Is Funchess a "1" or just one of many?
I'm going to put a philosophical discussion of where Devin Funchess sits in the pantheon of Michigan receivers by creating a context with some sports memorabilia I own.
A million years ago I had Anthony Carter sign a Michigan football and a year later I had the opportunity to get Derrick Alexander to sign it too. Long story short, I managed to add Braylon and David Terrell to the ball in future years. There obviously were other #1's before Braylon but until Funchess got it, I don't believe there was ever one after him. My question is, assuming both that Devin Funchess finishes this year along the same lines the first 2/3 of the season goes AND assuming he leaves for the NFL, does Devin deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Carter/Alexander/Terrell/Braylon as great #1's? Put another way, presuming I get the chance, should I get Devin to sign that ball?
November 3rd, 2014 at 2:35 PM ^
I don't know, I'd still put him behind even Alexander if only because of the dimension Alexander brought to special teams. Damn good kick returner.
Funchess is definitely a weapon, but the strategy of "throw it up and let Devin out leap the guys covering him" doesn't say much for his technique or skill at route-running.
November 3rd, 2014 at 5:41 PM ^
was the best UM WR i ever saw at the bubble screen. he was so shifty that he always made that first guy miss. he didn't need a blocker.
November 3rd, 2014 at 2:28 PM ^
jajajajajajajajaja. Are you kidding me? Funches is not worthy of the #1 jersey. It takes more than just "tools" and "athleticism". He has not done a thing in my book to deserve that jersey and it should have never been given to him in the first place.
November 3rd, 2014 at 2:42 PM ^
1. I would certainly not put Funchess in the same tier as Braylon...
2. He is a receiver who wears #1 for Michigan, so his name make sense on the football.
3. I would personally feel uncomfortable being a grown man asking for an autograph from a college kid. But hey, maybe it's for your children and I don't know the story, so do your thing.
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:55 PM ^
Its a good conversation starter on the desk and I hope to give it to my son one day. That's where it ends. I also won't approach him as a student. I'm very against that. I'll get to him once he turns pro which is what I did with the other four.
November 3rd, 2014 at 8:29 PM ^
Understood. Sounds like a cool piece of M memorabilia, and an awesome gift for your son.
November 3rd, 2014 at 5:19 PM ^
you be uncomfortable next year when he is in the NFL?
I am not an autograph guy, so if I saw Kobe Bryant or Joe Montana walking down the street, I would not ask them to sign their name arbitrarily anyway, but I am not sure what age has to do with it.
November 3rd, 2014 at 8:28 PM ^
Good point, the age cutoff is a bit arbitrary. I'm also not an autograph guy, so I wouldn't ask for one from anyone.
November 3rd, 2014 at 2:47 PM ^
I think you should absolutely get the ball signed by Funchess. As far as where he stands in the line of guys who wore #1, he's definitely not Top 4, and that is where I'll leave it.
Also, I really have a hard time understanding why scounts/superfans think Funchess is going to be a first round pick. I see almost no difference between him and a guy like Mike Williams, the former USC receiver who flamed out spectacularly after being drafted by the Lions. They both are almost identical in size, speed, and effort level. Williams probably had better hands and ability to get separation. Williams also produced at an All-American level.
EDIT: I'd also compare Funchess to a guy like Limas Sweed from Texas from like 5 years ago or Reggie Williams from Washington from early 2000's, with less production.
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:56 PM ^
A lot can change but a lot of the ESPN/SI/com big board-esque Pre Draft articles coming out right now have him in the mid to late first round.
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:56 PM ^
A lot can change but a lot of the ESPN/SI/com big board-esque Pre Draft articles coming out right now have him in the mid to late first round.
November 3rd, 2014 at 4:11 PM ^
That is when he got slow and fat. Which is why Millen drafted him. If he had stayed in school for a year, or been allowed to leave things would be different for him. Funchess is a good player, is still really injured and if things were going better with the season we would all be hailing the #1 call. He is a scouted highly because you can't coach size and it is early in evaluations. Marquis Lee was #3 on the draft board early last year.
November 3rd, 2014 at 5:44 PM ^
wasn't he a first round pick? i could be wrong but i thought the lions had multiple first rounders and they took williams.
November 3rd, 2014 at 6:36 PM ^
Mike Williams and Reggie Williams were both high first round picks, and both eventually flamed out. My point was that Funchess is a (very) poor man's version of those guys and shouldn't warrant first round attention at this point. I think with another year, some added speed and consistency, he would be a good mid-first round prospect. It needs to be noted that he's only a true junior, so coming back for his senior year isn't going to make him unreasonably old for a high round draft prospect.
November 3rd, 2014 at 2:46 PM ^
November 3rd, 2014 at 2:57 PM ^
I think Funch has the potential to be one of the best ever to play here. He hasn't done that yet for a variety of reasons - bad QB play, bad OL play, case of I'm not going to really try to catch this pass. Definitely get it signed, but to me, Funch is more of a Jason Avant or Marcus Knight than an Anthony Carter or Braylon Edwards.
