The Facts: The Green Bay Packers released Franks in a transaction was announced Wednesday by GM Ted Thompson. "We thank Bubba for everything he has given to our franchise," said Thompson. "He was a productive player on the field, a good teammate in the locker room and a fine representative of the Packers in the Green Bay community."

Diehards Line:A first-round draft choice in 2000, Franks totaled 256 catches and 2,300 career receiving yards. His 32 touchdown receptions are tied for 10th on the franchise's all-time list but his production fell off noticeably the last three years -- due in large part to knee, neck and back injuries. With Franks gone, the Packers will need help at the position. Donald Lee remains the starter, but Ryan Krause is set to become an unrestricted free agent and Tory Humphrey is coming off a broken leg that landed him on injured reserve during training camp. As Milwaukee Journal Sentinel staffer Tom Silverstein notes, both Krause and Humphrey are pass-catching tight ends, which means the Packers are woefully short in the blocking department.