Jets Journal

Bubba, Baker and Becht

March

It’s not often you see a three-time Pro Bowler as the second tight end in a two tight end set. That’s what the Jets will have after bringing Daniel Lamont Franks (his friends call him Bubba) aboard on a one-year, $1.65 mil deal. He’ll back up Chris Baker to form a potentially dangerous receiving duo.

Franks was a star in his early career with Green Bay, becoming one of Brett Favre’s favorite red zone targets. He caught 27 touchdowns in a four-year span from 2001-04 during which he made three Pro Bowls. (The Jets have now made seven offseason signings; five are former Pro-Bowlers.) He has been in a slow decline since. Last year a torn knee ligament cost him eight games and produced a career-low 18 catches. Donald Lee made him expendable, so Green Bay cut him.

The first thing I thought when the Jets signed him was how I wanted him in the 2000 draft. That was the year they had four picks (Nos. 12, 13, 18, and 27) and needed a tight end. Franks, out of Miami, was the consensus top TE. The Jets ended up taking Shaun Ellis and John Abraham at 12 and 13, leaving the Pack to snatch Bubba at 14. The Jets filled the TE hole with Anthony Becht at 27. Becht is one of my least favorite Jets ever, due mostly to his habit of falling down instantly after making a catch. Bubba could have saved us the agony of watching Becht get tackled by cornerbacks half his size. So maybe it’s eight years too late, but we finally got him.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 17th, 2008 at 6:30 pm by Jake Thomases.
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2 Responses to “Bubba, Baker and Becht”

Erik Sec. 309 March 17th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Bubba is going from catching lasers from favre to ducks from chad. talk about a 360 degree change.
Jerry August 7th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Favre is the greatest QB in this era. For the jets to stag favre with a 4th round pick, good job. I have been a die hard packer fan since i was a lil guy. I have always seen number 4 run on the field and every fan cheering. I hope this happens in NY and the team will start to win games with favre. I am now a jets fan. Go jets go. Kick patriot ass.
Give favre the time of his life.

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