Former MU WR Franklin impressing Chiefs

[CoMoChief]

Former Missouri star wide receiver Franklin already impressing Chiefs
BY ADAM TEICHER | THE KANSAS CITY STAR


Will Franklin impressed the Chiefs with his quick moves and strong hands during the start of offseason workouts.
Chiefs rookie wide receiver Will Franklin has been taking in all he can during the first week of offseason workouts. The Chiefs already think Franklin, a fourth-round draft pick who was a star wideout at Missouri (below), can make the transition to professional football.

Dwayne Bowe led all rookie receivers last season in receptions and yardage, so he obviously figured out some things quickly.

He had to, as anyone who witnessed his spring debut can recall. Bowe, who was unsteady and fighting the ball every time it headed his way during spring practice last year, looked more like an undrafted rookie than a first-round pick.

In other words, Bowe looked like most rookie receivers. For whatever reason, receivers tend to strain in making the transition from college to the NFL even at a time of year — no contact allowed — when they should be shining.

All of which is why the Chiefs are cheered by the early play from Will Franklin, their fourth-round draft pick from Missouri. While it’s probably going too far to say Franklin was a star last week, the first of offseason practice for the Chiefs, he certainly didn’t look as if he were lost.

Franklin instead looked as if he belonged.

“He’s really quick making his moves, and he’s got really strong hands,” said quarterback Damon Huard, who now in his 12th NFL season has seen more than a few rookie receivers come and go.

“He’s dropped a couple of passes, but everyone’s dropped a couple. As a rookie receiver, it’s always tough for those guys coming into a situation like this. But he’s got the skills to be a special player. If he works hard at it, he will.”

Jeff Webb and Devard Darling are currently heading the line to be the starting wide receiver opposite Bowe. It’s not inconceivable Franklin could beat them out.

He just has the rookie thing to overcome. It’s easy to forget in light of Bowe’s big season, but even he didn’t begin the season as a starter. He inherited the spot in the second game left by Eddie Kennison, who went out with an injury on the first offensive play of the year.

“It’s unfamiliarity with the offense, for one, and with the quarterback,” said coach Herm Edwards, listing some of the reasons that rookie receivers have problems. “The window closes a lot faster in pro football than it does in college football, so you have to be more disciplined in your route running. All of those things are a factor.

“All of a sudden, you’re playing against good corners. That’s a difference.”

Webb caught 28 passes as a part-time player last season, but the Chiefs appear more comfortable with him as a reserve. Darling was unable to make much of an impression or earn much playing time in four seasons with Baltimore.

So Franklin might be their best hope for a dangerous downfield option to Bowe and tight end Tony Gonzalez. The Chiefs put his Arrowhead Stadium locker next to that of Gonzalez perhaps in the hope some of the wisdom might rub off.

“He tells me to do the extra things,” Franklin said. “The extra things will give you a longer career. (Gonzalez asks) ‘Do you want a two- or three-year career or a 10-year career like me?’ Those words alone tell me what it’s going to take.”

Franklin also has been hearing it from Bowe, whose locker is across the spacious room. But Bowe is loud enough to be heard over at Kauffman Stadium.

“He’s been in my ear every day in the meetings and even out there on the field,” Franklin said. “He’s wanting me to go out there and establish myself as the next receiver.

“I have no complaints. It’s going all right, but it’s going to get better the more I know and understand the offense.”

[L.A. Chieffan]

cut em

[Mr. Laz]

i fully expect him to make the team ..... and maybe be a real surprise.

he seems to have that "other" gear that great players have

[blueballs]

All A-dumb articles read in monotone for me

[petegz28]

Of course Franklin shines. He came from an offesne that would outscore the last 2 offenses the Chiefs fielded.

[Basileus777]

Crap Thorpe and Samie Parker impressed everyone too.

Hopefully Franklin works out, but at this time of year everyone is a future pro-bowler.

[smittysbar]

Of course Franklin shines. He came from an offesne that would outscore the last 2 offenses the Chiefs fielded.

:thumb:

[Chiefs Pantalones]

As a KU fan, I say **** him. But taking away the bias, I think he could shine. :)

lol jk, when a player becomes a Chief I automatically forget what school he attended until he sucks.

[keg in kc]

I really liked the pick on draft day, we'll see how it plays out.

[TRR]

Unlike players like Snoop Minnis, Samie Parker, and even Craphonso Thorpe, Will Franklin has an NFL body from the start. He is a big, strong target that won't have trouble getting away from press coverage, or taking punishment from safeties that hit like LB's.

