Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The Jets re-signed UFA TE Bubba Franks on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old Franks played in eight games for the Jets last season, his first in New York, with four starts. He caught six passes for 47 yards, his lowest production since entering the NFL in 2000 with Green Bay.

Franks injured his hip in an Oct. 19 game at Oakland, which limited his production the rest of the season. All six of his receptions came in September. Franks hadn't missed a game in his first five NFL seasons, but injuries have hampered him since then.

The former first-round draft choice earned three consecutive Pro Bowl trips, 2001-03.

Todd Bouman is heading back to Jacksonville. The 11-year veteran quarterback had short stints with the Jaguars in 2007 and 2008 and was signed on Tuesday to compete with Cleo Lemon for the No. 2 job behind starter David Garrard.

Bouman has made six starts in his career. Three of them came with the Vikings in 2001, and the other three came with the Saints in 2005. He has completed 129 of 230 attempts for 1,683 yards with 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Seeking accomplished blockers to improve their running game and better protect new QB Jay Cutler, the Bears agreed to terms with TE Michael Gaines on a one-year contract Monday.

Although the Bears have talented tight ends in Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark, plus promising second-year man Kellen Davis, Olsen and Clark are more known for their pass-catching ability than their blocking. Gaines is more of a blocker, and he could line up either at tight end or fullback.

Gaines reportedly was considering offers from the Jets and the Bears, but he ultimately chose Chicago because "the Bears had a plan for me and there was just something about Chicago."

At 6-4, 277 pounds, Gaines has been a starter in 41 games and appeared in 73 games during five NFL seasons with Carolina (2004-06), Buffalo ('07) and Detroit ('08).