Franks Released

[Deputy Nutz]

The move was a bit surprising. Franks has definitely slowed down. He was also plagued with injuries the past several years.

I will state, however, that in the last few games of the season, his blocking was as strong as ever. In the playoff game against Seattle, his blocking was as outstanding. He made solid blocks in several of Grant's runs.

For pass blocking he helped Mark Tauscher hold pass-rushing ace Patrick Kearney to zero sacs and zero hurries.

Most pro GM's want a TE who not only can get open and catch a pass but can consistently block well. Bubba, though still strong as a blocker, just lost his effectiveness to get open and run with the ball after the catch.

You can't lose what you never had. Franks never was YAC player, he was a threat in the read zone and for short intermediate routes. Even in his first couple of years he couldn't split the seam in the cover two. He came out of college running a 4.9. That is ridiculously slow for a tight end taken in the first 16 picks.

[KYPack]

The move was a bit surprising. Franks has definitely slowed down. He was also plagued with injuries the past several years.

I will state, however, that in the last few games of the season, his blocking was as strong as ever. In the playoff game against Seattle, his blocking was as outstanding. He made solid blocks in several of Grant's runs.

For pass blocking he helped Mark Tauscher hold pass-rushing ace Patrick Kearney to zero sacs and zero hurries.

Most pro GM's want a TE who not only can get open and catch a pass but can consistently block well. Bubba, though still strong as a blocker, just lost his effectiveness to get open and run with the ball after the catch.

You can't lose what you never had. Franks never was YAC player, he was a threat in the read zone and for short intermediate routes. Even in his first couple of years he couldn't split the seam in the cover two. He came out of college running a 4.9. That is ridiculously slow for a tight end taken in the first 16 picks.

Sherm and his O liked a blocking TE. One that could curl and sit down in the red zone.

M3 wants TE's that can run the seam and split those cover2 safeties. That ain't Bubba. I know he cut a seasoned hand, but they want to get a guy that can execute Mac's offense.

I did think it was funny that it really seems to be over that 1/2 mil roster bonus. We cudda paid that & still cut Bubba in camp, when we were sure we had a back-up. TT must like that Humpherys. I can't say I've ever seen him, but some think he can help us.

This cut also is a hang-over from 2006. Bubba had one of the worst seasons I've ever seen that year.

It helped to cost him his gig.

[Farley Face]

The move was a bit surprising. Franks has definitely slowed down. He was also plagued with injuries the past several years.

I will state, however, that in the last few games of the season, his blocking was as strong as ever. In the playoff game against Seattle, his blocking was as outstanding. He made solid blocks in several of Grant's runs.

For pass blocking he helped Mark Tauscher hold pass-rushing ace Patrick Kearney to zero sacs and zero hurries.

Most pro GM's want a TE who not only can get open and catch a pass but can consistently block well. Bubba, though still strong as a blocker, just lost his effectiveness to get open and run with the ball after the catch.

You can't lose what you never had. Franks never was YAC player, he was a threat in the read zone and for short intermediate routes. Even in his first couple of years he couldn't split the seam in the cover two. He came out of college running a 4.9. That is ridiculously slow for a tight end taken in the first 16 picks.

Bubba was a big name from a successful program (Miami at the time) that filled a need when we drafted him. It isn't his fault Chewy tried to bang his kid's babysitter and got thrown off the team forcing our hand. We reached for need in that draft and he played to his potential. Not his fault he had big shoes to fill and was only athleticaly gifted enough to trip over his own. I wish him well.

[Scott Campbell]

Shocking move IMO. I guess I would understand if we had someone else waiting in the wings but we don't.

Many of us anticipated this move the day we found out the details of his back-loaded contract. He was never going to play the thing out.

[The Leaper]

Anyway, that's my take on letting Bubba go. He's average. He's making above average money. He's on the decline. He's easy to replace. Letting him go makes sense to me.

He remains one of the best blocking TEs in the game, even if he isn't worth much as a receiver anymore. Sure he's on the decline...so is Al Harris and Donald Driver. Should we get rid of them too? Until you have a capable replacement, there is no reason to get rid of someone...even if they are average. Ryan Krause, who is behind Franks, is certainly below average.

