Here is my report card on the roster moves made in the last 12 months: Losses: End of season: Otto Loewy, Alan Koger, Franco Coria, Pat Phalen, Ryan Cochrane, Milton Caraglio, Rajko Lekic, Mosef Zerka, Kheli Dube Pre-season: Zach Schilawski, Ryan Kinne In season: Kenny Mansally, Shalrie Joseph, Zak Boggs Gains: Danleigh Borman (Re-entry phase 1, 12/5/2011): Worth a shot, but he went to South Africa instead of signing here Grade: F Clyde Simms (Re-entry phase 2, 12/12/2011): Not a Shalrie-in-his-prime, but a solid DM Grade: B Nate Jaqua (Re-entry phase 2, 12/12/2011): Retired rather than signing here. Grade: F Fernando Cardenas (signed 1/9/2012): Solid spark off the bench, but not a starter Grade: C John Lozano (signed 1/9/2012): Big money signing, released June 27th. Grade: F Jose Moreno (signed 2/2/2012): Biggest fanfare signing of the season, also biggest bust. Grade: F- Saer Sene (signed 2/13/2012): For a plan B signing, worked out well. Has holes in his game, but put up big numbers before blowing out his knee Grade: A Lee Nguyen (signed 3/2/2012): After passing on the lottery, Revs got a second chance when VAN released him. Grade: A Jeremiah White (signed 3/9): Low risk, but didn't pan out, released June 27th. Grade: F Flo Lechner (signed 3/14): Veteran presence off the bench Grade: C Bjorn Runstrom (signed 3/28): Another miss, released June 27th. Grade: F Jerry Bengston (signed 7/5): I'd expect more from a DP, but hopefully he can have a chance to prove what he can do in 2013. Grade: B Dmitry Imbongo (signed 7/16): Another international spot used on a backup Grade: C Blair Gavin (trade 8/1): Injury led to only a cameo appearance Grade: Incomplete Juan Toja (allocation 8/27): $200K is a lot for someone who can't play 90 minutes. Like Bengston, hopeful that this is more for next year. Grade: C Too many international slots used on bench players, too many high-priced mistakes. Moreno debacle was embarrassing. Team desperately needs a free kick specialist, and someone besides AJ Soares who can head home a corner kick. OVERALL GRADE: D
I wouldn't give an F for moves that basically involved no cost. To me, it's all about cost/benefit and if there's no cost to selecting someone like Borman or Jacqua, why give that the same grade as for Moreno, which did cost a lot?
Earlier this year you wanted to call Jeremiah White the biggest bust of the offseason. I argued that there were countless other players (Moreno/Lozano) who were far bigger busts because of the increased risk due to the cost and importance of the signings. This seems to go along exactly with what I said, no? That White shouldn't be considered a bust, or a terrible move (F), because it came at no cost and there were low expecations for his performance?
My grades were for the Front Office. Your point is valid. My grades were based on the FO's inability to sign these players after selecting them.
Then I agree with rkupp about Borman and Jaqua, and with you about White. Knuckle-headed domestic signings (or attempts at them) are so far below the radar of what what really ails this team that it barely bears mention.
Do you know who has two thumbs and forgot that Jeremiah White existed? Also, why no grades for our SuperDraft picks? Rowe and Roach
Yeah, Polak would be an I. Rowe would get a C or so from me. I think at times he added a lot, but at times he was also non-existent out there.
I'd agree. For the 3rd pick in the draft, I'd hope for more out of Rowe. But he was third on the team in goals (3) and tied for first in assists (5, with Tierney). Hopefully he continues to grow (as a player, not a donut-eater). I also accidentally omitted the immortal Blake Brettschneider.
I have to give them an A+ for tossing Phelan on the trash heap....on second thought it took them two seasons to realize he sucked,,,,,,D
I disagree slightly: There was a cost involved in drafting Borman and Jaqua in that those picks could have been used to select other players that might have provided more benefit. Minimal cost, perhaps, but not zero cost.
Rowe actually had 4 goals and 6 assists if you include the legendary Harrisburg City Islanders USOC game.
When you talk about "biggest bust", to me that's about expectations vs. results. I'm suggesting this rating take into account cost vs. benefit. And, at that time we got zero out of White, which is why it was my opinion that he was the biggest bust (and Moreno was still on the roster, thus still had potential). Those drafts had additional rounds that we (and everyone else) passed on. We could have drafted just about whoever else we wanted and still drafted those guys. So what was the cost of drafting Borman and Jacqua?
They also picked Simms. The cost of picking Jacqua was that someone else could potentially pick another player they wanted, in this case, Simms. Everything worked out, but there is a cost.
Beyond quantifiable costs like salary and opportunity costs of missing other players, those selections cost the revs FO the embarrassment of being passed on to play in South Africa or retire. It's more evidence for fans that have lost faith in their judgment around player selection. However, I didn't like either selection so it may have been a blessing in disguise.
Totally agree with what your saying here, but you have to admit the transaction costs were pretty nominal in both cases. From what i read, TFC offered Borman a contract but he turned it down with an eye on going back to South Africa. That is why he was available in the re-entry draft in the first place. The revs pick knowing there was a good chance he may not sign with them. I agree here. I can take or leave Borman, but I'm not a big fan of Jacqua's. How many rookie midfielders picked in the top 5 or even top 10 pick's produce better in their rookie year? A few maybe but not many.