9-19-08 Logan Mankins, Patriots Guard

It is a Patriots Friday were down at Gillette Stadium one of our Patriots Friday irregulars to stop by. We talked with Logan Mankins slogan good to see again good to see against could be here but two hours from now or thereabouts we're going to talk to arguably. The greatest player in the history of the league to play your position. John and John -- is going to join us a little bit have you guys had a chance to kind of connect over the the years you've been together less. Few years we've gotten they took their little bit and John is a great guy he's agreed. Papers now learn from. -- talked to him about playing football and he's got a lot of this. The same qualities that I think is makes a good offensive linemen so he's a good go to.

Do you ever tell you about his pregame routine. Apparently his pregame routine was pretty legendary people stayed away from him because he's got a little crazy.

You know we've never talked about that food. I'll have to ask other than the and then.

What does he told -- he was a it was a great guard obviously a Hall of Fame guard and and for us. We know it was great and probably don't know the nuances of why it was great what what does he told you that you that it wouldn't corporate.

Isn't just keep going that the guys a lot of people think that we would never blocker we lose a lot of blocks for -- During the game there's a lot of times we get beat the defensive guys they get paid a lot of money to. And they're they're going to beat you sometimes. You just keep going that -- eventually you're going to wear him down to where you start -- in every block in. He just told me you always play hard and makes trio is given a 100% out there and an excellent way to play it.

I would imagine if you're taking your play I don't know if you do this before game he'd he'd go to a dark place and go to the dark place to get that mentality. But once you get there is it is it hard for you to play -- someone that you like. I mean I wouldn't want to like that person across from me because I I would think it would take an edge.

But he and I don't really like in the news. Some ever since I thought I thought I. I thought he's good guys after the game sometimes that. I I didn't really know that many guys that went against until late this -- that guys at the Pro Bowl and beat. Came a pretty good friends with a well that really friends and acquaintances I guess -- say. So I ever had that problem where I've had a friend that I am lining up against the and might be a little bit weird but. It's your job ago at their do -- you're supposed to so I would do them the same things that. We do -- like we were just asking off the air Alaska on the air that bye week comes up after this game. Is it too soon yeah quick to sue area. I don't anything gets prepared to have the bye week right now we're still so focused in the season with what's going on and we elect go -- on right now so it's come and I guess it's good it's always good to have a bye I guess we'll just. Rest up a little earlier this year he traveled -- go home boring like we don't travel. We have the travel all the way to California and we have three kids that makes it hard we just state your nest.

A couple of your teammates before the games that they were curious to see what Matt Cassel would do and how he would command a huddle. So what's the post game analysis how do you think you -- and how was in command.

Yeah he did a great job we. He ran the -- the made all the right calls. I think onetime close to the end of the game some was lined up wrong and men noticed that he got this straightened out before you snap the ball so. He's doing a good job back there and we had a lot of confidence in him before the game and we still do and he's he's really showed people he could do.

There was at least one occasion I can remember where he ended up taking a timeout. And and you know fans who watch games all -- burned a timeout we don't. If -- out on the field I'd rather I'd rather lose the timeout then be up there in a situation that I shouldn't -- in and have a bad play happen how do you guys look at yeah oh.

Where the same way if we're up there and -- not go under way and we could tell that the defense has given us a look there where. We're not going to be able to block and we're I think we're field -- arrangement that happens. We don't want to take -- sector -- try to force the ball somewhere where he shouldn't and threw an interception so we'd much rather take the timeout. And get a play that we won then have a mistake.

Bill Parcells once one of the best sounds. Is the stadium on the road when you've gone in there and you've beaten him fans cleared out and it's not as -- they're not as rabid as they were. You know three hours before what's it like to be in that situation and and win a road game.

Us the greatest because you know you got control of the game once that happens because men their yell and all kinds of Stefan you and it's -- you can't hear any thing. And then as the game wears on and you're taking control -- gets quieter and quieter. And get an idea was quiet early in the fourth quarter that you could see people start in the league salaries. That's a great feeling when you Steve people sort of leave on the road. In the second half you guys brought the hammer down LaMont Jordan was the hammer all of a sudden. And as an offensive linemen I know you guys love using that hammer and -- he ran really did he. He was blessed and a few people out there so -- it it was nice to get the running game go and in the second half and the first half we -- double. Fourteen or fifteen times. But in have a very good average good. We just get run an increase in the -- and break it open so it.

