Reich asked Ballard to pursue Funchess

[coltsfeva]

  Good article about what Reich likes about Funchess, both on and off the field. Said he saw “quick feet”, which helps him get out of breaks and when he’s pressed. Faster than his 4.7 40 at the combine (I think he ran in the 4.4s at his pro day.

Needs to work on his catching technique but he’s only 24. 

 

https://www.1070thefan.com/blogs/kevins-corner/colts-coverage/frank-reich-asked-chris-ballard-pursue-devin-funchess-free-agency

[LockeDown]

Fans see mediocrity and our FO sees a diamond in the rough.  

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

I can’t wait to see what happens with him. Colts couldn’t have brought in a better character guy. Of course he could flop but I think the chances he thrives are bigger. 

The fact Reich is very high on him he will put him in situations he can succeed.

[JPFolks]

13 minutes ago, LockeDown said:

Fans see mediocrity and our FO sees a diamond in the rough.  

But the concern, first raised by Superman I believe, is still that he has a one year deal.  

 

If he sucks, we blew some money, but he'll follow Grant out the door.  

If he's so-so, he might come back, probably not, but he's not getting a deal anywhere else of note. 

If he's great, his price just got jacked and he's 25, meaning we will way overpay for him now to keep him (plus likely a lot of years) or he'll walk.  Sure, we'll get a draft pick presumably (it still is confusing to me) but we will have "fixed him" for our short term (one season) gain, but lose financially/contractually or see him go play for a competitor.  Not a great result.  It seems to me they had to flat refuse a 2 year deal for a reasonable price, so I wouldn't expect him to give us a discount as he risks his own future on a prove it deal.   

 

So if Frank loved the guy, that sounds great to me.  But Superman pointed out the major downside. 

[NewColtsFan]

37 minutes ago, coltsfeva said:

  Good article about what Reich likes about Funchess, both on and off the field. Said he saw “quick feet”, which helps him get out of breaks and when he’s pressed. Faster than his 4.7 40 at the combine (I think he ran in the 4.4s at his pro day.

Needs to work on his catching technique but he’s only 24. 

 

https://www.1070thefan.com/blogs/kevins-corner/colts-coverage/frank-reich-asked-chris-ballard-pursue-devin-funchess-free-agency

 

I'm not a fan of the title of the Kevin Bowen article.    It makes it sound like the idea to sign Funchess was entirely Reich's idea.    And all Ballard did was say yes, and went and signed him.

I seriously doubt that's what happened.

 

Things are far more complicated than that. 

 

I'm not knocking the OP of the thread.    I think Bowen's article is misleading.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

5 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

I'm not a fan of the title of the Kevin Bowen article.    It makes it sound like the idea to sign Funchess was entirely Reich's idea.    And all Ballard did was say yes, and went and signed him.

I seriously doubt that's what happened.

 

Things are far more complicated than that. 

 

I'm not knocking the OP of the thread.    I think Bowen's article is misleading.

Reich was given a list of free agents. DF was on the list he wanted to get.

 

The stuff about him only having a one year deal and walking if he had a great season is silly.  He would get something like the Williams deal. Maybe 3 in stead of 4. Ballard would have no problem giving him that if he is a difference maker for this team. Plus something I didn’t realize until today he went to a SB his rookie year. So he has SB experience.

 

Hear is his interview on fair game.

 

 

[John Waylon]

They rolled the dice on Ebron and won, might as well throw them again. 

[ColtJ82]

58 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

I'm not a fan of the title of the Kevin Bowen article.    It makes it sound like the idea to sign Funchess was entirely Reich's idea.    And all Ballard did was say yes, and went and signed him.

I seriously doubt that's what happened.

 

Things are far more complicated than that. 

 

I'm not knocking the OP of the thread.    I think Bowen's article is misleading.

In all fairness, Bowen writes for the casual fan. 

