Breaking: Bubba Franks Cut By Jets … But What Does This Mean?
Well it seems that the Bubba Franks as a blocking Tight End era is over before it began. The Jets announced the release of Bubba Franks today.
Franks (6’6″, 265) was signed by the team in the spring of 2008, and went into free agency this year unsigned by the team. After unsuccessful attempts at finding other players to complement Dustin Keller’s emerging role as the pass-catching Tight End, the team re-signed Franks on May 12, 2009 in what at the time was largely perceived as a troubling sign for the depth of the unit.
When asked about Bubba’s return from injury during spring practices, and in what capacity he would serve for the team in 2009 , Rex Ryan made a chivalrous, but rather weakly constructed attempt to defend his player’s honor.
[He's a ] big-time blocker, I think. Remember, Ben Coates we had [with Baltimore] in 2000. He was a big-time receiver at one time but he was a big-time blocker at the end of his career. I think they learn all the tricks of the trade, and I think Bubba’s that guy. He’s a real professional to me.
If you listened to the press conference. The Star-Ledger’s Dave Hutchinson’s dubiousness at Ryan’s statement was palpable. Although I have no real knowledge of this, I’d imagine one or a combination of a few things have happened to precipitate this move.
(1) The team realized Franks wasn’t going to be able to fill the role to which he would likely see duty as a blocker.
(2) His recovery from a late season injury is not going along very well, and the team needs to really assess what they have and prepare for the final roster.
(3) Kareem Brown is coming along nicely and will be a better contributor that the team had anticipated earlier this offseason.
(4) The Jets are preparing for some other move around TEs which has not yet been made, or to which this was a prelude.
(5) Maybe, just maybe the team was trying to get cute and they are shaving cap space (Franks was worth $460,000) to make a prelude to some other move? Leon’s agent, Alvin Keels has been rather quiet (minus the vapid ‘pump yourself up‘ stuff) so far for a Monday … is something going down?
UPDATE: Bent has pretty much dispelled the cap savings from point 5 above in the comments.
(Photo Courtesy NY Times)
46 Responses to Breaking: Bubba Franks Cut By Jets … But What Does This Mean?
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Dave says:
Two seems the most likely to me.
Was out for all of the OTAs and for minicamp, and if he’s not ready for camp there’s no use having him around at all.
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Bent says: It’s definitely not a cap related move. You don’t cut a guy to save $85,000 (only the top 51 salaries count anyway and the 51st biggest salary is $385,000) unless there was some other reason (probably the injury) to release him.
I don’t anticipate anything on the Keels/Leon front any time soon.
The Jets were in the EXACT same situation in 2006 and just picked up a guy on waivers and traded a low conditional pick for another guy in the final week of camp. Zach Hilton did not stick, but Sean Ryan, though he wasn’t much to write home about, was decent enough to sit on the roster throughout the season.
I still think Bubba’s blocking wasn’t too bad last year until he got hurt. Oh well, so much for that.
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Jeff says:
I go with 2.
I mean he is a serviceable player, and a 3x Pro Bowler. So its not like he can’t play. But it seems that he is not gotten healthy to this point. Plus his salary is pretty big, when you consider that he is not even a starter.
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The Green Lantern #80 says:
You know what. Why didn’t we trade a 2nd rounder and something else for Tony Gonzalez…..
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Harvlis says:
We have a big time recieving TE in Dustin Keller. All we need is a tenacious blocking TE, who can hold on to the ball, on the rare occasion it comes his way. No great loss here.
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Michael M says:
1 Would Franks have made the roster last year without Favre?
2 why did we cut Baker?
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michael, for cap reasons, baker had a big bonus coming up on this offseason based on the agreement last spring/summer to “re-do” his contract. it was a move the jets saw coming a mile away … they knew they couldn’t keep him based on the breakdown of contract talks.
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I have a feeling Franks simply went to the team and asked what the odds were of him making it. When they said low he probably asked for his release in hopes of finding another job.
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Based on everyone’s comments so far, I am going to be in the minority here, but I am not really worried about the Jets cutting Franks. I agree that he is still a decent player and the Jets should be able to utilize him but he was underutlized by the team in the past. It has me wondering something similar to Michael M, am I basing my impressions of him based on what he did nearly a decade ago and in reality he isn’t the player he once used to be? Regardless, he underperformed or was under used as a Jets player and thus didn’t need to be around.
