New thread on an old topic... I was all set to reply to the last post in the old thread, so we can keep the discussion going here. But DO we know the bold part? I don't recall any statement as to who and why the players turned them down. It could be a couple of things: They are targetting the wrong players, offering, say, $850,000 to guys who made $1.25M, which is their fault for not knowing the market. They are targetting the right price level, but for whatever reason the player decided to sign with another team for similar money. This could be just bad luck (the player wanted to stay closer to home, etc.) or he may have heard good things about "The MLS," but on further investigation, the Revs (perceived) reputation had too negative a weight. I don't know if they are ever really going to pay a truly "top level" DP. They have always said that he has to "check all the boxes." They did with Jones, but that was a short-term deal that produced dividends, but instead of going out to sign another Jones, they decided that it was either "good enough" and they could milk another "almost chanpionship" for a few more years, or it was "too hard" to find another guy who had the same name recognition and impact as a player. "Diamonds in the Rough" is a good approach, but it is always going to be hit-or-miss. Given the Revs ability and willingness to have a proper scouting department, this won't be easy.
Plus the "diamonds in the rough" philosophy is highly unlikely to uncover players that are obvious multi-talented. They're going to be talented but flawed players. When picking them works, it's most likely to result in something like Belichick's Patriots: a system where players' assets are maximized and drawbacks minimized through clever strategy. I can understand why the Krafts might be enamored of using that same approach for the Revs. But of course, the Revs don't have a Belichick. We're more in the Rex Ryan vein (though mercifully Jay isn't the asshole that Rex is). Or whoever is coaching the Jets or the Dolphins these days, neither of whom I can even picture, let alone name. Diamonds in the rough isn't going to work for the Revs without a coach who knows how to do it. And Jay is not that coach. (Of course, the counterargument to the Patriots diamonds in the rough example is that they very arguably already benefit from the ultimate diamond in the rough turned "DP", Brady. Without the Brady tentpole, the Patriots big top wouldn't be quite so full. And thus we're back to the argument that the Revs will not be successful sans a DP.)
You need people who can also see a 'diamond in the rough' -- we don't have them in the Front Office. This is one of the big differences between the Patriots and Revs -- the ability to identify talent.
A couple of years ago the Dolphins coach was Tony Sorpano, but he gut fired because he started Paulie Walnuts at QB and Chris-tuh-fuh was his target WR. It didn't go too well for them.
Since there is very little similarity in the methods of substitutions between NFL and MLS, any MLS player with flaws in their game is harder to cover for in-game. Exposure is higher in soccer when consciously fielding a less-than-complete player - each MLS player has broader responsibilities (i.e., to do more) than does nearly all individual player on a NFL team. (I think even Belichick would struggle at times as a soccer coach given the limitations on the coach's ability to directly influence outcomes in-game.) Diamonds in the rough usually come with flaws - hence they are "in the rough"/undiscovered. Building a team comprised primarily of flawed value players is less tenable in MLS than NFL. Kraft surely understands that....right....? (Even it were tenable and desirable -- Nor do Revs have a full roster of players with complementary skills that can be used to cover other player's flaws, whether strategic or tactical. But open roster slots are another story....)
Yeah, you can't compare different sports like that. In football, pretty much everyone is a "specialist." Sure, a guard can play tackle and vice-versa, but for most positions, that's the role and there isn't a lot of leeway. In the old days, players had to go two-ways, but what defensive position could Brady (or any QB for that matter) play? In soccer, everyone other than hte keeper is a "generalist." Sure there are certain skills for each position, but everyone has to be able to do everything to a competent level. Going back to the days of Cancela, Nicol thought of him as a "luxury" player because he wasn't strong enough on D, even though he was excellent as a playmaker. You really do need to do all things well, especailly the spontaneous, on the fly nature of the game. Football has very specific plays where every single player's role is completely defined. The caoch is playing chess, while a soccer coach does all his work the week leading up to the game and can only make minimal ajustments.
This method also requires that there is someone capable of polishing these diamonds in the rough. I haven't seen much evidence of polishing on the Revs.
To take this in another direction (still thread-appropriate), did anyone else want to scream at Brad near the end of the broadcast of Friday's match when he started bemoaning the injury-strapped Revs? Had we had viable options instead of empty roster slots, we wouldn't have had to resort to nearly the level of line-up shuffling for the starting lineup.
This is "generally" correct, but there are players who are specialists and good coaches find a way to utilize them to the best of their special talent. The best example of this is Carlos Valderrama who rarely left the center circle and never left it on his defensive side, but still opened up the field for his teammates in a very special way. Another example, in my mind, is Kamara, who feeds on crosses into the box, and the ensuing kerfluffle that can allow him to poach a goal. A good coach would find a way to "feed the beast." In our currently pervasive era of Dutch-style total soccer your team of ten generalists is certainly the ideal, but I would argue that there's not a team in MLS that can field 10 strong two-way field players.
You clearly haven't been listening on the rare occasions when Messrs. Bilello, Burns, and Heaps deign to address the media about the state of the New England Revolution. At such times, there's always a lot of first-rate turd-polishing going on.
I wonder if we are targeting anyone specific coming through Allocation this summer, or just hoping this puts us in position to get someone, anyone, who happens to come through.
Dusting off some discussion from 2016 last year's Onyewu trial with Revs, given some of the Onyewu salary data that bubbled up on Twitter today and his performance yesterday. He compared favorably with (i.e., as good and smart as) any defender on the field for the Revs yesterday. From 2016 From now MLS salary report says Oguchi Onyewu makes $65,004. Angoua has a base of $600,000 ($654,333.33 guaranteed) #NERevs— Seth (@SethMan31) July 3, 2017
I don't know how well MLS keeps this list updated but here is a list of players eligible for the allocation process. https://www.mlssoccer.com/allocation
So I assume based on this trade SJ must have some cap issues they have to solve right now since by next January they are basically giving back the money NE traded to move up. Seems like a no lose situation for NE even if they don't use the allocation spot.
Source: New England has made an inquiry for Columbus Crew's Waylon Francis. They were interested in the winter window as well.— MLS Transfers (@MLSTransfers) July 5, 2017 Sources: Kevin Doyle and Kei Kamara some of the big names available for trade this summer.— MLS Transfers (@MLSTransfers) July 5, 2017
disappointing that they're looking within the league for a left back (i.e. would have to give up assets in a trade) rather than signing a FREE agent.
FYP - In all seriousness - how did iron man Tierney fall off a cliff between the end of last year and the preseason this year? If Tierney is not carrying some knock that is preventing him from going all out, then this is on Heaps struggles to evaluate talent to suddenly decide he isn't working out - now suddenly we are in crisis mode. I thought Heaps was always looking 2 windows ahead.
I imagine it's easier for them to assess talent within the league than outside it, considering they have no scouting department.
All of this reminds me of an episode of the Sopranos where Tony and Carmela are at Dr. Melfi's and are arguing during their joint therapy session. Dr. Melfi: I may be wrong, but I get the sense that both of you seem very angry. Tony: Yeah? How'd you figure that out? You must have been at the top of your f***in' class.
“We’re also looking for guys right now who can come in and start or seriously compete for starting spots out of the gate.” I think this pops up on his calendar every 6 months to remind him to mention it. BTW when are they going to get those guys?