ORLANDO, Fla. -- Earlier today in his breakfast meeting with the media, Patriots owner Robert Kraft talked about committing "capital" this off-season to players like Vince Wilfork, Leigh Bodden, Tully Banta-Cain, Stephen Neal and Kevin Faulk in an effort to improve chemistry and continuity.

After talking with Frank Bauer, the agent for Patriots left guard Logan Mankins, it might be a good idea for the Patriots to devote some of that capital to Mankins.

As Albert Breer told you, the two-time Pro Bowl guard is staying away from Foxborough to indicate his unhappiness over not having a long-term deal with the team at this point.

"He's not very happy," said Bauer, when asked about Mankins's contract status.

Bauer said Mankins is not planning on participating in any of the team's voluntary off-season work if his contract situation remains the same.

"I understand it's a business but there are some unusual factors there [with the uncapped year]," said Bauer. "There comes a time when there is a loyalty factor, a loyalty factor with a player who has never missed a game, never missed a practice. There is a strong bond between him and Bill Belichick, but right now he's caught in the system."

A victim of the new free agency rules in the uncapped year, Mankins is a restricted free agent, instead of an unrestricted one. He was tendered by the team at the first- and third-round pick level, a one-year deal for $3.268 million.

Bauer was asked if he felt Mankins was on the Patriots off-season to-do list.

"Yes, but we've been on their list for awhile," he said.

However, Bauer said that he was heartened by the recent contract commitments the Patriots have made to keep their own players.

"Yes, definitely," said Bauer. "There are other players that they've taken care of, and here you have a guy that has not only not missed a game, he has not missed a practice since he's been there. He could be, he should be one of the pillars of the organization."