Did A Logan Mankins Extension Get Derailed By Patriots' Demand For An Apology?

ESPN's Adam Schefter adds another bizarre detail to Logan Mankins' extended holdout from the Patriots: apparently, the two sides were close to a deal two weeks ago, when the Patriots asked for a public apology from Mankins.

Shortly before the deal could be consummated, the Patriots asked Mankins to apologize to Patriots owner Robert Kraft for comments he made in June, questioning the New England owner’s integrity. Mankins did. He called Kraft, apologized and explained why he spoke out in the way he did. It was a nice conversation and it paved the way for Mankins’ long-term deal to be consummated.

Then, about 90 minutes later, just before finalizing the deal, the Patriots requested Mankins issue a public apology. Not only did Mankins refuse, but he became offended, according to sources. The optimism that had been built, the momentum that the talks had generated completed collapsed -- and even regressed.

It's no surprise that the Patriots, one of the more ideologically steadfast organizations in the NFL, would be so demanding. But it's also not a stunner that Mankins refused to kowtow to their wishes.

But both the Patriots and Mankins must have prepared for a divorce. Why else would the team risk not having him on the field by asking him to bend to their whims, and why else would Mankins draw a line in the sand over an apology when millions were at stake?