This move does not make sense to me UNLESS Thompson has made up his mind to go after some FAs. The only logical reason to get rid of Franks now rather than during camp cuts after knowing you have a capable replacement is to free up money to sign other FAs.

[Chester Marcol]

The Bubba move wasn't a surprise. He's a backup now with little chance of taking the starting job back. For most positions, if you have a good starter there's no way you keep an older player as their backup. That is the only way we will stay a young and improving team.

I think this is a formula we have to get use to now the more we add depth, and not just any depth, fairly good quality depth. We will continue to see some veterans shown the door or not resigned. We also shouldn't be surprised when it happens to be someone we consider as still being a good contributor. With TT's unwillingness to give up draft picks, there will always be an influx of youth. I would be very surprised if this teams average age ever ranks in the top 25% under TT.

[run pMc]

I wish him the best.

He would be grossly overpaid for a #2 TE. Injuries forced him into more of a blocking TE. With CHI, MIN and DET using so much Cover 2 you need TE's who can run down the middle or find the seams fast.

JSO claims this is a TE-rich draft; I don't know about that, but I'm guessing TT has his eye on someone. Otherwise, there's always FA.

Maybe TT and M3 saw something in Humphrey that makes them think he can be the #2 guy with another offseason.

[Joemailman]

My recollection was that Tory Humphrey was impressing the coaches before he was injured at the end of July. I would imagine he enters camp in 2008 as the #2 unless TT drafts a TE very early.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

The move was a bit surprising. Franks has definitely slowed down. He was also plagued with injuries the past several years.

I will state, however, that in the last few games of the season, his blocking was as strong as ever. In the playoff game against Seattle, his blocking was as outstanding. He made solid blocks in several of Grant's runs.

For pass blocking he helped Mark Tauscher hold pass-rushing ace Patrick Kearney to zero sacs and zero hurries.

Most pro GM's want a TE who not only can get open and catch a pass but can consistently block well. Bubba, though still strong as a blocker, just lost his effectiveness to get open and run with the ball after the catch.

You can't lose what you never had. Franks never was YAC player, he was a threat in the read zone and for short intermediate routes. Even in his first couple of years he couldn't split the seam in the cover two. He came out of college running a 4.9. That is ridiculously slow for a tight end taken in the first 16 picks.

Bubba was a big name from a successful program (Miami at the time) that filled a need when we drafted him. It isn't his fault Chewy tried to bang his kid's babysitter and got thrown off the team forcing our hand. We reached for need in that draft and he played to his potential. Not his fault he had big shoes to fill and was only athleticaly gifted enough to trip over his own. I wish him well.

You have it spot on.

And, if you recall there was a debate between who should be the first TE taken..bubba or Anthony Becht.

Clearly, we chose the better of the two.

[woodbuck27]

The move was a bit surprising. Franks has definitely slowed down. He was also plagued with injuries the past several years.

I will state, however, that in the last few games of the season, his blocking was as strong as ever. In the playoff game against Seattle, his blocking was as outstanding. He made solid blocks in several of Grant's runs.

For pass blocking he helped Mark Tauscher hold pass-rushing ace Patrick Kearney to zero sacs and zero hurries.

Most pro GM's want a TE who not only can get open and catch a pass but can consistently block well. Bubba, though still strong as a blocker, just lost his effectiveness to get open and run with the ball after the catch.

You can't lose what you never had. Franks never was YAC player, he was a threat in the read zone and for short intermediate routes. Even in his first couple of years he couldn't split the seam in the cover two. He came out of college running a 4.9. That is ridiculously slow for a tight end taken in the first 16 picks.

Bubba was a big name from a successful program (Miami at the time) that filled a need when we drafted him. It isn't his fault Chewy tried to bang his kid's babysitter and got thrown off the team forcing our hand. We reached for need in that draft and he played to his potential. Not his fault he had big shoes to fill and was only athleticaly gifted enough to trip over his own. I wish him well.

You have it spot on.

And, if you recall there was a debate between who should be the first TE taken..bubba or Anthony Becht.

