one has to think that the addition of Wright and the loss of Mankins helped this team overcome some defensive schemes that otherwise may have troubled them. The addition of Wright brings another big bodied receiver who can not only block efficiently, but also go out and catch the football and with the Patriots only having one other guy like that in Rob Gronkowski it gives them just another option and weapon to use on offense.