Its like the Patriots w/ Matt Cassel. Why keep a talent like him around if you aren’t going to use him?
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ridinmywave says:
Is alge crumpler still available?……….
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JetOrange says:
Dear Mr. Tannebaum :
Please consider a trade with the Chicago Bears
Note :
Chicago’s QB’s : Jay Cutler, Caleb Hanie, Brett Basenez
Chicago’s TE’s : Desmond Clark, Greg Olsen,Michael Gaines, Kellen Davis
………
Kindly send Erik Ainge (promote Pizzuti) drafted in the 5th round in 2008, number 162 to the Bears for Kellen Davis.
…………………………
Kellen Davis 6’6 262 was drafted by the Bears in 2008 in the 5th round number 158, from Michigan State
….
IMHO I think Dustin Keller plus Kareem Browne and Kellen Davis exciting…What do you think ?
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RKNYC says:
Perhaps Bubba wanted to be reunited with Favre…yet again.
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Dknyj says:
Used the SLOW MO feature on my DVR watching NFL Replay last night. Dustin Keller sealed off Joey Porter easily on Leon’s TD run… He’s a better blocker than everyone thinks.
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TJBfan says:
Why do people seem to get the bubba/Bret timeline confused? We signed Bubba around march for around 1.8 mil I believe it was. We had no idea about number 4 until right before the season…Bret even thought he was going to Tampa until last minute. The two being on the jets was coincidence.
He was also most certainly not asking for release to try his luck with another team…we didn’t sign him until way after every other NFL team had a chance to grab him…it’s most likely he just hasn’t recovered and isn’t worth the risk factor of using a roster spot up
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OK Im back to Earth..And I don’t even think Tennessee cut Alge yet.
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Dean Barbella says:
It’s not good enough to see the “re-do’s” on the horizon.
Everyone saw Pete Kendall”s, Chris Baker’s and Laveranues Coles’ “re-do’s” coming. So, why didn’t Tannenbaum adequately prepare replacements.
2007: Kendall’s departure resulted in a 4-12 record and two injured QB’s.
2008: Chris Baker’s departure left us suddenly converting OG Robert Turner and DE Kareem Brown into Tight Ends.
2009: Laveranues Coles is gone and Jerricho Cotchery is our #1 Wide Receiver?
Don’t get me wrong… I’m glad to see these guys gone, like telling the boss to “take this job and shove it.” Only, ya can’t quit ’til you’ve got another ’cause the rent’s due at the end of the month.
2010: Hopefully, Shonn Greene’s arrival shows Tanny’s doing a better job and Thomas Jones’ eminent departure/decline won’t hurt. The awesome O-line and Defense helps too!
I hate surprises. While we’re at it, let’s start grooming Kris Jenkins and Alan Fanca’s future replacements too?
Thanks Santa!
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Zachattack99999 says:
well whos gonna b our tight end? keller can’t be a TE who can block and catch. Who????
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I know its off topic but I was wondering if anybody else got word of the madden 10 player ratings being out……I got hold of the jets team on ballhype.com and also a gut feeling that someone down at EA sports has something against the jets.
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Bent says:
DK – I witnessed signs of improvement in Keller’s blocking over the course of the season too.
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TOON2388 says:
good morning Bent – 2.5 year old decided to wake up a wee bit early out here
Keller can block effectively in perceived passing downs when he is in motion
I am anticipating Schotty being as innovative as he was in 2006
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James in TN says:
JetOrange , I would love that trade but why would they take ainge? I wouldn’t. But it would be great.
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James in TN:
Look at Chicago’s back up QB’s to Cutler, Caleb Hanie and Brett Basanez. Ainge is the same size and has a style close to Cutler ( in theory)…Trade of two 5th round picks of 2008, this is win / win. You look at what is out there, in the TE market, not that much. George Wrightster, just cut from the Giants a six year guy with the Jags, Courtney Anderson the underachiever from Oakland, Wilcox the vertically challenged TE from the Ravens, Tuman who is older than dirt.