Clearly, we chose the better of the two.

The whole world knew that we'd take Bubba Franks as well.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

The move was a bit surprising. Franks has definitely slowed down. He was also plagued with injuries the past several years.

I will state, however, that in the last few games of the season, his blocking was as strong as ever. In the playoff game against Seattle, his blocking was as outstanding. He made solid blocks in several of Grant's runs.

For pass blocking he helped Mark Tauscher hold pass-rushing ace Patrick Kearney to zero sacs and zero hurries.

Most pro GM's want a TE who not only can get open and catch a pass but can consistently block well. Bubba, though still strong as a blocker, just lost his effectiveness to get open and run with the ball after the catch.

You can't lose what you never had. Franks never was YAC player, he was a threat in the read zone and for short intermediate routes. Even in his first couple of years he couldn't split the seam in the cover two. He came out of college running a 4.9. That is ridiculously slow for a tight end taken in the first 16 picks.

Bubba was a big name from a successful program (Miami at the time) that filled a need when we drafted him. It isn't his fault Chewy tried to bang his kid's babysitter and got thrown off the team forcing our hand. We reached for need in that draft and he played to his potential. Not his fault he had big shoes to fill and was only athleticaly gifted enough to trip over his own. I wish him well.

You have it spot on.

And, if you recall there was a debate between who should be the first TE taken..bubba or Anthony Becht.

Clearly, we chose the better of the two.

The whole world knew that we'd take Bubba Franks as well.

Once agan, old man, your memory fails you.

From Ron Wolf:

"The Green Bay Packers rated West Virginia's Anthony Becht over Miami's Bubba Franks as recently as two weeks ago by the thinnest of margins, general manager Ron Wolf conceded Saturday."


What others are saying...
Rich Snead, Tennessee: "With Franks you have a chance to have a great player, but you also have a chance to have a bust. (Anthony Becht) will be a solid guy but I think he's a self-made guy. If you're going to take one in the first round I'd take Franks."

NFC scout: "I didn't like him. He's all right but I don't think he's a No. 1 special guy. He looks slow and lethargic to me. I didn't see any snap or anything like that. Franks is a big, hulking guy. Becht isn't. There was a difference in the way they moved."

NFC scout: "I think he can be (a success). I think he has to grow up. I think that will be a process with him."

Phil Savage, Baltimore: "I like Franks the best because of his upside. Everyone's knocking him on that 40 time and on tape he doesn't play real fast, but he does play athletic. He's big. He's only a junior. You have to kind of project where he will be a year from now. To me, he's as good or better than most of the tight ends that have come out in the last few years."

John Butler, Buffalo: "I would be happy with either one of them. Franks has got some super hands. Becht runs better. Franks made some great catches. I think he's the best blocker on the board."

Bill Rees, Chicago: "He has the most potential. He's not as refined as Becht. He's the No. 1 tight end."

AFC scout: "Becht is No. 1. It ain't Franks. I ain't all that excited about 4.95 tight ends. Becht runs better. His hands are equally good."

Tom Braatz, Miami: "Becht might be a little bit better than Franks because Franks runs 4.9. Franks is a better blocker. Becht isn't going to be a great blocker. He's a much better workout than Franks."

Charley Armey, St. Louis: "Becht is No. 1 but they're right close together. Franks isn't as fast or as big. Becht is the better blocker."

Billy Devaney, San Diego: "He's a solid guy. He doesn't scare me."

Jon Kingdon, Oakland: "I think Becht is the safer pick. He ran better and blocks a little better than Franks. The only knock on Franks is his 40 time. He plays faster."

NFC scout: "No question Becht is the best. Franks has a lot of ability. He's a good kid. I don't know that he knows what it takes yet. There's a little immaturity there. He can catch the ball. He's an inconsistent blocker. He's blocked well against good competition and (struggles) against average guys. Eric Green had more physical ability than this guy. This guy's not a speed merchant. This guy can block. You'd just like to see his motor run a little bit faster. But he's a first-round guy."

