CoachBP6

January 15th, 2015 at 5:47 AM ^

Funchess could have been so much better. It almost seemed like he wasnt going 100% at times. He will kill it at the combine!

Joined: 12/18/2013

MGoPoints: 7967

Willis

January 15th, 2015 at 7:33 AM ^

I don't even think he kills it at the combine. He's big and might have decent speed, but the guy didn't run away from anyone and couldn't get separation on short or intermediate routes. He is a mismatch on jump balls, but that's only gonna take you so far when you're hands are suspect and the CB play is much better.



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Joined: 12/09/2014

MGoPoints: 1508

The_Mad Hatter

January 15th, 2015 at 9:43 AM ^

I said he played like a coward.  Big difference.

Do you disagree that he actively avoided any contact last year, even if it meant losing the ball?  

I don't blame the guy.  He was obviously preserving his body for the NFL.  But as a coach I wouldn't want a guy that doesn't give 100% all the time on my team.

Joined: 12/01/2014

MGoPoints: 5945

GoBlueInNYC

January 15th, 2015 at 9:53 AM ^

Got it. He's not a coward, just acts like one.

I agree he didn't look like he was playing at 100%, but there are lines between critiquing play and making personal attacks that people feel way too comfortable crossing.

Joined: 03/23/2010

MGoPoints: 8780

jdon

January 15th, 2015 at 10:49 AM ^

Funchess played like a coward and players got hurt because of it...

you think Shane Morris is getting knocked around if his tight end was actually a threat down field? 

Hell you think Gardner would have looked so bad if he actually had a reciever out there pushing the limits of the defense?

I hate Funchess, he is my least favorite wolverine ever.  Behind Boren.

 

love,

jdon

 

Joined: 09/28/2009

MGoPoints: 5906

bronxblue

January 15th, 2015 at 2:31 PM ^

Working your ass off and being a "baby" are absolutely two different things.  Funchess was out there playing virtually every week despite injuries and a crappy offense.  He absolutely loafed around there at times, which makes him like 60% of all WRs.  But my gawd, people think athletes owe them their bodies because "it's what I would do" despite never being asked to do so in their lives.  

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171017

bronxblue

January 15th, 2015 at 2:29 PM ^

Funchess not always exposing his body for hits (which is part of the position, I understand) is one thing, but saying he's a "coward" for not doing so is unnecessary.  Honestly, the passing game was crap this year for a variety of reasons, and some of that falls on Funchess and his effort.  But at the same time, Gardner was SO off this year throwing the ball (and I'm a bigger supporter/defender of Gardner than many around here) that he'd leave WRs into dangerous spots where they'd get lit up.  And while it's easy for us to sit on the sidelines and say "he should have still tried", we're not the ones getting lit up by LBs and safeties because the ball is off the mark and a 200 lb guy is about to spear me.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171017

Tater

January 15th, 2015 at 6:54 AM ^

I am looking at the 2014 season as one big medical error.  Therefore, I will not blame the individual players, but the system they worked under.  I think everyone on offense will look much better at combines and all star games than they did during the 2014 season.

Joined: 08/13/2008

MGoPoints: 30584

BlueCube

January 15th, 2015 at 7:25 AM ^

on Hoke's teams. The coaches didn't get to this level without knowing what should be done on the playing field. It was a spreading throughout the team. It's great to have a good relationship with these guys but sometimes you have to kick them in the ass.

You never really felt like there was any fire in this team with the exception of a couple games. Mainly Ohio State where they would tend to hold their own because they were playing with fire. The problem was it's inspiring the players every day in practice that helps them improve so you can actually beat OSU. This didn't happen.

I think the players are in for a rude awakening as Harbaugh takes over and some will resist and leave. This team has talent and some of these guys who stay will have a chance to make it to the pros and they will all have a chance to be champions.

I didn't see anyone on the previous staff that I think would have that fire except maybe Mattison. The Harbaugh staff I think I can see that drive in every coach on the staff. I don't know much about Jay so he may be the one exception but then you look at his dad and say probably not.

Joined: 12/12/2013

MGoPoints: 45965

alum96

January 15th, 2015 at 7:50 AM ^

Having watched Braylon Edwards in a semi permanent dog house during the Lloyd Carr years I imagine Funchess would not have played much last year unless something really changed internally with him, under Harbaugh.

And I am not of mind it is easy to "motivate" people to change their ways - yes you can to a degree but coaching a lot of kids over many years (different sport, much lower level) people are either self motivated and "burn to win" or they don't.   Yes maybe the atmosphere was not great but do you guys who were Lions fans and saw Chris Speilman up close think he would have been lax under Brady Hoke or any coach?  Hell no.   Look at the difference between Suh and Fairley. 

Again environment helps those who don't burn their candles at both end to a degree but usually the big winners in sport and most other things in life don't need outside "motivation" to keep them going every day, week, year.  Coaches can't be around players all year - football is won as much in February and May as it is in October.  Those guys who are self motivated wre winning in February and May.  Those who need constant supervision by coaches or trainers do not.

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82272

alum96

January 15th, 2015 at 8:35 AM ^

Great quote.

Motivated guys want to win every play in practice, every drill, every minute thing.  Even if their skill level is 80% of the guy who "floats" they are a pleasure to coach and create a better team environment.  They actually create their own atmosphere when you have a collection of them - they push each other. 

Babysitting and constantly trying to find ways to push player ABC is a pain and exasperating over time.  Locally, reading all the things the Lions have been doing the past 3 years to get Fairley to play up to his potential drives me up a wall. 

I wish Funchess the best but if he doesnt become far more self motivated he is the next Mike Williams IMO.  The FO article linked talks about his passitivity in every arena of the football field.  That is from a guy who is not even at a practice, just watching his habits on film and comparing them to other players. That will get you crushed in the NFL.  He is not talented enough like a Sean Rogers type (or Braylon) to coast at anything.

Joined: 04/28/2012

MGoPoints: 82272

Lutha

January 15th, 2015 at 8:21 AM ^

Besides Henson leaving before his senior year, I don't think I've ever been as disappointed with a player as I was with Funchess. As one of the most talented players on the team, he never displayed much fire or leadership. Funchess is probably the most emblematic example of the laissez faire attitude of the Hoke era

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 8234

MGoGrendel

January 15th, 2015 at 7:35 AM ^

He holds the single game passing record.

He is one of Michigan's Top 10 all time passing leaders:

Name Yards Start End
Chad Henne 9715 2004 2007
John Navarre 9254 2000 2003
Elvis Grbac 6460 1989 1992
Denard Robinson 6250 2009 2012
Todd Collins 5858 1991 1994
Jim Harbaugh 5449 1983 1986
Tom Brady 5351 1996 1999
Steve Smith 4860 1980 1983
Devin Gardner 4440 2010 present
Brian Griese 4383 1995 1997
Rick Leach 4284 1975 1978
John Wangler 2994 1976 1980

He's also #8 on the list of most Michigan touchdowns.

Given that he was moved from QB to WR to QB and had several OC's and week OL's, I would say he did pretty well given the adversity thrown his way.

 

Joined: 01/21/2013

MGoPoints: 70213