Concerning Devin Funchess and his hands

[L-TownCat]

Devin Funchess has 21 targets and 6 catches. 

Brenton Bersin has 6 targets and 5 catches. 

I really hope Funch can put it together...

But maybe we should start getting ole Sunshine a few more targets. 

It took BB how many years on the practice squad to work his way to a spot on the 53?

[ErgentSeth]

i must be the only person not too worried about this. Our fan base is spoiled because of KB last year doing what he did as a rookie and were placing unnecessarily high expectations on Funch. dude is one of the youngest players in the entire league, still looks like he's in high school, and is trying to catch lasers from Cam and is 6 games into his nfl career.  unless you're a special talent, 90% of receivers coming out of college aren't making huge impacts their first year in the league. doesn't mean they're not good or busts, it's common sense. guys develop at different speeds.  Devin is talented and he'll be just fine. people forget the crucial catches he made vs Seattle to help us win that game. and not easy catches.  we see flashes. he needs time to put it together and gain confidence. people were killing Philly during PRESEASON because he had games with drops. who's gonna say they want him cut now? no one.  it's a confidence thing. and all this overreaction is ridiculous. 

[The Huddler]

I really think its all mental. A hige learnimg curve was to be expected anyway, but the fact that Kelvin went down im sure was a shock to him and he felt/feels a lot of pressure being a high draft pick and having everyone look towards him. 

 

Kelvin came from a great team, having been used to dealing with high pressure situations. Kelvin is 3 years older as well.  Devin came from a shitty team with a shitty QB with shitty expectations. 

[nickzz]

It isnt just his hands but getting used to a quarterback who whips the ball in there hard, fast, and high.  At Michigan his quarterbacks were nothing like Cam.  I suspect he will improve greatly over time as he gets used to the way Cam throws.

IIRC both of his college QBs, Robinson and Gardner, had pretty damn strong arms.

 

maybe not as strong as cam's, but that is a terrible excuse for dropping the ball. not to mention cam has been throwing to funchess for months now at this point.

[Seltzer]

I don't think anyone has given up on Funchess, but the Panthers are definitely bringing him along slowly, so I don't think that is a valid excuse.  KB was our #1 WR from the get go last year (drawing #1 CB coverage and even double teams).  Funchess has not had to deal with anything like that.

It's not like he has 6 drops on 40 targets (even that would be high).  But to have 6 drops on 21 targets is bad.  Bad to the point that if he was a 5th, 6th, 7th, or UDFA guy, I don't think he would even see the field again this year after that many drops.

Truth is, we need him to develop, and the coaches obviously think he can turn it around.  I am hopeful too, and the fact that he seems to be consistently open when he is in the game is encouraging.

Nobody expects him to suddenly become KB down the stretch, but the Panthers need better performances from him.  To say he has been anything but a disappointment so far in an otherwise awesome season (and an overacheivement by the WR group in general) would be a lie.

[AceBoogie]

will the real devin funchess please stand up. 

 

That only depressed me more

[TheWiz]

It took BB how many years on the practice squad to work his way to a spot on the 53?

Which is more reason to give him more snaps. He's proven he knows the offense and has worked his way with consistency. Funchess will probably have a better career than Bersin... but as of right now.... he's been nothing but reliable.

[L-TownCat]

Which is more reason to give him more snaps. He's proven he knows the offense and has worked his way with consistency. Funchess will probably have a better career than Bersin... but as of right now.... he's been nothing but reliable.

I understand where you're coming from but no team is going to invest what we invested in Funch to have him ride the pine with our WR corps the way it is.  Its not a popular answer or even a good one for that matter.

Its just the way it is.  I'm not liking it much either but you better start expecting it or you will be disappoint.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Oh wow, there's a thread about Devin's drops with puns and jokes. I can't just not drop by and let the opportunity slip and not join the party. Anyone want to let the beat drop?

[BigBoss]

I'm not writing him off, however I did want to discuss the situation. The kid really could come around and be a big help for us, just with some time. That doesn't excuse that he's been given opportunity and continually squanders it more often than not. The fastball crap is dumb excuse frankly. He's a paid professional who's in the big leagues. Catch the ball.

 

I really haven't seen anybody ask for what KB did last year. I didn't even need a good year honestly, just an okay one would suffice. Not a bad year though.

I know a few around here, even Zod had their eyes on Jamison Crowder, all-time leader of receptions in the ACC, but he was passed on.

 

 

We'll see what comes. The kid still has a lot of season to make some big plays for us and he just might do that.

 

[PandaPancake]

Might need to get him with Davis for a few pops here and there

[Razeyfingers]

Aww haha thats nice, pro athletes often need tips from guys that didnt play sports.

[Pimpdaddy]

So outside of Benjamin and Colbert in 2005, exactly how many rookie receivers have ever had great seasons for us. 

...seriously cursed...

[Jangler]

I didn't catch what this article was about .. 

such a roookie...

Rookies had a hard time with Brett Farves balls too. yeah, I know what I did there.

Get in there and burn out rookie, or shine. It's up to you.