Funchess problems this year...

Hoke said it all in a Freep article today. "We coach him..."

Not entirely IMHO, Funchess is a head case from what I can tell (which means absolutely nothing). It's completely psychological with him, and I still really don't like the fact that Hoke gave him the #1.

I'm not so sure it's all that psychological with Devin. I think he really has some issues with the fundamentals of catching a ball. Then, at the same time he can absolutely wow you with certain catches. he's so hard to figure out, but I don't think it's that much psychological. The guy needs to concentrate on his route running too. Several throws have seen him being in the wrong place. Not sure how much of that you can pin on DG though.

DG sucks too but Funchess drops everything "easy". Like you said, he makes some outstanding catches but then he drops balls that hit him oin the numbers. With the great chatches he just reacts (doesn't over think it) but with the drops he's worried about what he is going to do after he catches the ball but then doesn't catch it. Like you said, concentration. Another way to phrase that is it is a psychological issue. That can stem from being OCD while trying to catch the ball, being worried about getting "jacked", the ever-present running before catching the ball, etc. Simply stated psychological...

I think Funchess has checked out. He is going through the motions, trying to stay healthy, thinking a good showing at the combine will help his draft.

I really can't believe he is even thinking of going pro, I've seen little that would make me believe that he will get drafted the NFL already have receivers that drop the ball. To me he needs another season of work course if he had a QB that could actually hit him with a pass that might be better, but his numbers are not very impressive, especially with this weak receiving core.

the artist formally known wrote:

I really can't believe he is even thinking of going pro, I've seen little that would make me believe that he will get drafted the NFL already have receivers that drop the ball. To me he needs another season of work course if he had a QB that could actually hit him with a pass that might be better, but his numbers are not very impressive, especially with this weak receiving core.

Fans always think they need another year. He's big, he's fast and he's athletic. He will go and be at worst a second rounder. He will get better coaching and I think be a pretty good pro.

the artist formally known wrote:

I really can't believe he is even thinking of going pro, I've seen little that would make me believe that he will get drafted the NFL already have receivers that drop the ball. To me he needs another season of work course if he had a QB that could actually hit him with a pass that might be better, but his numbers are not very impressive, especially with this weak receiving core.

This is about how I feel at this point but I really haven't checked out the other receivers in college this year and that could be a key factor on him staying or leaving. A weak draft class would move him up the board and then you just never know.

I know Lippet (MSU) and Cooper (Bama) are about the only two WRs I've heard about this year but admittedly I haven't been paying too much attention. I do know that neither one of those have Funchess' size. Not even close. I have heard of Funchess being compared to Brandon Marshall but this isn't the NBA and the NFL doesn't draft on upside.

I just don't see him leaving after this year but a bad coaching hire could throw a big wrench in the wheel and make him bolt.

sandyeggo_blue wrote:

This is about how I feel at this point but I really haven't checked out the other receivers in college this year and that could be a key factor on him staying or leaving. A weak draft class would move him up the board and then you just never know.

I know Lippet (MSU) and Cooper (Bama) are about the only two WRs I've heard about this year but admittedly I haven't been paying too much attention. I do know that neither one of those have Funchess' size. Not even close. I have heard of Funchess being compared to Brandon Marshall but this isn't the NBA and the NFL doesn't draft on upside.

I just don't see him leaving after this year but a bad coaching hire could throw a big wrench in the wheel and make him bolt.

What about if Hoke isn't fired? I still say he'll be back next year. Granted I'm not as positive about this as I have been about other things but I honestly think he will be back. Not sure that I want to believe that but it's what I think.

TheNewBlueOrder wrote:

sandyeggo_blue wrote:

This is about how I feel at this point but I really haven't checked out the other receivers in college this year and that could be a key factor on him staying or leaving. A weak draft class would move him up the board and then you just never know.

I know Lippet (MSU) and Cooper (Bama) are about the only two WRs I've heard about this year but admittedly I haven't been paying too much attention. I do know that neither one of those have Funchess' size. Not even close. I have heard of Funchess being compared to Brandon Marshall but this isn't the NBA and the NFL doesn't draft on upside.

I just don't see him leaving after this year but a bad coaching hire could throw a big wrench in the wheel and make him bolt.

