Should Funchess Move to WR?

Submitted by KennyGfanLMAO on

I know it has been talked about lightly already, but I haven't noticed an entire thread dedicated to the topic. I was watching highlights of these first 5 games, and Funchess has been very impressive with his catching and running ability. We all know this. That leads me to my question...could he move to WR permanently?

After the game, there were a lot of comments suggesting we keep lining him up at wide reciever to create a missmatch here and there. I was wondering what would happen if he made the transition to WR for good. Is he fast enough? Will he stil be effective? Should he lose weight?

Personally, I would love that move. Having a slower Megatron outside isn't a bad option in my eyes at all. His blocking hasn't been exactly stellar, and Jake Butt seems to be holding his own at the position, especially considering he's a true freshman. It has been a relatively slow day, so I thought I'd get some discussion going. What do you guys think?

allezbleu

October 11th, 2013 at 1:52 PM ^

Yea I agree with you guys that he should move full-time. He has the speed to be receiver, not just an oversized jump ball specialist.

I actually think he looks faster than Mike Evans - the A&M jump ball specialist that has been torching defenses all season.

Sebastian

October 11th, 2013 at 2:32 PM ^

The demon escaped my clutches and has respawned into this shadow figure. Only the most powerful of hoover vacuums and a glossopteris can protect us from this spawn of Jezebeth. 

WMUgoblue

October 11th, 2013 at 3:54 PM ^

I've seen this exact post about 2 months ago, when I accused you of being Darth Wolverine (which you are). Your schtick is tired, and your posts are exactly the same, if youre going to try and hide under yet another bizarro account you might want to rethink your schtick so it takes us awhile to find out who you are.

jg2112

October 11th, 2013 at 2:04 PM ^

They should keep up the TE facade for Funchess through the end of the year. Next year, Williams / Butt / Hill / Shallman / Bunting can take care of the TE duties, and Funchess / Chesson / Darboh / Jones / York / Harris / Norfleet / Canteen / MOE WAYS can handle the WR duties.

Maybe this is the thought - since Chesson will be the only returning WR with experience next year, prep Funchess to move outside.

MGoWolverines24

October 11th, 2013 at 4:04 PM ^

Well, I obviously missed something that went down earlier. I mean, if I'm going to be treated like an asshole because other posters think I'm someone else, then I won't waste my time posting. As I have stated, I have read this blog for a long time, but never felt the need or desire to post anything. Today I figured "what the hell" and created an account. Clearly it was indeed bad timing.

Monocle Smile

October 11th, 2013 at 1:53 PM ^

But Hoke has already said in the pressers that he thinks Funchess will still gain weight, get stronger, and still play on the line. He wants Funchess to be a tight end, but he's better at receiver for now.

MichiganMan14

October 11th, 2013 at 1:54 PM ^

Funchess is a freak wideout....not a tight end. We have to stop forcing kids into positions they are really meant for. Butt is a tight end and a damn good one. Devin is a WR all the way and lining him up anywhere else given our personnel this season is just plain goofy. Devin at WR gives us a chance to win every game this year because it gives the defense another major weapon aside from Gallon to fret over. This allows Dileo to do work underneath and gives Chesson 1v1s outside in multiple reciever sets. This also forces defenses to not crowd the box with strong safetys and OLBS and will subsequently lead to a more effective run game. Devin Funchess at WR is the difference between 12-1 and 9-3. Hes that big of a deal at that position.

WichitanWolverine

October 11th, 2013 at 2:00 PM ^

Forcing defenses to respect Gallon and Funchess on every down...consider me a fan of this idea.

When Darboh went down, I thought our chances of winning the B1G went with him. If our O-line keeps improving and Funchess plays like he did Saturday, things look a whole lot more optimistic.

Danwillhor

October 11th, 2013 at 2:19 PM ^

I agree in that I'm not sure many knew how good Darboh is and what he would have done for this team. Kid was ready and then we lost him. I stated that loss would equal 2 losses on the field because of what he brings to the table and was already mentally "at the level of a Junior or so" by certain staff members. 2nd year in a row we lost our biggest and possibly best WR before the season. So, yeah, Funchess is a WR with the TE position tag from here on out.

Mr. Rager

October 11th, 2013 at 7:21 PM ^

While I agree that Darboh would have helped our offense out, it could be worse. I think our offense is pretty similar to the Patriots (not a Pats fan). Except we kept our Welker (Gallon). Thompkins:Chesson (hype, slow start, coming on), Gronk:Funchess, and Edelman:Dileo. Both running games have struggled and both QBs have failed to live up to expectations thus far.

lilpenny1316

October 11th, 2013 at 1:55 PM ^

Line him up outside, in the slot, on the line...all over the place.  I like two TE sets with him and Butt as well.  Just keep mixing it up so defenses will always have to keep an eye out for where he is. 

MGoManBall

October 11th, 2013 at 1:59 PM ^

It's not a problem to call him a TE even if he splits out. NFL TEs do this all the time. Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, and Jason Witten all split out as "wide receivers" all the time but they are still considered TEs.

Hell, Aaron Hernandez lined up at RB some last year. That doesn't mean he isn't a TE.

Call Funchess whatever you want to. Just feed that man the ball. He's a matchup nightmare for teams.

mgobaran

October 11th, 2013 at 2:02 PM ^

He is s true sophomore. He can still add mass. He can still learn technique. Remember TE's don't have to be a great blocker, and a great receiver. Those types rarely come along. We all agree he is an Grade-A receiving threat. If he can just get his blocking to the level where we can have him on the field, and not tip pass, then that is a win.

OL take along time to turn into superstars for the most part. And they are usually RS'd. So even when they are sophomores, they are 3rd year guys, and they still make a lot of mistakes.

Let's be patient. For this season, we can use him in games more split out wide. But his upside as a TE is larger than his upside as receiver IMO. Keep practicing that blocking buddy!