Belichick On Mankins Trade Request: 'I'm Focused On Coaching The Players That Are Here'

In the least surprising news of the day, Patriots coach Bill Belichick declined to discuss Logan Mankins trade request, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.

Asked how big of a concern it was to him that a stalwart player like Mankins asked to be traded, Belichick said: “Right now, I’m focused on coaching the players that are here, get things done, and hopefully have a good practice today. That’s where our emphasis is, the guys that are here.” Asked to characterize the situation, Belichick said that all talks would stay between the player and the club. He repeated that multiple times.

Belichick never talks about this sort of stuff so it's not surprising that he didn't today. Mankins did take some pretty heavy shots at the Patriots brass indicating at one point that owner Robert Kraft reneged on a promise to give him a new deal after the 2009 season.

For more on the Mankins trade request. check out SB Nation's Pats Pulpit.