Revs Offseason 2016-2017

So, while Burns is still measuring...

Houston Dynamo continue revamp with signing of defender Leonardo
January 4, 2017, 3:39PM EST
Edgar Acero

 

Expect some kind of update from the #NERevs about player movement/signing in the coming days. #MLS

— Julian Cardillo (@JulianCardillo) January 5, 2017

 

The update is "we are trying real hard."

 

I realize the guys at Bent Musket are tying to drum up interest and clicks, so fair play. That said, having Agudelo and Kamara both healthy and playing side-by-side is a good thing, and I can understand the optimism. The other bold predictions are that the Revs will sign significant players at the positions where they most need them. Let's see how that pans out. The third prediction, that Cropper will emerge as the #1 keeper seems like a no-brainer. Shuttleworth and Knighton seem to be destined as no better than average, so why not give the new guy a shot. Of course, for any keeper to be successful, he needs decent defenders in front of him, so there's that...

I also read the other article linked from there, "5 reasons to be optimistic." Cue up Ian Dury and the Blockheads! Of the 5 reasons, two of them are noted above: Aguedelo and Cropper. Also, having Kouassi for the full season can only help. I am very interested in what he can do, and visions of Shalrie Joseph in his prime are dancing in my head!

The other two reasons are, plain and simple, laughable. The Revs FO "lives for" January and February? maybe if they lived for the other 10 months of the year we might have a full team at the start of training camp! Their other reason for optimism is that Heaps has figured things out! Sure, Stevie Wonder could see what was wrong 2 months before Heaps did, but his "strong finish" (losing the Open Cup and missing the playoffs by losing to Columbus and Chicago) prove that he has the "coaching acumen" to make the Revs a "top-tier" team.

Ay-yi-yi! We're on the cusp, I tell ya, the CUSP!

 

Revs talk - we really are trying guys and gals and we should have some news by March at the earliest

 

"The Revs front office lives for January and February." LMFAO

Of course the Revolution front office lives for January and February. After all, with the attention of Kraft pere et fils focused upon a New England Patriots playoff run and potential trip to the Super Bowl, Messrs. Bilello, Burns and Heaps are held to an even lower performance standard than the virtually nonexistent level of accountability that they normally enjoy.

 

Unless this announcement is the signing of a player that is significantly better than anyone currently playing that position I will not be impressed or satisfied. They don't get better by signing players of equal or lesser skill... then again this could be an announcement saying they re-signed Goncalves or something to that effect.

 

Darrius Barnes negotiating w/ other #MLS club, no 2017 #NERevs return. https://t.co/FUAI01nZt7 My latest for @ProstSoccer @MLSTransfers

— Julian Cardillo (@JulianCardillo) January 5, 2017

 

Starting lineup will be a 2-3-5

http://lineupbuilder.com/?sk=dy80h

 

While other teams are adding players, the only news from Revsville is that Barnes and Koffie won't be back.

This is just like the last transfer window.

 

I miss the old days when you could rep someone for a particular reference - in this case Ian Dury, composer of the ultimate college anthem.

 

Hey, don't make me overplay my hand! I'm not going to list all the Reasons to be Cheerful (part 3) until training camp opens and someone gushes about the Next Big Thing from some trialist. Then the guy will have a couple of promising outings in closed-door scrimmages, get some minutes in the Desert Diamond Cup and either not be signed or make the team and have a Samba-like career with the Revs.

That post is at least 6 weeks away, so be patient, Grasshopper!

 

Pretty exciting times. Energizing.

It's like we're positively LIVING for January and February.

 

so much for this being the Revs next signing. I can see him going to one of the expansion team

 

"January".

"Before the season starts."

Next up? "We have our eye on international talent that will be signed in time to add to the exciting atmosphere in our planned state-of-the-art, soccer-specific stadium."

 

You know, at the end of the day, Gillette Stadium is a great place to watch a soccer game.

 

Panama int'l CB Harold Cummings just signed by SJ.

Exactly the sort of in-his-prime CB the Revs need.

 

Here's the view from the sparsely populated happy side of the aisle.

Multiple international signings before the season starts. That works for me. I expect one starting quality CB and the other maybe a young international who is not necessarily a walk-on starter. But two first XI signings would be nice, and would not surprise me.

On the draft front -- does anyone know how the trade they've already made works. I think that 24 hours before the draft, the best Revs draft pick goes to someone else (Chicago? Colorado?). But if they trade up in the final 24 hours to get pick number one (as they did with Farrell) or two or three, would they lose that pick instead? If they'd lose it, then there's little point in trading up. If they can keep it, I wouldn't be surprised if they traded way up to get whatever they feel is the best CB in the draft.

After a long off season of having nothing to get excited about, I am now checking regularly to see what moves they make -- as noted, their moves don't usually materialize until late in the off-season -- which is fine with me, as long as they end up with a shored up back line and a total of three new First XI (Kouassi and two others).

 

nothing that I can share right now but things ongoing and expect multiple international signings before the season starts

Bahahahahaha.....Kick the football Charlie Brown.

On another point, I feel bad for Lee on not getting a call to the 35 man camp cupcake. He did not have a great season but I think Heaps playing crappy formation did not help him showcase what he can do. I would still take him over Nagbe or Benny...even Sacha

 

The one they made last year that resulted in the loss of their highest pick this year in round one. I don't remember which trade it was -- Kamara, maybe?

 

Rev's highest first-round pick (#9) went to Columbus in the Kamara deal. The Revs have one other first-rund pick (#20) from Colorado for the rights to Jermaine Jones.

I don't know how it works if the Revs trade up above #9 (thus becoming the new highest pick) but I imagine the "highest-pick" that goes to Columbus gets locked in at a certain date/time.