Bill Belichick and other Patriots coaches are on vacation until next week. Perhaps they will return to Foxboro relaxed, refreshed and ready to begin negotiating with their free agents.
Logan Mankins, Benjamin Watson and Vince Wilfork highlight the Patriots' free agents set to hit the open market this March. At least one of them wonders where he stands with the team.
"You think about it," Mankins told the Boston Herald. "You see other guys signing extensions, and you wish you were one of those guys with an extension. It is what it is, I guess. You'll have to ask the powers that be around here if I'm going to get one or not. Because I don't know."
According to the Herald, Patriots team officials have told at least two players that they will address their status early next month.
Given the uncertainty of the collective bargaining agreement, it will be fascinating to see how the Patriots address their own free agents — 2010 is an uncapped year for NFL teams, meaning teams can spend as much or as little as they want in free agency.
Following the season-ending loss to the Ravens, Patriots fans are hoping for the former.
