Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers

Mike Triplett
ESPN Staff Writer

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METAIRIE, La. -- Orlando Franklin had to wait longer than he wanted. But the veteran guard is finally getting a fresh start with the New Orleans Saints after what he called "a tough two years for me" with the Los Angeles Chargers.

"I actually asked to get out of there, to be honest with you," said Franklin, who was released by the Chargers in May after they drafted guards in Rounds 2 and 3. "I asked them to trade me in March, and we weren't able to get a trade. And they were able to release me after the draft, when they got guys they felt were the future.

"So I'm just happy to be here, happy for this opportunity. ... I'm happy to be with a new team and new surroundings."

Franklin, 29, worked out with the Jacksonville Jaguars shortly after he was released in May. But he acknowledged that he "kind of tried to force" that workout "because I really wanted to get on a team," even though his knee wasn't totally healed from a January surgery.

"But after that I realized my knee wasn't ready, and after talking with my agent, we decided to wait until around the time training camp started," said Franklin, who also worked out with the New York Jets before working out for and signing with the Saints.

Franklin (6-foot-6, 315 pounds) was released by the Chargers just two years into a five-year, $36.5 million contract, thanks to injuries and inconsistent performance.

He missed six games in 2015 because of a high ankle sprain and MCL knee sprain. He also later acknowledged he wasn't in his best shape heading into that 2015 season.

"I got hurt right away, and I've been trying to battle through injuries, and just never really going into games 100 percent, never really going into a season 100 percent," Franklin said of why things didn't work out in San Diego.

He did start all 16 games last season, however, before having the January procedure to repair the lingering knee issue.

More here ...

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

The Chargers ate Franklin's $8.3 million cap hit. Saints likely signed him at vet minimum with LA essentially paying him the rest. Could be good cheap depth.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

Could be good cheap depth? Just remember.... ;)

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Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

He might surprise us.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

I'm pulling for him. Change of scenery can do wonders if he's healthy enough to go 100% during camp.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

I like the fact he might be able to play some RT if needed. Such versatility makes it easier for him to stick around.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

That didn't last long ...


Saints Release Veteran G Orlando Franklin

The New Orleans Saints officially released veteran G Orlando Franklin on Tuesday.

This is surprising, considering that the Saints just signed him to a contract last week. However, it appears as though they prefer their other offensive options.

Franklin, 29, is a former second-round pick of the Broncos. He finished playing out his four-year rookie contract with Denver and signed a five-year, $36.5 million contract that included $20 million guaranteed with the Chargers back in 2015.

Franklin was set to make a base salary of $6 million for the 2017 season when the Chargers designated him as a post June-1 release. The Saints signed him to a contract last week.

In 2016, Franklin appeared in all 16 games for the Chargers and was rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 66 guard out of 72 qualifying players.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

Saints cut him today

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

Oops

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

The end of an era.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

:cool3:

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

Guess he did not surprises us... HE GONE faster than Anthony Scaramucci!

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

You know what this means fellas?! It means Ramczyk is a freaking stud and Peat won't have to slide over to LT.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

Hopefully. Cause it could mean he just sucks that bad. Or maybe they need the roster spot because they're gonna try to find a center that can snap the ball correctly.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

So I guess we kicked the tires and they went flat.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

We signed a running back???

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

[quote=jnormand; Cause it could mean he just sucks that bad.

This is what I'm thinking also. His PFF grades in 2016 were turrible.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

I have to say I am quite surprised about this. Considering he have quite som starts in the leauge I was expecting him to stick.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

wrong FA.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

Disappointing.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

How so? I see it as a good thing. It means what we already have was better than him.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

SP has been doing fantasy lineup like changes for years. Maybe Orlando will be back, and then cut, and then back and then cut, and then back. Would it really be surprising? SP likes to have at least one move per day or he doesn't get his bonus, lol.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

It was rumored that he wasn't 100% yet. This is just more roster shuffling. Its possible he will be back in a few weeks.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

Nothing ventured.....nothing gained.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

It could very well be a great sign, but our current crop of guards being better than Franklin doesn't necessarily mean they're ready for prime time either though. Maybe it's just an indication of how far Franklin has fallen. I was hoping he'd solidify himself as a starter and we could move Peat back to his true position. Depending on how good Ramcyzk plays that could make Armstead expendable. We could probably get great value back for him.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

Well that clarifies things a little. No use in having an injured guy who doesn't know the system either.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers
 

Here and gone.

Re: Orlando Franklin happy to join Saints after 'tough two years' with Chargers