Just wondering this about Funchess

[LUUUUUKE]

*Disclaimer*

I'm not advocating that we do this, especially due to the fact that we have serious issues at the WR spot.

 

I was wondering if/when they will line up Funchess at the TE position. We know he played it in college, and it would definitely give us an advantage in two TE sets. I like his chances against LBers more than CBs at this point. 

Im not panicking, nor amI cray cray. This isn't one of those pick the week it happens threads. I was just wondering if you thought we would ever do it. I'm also not taking anything away from our other TEs on the roster, but if the goal is to line up your best players to move the football, I think that this will in fact happen sooner or later. Perhaps even in goaline situations. 

I know that many will likely blast me for this post, and that's okay too. I guess I'm hoping that Shula will stop Shula"ing" at some point.

Again, as I've pointed out in other threads, I think that Funchess will turn out to be a fine WR for us this year, but I think sometimes it's good to keep teams off balance. I could see us surprising the SeaHawks with this, even if used purely as a decoy.

Just a thought, that I otherwise would have kept to myself, but I figured why not? I know, I know, keep that ish to yourself next time LUUUUUKE

[LinvilleGorge]

Gettleman emphatically stated in the presser after the oick that Funchess was a WR and kind of laughed off even the suggestion that he was potentially a TE.  Then again, he also said that adding Shaq would allow us to play more base 4-3 instead of doing so much reacting to offensive personnel groups and we saw nickel almost exclusively yesterday, so... we'll see, I guess.

But, given Fuchess' playing style, he definitely plays more like a WR than a TE.  Proehl is trying to coach him up to use his size better and play more physically to take better advantage ofof his physical tools.  He's not physical enough yet to truly excel as a WR much less try to play TE.

[X-Clown on 1]

For a guy that has played a lot of TE before, he sure does lack the physicality that position requires.

[Carolina Cajun]

I'm not gonna blast you, I think trying to think outside the box with out receiving personnel is alright.  That said, I don't think this would be a good idea IMO because bringing Funchess in tight plays into what defenses are going to do against us (load up the box).  If we go 2 TE, Dickson/Olsen do a good job of being receiving threats, but I think what we saw yesterday will be the standard for us until SOMEONE steps up on the outside, and Funchess has as good of a chance as anyone else on our roster as being that guy that forces teams to respect us on the outside, no reason to force him to learn something new.  I'm gonna be interested to see what Norwood does when he's fully up to speed in our offense, I hope he can provide something between what cotch brings and what Philly brown brings, decent hands and some shifty ability to get open and get YAC.

[Nick_81]

I doubt they line him up at TE, but he'd do pretty well in the slot in a single back set, I'd imagine.

[LUUUUUKE]

Honestly, it kind of amazed me at how easily the Cowboys got down the field the other night without DEZ. I mean, I hope Shula was watching.

Yes, I know that their o line was giving Romo all freaking day to throw, and I also realize that makes a huge difference. It's just, am I wrong to think that if that dumpster diving franchise can do it, then we can too?

[Nick_81]

Honestly, it kind of amazed me at how easily the Cowboys got down the field the other night without DEZ. I mean, I hope Shula was watching.

Yes, I know that their o line was giving Romo all freaking day to throw, and I also realize that makes a huge difference. It's just, am I wrong to think that if that dumpster diving franchise can do it, then we can too?

Honestly, I thought Cam had quite a bit of time to throw a majority of the time yesterday.  I don't think that's our problem.

[nickzz]

Honestly, it kind of amazed me at how easily the Cowboys got down the field the other night without DEZ. I mean, I hope Shula was watching.

Yes, I know that their o line was giving Romo all freaking day to throw, and I also realize that makes a huge difference. It's just, am I wrong to think that if that dumpster diving franchise can do it, then we can too?

that's what competent play-calling will do for you

[VerticalThreat]

Not opposed to this, but I think Devin's first responsibility is to learn the WR position. Until he does that and succeeds on the field, I can't see our staff giving him an opportunity anywhere else in the offense and in my opinion, that's the right move with him.

[micnificent28]

Gettleman emphatically stated in the presser after the oick that Funchess was a WR and kind of laughed off even the suggestion that he was potentially a TE.  Then again, he also said that adding Shaq would allow us to play more base 4-3 instead of doing so much reacting to offensive personnel groups and we saw nickel almost exclusively yesterday, so... we'll see, I guess.

But, given Fuchess' playing style, he definitely plays more like a WR than a TE.  Proehl is trying to coach him up to use his size better and play more physically to take better advantage ofof his physical tools.  He's not physical enough yet to truly excel as a WR much less try to play TE.

Could have sworn he said the opposite that he would play alot of nickel...

[SetfreexX]

Gettleman emphatically stated in the presser after the oick that Funchess was a WR and kind of laughed off even the suggestion that he was potentially a TE.  Then again, he also said that adding Shaq would allow us to play more base 4-3 instead of doing so much reacting to offensive personnel groups and we saw nickel almost exclusively yesterday, so... we'll see, I guess.

But, given Fuchess' playing style, he definitely plays more like a WR than a TE.  Proehl is trying to coach him up to use his size better and play more physically to take better advantage ofof his physical tools.  He's not physical enough yet to truly excel as a WR much less try to play TE.

However, Rivera also confirmed (in the presser -- transcript is on BBR) that when Kuechly went down they lost a sub package (3 total) as they were rotating Bene, Klein, and Thompson. When Klein was forced into full time MLB they lost a package and were down to two sub packages vs the original three. 

Also Shaq is still learning and it was the 1st real test. I'm sure we'll se more base once the learning curve has run it's course, and health is not an issue. 

[cardiackat88.]

Am I the only one that thinks KB looks SO much bigger than him?

[Ken]

He'll line up in the slot. That's about it. He's still learning to play WR.

Besides he's not anywhere physically ready to play there.

[Vagrant]

He's not a traditional TE and his lack of blocking ability would hurt us. If he can't beat out the group of WR he's competing against, he doesn't deserve to be on the field. Trying to find ways to get him on the field when he can't supplant Jerricho Cotchery and Philly Brown is counter-intuitive. The truth is that we were spoiled by Kelvin Benjamin last season who was surprisingly ready to start despite a lot of red flags about being too big, having quickness issues, and uncertainty about his route running. Funchess has the same concerns, but seems like he will need more time to address them. There's nothing wrong with making your rookies beat people in order to get on the field. If they're made of what NFL players are made of, they'll work their way into the game. Give him some time. He's about 2 weeks behind schedule due to all that hamstring drama. They're going to work him in slowly.