[NewColtsFan]

32 minutes ago, ColtJ82 said:

In all fairness, Bowen writes for the casual fan. 

That’s fine.   I like Kevin.   Liked him with the Colts, like him since he left.   I still find the title a little misleading.    I don’t mean to make a big deal about it,  but as a media guy, I’m licky about such things.

[Four2itus]

Ballard really looks for character. This kid has his head on right. I think he will be worth the contract he signed. 

[richard pallo]

I think Ballard said he signed him with the intent of him being a long term Colt.  I think if he proves himself he will get his long term deal from the Colts. 

[Dark Superman]

This is how a Coach/GM relationship is supposed to be. Not toxic like the Grigson/Pagano one.

[smittywerb]

I liked the signing.  Boom or bust.  Luck tends to make his WRs better so I can't wait to see what he does.  We're going to need it because I'm pretty sure teams are going to watch TY and Ebron.  If he could put up at least a 600yd year, that would be more than enough for our offense.  Last year, the 3rd leading receiver for yards was Hines.  2nd was Ebron and 1st was TY.  That is sad.

[lollygagger8]

T.Y., Funchess, Doyle and Ebron all on the field at the same time??? 

 

Opposing defenses be like: 

 

[DaveA1102]

Interesting information linking Funchess to the slot:

 

 

 

[Legend of Luck]

11 hours ago, JPFolks said:

But the concern, first raised by Superman I believe, is still that he has a one year deal.  

 

If he sucks, we blew some money, but he'll follow Grant out the door.  

If he's so-so, he might come back, probably not, but he's not getting a deal anywhere else of note. 

If he's great, his price just got jacked and he's 25, meaning we will way overpay for him now to keep him (plus likely a lot of years) or he'll walk.  Sure, we'll get a draft pick presumably (it still is confusing to me) but we will have "fixed him" for our short term (one season) gain, but lose financially/contractually or see him go play for a competitor.  Not a great result.  It seems to me they had to flat refuse a 2 year deal for a reasonable price, so I wouldn't expect him to give us a discount as he risks his own future on a prove it deal.   

 

So if Frank loved the guy, that sounds great to me.  But Superman pointed out the major downside. 

 

I think that's really overblown. I think you can look at the Alshon Jeffery deal in philly as a great case study.

 

The Eagles brought Alshon in on a 1 year deal worth 8 million. ( Getting Funchess for 10 a couple years later is roughly the same price with the rise in cap/salaries)

 

Alshon played great and became the number 1 receiver on that team. A year later, he signed a 4 year deal at 13 million a year to stay with the Eagles. 

 

If Funchess kills it and we can do the exact same deal or something similar, it'll be totally worth it in the end.

[Boiler_Colt]

16 minutes ago, DaveA1102 said:

Interesting information linking Funchess to the slot:

 

 

 

I've always thought this could be an intriguing possibility for Funchess. The traditional idea of a slot receiver has changed and you're starting to see bigger guys there who can bully smaller nickelbacks. If it's TY and either Cain or draft pick on the outside and Funchess in the slot, that could be fun to watch.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

3 hours ago, smittywerb said:

I liked the signing.  Boom or bust.  Luck tends to make his WRs better so I can't wait to see what he does.  We're going to need it because I'm pretty sure teams are going to watch TY and Ebron.  If he could put up at least a 600yd year, that would be more than enough for our offense.  Last year, the 3rd leading receiver for yards was Hines.  2nd was Ebron and 1st was TY.  That is sad.

It is sad. But I kind of think of Ebron as a WR.  If we can get funchess to put  up the yards Ebron had and Ebron still get his yards we will be lethal.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

16 minutes ago, Boiler_Colt said:

I've always thought this could be an intriguing possibility for Funchess. The traditional idea of a slot receiver has changed and you're starting to see bigger guys there who can bully smaller nickelbacks. If it's TY and either Cain or draft pick on the outside and Funchess in the slot, that could be fun to watch.