NFC scout: "I think Becht works at the game harder. He knows how to play the game a little bit better. He may be a tad faster. Blocking may be a tad better. But there's nothing wrong with Franks, either."

Mike Hagen, Atlanta: "Franks has the tendency to get overextended. Franks has good hands. Becht is a little quicker and faster than Franks. A lot of those Franks routes were drags across the field in which he builds speed up, not acute-separation type routes where you stick your foot in the ground and run out of a cut. You've got to uncover just for that split second. Franks isn't going to be as elusive as Becht."

John Dorsey, Seattle: "I don't give a (expletive) what anyone thinks. I've watched Franks since he was a freshman. I like him."

Tom Donahoe, formerly Pittsburgh: "He didn't run very well but when you watched him on tape you never worried about his 40 time. He plays fast enough. He makes plays up the field. Becht ran faster, but if you studied them on tape you would think Franks was faster."

--Bob McGinn

Franks at a glance
Big, athletic talent caught 45 passes for 565 yards and 5 TDs last year. Projects well at pro level. Might be the only TE picked in first round.
Strengths: Powerful second-team All-American has good speed and remarkable hands for a man his size. Big, soft hands that just swallow the ball. Can make acrobatic catches. Can block, catch passes and get downfield. A complete TE. Extremely agile. A rare weapon built for the NFL.

Weaknesses: Had a poor private workout in early March. Appeared a bit out of shape. Must work on blocking technique and getting yards after catch.

[woodbuck27]

The move was a bit surprising. Franks has definitely slowed down. He was also plagued with injuries the past several years.

I will state, however, that in the last few games of the season, his blocking was as strong as ever. In the playoff game against Seattle, his blocking was as outstanding. He made solid blocks in several of Grant's runs.

For pass blocking he helped Mark Tauscher hold pass-rushing ace Patrick Kearney to zero sacs and zero hurries.

Most pro GM's want a TE who not only can get open and catch a pass but can consistently block well. Bubba, though still strong as a blocker, just lost his effectiveness to get open and run with the ball after the catch.

You can't lose what you never had. Franks never was YAC player, he was a threat in the read zone and for short intermediate routes. Even in his first couple of years he couldn't split the seam in the cover two. He came out of college running a 4.9. That is ridiculously slow for a tight end taken in the first 16 picks.

Bubba was a big name from a successful program (Miami at the time) that filled a need when we drafted him. It isn't his fault Chewy tried to bang his kid's babysitter and got thrown off the team forcing our hand. We reached for need in that draft and he played to his potential. Not his fault he had big shoes to fill and was only athleticaly gifted enough to trip over his own. I wish him well.

You have it spot on.

And, if you recall there was a debate between who should be the first TE taken..bubba or Anthony Becht.

Clearly, we chose the better of the two.

The whole world knew that we'd take Bubba Franks as well.

Once agan, old man, your memory fails you.

From Ron Wolf:

"The Green Bay Packers rated West Virginia's Anthony Becht over Miami's Bubba Franks as recently as two weeks ago by the thinnest of margins, general manager Ron Wolf conceded Saturday."


What others are saying...
Rich Snead, Tennessee: "With Franks you have a chance to have a great player, but you also have a chance to have a bust. (Anthony Becht) will be a solid guy but I think he's a self-made guy. If you're going to take one in the first round I'd take Franks."

NFC scout: "I didn't like him. He's all right but I don't think he's a No. 1 special guy. He looks slow and lethargic to me. I didn't see any snap or anything like that. Franks is a big, hulking guy. Becht isn't. There was a difference in the way they moved."

NFC scout: "I think he can be (a success). I think he has to grow up. I think that will be a process with him."

Phil Savage, Baltimore: "I like Franks the best because of his upside. Everyone's knocking him on that 40 time and on tape he doesn't play real fast, but he does play athletic. He's big. He's only a junior. You have to kind of project where he will be a year from now. To me, he's as good or better than most of the tight ends that have come out in the last few years."

John Butler, Buffalo: "I would be happy with either one of them. Franks has got some super hands. Becht runs better. Franks made some great catches. I think he's the best blocker on the board."

