Franks Released

[packrulz]

I've been supportive of Bubba over the years but he is getting old, I was a little shocked when I saw footage of him at the airport on the news this year and he was dressed kind of crappy and looked like an old homeless guy. He never was fast and it would be nice to find a TE who can block AND be a threat to catch a pass. As for KGB, I think he's worth the money for another year, until they can find someone who's better, and that's not easy. I thought Jenkins would be better this year, but he was banged up a lot.

[The Leaper]

He is a second stringer, Lee is the starter.

Yeah...I think the writing was on the wall for Bubba. The decision to tag Williams basically forced Green Bay's hand...at least if they are hoping to have the resources to land a significant FA.

So, IMO, this move speaks to the notion that TT probably is considering making a strong move in free agency somewhere...otherwise cutting Franks now would not be a necessity.

[GBRulz]

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

I'm not so sure it's all that shocking. We saw what the Packers looked like without Franks for the better part of the 2007 season, and it wasn't all that terrible. Franks would have been hard pressed to get the starting job in 2008 and 4.5 million for a backup TE (while we could have afforded it) wouldn't have made a lot of sense economically.

Still, I wish Bubba all the best.

I just hope there is a plan, perhaps in FA or something. If Lee gets hurt, I don't want us to depend on our 7th round TE pick to fill the starting role.

Alcorn just signed a two year contract with Seattle so we can't get him.

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

He is a second stringer, Lee is the starter.

Yeah...I think the writing was on the wall for Bubba. The decision to tag Williams basically forced Green Bay's hand...at least if they are hoping to have the resources to land a significant FA.

So, IMO, this move speaks to the notion that TT probably is considering making a strong move in free agency somewhere...otherwise cutting Franks now would not be a necessity.

Or he's just trying to give Babba a chance to get the best deal possible in free agency.

[The Leaper]

Or he's just trying to give Babba a chance to get the best deal possible in free agency.

Perhaps...although Bubba is not going to break the bank. He looks to me to be a veteran's minimum at this point in time.

[Lurker64]

I just hope there is a plan, perhaps in FA or something. If Lee gets hurt, I don't want us to depend on our 7th round TE pick to fill the starting role.

Our 7th round TE of last year is currently with the Detroit Lions, so I don't see us starting him. Our actual backup TE (Ryan Krause) is actually entering his fifth year in the league and was a sixth round pick. He played okay too, for a guy who didn't have an offseason to learn the offense.

[Harlan Huckleby]

i don't know if he is worth the money, evidently not. slightly odd in that Franks was a steady contributor this past season for the first time in three or four years.

[cheesner]

He is a second stringer, Lee is the starter.

Yeah...I think the writing was on the wall for Bubba. The decision to tag Williams basically forced Green Bay's hand...at least if they are hoping to have the resources to land a significant FA.

So, IMO, this move speaks to the notion that TT probably is considering making a strong move in free agency somewhere...otherwise cutting Franks now would not be a necessity.

I don't see TT as a guy who would plan on any particular FA. Maybe he sees several and figures he can get better production at a cheaper rate, and one should be available. Or maybe, TT just thinks Bubba doesn't fit the direction we are headed and he would rather have potential with the right tools than the wrong thing.

[RashanGary]

I believe that average guys are a dime a dozen in the NFL. Any team that doesn't have a TE right now and is good at evaluating talent shoudl be able to scower the scrap heap and dig up a guy who is rated at a 3 out of 10 on the 10 scale. Over the course of 2 or three years, there is no reason you shouldn't be able to find a guy who's rated a 5 or 6 out of ten.

Franks was what? A 5 out of 10? Those are guys you should be able to replace over the course of two years. It's not like we're losing an unreplacable part and the drop from Franks 5/10 to whoever replaces him (if we're unlucky a 3/10 at the #2 TE position or maybe even someone equal or better) is small enough where it barely hurts. By next year, I'll bet our 2nd TE is better than Franks. It's really as simple as not being worried about replacing a dime a dozen player.


As you move up the scale of player quality, I'm of the belief that they get much more rare. You start talking about guys who are 7/10 or 8/10 and you're talking about guys who make a difference. Guys that would probably take you 5 years to replace naturally or guys that you'd have to blow big money to replace. These guys are guys you don't let go because of their rarity and impact. Corey Williams and KGB are guys in that 7-8/10 range. We're NOT going to get guys who pressure the QB like them this year or next year most likely. It's hard to do. Those are guys you value more.

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.

[Carolina_Packer]

I'd be up for Crumpler. It would be cool to be able to run double TE sets. I hear there are about 10 or so teams looking at him.

[pack4to84]

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

I'm not so sure it's all that shocking. We saw what the Packers looked like without Franks for the better part of the 2007 season, and it wasn't all that terrible. Franks would have been hard pressed to get the starting job in 2008 and 4.5 million for a backup TE (while we could have afforded it) wouldn't have made a lot of sense economically.

Still, I wish Bubba all the best.

I just hope there is a plan, perhaps in FA or something. If Lee gets hurt, I don't want us to depend on our 7th round TE pick to fill the starting role.

Alcorn just signed a two year contract with Seattle so we can't get him.

My answer to this is: I think TT must of graded the TE class in this years draft and have enough TE graded above Bubba that he could draft in rounds 2-4.

[MadtownPacker]

Small surprise but likely a smart move. Bubba showed a lil something at the start of 07 but he aint worth the fat pay check. He made good $$ those 2 years he didnt produce much.

[KYPack]

I'd be up for Crumpler. It would be cool to be able to run double TE sets. I hear there are about 10 or so teams looking at him.

Crumpler will probably wind up in your place. The Panthers are interested and he's from that area.

[oregonpackfan]

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.

[Deputy Nutz]

Does TT have a plan? Splash in FA? Trade?

I'm not sure, but it doesn't make much sense to release your 2nd best TE when you have plenty of cap space to keep him.

I am in this boat. I would have at least brought him into camp, but I understand giving a player time to search for the best deal possible and giving him time to find the right spot.

Well at the very least Bubba failed to live up to his contract. Two seasons ago he was terrible, and unfortunately he got hurt this season when he was playing really good football. The Packer hopefully look to fill his role of blocker and protector in the draft or maybe spend a little doe in free agency.

Hopefully TT is cutting Bubba to make a run at some free agents, otherwise if he just sits on the money to give out extensions I find the move a bit harsh in terms of coming out of camp with the best 53 guys. Bubba at this point without any improvement to the roster is the second best TE on the roster, cutting him without replacing his skill and talent makes this roster weaker. TT really needs to invest in a high round talent at tight end or sign a skilled TE in free agency.