Patriots, Chargers talking deal for Vincent Jackson

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By Tom E. Curran
CSNNE.com

The Patriots have looked into the possibility of dealing for Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson, a source confirmed Thursday night.

Talks are preliminary at this point, but the idea of the Patriots acquiring Jackson in exchange for Logan Mankins is in play.

Mankins and Jackson are in identical contractual situations. They are restricted free agents in their fifth seasons in the league. Had the expiring CBA not intervened, both would have been free agents last offseason. Both men have opted to sit out rather than play for their tender offers.

Jackson, a 2009 Pro Bowl alternate, was placed on the roster exempt list by San Diego in the offseason. He will have to sit out three games if and when he's traded.

According to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune, the asking price for Jackson is second- and third-round picks to an NFC team, first- and second-round picks to an AFC team.

Again, it's early in the process and the Patriots are exploring several possibilities for shoring up their receiver corps in the wake of the Randy Moss deal. How serious their conversations are, we'll soon find out.

UPDATE: According to a media source in San Diego, the Chargers are not interested in dealing for Mankins. Additionally, it should be noted that a player must be under contract to be traded. Jackson would have to sign his restricted free agent tender offer before he could be dealt.  

Tom E. Curran can be reached at tcurran@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Tom on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tomecurran