Mark Wimer's Thoughts

Last year Bubba Franks was sidelined for most of the second half of the season due to neck and back injuries - he eventually landed on IR, due to periods of numbness in his extremities (he was active Weeks 11-13 but only caught 1 pass for 9 yards during that span). Looking forward, it appears Franks may be able to participate in minicamps, and he is expected to return from the neck/back injuries that shortened his 2005 season in time for training camp.

Prior to his disappointing 2005 campaign (25/207/1), Franks scored 18 TDs over 3 seasons (2002-2004). He is an excellent all-around player at his position who can make solid blocks as well as key 3rd-down and red zone catches.

Positives

• Franks signed a lucrative contract extension prior to the 2005 campaign (7 years, $28 million through 2011). The Packers will want to see a return on their hefty investment this year. Assuming Franks is healthy again, he'll be the starting tight end for the Packers.
• Brett Favre has returned to the Packers, and he has a solid working relationship with Franks. During 2002-2004, Franks posted an average of 39/348/6 per year, with two 7 touchdown seasons (2002, 54/442/7; 2004, 34/361/7).
• There are few proven threats at the wide receiver position - #1 Donald Driver is a solid player, but behind Driver there is the oft-injured Robert Ferguson and two mediocre free-agent imports, Rod Gardner and Marc Boerigter. None of the Packers' draftees at the WR position - Greg Jennings (2nd round, 52nd overall), Cory Rodgers (4th round, 104th overall), and Will Blackmon (4th round, 115th overall) - look like they will step in and contribute right away. The Packers' tight ends should play a big role in the passing game again this season.

Negatives

• Franks' injuries during the 2005 season caused "stingers" - numbness in the extremities due to pinched nerves. Once a player suffers stingers, they have the potential to become a recurring problem.
• During Franks' injury struggles last season, David Martin (27/224/3) and Donald Lee (33/294/2) both got a chance to show Favre and the coaching staff what they could do, and gained valuable regular-season playing time. This season, Martin and Lee may draw some of the targets that in past seasons would have been directed to Franks. There are more viable options at TE this season, which is a good thing for the Packers but may be a bad thing for any one of the players in question as far as fantasy production is concerned.
• The Packers' offensive line is in rebuilding mode. That may mean the tight ends are asked to assume more blocking duties this year than during the early years of this decade when Green Bay sported a premier offensive line. Fantasy players don't earn points for pancake blocks.

Final Thoughts

Franks was once a premier red-zone threat for the Packers, and he may be again this year. However, given the development of Martin and Lee last season, it is probably over-optimistic to expect a 7 TD season from Franks during 2006. Franks is probably going to be a solid backup among fantasy tight ends this year, but I 'd be surprised to see him among the top 12 at his position by the time week 17 rolls around.

Quotations from the Message Board Thread

To view the entire Player Spotlight thread (there's a ton of fantastic commentary in there), click here.

Sanboy:
I actually think Franks might be a nice sleeper this year. He is still pretty young at 28 and they dont have much behind him.

Keys Myath:
Point is, he started off his career on fire, averaging about 7-9 TDs a season. Since then, he's been steadily on the decline. Like the upside here, but there's a huge risk involved if you're investing anything in him.

Doggler:
Tony Fisher = gone.
Javon Walker = gone.
O-Line upgraded some from last year = less need to leave TE on the line.

His value may be a little depressed due to his 1st ever injury last year too. Out of sight, out of mind.

Bubba Franks Projections

SOURCE	REC	RECYD	RECTD
Mark Wimer	39	400	3
Message Board Consensus	44	454	6