SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Devin Funchess turned to fellow wide receiver Damiere Byrd when the Carolina Panthers broke huddle early in Thursday's practice and whispered, "Byrd, you're going to get one."
Then Funchess saw the coverage and said, "Never mind. It's going to be me."
A year ago as a rookie out of Michigan, Funchess may not have recognized the coverage well enough to predict a long touchdown catch.
This time, he not only recognized the defense, he executed the route to perfection -- running away from safety Tre Boston in the right corner of the end zone to haul in the pass from quarterback Cam Newton.