Bill Rees, Chicago: "He has the most potential. He's not as refined as Becht. He's the No. 1 tight end."

AFC scout: "Becht is No. 1. It ain't Franks. I ain't all that excited about 4.95 tight ends. Becht runs better. His hands are equally good."

Tom Braatz, Miami: "Becht might be a little bit better than Franks because Franks runs 4.9. Franks is a better blocker. Becht isn't going to be a great blocker. He's a much better workout than Franks."

Charley Armey, St. Louis: "Becht is No. 1 but they're right close together. Franks isn't as fast or as big. Becht is the better blocker."

Billy Devaney, San Diego: "He's a solid guy. He doesn't scare me."

Jon Kingdon, Oakland: "I think Becht is the safer pick. He ran better and blocks a little better than Franks. The only knock on Franks is his 40 time. He plays faster."

NFC scout: "No question Becht is the best. Franks has a lot of ability. He's a good kid. I don't know that he knows what it takes yet. There's a little immaturity there. He can catch the ball. He's an inconsistent blocker. He's blocked well against good competition and (struggles) against average guys. Eric Green had more physical ability than this guy. This guy's not a speed merchant. This guy can block. You'd just like to see his motor run a little bit faster. But he's a first-round guy."

NFC scout: "I think Becht works at the game harder. He knows how to play the game a little bit better. He may be a tad faster. Blocking may be a tad better. But there's nothing wrong with Franks, either."

Mike Hagen, Atlanta: "Franks has the tendency to get overextended. Franks has good hands. Becht is a little quicker and faster than Franks. A lot of those Franks routes were drags across the field in which he builds speed up, not acute-separation type routes where you stick your foot in the ground and run out of a cut. You've got to uncover just for that split second. Franks isn't going to be as elusive as Becht."

John Dorsey, Seattle: "I don't give a (expletive) what anyone thinks. I've watched Franks since he was a freshman. I like him."

Tom Donahoe, formerly Pittsburgh: "He didn't run very well but when you watched him on tape you never worried about his 40 time. He plays fast enough. He makes plays up the field. Becht ran faster, but if you studied them on tape you would think Franks was faster."

--Bob McGinn

Franks at a glance
Big, athletic talent caught 45 passes for 565 yards and 5 TDs last year. Projects well at pro level. Might be the only TE picked in first round.
Strengths: Powerful second-team All-American has good speed and remarkable hands for a man his size. Big, soft hands that just swallow the ball. Can make acrobatic catches. Can block, catch passes and get downfield. A complete TE. Extremely agile. A rare weapon built for the NFL.

Weaknesses: Had a poor private workout in early March. Appeared a bit out of shape. Must work on blocking technique and getting yards after catch.

Who did we take?

I sat there and watched it closely and was absolutely sure that Bubba would be taken as our first pick and well. . . I got that one right.

Don't tryn to take that from me like all else. by the way. I'm no old man, You'd never say that to my face and not be forced to flinch buddy.

Are you wearing two names on this forum Tyrone Bigguns?

If you are? Get rid of this one today, Tyrone Bigguns,

K!!

[MadtownPacker]

Are you wearing two names on this forum Tyrone Bigguns?

If you are? Get rid of this one today, Tyrone Bigguns,

K!!

Good one.

[Scott Campbell]

Internet macho.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Who did we take?

I sat there and watched it closely and was absolutely sure that Bubba would be taken as our first pick and well. . . I got that one right.

Don't tryn to take that from me like all else. by the way. I'm no old man, You'd never say that to my face and not be forced to flinch buddy.

Are you wearing two names on this forum Tyrone Bigguns?

If you are? Get rid of this one today, Tyrone Bigguns,

K!!

Oh, because you got the pick right means that EVERYONE knew? No one is claiming that we weren't talking a TE..so you and everyone else had a 50/50 shot.

You aren't an old man? Then what is your excuse for the senility you constantly poor unto this board?

And, i'd say it right to your face and not flinch. Do you actually think some Canuck is gonna scare me? Tyrone would filet you like a salmon.

As for two names. I would respond but i don't know what the hell you are talking about. And, i'm pretty sure you don't either.