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:06 PM ^
one of many
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:09 PM ^
I would
- retire numbers 1, 2 and 21
- re-retire the legends numbers
- stop the legends patches
- ban any and all future number retirements
I am just so sick of all the number discussions and changing. The "living up to" numbers and "earning" a number is just stupid IMO. I don't even care if it provides some with some nebulous motivation. It's become a distraction and hurts more than it helps. It's time to honor the past through number retirements, limit retirements to avoid not having enough numbers, and have a clean break moving forward so we can embrace the future with a new coach and hopefully a renewed resolve to not be stuck in the past.
November 3rd, 2014 at 5:47 PM ^
i don't like retiring numbers. i would prefer a ring of fame type thing like the cowboys do. put the players name up there and the years they played. add their number too if you want.
November 3rd, 2014 at 8:10 PM ^
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:10 PM ^
Then you might as well keep Funch off as well.
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:13 PM ^
to wearing the number 1 jersey,and yes have him sign your ball,too.
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:13 PM ^
very good athlete, but i just don't see him making the super gritty catches or blocks. an asset to be sure, but not 'great' like AC or braylon, et al. and i see him probably making a pro roster but without a big shift in attitude, not being much of a factor. would love to have him prove me way wrong though. go funchess, go!
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:17 PM ^
They rarely put him in a situation to make a big play.
Far too many times I've seen them run a quick pass to him in the flats with no blockers, and expect positive yards. That play is only consistent in wasting a down.
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:21 PM ^
If you dropped Funchess on any number of teams pre-2008 would he be a stand-out? Probably. I think part of his limited production is because he is literally the only threat on the offense. We have no running game, no other threatening receivers, and a QB who is frankly average. If you put him on a team with Henne, Hart, and say Breaston, he'd probably be getting some ridonk numbers
OTOH, he does tend to take plays off so there's that
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:22 PM ^
He doesn't seem to give 100% during games and this has become more pronounced as the season has marched on. I wouldn't say he deserves the #1 just because of that. But, I may also be a bit jaded and seeing ghosts where there are none.
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:25 PM ^
Get the ball signed.
Personally, I think Funchess might be remembered more for what "might have been" as opposed to what he actually did. This is, of course, assuming this is his last year. With the team being so bad, I just feel like people will look back at this team and wonder how it was so bad. Funchess is a great talent, but he is too inconsistent in the effort department for me. I dont care how bad the team is, there is no excuse to not give 100% effort when you're on the field.
November 3rd, 2014 at 4:29 PM ^
No, He take plays off and doesn't live up to his potential.
November 3rd, 2014 at 4:40 PM ^
and shave one of those negatives off ya.
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:27 PM ^
He is still a notch or so below. Just like Gardner has no business wearing 98
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:39 PM ^
Different eras so not especially relevent but thought some would find it interesting.*Side note: In my opinion Carter was the most important recruit in the modern era because 1. First big recruit from Fla. 2.Because of him Bo realized you were allowed to throw the ball.
Carter- Receptions 161 (4 yrs.) TD's 37 Funchess- Receptions 112 TD's 15
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:40 PM ^
From watching the games this year only, I think that Funchess lacks something. I don't want to question his willingness to perform at his best, but something isn't quite there.
On the other hand, I think Darboh is our best receiver. I hope to see him wear the #1 jersey someday and leave no debate about his greatness.
November 3rd, 2014 at 3:45 PM ^
I think he wants to go pro after this season. Stay tuned.
November 3rd, 2014 at 4:17 PM ^
Funchess is THE one.
November 3rd, 2014 at 4:31 PM ^
"Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability." - John Woodson
November 3rd, 2014 at 4:45 PM ^
I don't think he's better as a college WR than Gallon was . . .
November 3rd, 2014 at 4:53 PM ^
I'd have him sign it.
I know exactly the concept the OP is referencing, so I'm also indicting myself with the following:
We've gone crazy with history. It's taken us as a fanbase down the wrong path. Why are we wondering if Devin Funchess should sign the #1 football? Or if Devin Gardner is "worthy" of #98? Why do we care?
If a player isn't playing well, or making bad decisions, or not giving 100%, we shouldn't care more (or less) depending on what number he is wearing.
November 3rd, 2014 at 6:14 PM ^
Not great. Just not consistent. Could be great. Not in same company as Carter, Alexander, Terrell, Edwards, Avant, Breaston, Manningham, Walker, Koeslar, Aarington, Gallon to name some.
November 3rd, 2014 at 6:30 PM ^
But............hands that don't work so well every now and then. Wasn't that the case with Braylon until he worked on it and really got it?
Concentrate........get that damn ball in your hands.........then squeeze tightly...........squeeze very very tightly........unless you don't whatever.
There are three really big games left.......let's see how he performs in those.
November 3rd, 2014 at 7:09 PM ^
If he was on a team that had the actual ability to generate a pass he'd probably be breaking records.
November 3rd, 2014 at 7:16 PM ^
November 3rd, 2014 at 9:44 PM ^
November 3rd, 2014 at 10:07 PM ^
November 4th, 2014 at 2:05 AM ^
as Carter/Alexander/Terrell/Braylon as great #1's?
No. Freaking. Way. At least not yet.
He's obviously physically gifted and has had the misfortune this season of playing on one of the most inept Michigan offenses in the last 50 years (along with 2008 of course...), but at this point in his career he's not remotely in the category of those previous #1s.
If he's going to get mentioned in the same breath as those guys, he's going to have to come up big against our main rivals. He hasn't done that yet.