Reich said in his interviews from the owners meetings this week that he thought DF would be a very good slot receiver. That would not suprise me.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

1 hour ago, lollygagger8 said:

T.Y., Funchess, Doyle and Ebron all on the field at the same time??? 

 

Opposing defenses be like: 

 

It will create such a huge mismatch. It will be fun.

[DougDew]

9 hours ago, DarkSuperman said:

This is how a Coach/GM relationship is supposed to be. Not toxic like the Grigson/Pagano one.

But its always that way.  I believe that the HC has tremendous input into the roster and what players are added.  

 

Bowen's article reaffirms my assumption.  It a team, and sometimes HCs push for certain players and the GM says "ok, I'll get that guy for you".

 

Its not a top down command and control thing by the GM.

 

As far as P &G, nobody knows who wanted Werner, DJoun Smith, Morrison, or TJ Green more than the other guy, but I have my suspicions.

[Pelt]

12 hours ago, Chloe6124 said:

Colts couldn’t have brought in a better character guy.

I dispute that...

 

He went to michigan

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

Reich has a plan for him.

 

 

[krunk]

And like I've said ad nauseum he can play other positions as well.  A lot you can do with this man.

[NewEra]

I didn't think about the slot/nickelback match up. He's huge, just box them little guys out or burn past the LBER. If their top cb's on him then there's mismatch somewhere else.....in theory heh

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

1 hour ago, krunk said:

And like I've said ad nauseum he can play other positions as well.  A lot you can do with this man.

Right. If he can play the slot or outside we can confuse a lot of defenses.

[Superman]

14 hours ago, JPFolks said:

So if Frank loved the guy, that sounds great to me.  But Superman pointed out the major downside. 

 

2 hours ago, Legend of Luck said:

I think that's really overblown. I think you can look at the Alshon Jeffery deal in philly as a great case study.

 

 

I don't mean to present the one year deal as a major downside. I've said that I would have preferred a two year deal as a protection to the team, but I'm not heartbroken over it.

 

I do think the Jeffery deal is different, in that he has more proven production than Funchess does. But that's obviously the model.

[Mr. Irrelevant]

1 hour ago, Superman said:

 

 

I don't mean to present the one year deal as a major downside. I've said that I would have preferred a two year deal as a protection to the team, but I'm not heartbroken over it.

 

I do think the Jeffery deal is different, in that he has more proven production than Funchess does. But that's obviously the model.

 

Heartbroken is a big word, but I sure don’t like the one year deal. When you pay that kind of money, you believe in the man. But then you only make a one year deal implying that you’re not really sure whether you believe in the man. Which is it?

 

Now it might have been Funchess that didn’t want more than a one year deal because he thinks he can play lights out and cash in big time next year, and that is what it is. A two year deal that we could get easily out off would be much preferable to me, but then I’m not a GM! 

[Defjamz26]

16 hours ago, JPFolks said:

But the concern, first raised by Superman I believe, is still that he has a one year deal.  

 

If he sucks, we blew some money, but he'll follow Grant out the door.  

If he's so-so, he might come back, probably not, but he's not getting a deal anywhere else of note. 

If he's great, his price just got jacked and he's 25, meaning we will way overpay for him now to keep him (plus likely a lot of years) or he'll walk.  Sure, we'll get a draft pick presumably (it still is confusing to me) but we will have "fixed him" for our short term (one season) gain, but lose financially/contractually or see him go play for a competitor.  Not a great result.  It seems to me they had to flat refuse a 2 year deal for a reasonable price, so I wouldn't expect him to give us a discount as he risks his own future on a prove it deal.   

 

So if Frank loved the guy, that sounds great to me.  But Superman pointed out the major downside. 

Blew some money? That’s laughable. People here wanted us to throw millions at Le’Veon, Collins, and Moseley. But paying 10-13 million for Funchess would be blowing money?

[Superman]

Got this from Reddit:

 

 

This makes me feel good.