As an offensive lineman if you have one guy behind you like if you were in San Diego and LaDainian Tomlinson has run behind -- 95% of the time. He pretty much know what he's going to do open with you guys have a rotation of backs is it difficult. Well for you or does it take an adjustment to say okay. This is LaMont Jordan. It is not Sammy Morris since not Laurence Maroney one guy does this one is that is that tough for him.

Know sometimes we don't even know who's in the game with us we just we've block every play. The same way no matter which would index in the game because they just have to read it out sometimes -- is going to go say something does connect cut back there. Depends on what the defense gives you also. And every or an index going to read it differently we just block -- let them read it because they they're going to find the --

some backs get in the semi clear. -- tapped you on the hip okay go left go right to any of these guys do that and you respond well to that delicately mile and I'll do my job and just go ahead do your.

They don't bother us too often they know that. We're supposed to do we're supposed to do and we're going to try to do we're supposed to do and they just have to use their eyes and see what's available. Do you watch the send Joey Porter thank you card. I don't maybe they'll try to get him in the games of that and are you are you surprised people still continue to say something like that out I don't mean Joey Porter particular we -- was an Anthony Smith last year -- Pittsburgh are you surprised yeah. Yeah I -- I think I guarantee the game I think so yeah. I don't know why people do that. Even against other teams usually works out for us that for the better when people do that against -- I don't usually just makes the person looked dead in the media and Joey is known for known for this he's going to continued with it amazed of what the Super Bowl Plaxico Burress said his team was going to win while. Course he's going to say that I would respect the player who didn't say that -- I had no problem with that. Does it. -- just seems to always take it to the next level it was not Tom Brady is AME. We know is Tom Brady's Matt Cassel. You know ought to. Talk that that's awesome in the media Estes. It's nice classy in. Just at the right thing is he somebody who does that a lot during the game -- he talks to -- to the -- does -- When my rookie year replace him in Pittsburgh -- Last year when he's with the Dolphins he can have a lot to say I think well they doling one. Zero gave -- the first time and only won one at the end of the seasons. And I think is pretty hard -- do a lot of you know when I would also point out that while it is true the Patriots offense doesn't have Tom Brady. Dolphins defense doesn't have Zach Thomas her where JJ said there I think that the fans might look a little different till he had does it looks a lot different there in a new system. And they're actually playing pretty well right now they're doing a lot of good things that just has -- been together for him yet but. There they're playing really hard they had a lot of young players that are running around in the a lot of place. It's going to be tough games than the.

Are you guys have played in and several big game several playoff games on -- you've seen some. Talented players where does Jason Taylor -- not it's not seeing him in this game as weird but. Where does he rank among the players that you face in your career.

He's near the tough if not that the -- and he was a great player he still is a good player. He always made plays and every game he was always. You go is have an eye on him and he still make plays a new you do is go to the game we gotta get this game if we can't let them beards and he was still being in factored in. In a lot of plays Vegas next tackles for loss interceptions. With -- the all time leader in defensive touchdowns or something it's he used disagree player.

What was the toughest part about face and I'm sure there are many but what was the one that really jumped out you. Well his speed he had -- be for someone is says long arms he was drum. And he could Hedo is Reid did the offensive lineman he knows your way was else you've come right back in says there fury and said he chipper out now says. Used as a smart players go along with great athletic ability. Best of luck on Sunday and and I don't know we talked to next Friday or not with a five -- I don't know if you guys are a lot of -- not. I assume hopefully we'll see you next week obviously obviously not superstitious if you have more of more facial hair LSU is appeared this year I've been saving every week's. So you shaven in you know. There's so far that's that's -- worked out for you so that's a nuisance this initial -- and tell everybody what they have JO and I don't know the Mets do and he's got a little -- go to now. But last year I'd say those are going to shave until we lost in. And fortunately -- decision within -- year but. This year have been save every week there's going to say stay with definitely feel like this better than the other the short and I gave us I ask you does this press even. Good to see again but I thanks guys -- Mankins joining us on a Patriots Friday Sports Radio double he.