Quotables: Patriots miss Logan Mankins, NFL explores L.A. potential

"The atmosphere was a little down today."

-Darrelle Revis, on the trade of Patriots guard Logan Mankins

New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis was just one of several players who admitted that the recent trade of Pro Bowl guard Logan Mankins to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was hard to stomach. According to the Patriots official site, the locker room was in shock after receiving the news that he'd been dealt for a fourth-round draft pick in 2015 and tight end Tim Wright. Revis continued:

"It's very sad, you know, he's been here for a long time. I have a lot of respect for him, having played against him in the past. He's a class act. Mankins is known around the league as one of the best offensive linemen in the game. He's proven that. I wish we weren't talking about this... but you have to get used to it. Because that's how it is."

Mankins started 130 games for the Patriots since he was taken as their first-round selection in the 2005 NFL Draft.

"I think he’s had some strong moments, but then there’s others that we wish he’d maybe hung onto a ball or so."

-Jets head coach Rex Ryan, on WR Stephen Hill

New York Jets wide receiver Stephen Hill is on the cusp of being cut. The third-year wideout has struggled in training camp and has the added scar of not playing on special teams. The fact that he's had an underwhelming offseason could cost him a roster spot on the final 53.

With the top four receiver spots likely going to Eric Decker, Jeremy Kerley, David Nelson and Jalen Saunders, Hill has to compete against Greg Salas and Saalim Hakim. Both play special teams, which is a point of emphasis for the Jets this season and a major reason why Hill could be a free agent before the season begins.

"The building blocks are there. There remain multiple sites available. So the focus is demanded."

-NFL executive VP Eric Grubman, on the league coming to Los Angeles

The NFL has appointed one of its top executives to lead the effort to bring a team back to the Los Angeles area. That could mean the league is closer than ever to returning to Southern California, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Eric Grubman spoke with the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday and reaffirmed that the NFL has made it a priority to return to the nation's second-largest media market. With the St. Louis Rams, Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers all on year-to-year leases, the stars seem to be aligning for an NFL return to Los Angeles for the first time since the 1994 season.

"It will give us more time to gather more information, what led to his behavior."

-Jets GM John Idzik, on CB Dimitri Patterson

The New York Jets have suspended cornerback Dimitri Patterson indefinitely after the player went missing for 48 hours. After meeting with him on Sunday, general manager John Idzik refused to give the reason Patterson stated for being absent.

The Jets are especially thin at cornerback, and with Patterson seen as a potential starter, any potential discipline he faces could handcuff the team as it prepares for the regular season.

"It was short lived but I enjoyed every second."

-Free agent quarterback Brady Quinn

The Miami Dolphins trimmed their roster to 75 players on Tuesday and in the process released Brady Quinn. The former Notre Dame star then tweeted his gratitude for the opportunity and seemed to indicate that his NFL career may be coming to close.

It was short lived but I enjoyed every second. Thank you @MiamiDolphins for the opportunity to play the game I love again. Best of luck to..

— Brady Quinn (@3rd_Goal) August 26, 2014

According to Keven Lerner of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Quinn struggled in his two weeks with the Dolphins, throwing multiple pick-sixes. In his absence moving forward, Matt Moore and Seth Lobato will compete for snaps behind starter Ryan Tannehill.