Official 2020 Free Agency Thread

[pbmax]

At this point, I would not be surprised if they were converting him.

[Fritz]

Back to tight end? Or H-back?

[pbmax]

Back to tight end? Or H-back?

I just expect to be disappointed with the offensive plan from the GM perspective. He surprised me with Elgton LEEEEROY Jenkins, but otherwise I haven't been thrilled.

And there is nothing in this world more disappointing than an offseason position switch*. College or pro.

I know he is handicapped by vets and had to help the D first. But waiting is boring from a fan's point of view.



*Less so in college (Watt, Shields) but mostly seems like a letdown at all times.

[pbmax]

IT COULD ALWAYS BE WORSE

Peter Bukowski @Peter_Bukowski

For all the talk about consistency, hands and drops:

Devin Funches career drop rate: 7.2%
Robby Anderson career drop rate: 8.6%

[HarveyWallbangers]

Jeremy Fowler @JFowlerESPN
Before agreeing to terms with Devin Funchess, the Packers also showed interest in Demarcus Robinson, an intriguing second-wave option with 449 yards/4 TD and a ring with KC last year.

Robinson would have been intriguing, but he has some character concerns.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Funchess did indeed play tight end most of the time at Michigan.

Yawn. Anther guy whose hype was bigger than his production.

He was actually pretty productive at TE for Michigan (700+ yards and 6 TDs).

[Deputy Nutz]

Could be, but this is more than the coach and his offense. Shannahan's offense used Gabriel as slot receiver and they weren't worried about his size for blocking.

This is Gute and he mentioned it before he had to accommodate a new offense with LaFleur coming in. The GM is sold on this approach.

I think it is a match up thing. Big receivers that can block a little, throws a wrench into how defenses want to personnel it. Also, not all zone schemes are the same.

[texaspackerbacker]

Gotta think Funchess is replacing Graham, rather than Lazard. I have to admit, this is the Gute signing I am least optimistic about. I will wait to see the contract details, but on the surface it raises more questions about the Front Office than it answers about the roster...

I hope you're right, but I have to think as somebody said, it's a long shot that they make him a TE.

If the Packers keep Funchess, dump Allison, and draft one WR in the early rounds, that leaves a total of 10 receivers - 6 WRs, 3 TEs, and him. That's doable, but I still think we didn't need Funchess.

[run pMc]

Robinson would have been intriguing, but he has some character concerns.

Yeah. He could be a sneaky-good signing for the right team. I'm guessing the baggage you're alluding to was the deciding factor, that or the contract being sought.

The theme with Gute's signings are guys who have had at least one prod season, gotten hurt, and are out to prove their way back. If they stay healthy they could all be pretty good band-aid signings, but the draft is where is matters for cheap, young production.

[run pMc]

I hope you're right, but I have to think as somebody said, it's a long shot that they make him a TE.

If the Packers keep Funchess, dump Allison, and draft one WR in the early rounds, that leaves a total of 10 receivers - 6 WRs, 3 TEs, and him. That's doable, but I still think we didn't need Funchess.

I don't think he'll be a TE. I also don't think he moves the needle that much, but if you consider it a swap of Funchess for Allison, it's not a bad move.
With abbreviated/cancelled camps a Day 1 or 2 rookie WR will be far behind on the learning curve, and if coach don't trust you, you don't play (Hello, Dexter Williams and Oren Burks). Funchess should be able to absorb the playbook faster and is used to the pro game.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Might be an interesting depth chart. One of the rookies would have to have the ability to play in the slot though.

Davante Adams
High Draft Pick
Allen Lazard
Devin Funchess
ESB (I've been much higher on ESB than MVS for awhile, ESB has the physical attributes but can actually play football)
Midround Draft Pick

[red]

I think it is a match up thing. Big receivers that can block a little, throws a wrench into how defenses want to personnel it. Also, not all zone schemes are the same.

Big slow receivers that can’t get separation, and a QB that won’t throw to a WR unless they are very very wide open

Seems like the GM and QB are on different pages

[texaspackerbacker]

Anybody know how much we signed him for? I Googled "Funchess contract", and the only thing that came up was that he signed for $10 million for 1 year last year with the Colts. I sincerely HOPE the Packers didn't pay more than a tiny fraction of that.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Big slow receivers that can’t get separation, and a QB that won’t throw to a WR unless they are very very wide open

Seems like the GM and QB are on different pages

Rodgers threw it to Lazard in tight coverage. He does so with Davante and did so with others (Jordy, James Jones). I don't think it's the coverage so much as who is on the receiving end. If Funchess shows that he'll come down with balls in tight coverage (and he's done so in the past), it might not be that big of issue.

[pbmax]

Rodgers threw it to Lazard in tight coverage. He does so with Davante and did so with others (Jordy, James Jones). I don't think it's the coverage so much as who is on the receiving end. If Funchess shows that he'll come down with balls in tight coverage (and he's done so in the past), it might not be that big of issue.

You are not going to convince the "won't thrown into tight windows" crowd of anything.

Its not just a belief system, its a complete life makeover.