The Patriots plan to place their franchise tag on guard Logan Mankins, according to a report in the Boston Herald. The move will prolong the negotiating period between Mankins and New England. The two sides have been engaged in a rocky contract dispute since before last season. Mankins said earlier this month that he he didn't expect the Patriots to get involved in any bidding wars. "I would never say the door is totally shut," he said. "But the way it's looking right now, I don't see it happening. I don't see them trying to keep me, unless it's with the franchise tag."