sbk92
2
- Messages
- 12,134
- Reaction score
- 6
Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: With NFL free agency still to come, the Cowboys' roster remains very much unfinished. In this summer series, DallasCowboys.com takes a look at a number of the veterans who could wind up in Dallas before the season begins. Today's featured player is San Francisco nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin.)
Name: Aubrayo Franklin
Position: Nose Tackle
College: Tennessee
Height/Weight: 6-1/317
Age: 30
NFL Experience: 8 seasons
Availability: After making just over $7 million as the 49ers' franchise player last year, the team appears resigned to Franklin testing the market as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. While they have expressed some interest in bringing him back, several teams could be in on the bidding.
What He Brings: While not the biggest nose tackle in the league, Franklin has the right build to hold up traffic for a 3-4 team, and can even get into the backfield with some frequency, evidenced by his 8.5 tackles for loss in 2009. His squatty frame allows him to win leverage battles inside, helping the inside linebackers roam free to make plays. He won't rack up many sacks, and is just a two-down player, however.
Connections: While Franklin hasn't worked under any of the current Cowboys coaches, he was a Baltimore draft pick in 2003 while Rex Ryan, brother of the Cowboys coordinator, was working as the Ravens' defensive line coach. He played four seasons under the current Jets head coach.
Where Would He Fit: The only way Franklin makes sense is if the Cowboys believe it would be best to move Jay Ratliff to defensive end, an idea that Rob Ryan shot down early this offseason. It's possible Ryan was simply playing coy, though, and Franklin is probably the best unrestricted defensive lineman who would make sense for a 3-4 team. Still, it's more likely the Cowboys continue with Ratliff as their nose tackle despite the trouble he ran into with increased double-teams in 2010.
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: With NFL free agency still to come, the Cowboys' roster remains very much unfinished. In this summer series, DallasCowboys.com takes a look at a number of the veterans who could wind up in Dallas before the season begins. Today's featured player is San Francisco nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin.)
Name: Aubrayo Franklin
Position: Nose Tackle
College: Tennessee
Height/Weight: 6-1/317
Age: 30
NFL Experience: 8 seasons
Availability: After making just over $7 million as the 49ers' franchise player last year, the team appears resigned to Franklin testing the market as an unrestricted free agent this offseason. While they have expressed some interest in bringing him back, several teams could be in on the bidding.
What He Brings: While not the biggest nose tackle in the league, Franklin has the right build to hold up traffic for a 3-4 team, and can even get into the backfield with some frequency, evidenced by his 8.5 tackles for loss in 2009. His squatty frame allows him to win leverage battles inside, helping the inside linebackers roam free to make plays. He won't rack up many sacks, and is just a two-down player, however.
Connections: While Franklin hasn't worked under any of the current Cowboys coaches, he was a Baltimore draft pick in 2003 while Rex Ryan, brother of the Cowboys coordinator, was working as the Ravens' defensive line coach. He played four seasons under the current Jets head coach.
Where Would He Fit: The only way Franklin makes sense is if the Cowboys believe it would be best to move Jay Ratliff to defensive end, an idea that Rob Ryan shot down early this offseason. It's possible Ryan was simply playing coy, though, and Franklin is probably the best unrestricted defensive lineman who would make sense for a 3-4 team. Still, it's more likely the Cowboys continue with Ratliff as their nose tackle despite the trouble he ran into with increased double-teams in 2010.