What about if Hoke isn't fired?  I still say he'll be back next year.  Granted I'm not as positive about this as I have been about other things but I honestly think he will be back.  Not sure that I want to believe that but it's what I think.

I think his projection in the draft will be a big factor but I still think he'll be back.

sandyeggo_blue wrote:

TheNewBlueOrder wrote:

sandyeggo_blue wrote:

This is about how I feel at this point but I really haven't checked out the other receivers in college this year and that could be a key factor on him staying or leaving. A weak draft class would move him up the board and then you just never know.

I know Lippet (MSU) and Cooper (Bama) are about the only two WRs I've heard about this year but admittedly I haven't been paying too much attention. I do know that neither one of those have Funchess' size. Not even close. I have heard of Funchess being compared to Brandon Marshall but this isn't the NBA and the NFL doesn't draft on upside.

I just don't see him leaving after this year but a bad coaching hire could throw a big wrench in the wheel and make him bolt.

What about if Hoke isn't fired?  I still say he'll be back next year.  Granted I'm not as positive about this as I have been about other things but I honestly think he will be back.  Not sure that I want to believe that but it's what I think.

I think his projection in the draft will be a big factor but I still think he'll be back.

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough. I'm predicting that Hoke will be back. Funchess I have no idea but it would make sense that he comes back. He has to know that he has not had a good year...

Take this for what it's worth:

3 years ago, I was at the UMass game in the players family section and sat next to Brendan Gibbons family. Despite everything you know about Gibbons, his family was extremely respectable and down to earth. A couple things about the conversation with his mom stuck out to me.

One was that they disliked Rich Rod, because at practices Rich Rod would send kickers off to work on their own rather than coach them (Michigan was 4 of 14 the year before in FG kicking). The other thing was that didn't care for Devin Funchess, who was only a freshman at the time. They said that he was a "typical wide receiver", meaning that he was a huge diva. It's some thing that crosses my mind whenever I see Funchess phoning it in on a play. Michigan might suck, but at least act like you're proud to wear the winged helmet. The kid could have been special if he played with the heart guys like Roundtree and Gallon played with.

I'm telling you, he is the one player that has quit on this team. He will go pro, and will probably be drafted in the 3rd round if he puts up good numbers at the combine.

He short-armed another one today. He has been a major disappointment this season.

He has trouble getting open in this league the NFL d-backs are faster more physical, and hit harder ,if he si short arming it now think what will be in the big boy league.

I wonder if he'll enter the draft as a TE or WR.

hailtoyourvictor wrote:

I wonder if he'll enter the draft as a TE or WR.

he's not that good at blocking, or at least they don't make him block much anymore, so I'd say WR.

I'm beginning to think he's checked out too.

the artist formally known wrote:

He has trouble getting open in this league the NFL d-backs are faster more physical, and hit harder ,if he si short arming it now think what will be in the big boy league.

He can get open whenever he wants. He jags through his routes, he doesn't block down field for backs. He puts minimal effort into catching balls. He has checked out.

He is no tight end. His blocking was non existent when he played there.

wshoes wrote:

He is no tight end. His blocking was non existent when he played there.

Well a lot of scouts are projecting him as a TE, so it will be something to keep an eye on.

Pettigrew was a horrible blocker, and now he is just a below average blocker, but he has been in the league 8 years or so. Graham for New Orleans can't block a lick either.

Good points guys, maybe a team will choose to play him at TE.

fishgoblue22 wrote:

Pettigrew was a horrible blocker, and now he is just a below average blocker, but he has been in the league 8 years or so.  Graham for New Orleans can't block a lick either.

But he plays for the Detroit Lions...

fishgoblue22 wrote:

the artist formally known wrote:

He has trouble getting open in this league the NFL d-backs are faster more physical, and hit harder ,if he si short arming it now think what will be in the big boy league.

He can get open whenever he wants.  He jags through his routes, he doesn't block down field for backs.  He puts minimal effort into catching balls.  He has checked out.

When was he "checked-in"?

Funchess problems started when he took off #19 someone told him how good he was and he believed it. They should just treat them all like players and no special treatment for any of them. If it truly was the team the team the team. No one would worry about numbers or stats or anything but win win wins.