Kellen Davis played both sides of the ball at Michigan State, is 6’6 262, is a raw second year TE, with upside -
Again… while I love Rex Ryan’s attitude… I hate being patronized. While everyone sees a has-been TE being released, I see one of the first lies of the Rex Ryan regime.
Perhaps calling it a lie is harsh.
But hearing Ryan go on about how Franks is a big-time blocker only to be released two months later casts a cloud of doubt over his enthusiasm.
I know he’s not gonna say outright, “This guy sucks. We’re looking to upgrade.” But wouldn’t it be best to say nothing?
Don’t try and make me believe that every guy you pick up is an All-Pro waiting to happen.
Regardless, Franks wasn’t much to get excited over aside from depth. But let’s stop making questionable role players out to be “big time” guys.
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Bassett, thanks for the insight on Baker’s release. Although I know you’re right, it’s not a very satisfying reason. Pay guys who play well.
TJBFan, I know Franks was signed before Favre. I’m just not convinced he would have made the final roster without him.
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JO,
I actually think for the Jets to make any trade they would need to trade Clemens. I think Ainge has zero value. The league knows he almost got cut last season and he also already has a PED suspension following him around. There were also a few different stories about why he missed some practices this year. If the Jets really felt Sanchez is their guy week 1-17 no matter what and are willing to deal with the growing pains no matter what, there is no purpose for Clemens here. They can grab a guy like Brian Griese to be a backup. Clemens should have higher trade value than Charlie Frye had a few years ago for Cleveland, who was in a similar spot to Clemens this year. I’d think they could get one of those tight ends you mentioned plus a late draft pick for him.
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vinnywasthebest says:
Heres a crazy idea:
Brian Greasy just got cut.
We sign him for cheap
Trade K.C. for a TE. Face it, KC will not be taking snaps for the team during the season.
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lol good idea Jason
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Jerod Hertz says:
They wil bring Bubba back and save on Salary Cap. this is a manegment decision in balancing salary cap.. In the meatime watch the battle in training camp between Brown and Simmons.. That is going to be great.. They are OK and the 2nd TE spot. They have a guy with 3 years NFL experience that will block and a UDFA that has great hands and can block as well. No need to trade .. The Void is not as large as people are making it out to be..
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Im not sure about that Jerod. With a rookie QB and no depth at O-line, we REALLY need a solid blockind TE. Granted, we have T Richardson, how many plays can he stay in for? he is 37 y/o!
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Bent says:
“They wil bring Bubba back and save on Salary Cap. this is a manegment decision in balancing salary cap.”
This has absolutely nothing to do with the cap, trust me. Franks was already earning the veteran’s minimum (he just earned more than others because he is older). There is no possible way to re-sign him and save any money on the cap. Even by releasing him they save less than $100K, because his full salary does not count against the cap as a veteran earning the minimum.
I agree…audition the guys in preseason and if nobody steps up you can easily get an adequate back-up blocking TE for a conditional late round pick at the end of camp, like they did with Sean Ryan.
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MEL31602 says:
While this move does seem a bit odd I do agree a blocking TE should be somewhat easy to find late in camp if Brown doesn’t step up (since he can’t catch you got to figure he’s the main blocking TE at the moment). Oh and vinnywasthebest I agree about signing Griese- but intstead of trading Clemens we could cut/trade Ainge and get Griese for cheap to have a veteran starter to teach Clemens and Sanchez a thing or to and someone to go to if neither step up in camp.
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MSM says:
I really like that guy Tony Scheffler from the Broncos. He wants out of there too. Does anyone know what type of blocking skills he has? I know he caught a bunch of passes…
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Bent says:
I like Scheffler too, but his lack of blocking skills is the reason McDaniel wants to trade him.
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Damn… Thanks Bent
Why does it seem like the blocking TE is being discontinued in these new offenses? We are probably being as pro-active as can be with Kareem Brown.
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Tish says:
Where did talk of Scheffler come from? He is an excellent receiving TE ( slower than Keller, but he always gets open and has quality hands), who is a mediocre blocker. Unless some psychic knew that Keller was going to be injured, Sheff is an unaffordable luxury. If depth is part of this discussion, then when are the Jets going to sign another backup experienced DE? If Ellis or Douglas are hurt, where does that leave the team, unless Pitiotua is ready to emerge? Or, is their collection of hybrid OLBs going to rotate?
