Colts first UFA WR Devin Funchess

[Pez]

I like this signing, 6'4" is perfect across from Hilton. I think Patullo had a rough start this year and got his squad in order around the drop business.

https://twitter.com/TheStable_Pod/st...33087004884993

The dollars are high, but I'm guessing that this might have been the only way to get someone like Funchess to sign a 1 year deal this early in FA.

And I fucking hate his name.

[Brylok]

Originally Posted by Discflinger

Interesting. Fun-Fun fits in the locker room. I think he steps up.

"They" meaning the Panthers fans, not Ballard and Reich. Just to clarify

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by rm1369

I absolutely believe Funches wants to prove his worth. That’s kinda my point.

Why wouldn’t he sign a guy to a one year incentive laden contract? He has to spend some money and this allows him to keep all that flexibility for next year. And he can wait on Cain, a rookie, or both.

There is nothing about the signing that says it’s a long term solution. Ballard constantly says he wants to build thru the draft. This fits perfectly with that. Could he be a long term solution? Possibly. But it requires him performing at a level that shows him as viable solution, but not so good that he gets priced out of the Colts range. That’s a pretty narrow window IMO. It’s way more likely that he either doesn’t perform well enough or he performs too well. In which case next year several of you will be asking who can blame Ballard for not giving crazy money to a WR after only one good year when he’s given way to much money by Washington or Oakland or Buffalo or the Jets.

Understood, those are some reasonable points, and I’ll admit that I don’t feel I completely understand this signing. On the one hand, I don’t see it as a “placeholder” type signing as you described it, because (1) Funchess was signed on the first negotiating day, so we obviously targeted him, (2) the dollar amount of the contract is high, and (3) he fills a specific position of need (big bodied outside receiver)

On the other hand, it’s also curious because we haven’t committed to him long term, and we didn’t get any option years, so those items support your argument. The lack of option years is notable in particular and unusual for Ballard except, as I’m sure you’ll point out, for Grant last year (and Slauson if I recall). However, neither of those deals was nearly as high profile as this signing, and both of those players were signed deep in the free agent period when the Colts had much more leverage. This might also be the only one-year deal announced yesterday, so it's unusual in that sense as well.

So I can’t quite figure it out. My best guess is that the Colts are suspicious of free agent wide receivers, having been burned by several over the last few years (Grant, Andre Johnson, Kamar Aiken, etc) and thus feel that it would be better to bring someone in for one year to see if they fit before making a long term commitment. If they do, it will end up costing them a bit more, but if it doesn’t work out they don’t get stuck in a large, long term, unproductive contract. However, this one year strategy wouldn’t be appealing to the uppermost tier of free agents who have the leverage to secure a long term guaranteed deal, but might be attractive to a slightly lesser free agent like Funchess who could have the hope of getting a big time deal next year with a productive 2019.

So, while all of this is just a guess of course, it really doesn’t feel like a placeholder-type signing to me. And I’ll admit that it is a little perplexing. Regardless, I’m still excited about this signing following the relative success of last year’s free agent crop. Funchess is a big-bodied 25 year old receiver who is heading into (rather than out of) his prime years, and Ballard has proven to be a strong talent evaluator – both in the draft and free agency. So I think there’s reasonable grounds to expect Funchess to play well and prove to be an asset to our team.

[Oldcolt]

Unlike past seasons I believe Ballard AND Reich/coaching staff made this decision together and already know exactly how they want to use Funchess. Time will tell of course, but given the track record of this administration I believe that they have a plan and a large receiver like Funchess fits that plan.

I also don't think we overpaid or if we did it was not by much. Didn't Moncrief get almost 10 million with a couple more million in incentives? These wr's make a ton of money now a days.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

I also don't think we overpaid or if we did it was not by much. Didn't Moncrief get almost 10 million with a couple more million in incentives? These wr's make a ton of money now a days.

you are correct. 1 yr 9.6 with a 4 million signing bonus.

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by Coltsalr

I still say that this team could’ve been been better off signing either Tate, Humphries or Crowder and there’s some opportunity cost left on the table by not pursuing a guy with higher upside.

That said, if they do draft AJ Brown then I’ll happily shut up.

You're just going by name recognition and aren't considering traits. The Colts didn't sign any of those guys because they were looking for a big, strong WR with a large catch radius who can win on in-cutting routes and back shoulder throws. That's what Ballard and Reich want and that's what Funchess offers them.

[Colt Classic]

Originally Posted by Coltsalr

I still say that this team could’ve been been better off signing either Tate, Humphries or Crowder and there’s some opportunity cost left on the table by not pursuing a guy with higher upside.

That said, if they do draft AJ Brown then I’ll happily shut up.

I'll take odds on that not happening.

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

Unlike past seasons I believe Ballard AND Reich/coaching staff made this decision together and already know exactly how they want to use Funchess. Time will tell of course, but given the track record of this administration I believe that they have a plan and a large receiver like Funchess fits that plan.

I also don't think we overpaid or if we did it was not by much. Didn't Moncrief get almost 10 million with a couple more million in incentives? These wr's make a ton of money now a days.

If people had watched more of Reich's offenses with the Chargers and Eagles, they would see how badly he wants some bigger receivers.

We already saw how quickly he wants to get the ball out of his QBs hands last year. What happens when teams press your smaller WRs like the Jags and Chiefs did effectively late last year? They shut down your offense. With a guy like Funchess, you give yourself a better opportunity to beat those coverages.

[Coltsalr]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

You're just going by name recognition and aren't considering traits. The Colts didn't sign any of those guys because they were looking for a big, strong WR with a large catch radius who can win on in-cutting routes and back shoulder throws. That's what Ballard and Reich want and that's what Funchess offers them.

Actually, particularly with Humphries, I thought that his quick twitch ability to get open quickly would fit well with Reich’s hope or quick release passes.

It’d be nice if Funchess could do what you’re saying, but I’m skeptical to say the least.

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by Pez

I like this signing, 6'4" is perfect across from Hilton. I think Patullo had a rough start this year and got his squad in order around the drop business.

https://twitter.com/TheStable_Pod/st...33087004884993

The dollars are high, but I'm guessing that this might have been the only way to get someone like Funchess to sign a 1 year deal this early in FA.

And I fucking hate his name.

That damn video makes me sick.

The money is high, but i agree, was probably the only way he would take the deal.

Just to prepare everyone, Funchess drops the ball too. He isn’t known for his hands.