I think defense is the one thing you can teach - at any age. 90% of defending is discipline. Maxwell comes from a small conference, so it's harder to evaluate him. That probably explains why he wasn't more highly rated (even so, Ives had him listed at #21). When he finally got a chance to play against the elite college players, it sounds like he did quite well. And, being older has it's advantages too. He should be lot more mature and more ready to transition to the pro game (and lifestyle).
I'm nominating myself the official Igwe apologist. I think he's been fine, and I hope he gets a chance to make the starting team as left mid if not left fullback.
I'll second this. Igwe's made some mistakes but he's clearly athletic and plays with a lot of heart. If Nicol can do for Igwe what Nicol did for Heaps (i.e., help him learn to play within himself and not lose focus) we should really have something.
Make that 3 as I think this is the year that he breaks out. If I'm wrong, well then I'm wrong and it certainly wouldn't be the first time and most likely not the last. I like to keep in mind that he's only 20, and in this year's draft he still would be considered one of the youngest drafted (in fact only 2 players were under the age of 20).
I agree, if anything happens to either Reis or the back up they can get a keeper on loan or on the cheap from the USL. It will be interesting to see how not only the Revs but the rest of the league handles this.
How about a telephone call to the kids coach or a coach from other teams in his league or from tapping game films or the coach of his National Team or talking to the kids mother?
I would be surprised to see teams carry three Keepers. OTOH, I see the League increasing the size and maybe quality of the back-up pool.
Would you really base your judgement on drafting someone in the first round on the opinion of a coach you've most likely never met, who plays in the second division of the collegiate level? You think he's got time (and remember, the combine ended last Sunday) to go and make all these calls and from watching either game tape (and if you've seen DII game tape, it's about as scratchy as it gets) or talking to opposing coaches, he'll get enough information about whether or not he can play at this level, all because he had 3 good days at a combine? Having never seen him play a game live? Wow.
I believe Nicol based his draft pick on what he saw with his eyes. You asked a question and I offered a variety of possible answers. If Nicol had a real concern about that part of the kids game I think he had options to gain information. We may never get to know one way or the other if this kid has a balanced game. We have six field player picks, one a lock leaving a real log jam for the one (or maybe two if someone gets cut or traded) remaining slots. I suspect the other players drafted will want to have something to say (with their play) about who should win the few remaining roster slots. Preseason training this year should be really INTENSE.
Oh of course. He's never made a mistake before so we shouldn't ever ask questions. How did I ever forget?
I, myself, can make quite a few phone calls in three days. I'm sure between Nicol, Mariner, and Williams, let alone Burns and Sunil, they have enough contacts in US soccer and the Caribbean to get a few trusted opinions during a 3-day span (probably really a 5-6 day span if they liked something they saw on the 1st day). Also, coaches can often see enough of a player in only a few viewings to know whether they like the player (happens all the time). And at the very least, Maxwell's agent could certainly have quickly provided ample game tape to any interested parties within the given time. All that said, Maxwell may yet turn out to be a bust, but so do some of the best researched picks and acquisitions. Just look at the success rate of 1st round picks for all teams. Did Chelsea fail to do enough homework on Shevchenko? Even in the world of the NFL, the great and meticulous Bill Belichek misses on some picks with all the info in the world and an army of people sorting through it. It's not a science, and sometimes coaches/teams have to follow their gut. Let's give the kid a chance before we dump on him, or any of the other players.
If the Roster stays as is, Ralston will be most likely running the offense from the middle of the field
Tampa vs Lynn University (Oct 14, 2006 at Boca Raton, Fla.) Maxwell played 45 minutes of that game, where Williams most likely watched him play live as assistant coach of Lynn. The next season Maxwell played the Williams-less Lynn 3 times; playing 67, 67, and 62 minutes.http://www2.lynn.edu/athletics/stats/files/ms/2007/teamstat.HTM This past season Maxwell played the Williams-less Lynn 3 times; playing 56, 82, and 81 minutes.http://www2.lynn.edu/athletics/stats/files/ms/2008/teamstat.HTM Whether he was on their "radar" or not, the Revs had the resources through Gwynne Williams to get plenty of information about Ryan Maxwell in a short period of time. Let's see how things turn out first before we form conclusions on the new guy.
Agreed. The players have been affiliated with the Revs for less than 48 hours. To label them a success or a failure when they have yet to suit up for a team practice is rather foolish. Their slate with the Revs is currently clean. It is up to them, with the help of the coaching staff as well as the players around them to form which direction their career will go. They may be the next Clint Dempsey, or the next Bryan Byrne. I feel we, as fans, owe them the benefit of the doubt as to their performance at this particular moment in time.
So here is what the roster looks like by general position from RevNet: Revolution Roster By Position ( I switched Tierney from a mid to defender) GK (3): Matt Reis, Brad Knighton, Tyrel Lacey D (8): Amaechi Igwe, Chris Albright, Gabriel Badilla, Jay Heaps, Rob Valentino, Kevin Alston, Darrius Barnes, Chris Tierney M (11): Jeff Larentowicz, Steve Ralston, Mauricio Castro, Mike Videira, Shalrie Joseph, Wells Thompson, Pat Phelan, Sainey Nyassi, Ryan Maxwell, Andrei Gotsmanov, Dado Hamzadic F (5): Kheli Dube, Taylor Twellman, Argenis Fernandez, Kenny Mansally, Chris Salvaggione Here's my fuzzy math: SWAG at likely position spread: ~2 Keepers ~8 Defenders ~10 Midfielders ~4 Forwards Lacey and Salvaggione are ultra long shots to be signed. The only draftee whose a lock is Alston. Other draftees likely to make the roster: Maxwell and Barnes This leaves Gotsmanov and Hamzadic fighting for the last slot Only current roster players at risk (small): Thompson, Tierney and Phalen
I think Gotsmanov has the tools to impress. I'd advocate if they can improve Twellman Mansally - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Nyassi Ralston -----Joseph - - - -Larentowicz Albright - Badilla - Heaps - Alston Reis
I can never ever look at a 4-5-1 formation and feel happy about it. I have been scared for life after the 2006 world cup 4-5-1 formation that made BA loose his job. Twellman will never be able to produce by himself. He is a damn good goal poacher but you can't poach a goal when your the only possible target for crosses. I really wanted the Revs to shore up their left side and defense problems, and it seems like they tried that in this draft. Assuming these kids make it into the first team, I'd like to see us quickly sign another forward. OH, and who's to say that Twellman is going to stay injury feel all season? Without having any idea how our draft picks will perform, I don't see any real offense on our squad. I see allot of crosses with little results in our future. RRRREV IT UP
I don't think so. If I remember the quotes from Nicol et al when they decided to sign him they felt he was going to mature into something special. Its not clear why they chose to loan him out last season (congestion at Forward?) but I would bet a case of Sam Adams he stays on the roster this season. As I offered above, I don't see any of the players on the current roster being waived. (But then I just teach Doctoral Students and have never stayed at a Holiday In Express so what do I know )