[Four2itus]

I would guess that Funchess wanted a nice multiyear, which CB was not going to give him...yet (nor likely was any other team). Probably offered near 8 for a 1 year, and his agent stood firm on 10. I am guessing CB overpaid 2 million because he thinks that highly of the young man. He probably figured someone else was going to give him the 10 and he wanted a horseshoe upside his head. 

[Four2itus]

Also, thank god a team that shall remain nameless didn't get him. 

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

4 minutes ago, Four2itus said:

I would guess that Funchess wanted a nice multiyear, which CB was not going to give him...yet (nor likely was any other team). Probably offered near 8 for a 1 year, and his agent stood firm on 10. I am guessing CB overpaid 2 million because he thinks that highly of the young man. He probably figured someone else was going to give him the 10 and he wanted a horseshoe upside his head. 

Not to mention Reich wanted him pretty bad.

[Four2itus]

4 minutes ago, Chloe6124 said:

Not to mention Reich wanted him pretty bad.

Yes, I should have indicated them as a team. 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

18 minutes ago, Superman said:

Got this from Reddit:

 

 

This makes me feel good.

 

Interesting! Can we tag him when he has only signed one year in the case both parties are open to a new deal next year but cant come to an agreement on time?

[Horse Shoe Heaven]

I like the signing, I think he will be good & if it doesn't work, its a 1 year deal! Whats not to like, other than if he balls out this year then you got to pay him moving forward!

[Legend of Luck]

Another angle to consider with the 1-year aspect of this deal.

 

Maybe Ballard plans on drafting a receiver, he obviously has high hopes for Cain. Maybe he's thinking...

 

If Funchess sucks, no biggie, one year deal, we had a rookie develop all year who can now step in in 2020.

 

If Funchess kills it, but our rookie is really impressive, we can move on from Funchess, save the cap room, let the rookie take over and STILL get a comp pick for Funchess. 

 

If that's what he does, its brilliant. 

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

21 minutes ago, Legend of Luck said:

Another angle to consider with the 1-year aspect of this deal.

 

Maybe Ballard plans on drafting a receiver, he obviously has high hopes for Cain. Maybe he's thinking...

 

If Funchess sucks, no biggie, one year deal, we had a rookie develop all year who can now step in in 2020.

 

If Funchess kills it, but our rookie is really impressive, we can move on from Funchess, save the cap room, let the rookie take over and STILL get a comp pick for Funchess. 

 

If that's what he does, its brilliant. 

Let’s say though he becomes the difference maker on this team. I don’t think ballard will be letting him go. The best case scrnerio is we go into 2020 with TY, Cain , Funchess.  If we use him a lot in the slot we can use all three. 

[Legend of Luck]

2 hours ago, Chloe6124 said:

Let’s say though he becomes the difference maker on this team. I don’t think ballard will be letting him go. The best case scrnerio is we go into 2020 with TY, Cain , Funchess.  If we use him a lot in the slot we can use all three. 

Yes, thatd be a great scenario as well. Personally, I dont care if its funchess or a rookie we bring in, or Cain, or Marcus, or anybody. Get me 3 or 4 really good receivers and I'm a happy man.

[JPFolks]

17 hours ago, Legend of Luck said:

 

I think that's really overblown. I think you can look at the Alshon Jeffery deal in philly as a great case study.

 

The Eagles brought Alshon in on a 1 year deal worth 8 million. ( Getting Funchess for 10 a couple years later is roughly the same price with the rise in cap/salaries)

 

Alshon played great and became the number 1 receiver on that team. A year later, he signed a 4 year deal at 13 million a year to stay with the Eagles. 

 

If Funchess kills it and we can do the exact same deal or something similar, it'll be totally worth it in the end.

So then... why bring it up in the first place? I was crediting you because had you not brought it up, it wouldn't have seemed like a bad idea? Now you're saying I shouldn't have thought much of your comment in the first place?  Confused?