I do look for Webb to have a better year than last year....For all of the problems KC had last season, Webb had a decent season catching the ball.

[blueballs]

If someone doesn't step up
I bet they go after a old vet for a year
give Brodie all the solid help they can

[Pablo]

He's impressing them, huh?

Must be spending a little extra time in Herm's office...

studying the playbook...

under the desk...

[chiefs1111]

sounds impressive,but i wanna see what he does in some real game action

[ChiefRon]

Sure would be sweet if this kid stepped up like Bowe did last year...

[Pablo]

Sure would be sweet if this kid stepped up like Bowe did last year...I have a feeling the only way he'll get a real shot to step up like Bowe did is through the same type of injury situation.

If Darling/Webb go down and he's got to be the man, he'll get his chances. Although I'm sure Bowe will be Brodie's main downfield target and Tony will always be around for a good bail-out, Franklin might get the ball enough to really make an impact.

[Rausch]

sounds impressive,but i wanna see what he does in some real game action

This will be the most enjoyable preseason in quite some time.

SoooOOOOOooooo much youth to follow.

It's like seeing your Christmas presents on Dec. 25th but you don't get to play with them until July...

[TRR]

When you are in a rebuilding stage like KC is, you need a player that you didn't expect to be a star...become a star. That speeds up the rebuilding process quite a bit.

I think we are all hoping Croyle is a guy that can come in and play great football. He may be that guy...but it may be a guy like Franklin who can come in and dominate opposite Bowe, and help Croyle being a Top 10-15 QB.

Hoping...

[crazycoffey]

print 'em

[Extra Point]

Franklin will do what Parker couldn't: muscle his way into the catch. Second great WR find in two years. I just hope that BC can find the whole in the zone at the snap and get the ball to the receiver. If not, R-R-P-Puke for another lackluster season.

[Bowser]

He's dumb and has a learning disorder. [/KU dipshit]

[StcChief]

Unlike players like Snoop Minnis, Samie Parker, and even Craphonso Thorpe, Will Franklin has an NFL body from the start. He is a big, strong target that won't have trouble getting away from press coverage, or taking punishment from safeties that hit like LB's.

I do look for Webb to have a better year than last year....For all of the problems KC had last season, Webb had a decent season catching the ball.
exactly. Bigh difference in their build. he's more of a Herm's type.

IMO He will make the team, have a decent rookie year ~500yds, couple TDs.

[Coogs]

I thought we were running double TE, FB lead plays through the A gap on each and every single play we run this season. :shrug:

[Micjones]

Franklin's road to being a starter is much easier than Bowe's was.
I mean... D-Bowe only had Parker to beat out, but Parker was more established than Darling or Webb.

[beach tribe]

What is this guy's ACTUAL height? I've found listings from 6' to 6'2".

[beach tribe]

Good video of Franklin here:

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/video.asp?section=football&pkey=36335&vidtype=college&vidid=33274

Direkshun? Is this you?

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2008/5/18/520199/will-franklin-s-opportunit

[teedubya]

As a KU fan, I say **** him. But taking away the bias, I think he could shine. :)

lol jk, when a player becomes a Chief I automatically forget what school he attended until he sucks.


QFT.

[Braincase]

I thought we were running double TE, FB lead plays through the A gap on each and every single play we run this season. :shrug:
Franklin was drafted for his downfield blocking.

[bsp4444]

QFT.

I've been here since 2000 and I don't know what "QFT" stands for. Can someone please enlighten me?

[beach tribe]

I've been here since 2000 and I don't know what "QFT" stands for. Can someone please enlighten me?

Quoted for truth

[Braincase]

Quoted for truth
QFT

[picasso]

Sure would be sweet if this kid stepped up like Bowe did last year...

What the hell did Bowe do last year while Croyle was at the helm?
A quarter of Bowes yards came in one game against San Diego. We still don't know what Bowe can do either and won't know if Croyle doesn't throw him the damn ball down field. And yes I know they hooked up a couple of times last year but that is literally a couple of times.

[RustShack]

It was a little easyer for Huard to pass the ball because defenses had to stop LJ... when Croyle was the QB they didn't have to worry about the run...

[FAX]

QFT

QFT

FAX

[CupidStunt]

A quarter of Bowes yards came in one game against San Diego.

Great math right there.

[beach tribe]

What the hell did Bowe do last year while Croyle was at the helm?
A quarter of Bowes yards came in one game against San Diego. We still don't know what Bowe can do either and won't know if Croyle doesn't throw him the damn ball down field. And yes I know they hooked up a couple of times last year but that is literally a couple of times.

