Funchess Leaning toward signing with Roc Nation

Submitted by Jim Harbaugh on

Title says it all... Not really surprising.. Reported by Neil Stratton from Insidetheleague

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ChiCityWolverine

December 4th, 2014 at 4:03 PM ^

He obviously has the raw talent to make in the league, but his hands and "motor" need work. As cliche as words like motor are, Funchess has looked disengaged for weeks. We know he's been nicked up for most of the season, but I was very disappointed by how little it all mattered to him. Also, the wins are just a statistic or whatever quote was a weird look for him. I love him, hope he stays, but stay or go I'm just not sure he has that fire in him you need to be an impact player in the NFL.

Joined: 07/08/2011

MGoPoints: 3757

bluesalt

December 4th, 2014 at 4:14 PM ^

If he stays he's likely got his third OC in three years with a new QB who's looked uninspiring in his limited time. Between another year of likely mediocre performance and potential injury, his future draft stock can fall as easily as it can rise. If the new HC is an NFL guy, maybe he can convince Funch to stay on by giving him some NFL feedback on how to get better for next year, but otherwise I wouldn't blame him at all. I know, those who stay, but he'd be doing himself a disservice if he didn't explore it while the head coaching search is going on. Especially since it's not an impossibility the search won't be resolved until right around the time he has to make a final decision.

Joined: 11/02/2011

MGoPoints: 8519

Lester

December 4th, 2014 at 4:24 PM ^

Now that we have gotten rid of "Michigan Man" can we also do away with "those who stay" ?  As it stands right now those who stay will lose 5 - 8 games a year, never beat OSU or MSU, go to non-New Years Day bowl games, not compete for B10 Titles, and probably be playing for two coaches during their stay at UM.

Joined: 11/21/2014

MGoPoints: -106

Danwillhor

December 4th, 2014 at 8:52 PM ^

but I've heard from friends at UM, family at UM, friends in AA and my own eyes that he is an odd guy. That's not always bad but I've (and others without me) have seen him dancing in the middle of the street at bus stops in the a.m. Like, full blown Norfleet+ level dancing. Strangest thing I've seen regarding an athlete in AA as nobody acted surprised. Nobody stopped him. A few waiting were talking about how stupid it was under their breath but other than that.... nothing! Cars just moved, etc. The worm is said to be a go-to but I didn't see it. He's that kind of guy that is never "out of energy". He's constantly on 100, from what I hear. That isn't always bad either (not at all) but I've also heard across the board that he is very selfish, rude, etc. One student told me "imagine Kanye West playing WR at UM, that's Devin Funchess". Finally, why I've been saying "he gone" since before the season is that the other thing I've heard across the board is that he has made no secret of his plans to other students/players. He gone but maybe an amazing hire could bring him back?

Joined: 12/02/2008

MGoPoints: 8609

cadillacjack333

December 4th, 2014 at 4:35 PM ^

I think we need roughlyt 12 (?) scholarship players right now for this recruiting class. With attrition above and beyond normal because of the coaching change we could need 18. 

I have a hunch one or more of our QB's will leave and Wilton Speight starts next year. 

Lots of work to be done for the new coach so lets hope this gets done fast and not some time in January.

Joined: 10/27/2010

MGoPoints: 284

SECcashnassadvantage

December 4th, 2014 at 5:27 PM ^

Please please please if anyone has to go. Worst arm and work ethic I have seen in a very long time, which could be fixed. Yes it is mean to say, but as a person I would want to know what I am doing wrong. I do plenty wrong in life, address it and get better. That started well before I was 18. We need a team of hard workers with personal accountability. We need a team that says we just need to win with hard work under all circumstances.

Joined: 01/25/2014

MGoPoints: 2662

Louie C

December 4th, 2014 at 4:51 PM ^

Dude quit on his team. Bo would have kicked his ass for his lazy and uninspired play. The other Devin didn't play well, but he gave it his all.

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: 1136

Hannibal.

