Tight End play is anything but tight…
… and everyone from GM Ted Thompson to TE coach Ben McAdoo will need to get their screwdrivers and wrenches working overtime to tighten down this position that came apart in 2007.
Mike McCarthy came to town in 2006 declaring that he would bring back a version of the west coast offense that utilized the TE much more than his predecessor, however a number of factors resulted in this being little more than lip service.
Certainly, the fact that the Packers often started 3 rookie offensive linemen and were in a year of transition ushering in a new blocking scheme factored into the disappearing act of the tight end position in the Packers’ offense, but that is only part of the story...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------===============================================================
Just days before the start of the ‘05’ season, Bubba Franks signed his dream contact - 28 million dollars for seven seasons, with a $5 million signing bonus. The day he signed the contract, Bubba declared he was ready to roll, and many including Ted Thompson believed the Tight End position was secured for years to come.
After all, Franks had burst onto the NFL scene as a red zone scoring machine – making the Pro Bowl in ‘01’ ‘02’ & ‘03’. While he missed the Pro Bowl in ‘04’ he still produced seven touchdowns and was a threat anytime the Green & Gold moved into the red zone.
Instead of Bubba rolling after signing his contract, the wheels seemed to come off of the bus. He reported to the team not in game shape and was immediately injured. Struggling to play through injury, Bubba started only 8 games and playing in only 10. Bubba’s production dropped dramatically in ‘05’ to career lows in every category – 25 catches for only 207 yards and only 1 TD.
The quick shift from dream-come-true in August 2005 to the bad dream of the '05' season, was placed in the context of injury and missing camps and exhibition season. Most expected redemption come 2006. Instead, for Bubba the downward turn continued, and the dream slid into full-fledged nightmare.
While Bubba never could stretch the field or do much after the catch, catching the ball was something Franks always did well – at least until ‘06’. Bubba started dropping the ball, and each drop seemed to build on itself, until his once steady hands seemed to go AWOL – resulting in an atrocious 11.3% drop rate.
As Bubba pressed to make up for each drop, his concentration seemed to be headed for the fence too, developing a propensity for mental lapses that resulted in penalties and fumbles – something he had not done since his rookie season. For the first time in his career Bubba did not get into the end zone, and failed to put up a single reception of more than 20 yards for the first time too.
Finally, Bubba’s confidence joined his AWOL hands on the desertion list. As a final insult, even his blocking ability seemed to abandon him.
GM Ted Thompson, never one to quickly admit a mistake declared, "Bubba's still a good player. We asked him to do some other things this year and I think that's part of the lack of production. And he probably didn't play as well as he wanted to. But he's a very good player here."
Mike McCarthy seemed to offer a more candid assessment: "As far as Bubba Franks, you can blame some of it on the way he was used and you can blame some of it on his confidence when things didn't go well. I look for Bubba to come back here and go through the off-season program. He's not getting any younger - attack it like he needs to attack it and get ready to play. Hopefully, we'll move more towards a number of basic pass concepts that the tight end is more of a primary option in the passing game. The opportunities will increase for that group, but also he needs to get back to fundamentals and get his confidence back."
Franks will need to spend the off season working in Green Bay, putting in the time that gained him the trust and respect of his teammates and of this new coaching staff if he hopes to revive his playing career.
It is time for Bubba Franks to stop dreaming and resume playing. Anything less will likely lead to the team taking the size-able $3.571 million cap hit that would come from cutting him and moving on without the Big Guy from Miami.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------===============================================================
If Bubba Franks began the ‘06’ season headed downward, the opposite can be said of David Martin.
David grabbed the new coaching staff’s attention, and quickly emerged as the team’s most dependable pass-catching TE in early 2006. Despite some dings and bruises that he had to fight through, he seemed to be sure handed and utilized his speed to create a threat to the middle of the field that was absent when he was not on the field.
Never short on athletic ability, the 6-4 265 lb Martin is big, fast and only 27 years old. David is also a free agent.
Unfortunately, once again, right as he seemed to be emerging as the threat his athleticism teased fans and staff with for years, Martin when down to injury in Week 10 and pretty much lived on the shelf thereafter.
