Logan Mankins protects quarterback Matt Cassel last season.

Journal photo / Glenn Osmundson

BOLTON, Mass. — Logan Mankins has not missed so much as a practice over his four-season career with the New England Patriots, and he has no plans on missing one now.

The Pats’ first-round pick in 2005, Mankins has started every game since at left guard, earning a Pro Bowl berth two years ago.

But the five-year contract he signed as a rookie will expire at the end of the coming season, and Mankins and New England haven’t agreed to a contract extension.

But while teammate Vince Wilfork has been absent from organized team activities in recent weeks as a form of protest over his contract status, Mankins has been at every one, just as he always has.

“I signed a contract. I was the one who signed it, so I feel obligated to be here and practicing,” the 27-year-old California native said Monday morning before the Patriots’ Charitable Foundation annual golf tournament at The International. “Until I don’t have a contract, I’m here to play.”

One of the best in the league at his position, Mankins is as nasty on the field as he is pleasant off it. Listening to him outside the clubhouse at the golf course, it seems he is taking the quintessential “it is what it is” approach to his situation.

“My focus is football. I’m getting ready for the season. The contract will take care of itself, whether they give me a new one or I move on next year,” he said. “It’s out of my hands right now.”

New England typically has a deep enough group of offensive linemen that if one player misses time, another steps in and performs adequately. But given that Mankins and left tackle Matt Light protect the blind side of The Franchise [i.e. Tom Brady], keeping Mankins around likely means he is higher on the priority list.

However, as Mankins is fully aware, there is a major difference between his contract situation and Wilfork’s. If the NFL goes to an uncapped year in 2010, only players with six years or more of service will be eligible for free agency (as opposed to four years). Mankins would be a restricted free agent and therefore more likely to remain with New England.

Wilfork, on the other hand, is coming into his sixth season.

“Vince’s situation is different than mine,” Mankins said. “He’s a year older, he’s played a year more than me, so he’s looking at it in a different way than I am. I don’t blame him for what he’s doing. He’s a good guy, a good teammate, he’s always been good to the franchise. He has to do what he has to do.”

For the record, the 6-foot-4 Mankins would prefer to remain in New England.

“Oh, yeah,” he said. “I’ve had a great time here. I like the coaching staff, the players, the fans. I’d love to stay here.”

smanza@projo.com