James Franklin‘s football mulligan is about dreams, redemption, determination, renewal and choices – the kind of choices that for some bring disappointment. It is also about second chances, which for those that get the second chance, the CFL carves a path to high level pro football. They get one shot to stick in the first preseason game. Show something, anything that the coaches can point to that is positive and their pro dream can continue or falter and go home.
James Franklin’s Football Mulligan
Frank The Tank
The 2015 preseason brought Franklin to the Edmonton Eskimos along with three other quarterback, two of which had CFL resumes and the third, Jordan Lynch, was brought in as a running short yardage QB. Matt Nichols was penciled in as the back-up behind Mike Reilly, ensuring that what Franklin was fighting for what was a practice squad spot. Franklin took charge of the offense in the second quarter of a preseason game against Saskatchewan Roughriders. On his first play from scrimmage he threw a 47 yard completion to Wallace Miles, and two plays later ran the ball in for a touchdown. He was noticed by the coaching staff.
It was enough for that second chance as a pro for the 6’ 2” 225 pound Missouri Tiger and 2011 Independence Bowl MVP, who threw for 2865 yards, 21 TDs and 11 INTs in 13 games as a sophomore. In his junior year, as Missouri moved to the SEC in 2012, Franklin suffered a spring workout shoulder injury that required surgery reducing Frank the Tank’s season to nine games and 1562 yards, 10 TDs and 7 INTs. The nickname came from his perseverance and toughness that allowed him to bounce back from injuries. While the nickname has changed since coming to the CFL to Franklin the Turtle, it was the former nicknamed that was recognized for both his week 11 and 12 SEC Outstanding Performance giving him another football mulligan by putting him on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list.
Missouri-Detroit-Edmonton Football Mulligan
In 2013, Franklin’s junior year, he was selected as a team captain and led the Tigers to a 12-2 season and into the Cotton Bowl with season stats that tallied 2,429 passing yards, 62.1 completion percentage, 19 TDs and 6 INTss in 10 games. Franklin suffered shoulder and knee injuries, but continued to earn his nickname by playing through the pain right into the Cotton Bowl. However, he did not show well in the Cotton Bowl and the 41-31 Tigers victory over Oklahoma State was attributed to Shane Ray and the Tigers defense.
His injury concerns left Franklin undrafted going into the 2014, but signed as undrafted free agent with the Detroit Lions only to be released on August 25th. He took a year off of football before signing with the Esks as a free agent on April 28, 2015 after the great Archie Manning recommended the CFL. Franklin looked into the CFL and became a highly recommended prospect by former Missouri teammate Kendial Lawrence, and eventually the Corinth Lake, Texas native was placed on the practice roster out of training camp. He was activated in week 3 after Reilly’s injury, he saw spot duty as Nichols’ understudy and then he had three starts throwing for 973 yards, 63.2 completion percentage, 6 TDs and 1 INT.
Home Sweet Home Edmonton
Since his rookie year with the Eskimos Franklin and his spouse make their home year round in Edmonton. The quarterback’s father, an evangelical minister back in Texas, made the trek to Commonwealth for his son’s first pro start. It was the senior Franklin who encouraged his son to move to Canada, experience the community and take full advantage of another football mulligan. This has led to Franklin training with a number of Eskimos using the Commonwealth facilities including the indoor practice field. One thing James Franklin knows is how to battle to overcome adversity and to take advantage of the football mulligan the Eskies have provided him.
Main Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press via TSN.