David Martin still has upside; he has learned to be a good blocker as well as receiver. Again, David seemed to really be coming into his own with 21 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns in his first 9 games. However, the very serious question TT, MM and other staff must consider is: can Martin stay healthy enough for the team to re-invest in this oft injured young man from Tennessee?
Potential would answer yes, but his injury history would probably say no. Over the course of 6 seasons, Martin has missed a full 30% of possible games and he always seems to go down at the most inopportune times.
This coaching staff loves most things about Martin, making it is likely that this UFA will re-sign with GB, but I expect TT to be waiting with a quick hook and injury settlement check if David visits the training room table for the in-firmed even one more time.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------===============================================================
If Bubba struggled to hold on to the rock, Donald Lee seemed to play post amputation in 2006 – putting up an unacceptable drop rate of a smidge less than 23%. Lee’s promise of ‘05’ shifted to doubts of ‘06’where every ball thrown his way was met by crossed fingers – not just by coaches and fans but by Donald Lee too.
What Lee has going for him is: he plays hard, always comes to work in top shape, contributes on special teams, and blocks with solid technique. At 6-4 250 lbs, the 26 year old former Mississippi State player may deserve a do over and shot in 2006. However, after watching his high percentage of drops Ted Thompson may just think he deserves to be shot instead…
Donald Lee, like David Martin will become an UFA on March 2, adding to the uncertainty of the TE position in Green Bay.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------===============================================================
Twenty-three year old Tory Humphrey, a 6-2 257 lb TE from Central Michigan, surprised everyone by securing a spot on the Packers roster in 2006. He blocks well and was a contributor on special teams before shredding his hamstring and landing upon the injured reserve.
Despite never catching a pass (he never had one thrown his way in a game), pre-injury Tory demonstrated surprising get-up-and-go. On the other hand, Humphrey’s lack of height (6 foot 2) works against this hardworking youngster securing a spot in ‘07’. The price is right though, so this youngster will be brought back to camp and given an opportunity to compete and perhaps surprise everyone again.
Let’s hope Tory doesn’t follow Donald Lee’s lead in his return performance and start crossing his fingers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------===============================================================
Zac Alcorn was an interesting undrafted rookie free agent pick up from Black Hills State College in ‘06’. Any one who had the opportunity to watch Zac practice had to see that he stood out from his fellow tight ends by catching everything thrown at him. He also has surprising athletic ability and motors very well for a man his size -- which also catches those who see him for the first time.
While practice and game production are too very different challenges, this 26 year old (old for a rookie) is a cut 6-4 260 lbs, has an interesting story and will be given a chance to compete for a roster spot at perhaps Green Bay’s least settled position heading into the 2007 season.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------===============================================================
The Tight End position is indeed in need of serious attention – it is broken and everyone is screaming “fix it!”
Our resident draft expert and former scout Patty, has Green Bay nabbing Greg Olsen, a big TE target from Miami (Bubba’s alma mater) with its 2nd round (47th pick overall) selection in her latest Mock Draft. It is hard to argue with her logic, and many expect TT to spend a day one pick on a TE.
Our free agent followers are quick to point out the presence of some intriguing free agent TE possibilities including: SF’s Eric Johnson, NE’s Daniel Graham, Seattle’s Jerramy Stevens, Indy’s Ben Utecht (RFA) …. Certainly Green Bay has the money to make such a move in free agency if it so chooses.
Besides, there are some interesting subplots that go with a couple of these guys. Johnson is a guy who produced big time numbers just two seasons ago in ‘04’ and has played for HC Mike McCarthy in ‘05’; while Stevens is a former Thompson selection who has never produced but whom Ted may still see promise in his sizable upside.
If nothing else, it will be a position of high drama during the off-season and throughout the camps and exhibition season. Here’s hoping the drama ends there and the production returns once the lights come on for MM’s second shot at putting TE back into his West Coast arsenal.