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SackDance99 says:
The “need” for a blocking TE is the biggest non-issue of the off-season. To be effective, Keller has to be an every-down TE. He may be a poor blocker (but, I agree with Bent and Dknyj, Keller made progress as a blocker ), but he can only get better with more experience. The reason most top-notch TEs are pass-catchers now is because of the “Ty Law” rule on manhandling receivers, giving a TE five yards of no contact and a head of steam is a guaranteed mismatch. Schotty saw first-hand with Gates what a poor blocking TE can do offensively. Whether you block an LB or he’s following you 10 yards downfield, he’s out of the play. Oh, and San Diego’s running game was among the NFL’s best most of this decade.
Also, because a pass-catching TE is a necessity now, run-blocking TEs are a dime a dozen, especially vets. For instance, Mark Bruener and Mark Campbell are both reliable vets who are now primarily blockers and both are UFAs who I’m guessing wouldn’t mind making the vet minimum of over $800K (and both played for teams the Jets will face the first 4 games of the season). Believe me, this is a non-issue.
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Also, I forgot 2 more “blocking” TEs that are UFAs, Ben Troupe and Chad Mustard (6-6, 277). Here’s Mustard’s profile from ESPN Insider:
Mustard is a backup tight end whose role is pretty much limited to that of a blocker. He has excellent size for the position and plays with an attitude, but unfortunately he is pretty limited, athletically. He has a tendency to play tall and needs constant work on keeping his knees bent and his pad level down. He is not very explosive off the line of scrimmage and does not show much speed or agility in his routes which causes him to struggle to separate from decent man coverage. He catches the ball well when it is thrown to him, but does not show much in the way of run-after-the-catch skills. He understands his role as a blocker, first and foremost, and could help a team that is looking for a blocking tight end.
Like I said, dime a dozen, non-issue.
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I agree with Sackdance…
The blocking TE is almost extinct at this point. All we really need is a body there to matchup with the rush… just stop him long enough to bust a run. Keller should be good enough for that. The holes that are supposed to open up the run dont generally pop out of the TE slot anyway. Keller is physical as hell and is learning. Id seriously consider getting a Tony Scheffler for more depth. If anything it adds to our receiving options which we still havent fixed (still waiting for the Matt Jones move… can someone explain what we have to lose if we give him a shot?).
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MrJetGreen says:
Although unconfirmed, there is growing speculation that our TE requested his release so he could work full time developing a line of high end hot dogs that will be branded “Bubba Franks”.
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Bent says:
Tish-
Scheffler was only mentioned because the Broncos are looking to trade him, but as noted doesn’t block too well, so if probably unlikely to be targeted.
“If Ellis or Douglas are hurt, where does that leave the team, unless Pitiotua is ready to emerge? Or, is their collection of hybrid OLBs going to rotate?”
Apparently, the Jets are high on Devito. Apparently Kareem Brown attended defensive meetings in minicamp, so could perhaps fill in at a pinch. Beyond that, you could see Pouha/Green and Jenkins in the game at the same time (in a 46 or on a 3-man front). If Ellis was hurt they could also have a four man front with the ends being two of this group: Pace (from week 5), BT, VG, Murrell, Trusnik, Westerman.
Not ideal, but I don’t think there’s much quality depth on the market. I don’t think they’re any worse off than last year though, maybe slightly deeper. Douglas replaces Coleman, the depth at NT is a little better with Green and DeVito emerged at the end of last season.
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Bent,
Any word on Jets DE/DT Zach Potter? He’s a big boy at 6-7, 280 lbs. and has a knack for blocking kicks. One site called him a “poor man’s Adam Carriker.” Any thoughts?
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miketaliaferro says:
Maybe Dustin learned some things from that pit bull in Astoria?
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Bent says:
I’ve not heard much buzz from the Jets about Potter, but they could well be planning to give a backup DL roster spot to him or Pitoitua, I guess.
He’s no Carriker, a guy I am still really high on as a 3-4 DE (shame he’s been on a 4-3 team). He was a pretty decent player though, and at that size, might even be able to bulk up a bit more, which might help his center of gravity for leverage, which can be a a problem when you’re that tall.
Will watch out for him with interest in preseason.
I’ll take 3,4 and 5. I think we all knew this was coming.