Two too many. p.s.- I believe 4 today and then two more in a supplemental draft in a few weeks as I recall.
4 You can't say 2 too many because some good players have been picked in the 3rd and fourth rounds. When is the supplemental draft?
So - Mike Banner.... trying to figure a good way to ask the question. What hand does he usually write with? Does he favor the left, perchance?
Here is Banner's bio from SIUE: http://www.siue.edu/ATHLETIC/MSOC/2005/banner.html So, he transferred in from Georgetown, and has completed 4 years of college. He's an '84, so he'll turn 23 this year; Is he still Dev roster-eligible at this age? Rather underwhelming stats in college, IMO. I doubt Mr. Banner will survive training camp with this team.
I think Lubos Kubik might disagree with you. But I didn't say to trade him for a defender. I said he wasn't all that great in the first place so I couldn't understand all the love for him as if he was the second coming of Karl-Heinz Granitza.
The people who traveled sound great. We just drafted a forward outta Penn State, I missed the name though.
Here's the bio of the last draftee by the FIRE: http://www.gopsusports.com/SoccerM/People/players/Playerprofile.cfm?rosterID=2272 Simon Omekanda, a native of Morocco, is an Electrical Engineering major. So we won't have to worry about him making it after soccer. He lead his team with 5 goals and 4 assists this season, though. EDIT: Accoring to 3rd Degree, this guy did fairly well @ the combine, playing outside in the MF. He was ranked as the 6th-best forward. So maybe this is the RMF we've been hoping for. [Or not...] http://3rddegree.matchnight.com/thirdindex.cfm?page=article&show=20219
3rd Degree's summary of our draftees at the combine: http://www.3rddegree.net/thirdindex.cfm?page=article&show=20244 Bakary Soumare "The best pure raw talent, Soumare could be one of the best defenders in MLS and eventually heading for the big dance across the pond. He is very raw and makes mistakes, but his physical tools let him recover with ease. I don't think he was beaten once in the combine." [Listed as "can't miss."] Jerson Monteiro "An intriguing player, big and physical kind of forward or wide player that loved to come back and get them ball then turn and run at defenders. Was willing to get into the box and mix it up, not afraid of big defenders. He reminded me of Tony Nhleko, although fitter. A sleeper pick in my opinion." [Listed under "Projects With Hope"] Nate Norman "A slashing kind of wing player for the left side. He may end up being highly sought after cause a left sided guy who can get to the end line and cross is a rare thing indeed. If you can pick a possible "Bornstein" type sleeper in advance of the draft and seasons he might be it. Unheralded prior to the combine but made a big impression." [Listed as "Should Do Well."] Simon Omekanda "Another players I liked better as a wide mid or wing than I did up top. Good feet and good pace. Began to show good awareness and anticipation as he got comfortable with his team. Bit of a project, but has upside." [Listed as "should Do Well"] I couldn't find Banner anywhere...
That's the description that got me thinking that Monteiro could be seen as an either an upgrade over Jaqua, or at least a guy who could play a similar role at a lower price, and that's taking into consideration the criticisms of Nate you articulated earlier. The willingness to mix it up and to take on defenders are the parts that stood out. If he's tougher than Nate in the box, and fearless on the dribble, he should do well. Later, COZ
A guy like Montiero sounds like a good compliment for Rolfe. He would appear to be stronger in areas where Nate was weak. Defender knew they could largely leave Nate alone as he ran at goal and could mark Rolfe out of the game. If Montiero can run and is seen as a threat, that could take some of the pressure up top of Rolfe a bit. Obviously he isn't likely to start, but the Rolfe Jaqua pairing always seemed to put Rolfe at a disadvantage in my mind, and kept Rolfe from really breaking out.
Reading some of the combine reports, Monteiro sure sounds a lot like Sir Nate the Tall. There were a few "qualifiers" used to describe Monteiro's game that give me reason to pause about him being a MLS-quality RMF. [i.e. "He's got a big body and can make some nice moves considering."] Meaning, we always read/hear people describe Sir Nate as "He moves pretty well, for a guy his size..." I hope that we can describe Monteiro as a player that can move well, and without qualifying it.
I'm telling you. Monteiro can move. He's a fast Angolan that can run at defenders, but has the necessary size to be worth anything in the professional ranks. And the kid can finish.
So we have a guy from Angola, one from Morocco and another from Mali? If these guys turn out to be keepers, are we in danger of losing them for WC and African Conf. competitions? Sorta like Dipsy x 3.
I'm sure he's fast, in a straight-line fashion. Heck, Jaqua is fast in this way, too. But if he's going to play outside in the midfield, he's got to be agile. He's got to be nimble on his feet, too. He needs these things, so that he doesn't get torched by a middling talent like Joey Freakin' Franchino.
Yeah, Altidore has the making of a star, that's true. But I think Carr will be very good for us. Curtin I'm not as happy about, but who knows.