motife
05-24-2006, 02:02 AM
Chris Havel
Seeing is believing for Franks
The past has taught Bubba Franks to be skeptical. The present is encouraging him to stay open-minded.
Mike McCarthy has made it clear to everyone who is listening that he intends to utilize the tight ends in this offense. The Green Bay Packers’ coach has stressed the importance of the tight ends since his initial news conference here.
He has done everything but change his name to Mike “Bubbaâà ¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚ McCarthy to get that message across. Two practices into his second offseason minicamp, Daniel “Bubbaâà ¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚ Franks is starting to believe it. That is because he is beginning to see it.
“You hear that every year, over and over, that we’re going to throw to the tight ends, and I’m getting pretty (wise) to this stuff,†Franks said. “I believe it, though, because it’s been emphasized.â€ÂÂ
Big part of plan
Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski coached the tight ends under former Packers coaches Ray Rhodes in 1999 and Mike Sherman from 2000-2003.
“Iââ⠀šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ve always had to battle for (using the tight ends),†he said. “Itââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s huge. We’ve got to get the tight ends involved, especially with the ones we’ve got. Those guys should catch five, six balls a game. They should have 60, 70 catches before it’s over. When that deal with the tight ends is effective, it forces teams to defend the middle of the field.â€ÂÂ
Franks, 28, is a consummate pro. He felt neglected at times but seldom expressed his dissatisfaction. He would grit his teeth, play hard and hope for the best. Now, he likes what he is hearing in the meetings and seeing on the practice field.
“We have a lot bigger role in the offense,†he said. “Youââ ‚¬â„¢re going to see more than one tight end in the game a lot more often. Our role is expanded. He (Jagodzinski) isn’t the type of coach that’s going to lie, so I trust him.â€ÂÂ
David Martin, a sixth-year pro, has talent but lacks consistency. Fourth-year pro Donald Lee, like Martin, can stretch defenses. Neither is the run blocker Franks is, but they seem anxious to learn the zone-blocking scheme.
The tight ends have the potential to be among the Packers’ best position groups.
‘Trying to get better’
It is why Franks, Martin and Lee are at this voluntary minicamp, and it is why they have been regulars in the offseason workout program.
“This is the type of (weight) training I do in the offseason in Miami,†Franks said. “When you’ve got a lot of guys here training together, you can’t help but get closer.â€ÂÂ
Franks’ work ethic and experience with free weights has had a curious effect on several of the younger players. They are gravitating toward him, relying on him and emulating him. That doesn’t happen if he isn’t here in the offseason.
“Trying to get better,†he said Friday. “This is a new offense. You don’t want to come in here to training camp not really having things down pat. I want to go in knowing this offense like the back of my hand.â€ÂÂ
When Franks and Co. get their chance, they don’t intend to drop the ball.
Seeing is believing for Franks
The past has taught Bubba Franks to be skeptical. The present is encouraging him to stay open-minded.
Mike McCarthy has made it clear to everyone who is listening that he intends to utilize the tight ends in this offense. The Green Bay Packers’ coach has stressed the importance of the tight ends since his initial news conference here.
He has done everything but change his name to Mike “Bubbaâà ¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚ McCarthy to get that message across. Two practices into his second offseason minicamp, Daniel “Bubbaâà ¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚ Franks is starting to believe it. That is because he is beginning to see it.
“You hear that every year, over and over, that we’re going to throw to the tight ends, and I’m getting pretty (wise) to this stuff,†Franks said. “I believe it, though, because it’s been emphasized.â€ÂÂ
Big part of plan
Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski coached the tight ends under former Packers coaches Ray Rhodes in 1999 and Mike Sherman from 2000-2003.
“Iââ⠀šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ve always had to battle for (using the tight ends),†he said. “Itââ €šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s huge. We’ve got to get the tight ends involved, especially with the ones we’ve got. Those guys should catch five, six balls a game. They should have 60, 70 catches before it’s over. When that deal with the tight ends is effective, it forces teams to defend the middle of the field.â€ÂÂ
Franks, 28, is a consummate pro. He felt neglected at times but seldom expressed his dissatisfaction. He would grit his teeth, play hard and hope for the best. Now, he likes what he is hearing in the meetings and seeing on the practice field.
“We have a lot bigger role in the offense,†he said. “Youââ ‚¬â„¢re going to see more than one tight end in the game a lot more often. Our role is expanded. He (Jagodzinski) isn’t the type of coach that’s going to lie, so I trust him.â€ÂÂ
David Martin, a sixth-year pro, has talent but lacks consistency. Fourth-year pro Donald Lee, like Martin, can stretch defenses. Neither is the run blocker Franks is, but they seem anxious to learn the zone-blocking scheme.
The tight ends have the potential to be among the Packers’ best position groups.
‘Trying to get better’
It is why Franks, Martin and Lee are at this voluntary minicamp, and it is why they have been regulars in the offseason workout program.
“This is the type of (weight) training I do in the offseason in Miami,†Franks said. “When you’ve got a lot of guys here training together, you can’t help but get closer.â€ÂÂ
Franks’ work ethic and experience with free weights has had a curious effect on several of the younger players. They are gravitating toward him, relying on him and emulating him. That doesn’t happen if he isn’t here in the offseason.
“Trying to get better,†he said Friday. “This is a new offense. You don’t want to come in here to training camp not really having things down pat. I want to go in knowing this offense like the back of my hand.â€ÂÂ
When Franks and Co. get their chance, they don’t intend to drop the ball.