Bubba Franks performance in the Packers 9-7 win over the Minnesota vikings is just a reminder of how far his game has fallen. It's also sad to see a player like Franks, who has been such a big part of the Packers success in recent years, just completely lose it.
Franks has struggled to catch passes, run after the catch, and hang on to the ball when he does catch it for much of the season. He's had very few shining moments and Packers fans have turned on #88 quickly. He may be hard to release at the end of the season because of the salary cap ramifications that go along with it.
I can say this. Franks has been a valuable blocker, both in the running game and in the passing game when the Packers have gone to maximum protection packages to protect Brett Favre. But as an offensive weapon, Franks has little left to his game.
I don't disagree with fans who think Franks has little left. But I do think fans can be ruthless in terms of their open critisism of players when they perform poorly. At times this season, Franks found himself playing little more then a blocking role in the Packers offensive game plan. What little response he's had has been negative in nature.
It's tough to watch it. I'm a fan of Bubba Franks. I think he's been one of the hardest working players in his time. He's always willingly served as a run blocker, doing the dirty work in the trenches, just like another offensive lineman. As a receiver, he's never been great, but he has had the ability to find openings in defensive zones for Brett Favre to dump the ball off to. There was a time when Franks was one of the most productive offensive weapons in the red zone.
Bubba has found it difficult, like most solid and proud players to deal with the eroding skills of an aging veteran. I'm for one hoping Franks can come to grips with his situation and accept whatever role the coaching staff puts him in. It's better for not only Bubba Franks, but even more importantly, for the team as well.