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02 Aug 2011

Saints Reportedly Agree To Terms With Aubrayo Franklin

San Francisco nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, coming off a season where he was franchised and played extremely well, reportedly settled for a one-year deal with New Orleans. Should be pretty interesting to see how Gregg Williams uses Franklin, Sedrick Ellis, and Shaun Rogers together.

Posted by: Rivers McCown on 02 Aug 2011

17 comments, Last at 03 Aug 2011, 7:38pm by speedegg

Comments

1
by MilkmanDanimal :: Tue, 08/02/2011 - 5:18pm

I just don't understand why really any number of 3-4 teams wouldn't have fallen over themselves to try to sign Franklin, or why the 49ers didn't try harder. Just. Don't. Get it.

2
by JasonK :: Tue, 08/02/2011 - 5:34pm

I'd guess that either he went around the league with a way-too-high asking price, got a chorus of "no thanks"es, and eventually accepted a "try again next year" contract, or there's some injury issue (or similar) that the public at large doesn't yet know about.

3
by Karl Cuba :: Tue, 08/02/2011 - 5:37pm

My hopes for the season are sinking faster than the Titanic, which coincidentally had better prospects.

4
by JimmyOz (not verified) :: Tue, 08/02/2011 - 6:05pm

there's no coincidence because you made the analogy

5
by heylarry21 :: Tue, 08/02/2011 - 6:33pm

I don't get why teams aren't lining up for Franklin. How often do legit NTs hit the market? Dude would be an upgrade on all but like 5 teams right?

6
by tuluse :: Tue, 08/02/2011 - 6:36pm

What are we up to, 17 teams running 3-4 systems now?

Although, several use 1 gap 3-4 like the Packers, Chargers, Dallas (if they keep Wade's system), and the Texans.

7
by speedegg :: Tue, 08/02/2011 - 6:51pm

Huh? I though the Packers use a 2-gap system like the Steelers. Dom Capers was the Steelers defensive coordinator when LeBeau was the linebackers coach.

13
by Jerry :: Wed, 08/03/2011 - 3:37am

It doesn't affect your point at all, but in case it ever matters, LeBeau was the secondary coach.

14
by bengt (not verified) :: Wed, 08/03/2011 - 7:55am

...and Marvin Lewis was the linebacker coach.

17
by speedegg :: Wed, 08/03/2011 - 7:38pm

whoops! You're right. I got confused between the coaches. I should've remembered because someone (Cosell?) said LeBeau was always good about making sure the back-end coverage was solid during a blitz. Makes sense since LeBeau was a defensive back in the NFL.

11
by Mr Shush :: Tue, 08/02/2011 - 7:33pm

Jamal Williams seemed to do just fine in Wade Phillips's system. I would have loved to have him in Houston, but I seriously doubt they had the cap room.

8
by Intropy :: Tue, 08/02/2011 - 7:09pm

How often does a team need to go shopping for a legit NT? Small supply, small demand. He's good, but he's not young. His only options are teams that lost or want to retire NTs who haven't addressed the position with youth and need a stopgap for a season or two.

9
by heylarry21 :: Tue, 08/02/2011 - 7:15pm

Isn't NYJ a perfect fit for him? Who is their NT? Pouha?
...Or at least before they gave David Harris $29.5 mil guaranteed
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/02/jets-sign-david-harris-2...

10
by BroncosGuyAgain :: Tue, 08/02/2011 - 7:18pm

Agreed that numerous teams were seemingly more in need of
Franklin than the Saints were, and there seemed to have been a paucity of interest. I'm interested in the dollar amount, but whatever the amount this seems like one of the stranger situations this (off)season.

I didn't see much Niners' ball last year, but didn't he play pretty well? At 30, he isn't young, but many NTs have played into their late 30s. I don't know why this guy had to settle for a make-good contract. Kudos, though, to the Saints (pending a salary announcement).

12
by andy (not verified) :: Wed, 08/03/2011 - 3:06am

Why can't 49ers fans have nice things???

15
by trill :: Wed, 08/03/2011 - 9:20am

So the Saints front four looks like: W. Smith, Ellis, Franklin/Rogers, C. Jordan. Not too shabby; lotta versatility, with the fat guys lining up at 0/1-tech and Jordan having some experience as a two-gap 5-tech at Cal. NO ran a fair number of 30 fronts last year but didn't really have the beef to pull it off. Loomis/Payton/Williams did a good job this offseason ID'ing needs and filling them.

16
by Joseph :: Wed, 08/03/2011 - 3:34pm

All I've got to say is "WHOOPEE!!!"
No really, I think this says that Rogers might be out of shape a little bit, or that they don't think he's capable of a lot of snaps. In other words, play Franklin with Sed Ellis on 1st & 2nd, and play Rogers with Hargrove (if the Saints re-sign him) or 1st round pick Cam Jordan on 3rd downs, or something like this. Three & 1/2 aces (don't know who would be the other DE in this package next to Will Smith)??