In football and in life, there are times where you have to know when your luck is up and not to push the envelope too far.

Several weeks ago, New England learned that the hard way, after having an extension with Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins fall by the wayside when they pushed him to make a public apology for comments made against team owner Robert Kraft in the off-season.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Patriots had deal in place with Mankins and were on the cusp of finalizing it, but strangely made a last minute demand of Mankins to publicly rehash the private apology he gave to Kraft earlier in the day. Upon hearing of the latest request, Mankins became incensed and reneged on the deal in its entirety, telling the team in no uncertain terms that he has no desire to play for them any longer.

Mankins remains unsigned at this point, as he has yet to sign the one year tender offer of $3.26 million that the Patriots gave him in the off-season. A trade at this point is unlikely, but if New England chose to go down that road, there would be no shortage of interest, given Mankins proven ability on the field and relative youth and age 28.

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4. Patriots bring Branch back from Seattle
5. Patriots angling for Branch return?