It’s hard not to notice the symbolism.
Within minutes, separate reports surfaced that Patriots guard Logan Mankins and Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson were both ready to return to work.
After weeks of seeing their names in the headlines and getting criticized for being selfish, it’s almost as if the two players decided together that they didn’t want to look bad any more. Oh, and the pay for franchise players isn’t bad either.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Mankins will sign his franchise tender and report to work this week.
“Early this morning, Logan spoke with Bill [Belichick] and both are very happy, happy to get started,” agent Frank Bauer told Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com.
Jackson, meanwhile, will show up Friday to sign his tag according to Scott Bair of the North County Times.
Mankins and Jackson never got a $10 million payment from the NFL for their signature, but they will both earn more than $10 million in 2011 for playing football. Imagine that.