… and everyone from GM Ted Thompson to TE coach Ben McAdoo will need to get their screwdrivers and wrenches working overtime to tighten down this position that came apart in 2007.
Mike McCarthy came to town in 2006 declaring that he would bring back a version of the west coast offense that utilized the TE much more than his predecessor, however a number of factors resulted in this being little more than lip service.
Certainly, the fact that the Packers often started 3 rookie offensive linemen and were in a year of transition ushering in a new blocking scheme factored into the disappearing act of the tight end position in the Packers’ offense, but that is only part of the story...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------===============================================================
Just days before the start of the ‘05’ season, Bubba Franks signed his dream contact - 28 million dollars for seven seasons, with a $5 million signing bonus. The day he signed the contract, Bubba declared he was ready to roll, and many including Ted Thompson believed the Tight End position was secured for years to come.
After all, Franks had burst onto the NFL scene as a red zone scoring machine – making the Pro Bowl in ‘01’ ‘02’ & ‘03’. While he missed the Pro Bowl in ‘04’ he still produced seven touchdowns and was a threat anytime the Green & Gold moved into the red zone.
Instead of Bubba rolling after signing his contract, the wheels seemed to come off of the bus. He reported to the team not in game shape and was immediately injured. Struggling to play through injury, Bubba started only 8 games and playing in only 10. Bubba’s production dropped dramatically in ‘05’ to career lows in every category – 25 catches for only 207 yards and only 1 TD.
The quick shift from dream-come-true in August 2005 to the bad dream of the '05' season, was placed in the context of injury and missing camps and exhibition season. Most expected redemption come 2006. Instead, for Bubba the downward turn continued, and the dream slid into full-fledged nightmare.
While Bubba never could stretch the field or do much after the catch, catching the ball was something Franks always did well – at least until ‘06’. Bubba started dropping the ball, and each drop seemed to build on itself, until his once steady hands seemed to go AWOL – resulting in an atrocious 11.3% drop rate.
As Bubba pressed to make up for each drop, his concentration seemed to be headed for the fence too, developing a propensity for mental lapses that resulted in penalties and fumbles – something he had not done since his rookie season. For the first time in his career Bubba did not get into the end zone, and failed to put up a single reception of more than 20 yards for the first time too.
Finally, Bubba’s confidence joined his AWOL hands on the desertion list. As a final insult, even his blocking ability seemed to abandon him.
GM Ted Thompson, never one to quickly admit a mistake declared, "Bubba's still a good player. We asked him to do some other things this year and I think that's part of the lack of production. And he probably didn't play as well as he wanted to. But he's a very good player here."
Mike McCarthy seemed to offer a more candid assessment: "As far as Bubba Franks, you can blame some of it on the way he was used and you can blame some of it on his confidence when things didn't go well. I look for Bubba to come back here and go through the off-season program. He's not getting any younger - attack it like he needs to attack it and get ready to play. Hopefully, we'll move more towards a number of basic pass concepts that the tight end is more of a primary option in the passing game. The opportunities will increase for that group, but also he needs to get back to fundamentals and get his confidence back."
Franks will need to spend the off season working in Green Bay, putting in the time that gained him the trust and respect of his teammates and of this new coaching staff if he hopes to revive his playing career.
You must be logged in to see this image or video!
It is time for Bubba Franks to stop dreaming and resume playing. Anything less will likely lead to the team taking the size-able $3.571 million cap hit that would come from cutting him and moving on without the Big Guy from Miami.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------===============================================================
If Bubba Franks began the ‘06’ season headed downward, the opposite can be said of David Martin.
David grabbed the new coaching staff’s attention, and quickly emerged as the team’s most dependable pass-catching TE in early 2006. Despite some dings and bruises that he had to fight through, he seemed to be sure handed and utilized his speed to create a threat to the middle of the field that was absent when he was not on the field.
Never short on athletic ability, the 6-4 265 lb Martin is big, fast and only 27 years old. David is also a free agent.
Unfortunately, once again, right as he seemed to be emerging as the threat his athleticism teased fans and staff with for years, Martin when down to injury in Week 10 and pretty much lived on the shelf thereafter.
