Devin Funchess.. Turning point or headfake?

[FootballMaestro]

Well, she sure as hell showed a lot of that long catch, and TD.

On the long catch, she showed speed, anticipation, and fighting over the defender making a tough catch.

On the TD catch, he showed great strength and will-dragging one or two defenders into the end zone.

Hope we see more, and it's a turning point!

[tondi]

He's making progress but I'm just as happy to see our other second year WR (Brown) seeming to continue to improve as the year progresses as well.

[KSpan]

How about 'continuing to travel the learning curve'?

[juliosantos]

hes getting use to the nfl speed its only a matter of time before he become a great wr . i think he will show flashes this season and hell break out his 2nd or 3rd year when the beast comes back 

[VerticalThreat]

For me, one of the most insightful pieces on Devin is the Huddle Podcast.  Devin talked a lot about how he played basketball. When you think about a basketball players' psyche it makes a lot of sense as to how Devin is developing and will continue to develop.  Basketball players (especially the shooters) need to keep shooting, even when they miss - think Kobe throwing up 40 shots/game. Just keep shooting. I think what we see with Devin is no different. He's had his share of drops (misses), but what you don't see is him slowing up or not selling out to make a catch.  He's working through the drops, he needs a little bit of success and once the ball starts "going through the hoop", he's going to be a terror.

Looking forward to big things from Devin. This is about when we all thought he would start to "get it" anyway. If he gets on a roll, this offense gets pretty scary. 

[d-dave]

My hope is that this is a turning point for him, the confidence boost he needs to be more productive.

I'd like to see him use those big hands and snatch balls out of the air more than let them float in.  Sometimes catches have to be made that way, but the more you can grab the ball, the better your chances are.

[RealBitsOfPanther]

Yesterday's game is hopefully a confidence builder for him. He's not going to become the go-to guy after this, but he'll get more playing time. 

 

Dude is still very young (3rd youngest in the league). 

[OneBadCat]

When Dave Gettlman says the answer is already on the roster, that is Devin Funchess. Hopefully this was the game thats turns it around for him.

[CLG]

I found it a bit suspicious that Funchess warranted this much discussion. I was right.. but I wish I was wrong lol

[bababoey]

The truth about Funchess is he is much closer to Lafell as a rookie than he is to Kelvin.  People saw what Kelvin did last year and they will hold all the receivers we draft in the next few years to that standard.  It's not realistic.  Lafell as a rookie had about 10-12 catches in the 1st half of the year and then had about 25 in the 2nd half of his rookie year.  He had to learn all the postions and understand the offense and that takes some time.  I expect the same thing from Funchess.  He had to think a lot in the 1st half of the year and it slowed him down and held him back because he was thinking and not reacting.  The same thing that happens to most rookies.  I would not be surprised if he ends the year as the best receiver on the active roster and has somewhere around 35 - 40 catches.  You cant expect for a rookie to come in and play like the best rookie receiver the Panthers have had in their history every time we draft one.  But to many people do.