Franks signed to serve as Baker's backup

Mar/17/08 08:08 AM Filed in: Bubba Franks
When evaluating the Bubba Franks signing, it’s important to remember one thing: They didn’t get him to be a starter. He will back up Chris Baker. I don’t have the contract figures yet, but I’m sure they didn’t break the bank.

Here are a few notables about Franks (6-6, 265), who turned 30 in January:

• From 2001 to 2004, he was one of the most productive red-zone receivers in the league. In that span, he had 35 receptions inside the 20, including 25 touchdowns. From 2005 to 2007, he was a non-factor in the red zone - seven catches, no TDs.

• In August, 2005, he signed a seven-year, $28 million contract. He played in only 10 games that year because of an injury. In 2006, he was awful. According to football maven Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Franks dropped six of 53 passes (the worst ratio of his career), fumbled twice, allowed 3 1/2 sacks and 9 1/2 pressures.

• In 2007, Franks lost the starting job to Donald Lee. As a backup, Franks participated in only 25% of the offensive snaps (he missed eight games with a torn PCL in his knee that didn’t require surgery). He had only one drop, zero penalties and no QB pressures. He finished with a career-low 18 receptions, including three TDs. According to my man McGinn, who knows everything about the Packers, Franks played reasonably well and did a decent job as a run blocker. That, I’m sure, will be his role with the Jets.

The Packers cut him because he was due to make $3 million in base salary this year.

(nydailynews.com)