Devin Funchess’s size and speed create a wide range of opportunities for the Carolina Panthers’ offense.
2015 was the year that the Carolina Panthers proved the team could put together a strong passing attack. While the team continued to lean on a power running game, as they’ve done throughout the past, last season allowed Cam Newton and the receiving core to take major strides. Devin Funchess was a major part of that success towards the latter part of the year, and his continued development is vital to keeping that trend going into 2016.
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Carolina ended the year averaging 242.1 yards per game and 3873 total passing yards. While these numbers are quite mediocre when compared to some of the better passing teams in the league, they showed enough of a diversity to create an opening to dominate through the run. The unit was able to rank among the best in passing touchdowns (35) and average per pass attempt at 12.9 yards. Funchess figures to build on those figures in this coming season.
Last season started very slowly for Funchess, but by the end of the year he became a prominent target for Newton. He wouldn’t score his first career touchdown until Game 8 against the Green Bay Packers, but that moment created momentum that would see Funchess finish the year with five touchdowns on 64 catches and 473 total yards. Fans, experts and opponents alike should expect those numbers to increase this year.
“Oh, he’s light years ahead of where he was,” Coach Ron Rivera said as reported by Dave Newton of ESPN. “He’s confident. He’s very comfortable in our system. He understands it. He’s shown his abilities and they’re really coming through very nicely.”
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Rivera wasn’t the only individual that spoke highly of Funchess, as wide receivers coach Rickey Proehl also spoke highly of the second-year player.
“Obviously, we loved Devin and his ability ,” Proehl said. “And just to watch him grow as the year went on. Now with a year under his belt, the confidence, knowing our offense, knowing what our standard is and what we expect, he’s taken his game to another level.”
Funchess’s ability adds layers of opportunity for Newton and the passing game. An offensive lineup that features him, along with Kelvin Benjamin, Ted Ginn, Jr, Philly Brown and Greg Olsen is sure to cause matchup problems. The situation gets worse when teams have to mix in Carolina’s ability to run off of play action with Newton or any of the running backs.
Funchess can line up in a variety of positions. In the red zone he would be a target for fade routes as his 6’4,” 225-pound frame creates a big target for Newton. He also has the sure hands to catch the ball going through the slot, which gives him an advantage over the slower linebackers in the area. Funchess knows that he has the potential to impact the game in multiple ways.
His size and position creates not only opportunities for himself, but for the rest of the offense at the same time. He knows that he can line up nearly anywhere on the field and looks forward to having his number called.
“Nobody,” Funchess said. “Most of the wide-outs just play one position. I can play it all.”
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Devin Funchess adds an interesting wrinkle to the Panthers’ offense for the impending season. His development to close out last season let fans excited for what was to come and the coaches are adding to that with their praise for the young player.