December 5th, 2014 at 8:16 AM ^

The only way that he is a potential first rounder is if he can get somebody stupid and gullible to take him in the first round. Ask Donovan Warren, Shantee Orr, Ernest Shazor, Manny Harris, and Darius Morris how that worked out for them. 

He will probably drop to the mid rounds and be out of the league in two years tops. 

Joined: 09/09/2008

MGoPoints: 9051

Hannibal.

December 4th, 2014 at 4:56 PM ^

So long, Devin.  Have fun in the CFL or wherever it is you land when where your insane natural talent is enough to overcome your shitty blocking, taking plays off, and dropping lots of passes. 

Joined: 09/09/2008

MGoPoints: 9051

lilpenny1316

December 4th, 2014 at 5:05 PM ^

I was expecting the next Jimmy Graham and got the next Eric Ebron.  Best of luck to him though.  Hopefully he can do what Braylon couldn't and hold on to the football.

Joined: 11/19/2009

MGoPoints: 61787

madmaxweb

December 4th, 2014 at 5:12 PM ^

I feel like this is a bad idea for him. He could benefit so much with another year in college. Whatever he chooses to do, I hope he goes on to be a very successful TE/WR in the NFL.

Joined: 02/21/2012

MGoPoints: 1865

fritZ

December 4th, 2014 at 5:19 PM ^

So Funchess ends up way more Butterfield and McMurty than the Mt. Rushmore of #1: Carter, Alexander, Terrell, and Edwards.  Let's hope the next guy to don #1 is more the latter group than the former.

Joined: 03/21/2009

MGoPoints: 1012

SECcashnassadvantage

December 4th, 2014 at 5:23 PM ^

He did say winning isn't the only stat. Don't try telling that to your coach in the pros. You will learn quick and I wish you the very best Devin!

Joined: 01/25/2014

MGoPoints: 2662

Michology 101

December 4th, 2014 at 5:44 PM ^

He’s actually high on most of the draft boards. He’s probably trying to get out of here while the getting is good. We all saw his play steadily drop off, but the NFL still considers him a very good prospect.

Funchess being a hybrid between TE and WR is a good thing and bad thing. He can play both positions, but he also lacks skill level to be great at either position.

He’s not strong and physical enough for the TE spot and not quick enough as a WR. We all thought he would dominate at WR, but he was too slow to break away from most of the cornerbacks, and dropped many when he did get open.

I still wish the kid good luck. He may very well improve all around.

Joined: 06/02/2014

MGoPoints: 3801

Leonhall

December 4th, 2014 at 5:26 PM ^

Bad idea by Funchess. I don't see him going first round. Honestly, as bad as this sounds now, I believe our qb play will be better next season. Funchess has received poor coaching for 3 years, only played Wr for about a year and a half...he's not ready at all.



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Joined: 06/14/2012

MGoPoints: 16430

BlueHills

December 4th, 2014 at 5:42 PM ^

I can't believe how cruel you guys are being to one of our guys. That's just wrong.

In fact, it's worse than wrong, it's cowardly. Hiding behind screen names saying shit you'd never in a million years say to the player himself in person.

Very few on this board have ever - ever - put in the kind of effort and dedication it takes to play at a B1G level school. Equally few have the talent.

And you're sitting there at your safe keyboard criticizing one of our players like you know what the fuck you're talking about? 

Muggles. Grow the fuck up.

Joined: 10/31/2010

MGoPoints: 7468

LSAClassOf2000

December 4th, 2014 at 6:06 PM ^

Baumgardner has a short piece on this very thing here - LINK

Included in the article is one random evaluation from USA Today of Funchess:

"Even at 6-5, 230 pounds, Funchess' future is tilting heavily toward wide receiver rather than tight end," Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz wrote. "The huge target didn't dominate defenders, but little went right for Michigan all season. Teams in need of a red-zone target will likely flock to him."

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130602

Srjr75

December 4th, 2014 at 6:19 PM ^

Funchess better think twice (seeing it's the Christmas Season) don't see him going earlier than 4th round, game has alot of holes in it. And with new coach coming in, it would better serve him to wait and improve on those shortcomings

Joined: 11/26/2014

MGoPoints: 30