News: Smith has torn right ACL

Discussion in 'Colorado Rapids' started by JasonMa, Oct 28, 2011.

  1. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Per the Rapids Twitter:

     
  2. COphysicsDave

    COphysicsDave Member

    Dec 13, 2010
    Centennial State
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Pretty much what I expected.
     
  3. BeTheRed

    BeTheRed Member

    May 16, 2006
    Sadly, I think his career is probably over.
     
  4. jayd8888

    jayd8888 Member+

    Aug 22, 2006
    Denver CO
    Well, puck. Poor guy.
     
  5. deron

    deron New Member

    Jul 25, 2006
    Centennial, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'd guess that's gonna just about spell the end of his career. It's a shame. He's not flashy, but he's been worth around .3 points a game to us.
     
  6. jayd8888

    jayd8888 Member+

    Aug 22, 2006
    Denver CO
    Over the last season plus a few months we've seen some awful injuries.

    Clark
    Kandji
    Zakuani
    Casey
    and now Smith.
     
  7. Totoro

    Totoro Member+

    Dec 3, 2009
    Colorado
    It's too bad. Didn't he hurt his knee his first year with the team? Is it the same knee?
     
  8. Search200

    Search200 Member

    Sep 8, 2009
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    don't forget carlos ruiz in the 08 home opener against the galaxy, watching the little fish squirm on the ground was worth the price of admission......along with the 4-0 victory!
     
  9. commercecity

    commercecity Member

    Oct 8, 2007
    Commerce City, CO
    This stat doesn't surprise me one bit.

    What's that old axiom, it's better to be lucky than good? He was all good and no luck.

    I hope to see him play again.
     
  10. GoRapids

    GoRapids Member

    Sep 1, 1999
    Boulder CO
    He turns 31 in November.
    2009 4 games 3 starts $170 k
    2010 22 games 16 starts $183 K
    2011 20 games 18 starts $147 K

    If you combine that $147 K with the $200 K for dropping Folan ... first you can bump up Cummings who makes $89 K to $180 K

    Add in Ian Joyce at $70 K ... you can give Kimura a well earned bump from $63 K and Nyassi who is at $42 K to $100 K and $ 70 K respectively.

    And you STILL have $261 K to go out and find someone that can help us on the left wing (though you have to add in a few $42 K min players which requires more accounting - plus the annual raises - you could get another $18K by replacing Palguta). Bobby Convey right now is sitting on $336.

    Point is ... he's making serious bank (MLS wise) and just not reliable enough. It's pretty close because he does directly add points to the standings - which few players can do - however with the ACL - he's done till June/July and then he won't be playing at 100% himself - and being 31.5 years old - he may never be.

    I'd take him back if he agreed to something like $70 K but we need a permanent solution to the left side.

    I know I know - we're all buddies with him! :D

    Get this: Comminges makes $42K ... that's looking like a steal.
     
  11. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I have a hard time telling somebody who's recovering from blowing his knee out playing for the team to take a pay cut or leave.

    Not that I disagree with your point, we could probably do better, but we should keep paying him while he's rehabbing.
     
  12. deron

    deron New Member

    Jul 25, 2006
    Centennial, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    What is his contract status? I don't love the idea of cutting him, but what do you do if there's an option?
     
  13. 22SteveD

    22SteveD Moderator
    Staff Member

    Jun 1, 2011
    Denver
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I agree, retirement route I think is best or decent route. If not then release him and pay full contract $ and ask MLS for waiver on Salary cap.

    Offer him rehabbing with Rapids if it will help (I expect he can rehab anywhere).
     
  14. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I know in the past players that didn't have a future on the team were kept on the team until they were healthy (Wes Hart, Matt Crawford, Ross Schunk for examples). Its kind of an unwritten rule in MLS. The IR spot allows them to stay on the team without taking up a roster spot. However the IR spot still counts against the salary cap. I don't know if MLS has some classification that allows a player to stay on the team and keep rehabbing without counting against the salary cap.
     
  15. JasonMa

    JasonMa Member+

    Mar 20, 2000
    Arvada, CO
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Just found this in the roster rules:

    So if Smith is under contract for next season the Rapids could buy his contract out and offer him the use of the team facilities and personnel during his rehab. Of course this would require the Rapids to spend their own money...
     
  16. GoRapids

    GoRapids Member

    Sep 1, 1999
    Boulder CO
    Sports are cruel. The top priority is always what's best for the team ... sometimes teams will do the right thing and sacrifice what's best for the team for a player that has been dedicated.

    I can't think of one time in Rapids history that has happened.

    So playing devils advocate ... the Rapids have paid him half a million dollars already ... the results have been mixed ... he's certainly contributed while on the field more often then not. But he's been off the field as more often then not too.

    And I don't think that's an unwritten rule Maxwell ... I think when a player is on the IR - you cannot cut him and must continue to pay him.

    It's really too bad - we're a better team with him ... when he's able to play ... but we need some real consistency on the left. And there are players that will be negotiating their contracts this offseason that deserve bumps.
     

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