The Leading Authority of the NFL Draft

The Jets brought back an old friend yesterday, re-signing tight end Bubba Franks to a one-year contract. After releasing Chris Baker, their one every-down tight end who can block well, the Jets are extremely thin at the position. The 31-year-old Franks, entering his 10th season, had signed with the Jets last offseason, and caught six passes for 37 yards in an injury-interrupted year (hip). Though his production has waned considerably in recent seasons, Franks has always been known more as a pass-catching tight end, not a great blocker, so the Jets still need a solid blocking tight end. Franks has 262 career receptions for 2,347 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Mandel's Take: The fact that the Jets had little interest in Gaines should have told the Bears something. After all, it's the Jets who are more in need of a blocking tight end to pair with the pass-catching Dustin Keller. Franks may be a lot of things--a touchdown specialist, a wily veteran, a solid locker room presence...but a blocking tight end, he ain't. Rev--talk to me about your boys. Is this a case of the Jets sticking to what they knew, or something else. It's not a huge deal, but I don't get it. Perhaps you'll end up missing the departed Mr. Baker after all!

Mancini's Take: Unlike Baker, Franks will accept his role and not be a distraction. Look Ross, I'm not excited by this move either, but this is what you get when you squander all your draft picks in the effort of trading up. There were some decent blocking tight ends in the draft...not many, but a few.

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