David Martin still has upside; he has learned to be a good blocker as well as receiver. Again, David seemed to really be coming into his own with 21 catches for 200 yards and two touchdowns in his first 9 games. However, the very serious question TT, MM and other staff must consider is: can Martin stay healthy enough for the team to re-invest in this oft injured young man from Tennessee?
Potential would answer yes, but his injury history would probably say no. Over the course of 6 seasons, Martin has missed a full 30% of possible games and he always seems to go down at the most inopportune times.
You must be logged in to see this image or video!
This coaching staff loves most things about Martin, making it is likely that this UFA will re-sign with GB, but I expect TT to be waiting with a quick hook and injury settlement check if David visits the training room table for the in-firmed even one more time.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------===============================================================
If Bubba struggled to hold on to the rock, Donald Lee seemed to play post amputation in 2006 – putting up an unacceptable drop rate of a smidge less than 23%. Lee’s promise of ‘05’ shifted to doubts of ‘06’where every ball thrown his way was met by crossed fingers – not just by coaches and fans but by Donald Lee too.
What Lee has going for him is: he plays hard, always comes to work in top shape, contributes on special teams, and blocks with solid technique. At 6-4 250 lbs, the 26 year old former Mississippi State player may deserve a do over and shot in 2006. However, after watching his high percentage of drops Ted Thompson may just think he deserves to be shot instead…
You must be logged in to see this image or video!
Donald Lee, like David Martin will become an UFA on March 2, adding to the uncertainty of the TE position in Green Bay.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------===============================================================
Twenty-three year old Tory Humphrey, a 6-2 257 lb TE from Central Michigan, surprised everyone by securing a spot on the Packers roster in 2006. He blocks well and was a contributor on special teams before shredding his hamstring and landing upon the injured reserve.
Despite never catching a pass (he never had one thrown his way in a game), pre-injury Tory demonstrated surprising get-up-and-go. On the other hand, Humphrey’s lack of height (6 foot 2) works against this hardworking youngster securing a spot in ‘07’. The price is right though, so this youngster will be brought back to camp and given an opportunity to compete and perhaps surprise everyone again.
You must be logged in to see this image or video!
Let’s hope Tory doesn’t follow Donald Lee’s lead in his return performance and start crossing his fingers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------===============================================================
Zac Alcorn was an interesting undrafted rookie free agent pick up from Black Hills State College in ‘06’. Any one who had the opportunity to watch Zac practice had to see that he stood out from his fellow tight ends by catching everything thrown at him. He also has surprising athletic ability and motors very well for a man his size -- which also catches those who see him for the first time.
While practice and game production are too very different challenges, this 26 year old (old for a rookie) is a cut 6-4 260 lbs, has an interesting story and will be given a chance to compete for a roster spot at perhaps Green Bay’s least settled position heading into the 2007 season.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------===============================================================
The Tight End position is indeed in need of serious attention – it is broken and everyone is screaming “fix it!”
Our resident draft expert and former scout Patty, has Green Bay nabbing Greg Olsen, a big TE target from Miami (Bubba’s alma mater) with its 2nd round (47th pick overall) selection in her latest Mock Draft. It is hard to argue with her logic, and many expect TT to spend a day one pick on a TE.
Our free agent followers are quick to point out the presence of some intriguing free agent TE possibilities including: SF’s Eric Johnson, NE’s Daniel Graham, Seattle’s Jerramy Stevens, Indy’s Ben Utecht (RFA) …. Certainly Green Bay has the money to make such a move in free agency if it so chooses.
Besides, there are some interesting subplots that go with a couple of these guys. Johnson is a guy who produced big time numbers just two seasons ago in ‘04’ and has played for HC Mike McCarthy in ‘05’; while Stevens is a former Thompson selection who has never produced but whom Ted may still see promise in his sizable upside.
If nothing else, it will be a position of high drama during the off-season and throughout the camps and exhibition season. Here’s hoping the drama ends there and the production returns once the lights come on for MM’s second shot at putting TE back into his West Coast arsenal.
