Devin Funchess aka the enigma

[PanthersUnited]

I still cant figure out Funchess and quite what his role is.. He has looked outstanding in camp but at the same time some have said he isnt catching on as fast as KB, tonight you would have thought he would have been out there with the 1s getting much needed reps but instead we didnt see him on the field until much later..

When we did see him on the field he made an amazing catch down the sideline and almost had a ESPN top 10 highlight reel TD catch but then he disappears back to the bench. 

Im a huge fan of Funchess and I hope he really gets a lot of targets and playing time, i just find it odd that for a player we gave up a few picks for to move up in the draft to get that he really isnt talked about much. Right now its a total mystery to me where Funchess stands, Rivera doesnt really talk about him, when he is talked about on here its more like "oh Funchess has looked good in camp." Or "great catch by Funchess" 

 

He is such an enigma at this point.. Will he be our no 2? Will he have more of a Lafell/possession type WR role? Will he be quiet up until regular season then come out of nowhere and put up a 1000 yd season? I know its not the best idea for the coaching staff to tell their plans but right now I dont know what to make of Funchess except that I think he could be a real star and i get this sense he is being overlooked

[FuFuLamePoo]

if you read the game thread it's hilarious.  after that one drop everyone was writing him off as an automatic bust.

[PhillyB]

when he is talked about on here its more like "oh Funchess has looked good in camp." Or "great catch by Funchess" 

so what's the problem again?

[Rags]

He's a rookie.

Last year was the exception to rookie WRs. OBJ, KB and Mike Evans are just elite talents.

WR takes time.

[panthers55]

TL/DR for a rookie in his first preseason game he looked pretty darn good. He was solid when Anderson was in there as the second team. He wasn't in there before or after because we were checking out other guys.

[PanthersUnited]

He's a rookie.

Last year was the exception to rookie WRs. OBJ, KB and Mike Evans are just elite talents.

WR takes time.

im just really concerned he wont be given the playing time, i really thought him and KB would be our Roddy White/Julio Jones one two punch and I get the sense the coaching staff views him more of a Lafell type situational WR

[Rags]

 I get the sense the coaching staff views him more of a Lafell type situational WR

I was confused then I saw who the poster was.

 

[csx]

Hes a rookie 

[panthers55]

im just really concerned he wont be given the playing time, i really thought him and KB would be our Roddy White/Julio Jones one two punch and I get the sense the coaching staff views him more of a Lafell type situational WR

not at all. Funchess didn't get a ton of work because he is a lock to make the team. You have to let everyone play as you prepare to pare down the roster. Funchess will get more time in weeks 2 and 3. Be patient.

[lightsout]

It's the first preseason game. First preseason game is like the first game of the pop warner season. EVERYBODY gets playing time. Can't get a lot of reps due to that.

I also think there is a purpose to not playing him nor Shaq this game. One less game film that is usable. I really thing Rivera is trying to be cerebral with everything right now. All these RBs....who is gonna make it? Literally any combination of them will work. Which receivers? Just about all of them are good enough to be 2s and 3s. Which secondary? Who is playing the lone LB position alongside Luke and TD? Who is starting at DE?

These questions won't be answered until final cuts. Makes opening the season with a win slightly more likely than it already was.

[Byrdman4real]

I believe they want to make him fight for the position not just give it to him. Make him prove he deserves to be beside KB. So place him with the second team to put fire in his eyes. 

[chknwing]

holy poo, its one preseason game. and hes had just a few weeks of training camp.  I think I hate every single PanthersUnited thread.

[panthers55]

Kelvin pretty much admitted that he only had that 1,000 yard rookie season because of his size and physicality. Devin is big too but he's not as physical so he won't have the same advantages as Benjamin.

Funchess is gonna be fine.

I agree that Funchess will be fine. He has size and speed and is quick out of his breaks. He is only going to improve from here. That one amazing grab that was ruled a catch gives a glimpse of his potential. I wanted him here even as our 1, and that catch was why.

[top dawg]

I thought he had potential. I think he has potential,  and after his performance (modest as it was),  I believe in his potential all the more.  

The more consistent he becomes at being a complete receiver,  the more time he will earn with the first team. 

No worries!