You're talking about a first year starter, and a rookie at two positions that are not know to be glamorous in the waking stages.. What exactly did you envision for these young up, and comers?

[R&GHomer]

Quoted for truth


Thank you, I have been wondering what that means myself.

[beach tribe]

Great math right there.

QFT

[BigRock]

A quarter of Bowes yards came in one game against San Diego.
Bowe had 995 total yards. A quarter of that would be just under 250. Bowe had 164 against San Diego. So just over 16% of his total came in that game.

MATH IS COOL
MATH IS FUN
I'M GOING TO GO PLAY
WHEN MY MATH IS DONE

[picasso]

Great math right there.

Fine, 164 yards in one game against the Chargers.
Only other game over 100 yards was against Denver.

[kepp]

Fine, 164 yards in one game against the Chargers.
Only other game over 100 yards was against Denver.

Considering our offense last year, I'd say 995 yards is pretty darn good.

[Fish]

What the hell did Bowe do last year while Croyle was at the helm?
A quarter of Bowes yards came in one game against San Diego. We still don't know what Bowe can do either and won't know if Croyle doesn't throw him the damn ball down field. And yes I know they hooked up a couple of times last year but that is literally a couple of times.

Are you serious?

995 yards is "hooked up a couple of times"?

For a rookie?

For a rookie playing for the 07 Chiefs offense?

Whiskey Tango......

[OnTheWarpath15]

Are you serious?

995 yards is "hooked up a couple of times"?

For a rookie?

For a rookie playing for the 07 Chiefs offense?

Whiskey Tango......



****tard?

[ChiefRon]

Considering our offense last year, I'd say 995 yards is pretty darn good.

QFT

[ChiefRon]

I have a feeling the only way he'll get a real shot to step up like Bowe did is through the same type of injury situation.

If Darling/Webb go down and he's got to be the man, he'll get his chances. Although I'm sure Bowe will be Brodie's main downfield target and Tony will always be around for a good bail-out, Franklin might get the ball enough to really make an impact.

Maybe so, but I'm hoping he catches the ball well in TC and flashes his speed. If he wins the starting job opposite Bowe, I'll be stoked.

And with the "real" LJ back and pissed off, and Croyle progressing as much as the coaching staff keeps leading us to believe, Franklin can have an immediate impact a la Bowe.

Hey, a Chief fan can dream, right? ;)

[tmax63]

You know better than that. You can only wallow in the fact that HE, CP, Clark and Gailey are all idiots and winning more than 4 games will only ensure that we don't get a draft with any chance of being worth a damn next year. And that's ASSUMING that the Chiefs get this year's draft picks signed by next year.

[KcMizzou]

Hey, a Chief fan can dream, right? ;)That's what we do. :)

[Chiefaholic]

QFT

FAX

Quit F***ing Talking STFU

[Ralphy Boy]

I like Franklin a lot, liked him at MU and I'll go down in record by saying he'll be a starter for us by seasons end.

[boogblaster]

Hopefully all can catch a ball thrown at them ....

[Pasta Little Brioni]

What the hell did Bowe do last year while Croyle was at the helm?
A quarter of Bowes yards came in one game against San Diego. We still don't know what Bowe can do either and won't know if Croyle doesn't throw him the damn ball down field. And yes I know they hooked up a couple of times last year but that is literally a couple of times.

:spock: wow, just wow.

[Sure-Oz]

What the hell did Bowe do last year while Croyle was at the helm?
A quarter of Bowes yards came in one game against San Diego. We still don't know what Bowe can do either and won't know if Croyle doesn't throw him the damn ball down field. And yes I know they hooked up a couple of times last year but that is literally a couple of times.

If he had a real QB and a real line his #'s would've been 1500 yards 10 tds easy, he had a great year for a rookie wr, most of the time rookie WR's don't break out and have a solid campaign...see Calvin Johnson

[KcMizzou]

:spock: wow, just wow.Yeah, that's a certified "WTF" post.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Yeah, that's a certified "WTF" post.

ya, all the guys on our team to rip on and he picks bowe :eek:

[smittysbar]

What the hell did Bowe do last year while Croyle was at the helm?
A quarter of Bowes yards came in one game against San Diego. We still don't know what Bowe can do either and won't know if Croyle doesn't throw him the damn ball down field. And yes I know they hooked up a couple of times last year but that is literally a couple of times.

...........................:rolleyes: