T-Lo's Article: IMPORTANT CLARKE QUOTE

Gotta give him credit, the DaMN article had nothing regarding Clarke's intentions re:Countess, and that was the only reason I wanted to read it. I suppose, upon further reading, the quote doesn't really mean anything. He does add that "but [he] is always looking to improve through trade" qualifier at the end.

 

If he's telling the truth, that's a good sign. We're really not likely to "improve the team" based on anyone we would get for DJ based on the depth of goalkeeping around the league.

I stress, if he's telling the truth. It sounds meanspirited to say it, but with the amount of "clarifying" that goes on with this organization, I feel it's necessary.

 

As DJ is a P-40, does he count against the 18 roster limit?

If he doesn't, it seams that keeping both Garlick and Cassar, along with DJ, doesn't put the Burn at a roster disadvantage compared to other teams.

 

Damn, Cassar is gonna have his plate full.

 

I posted this to the Burn list yesterday and I will repeat it here:

It seems that everyone is under the impression that Garlick was brought in as a backup to DJ, but I think there is much more to this move than that.

It is not a secret that Colin Clarke is not a big fan of Countess. He benched him for a stretch of the season last year and has stated publicly that he wants a leader in the pipes.

DJ is not a leader. DJ is a kid who loves to joke and play and have a good time, and certainly not someone that gave veteran experience to a very young backline (which got worse when Marrow was hurt).

I personally have always been suspect on DJ, and in many of the same ways I feel about Eddie Johnson, I feel about DJ. I have marveled at some of his stops and skill, but I have also watched him mentally melt down at key moments. I have also seen and heard reports about DJ's relationship with his teammates, and I think it isn't talking out of turn that the Metros couldn't get rid of DJ fast enough because of his attitude.

I think DJ is a goner if Clarke can get something of value for him. I am willing to bet that DJ will sit on the bench or play for someone else in 2004.

DJ is going to have a stellar pre-season and find a personality transplant to keep his starting gig here in Dallas, or Garlick will have to break something.

So, from Florida, that is my HSO for the week.

peet

 

And I have a hard time believing we will keep 3 keepers on the roster.

 

I agree......one has got to go.....I vote for Cassar.

 

I know that Jeff and DJ handled the situation very well in front of the fans, but I have a hard time seeing that Jeff was a better and more vocal leader of the backline than DJ. DJ has more passion for the team than I've ever seen from Jeff. Of course, Jeff has been knocked around from team to team to team . . . that's bound to build a wall.

I just think it would be dumb to trade DJ- he doesn't impact the roster, has a great future, and, all things considered, is really a building block to the present and future of this team, and has a positive influence on team morale. The league IS deep in keepers - how would we get a good enough deal to justify trading him for anyone of worth? I just don't see it happening. I see him getting dumped for little or no value.

I'd rather see Garlick go, even as nice a guy as he is. I don't see that he is any more talented than Jeff. Jeff did have those penalty stops, remember? Do we want someone else in the locker room vocally complaining about not starting in favor of a kid 10 years younger? If Scott will talk to a newspaper, there is nothing to stop him from spouting off to the team. That is not what you expect from someone with his experience. Scott's been traded a lot too. There is a reason for that, I think.

I'm just not looking forward to the next week or so. I don't want to think about who goes next.

I'm taking some more antacid now. I think about what some of the posters from Columbus have said about trading away their future, and I just don't want that to be us. And it looks like that's the direction we are traveling.

 

Why not keep three keepers? Countess will be gone for the Olympics. Countess is also a p-40. He doesn't count against the salary cap, he doesn't count against the roster. There is no reason to go offering him up. If someone comes with a good offer then you think about it.

 

Are you so sure about that "positive influence on team morale" part?

Sure, he might have a great future, but Dallas is looking to build a winner NOW, not for 2007. How many 21 year old starting keepers are there in MLS? Uh, none other than him?

Again, DJ is NOT a leader and is not considered as such by his teammates. Is he a fun loving ladies man? You betcha, but he is not a field general and that is what Clarke wants behind what will be a very young back line in 2004.

Potential ain't gonna cut it in net.


peet

 

Very young backline, huh?
Well unless you know something I don't:

Gbandi-Jolley-Thomas-Ezra

w/Behnke and Salyer off the bench.

Among the projected starters at least, that's an average age of 27 or so.

You shouldn't HAVE to get veteran keeper like Garlick to lead a group with vets like Ezra and Jolley.

 

You are awfully hard on young players. They have to develop and mature somewhere and when they do no one will trade them as they are too valuable then. Was Mastroeni a leader and great influence early in Miami? How many DC fans have lambasted Convey for missing easy goals, how many US and MLS fans tore apart Landon until very recently? I still hear some people say that Beasley is just a young Cobi. Sure DJ and Eddie act stupid and immature at times. I bet you did too when you were their age (in fact I have seen you do a few silly things when you were much older). It doesn't mean they will always act that way. They need time to grow up and games to get better. As Valerie said DJ has an enormous amount of passion and I have observed his silliness to be well recieved at least by Kreis who in my opinion needs a little comic relief at times. I have never seen the silliness during games, I have seen mistakes and I have also seen extremeley quick reactions. That is the one good thing about sitting right behing the goal, you can really watch keepers and see differences in their games. Countess's reactions are better than anyone now in MLS it would be a shame to give up on him right before he turns into a monster. Garlick will keep him honest and teach him some things. Keep three until after the Olympics are through and then decide which two to keep.

 

Hitman what are you smoking?

DJ is very focused when on the field and at practice. He also has a great sense of humor and is natural leader. Look at all his experience with the US teams and they all say the same thing, he is an incredible asset to the team and all the players gravitate to him. Look at the end of any MLS games, notice who the players are all talking to etc. DJ won't take sitting the bench and will probably move on if Colin doesn't wake up! If Colin wants to field a bunch of older players, he should activate himself. As far as team loyalty, who offered Scott Yallop a room to live in when he came to Dallas? Who did Jeff Casaar live with when he had no offers form MLS? Who did Dunseth live with during the season? Who gets together regularly with Jason and his family??? See something similar????

 

Re: Hitman what are you smoking?

And he publicly took complete responsibity for his mistakes.

 

That's a very good point. As long as we can easily keep all three and it doesn't effect the roster then this is probably the best option. I wasn't thinking about the expansion issue.

 

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter what we think does it? I hate to admit it, but I'm going the gloom and doom ranks. Contrary to our mood at this time last year, when we thought we had a chance to win it all . . . . .

Colin and Greg are going to do what they think is needed to put the stongest team on the field.

They may listen to us, and consider what we have to say, but in the end, the decision is out of our hands. Which in a lot of cases, based on what I've read, is really a good thing!

I say trade Gbandi - somebody must still think this kid will be a stud - and maybe Glinton and some picks to get our quality defender/midfielder, and leave DJ on the team. DJ made a LOT fewer mistakes than Chris. To me, Chris starting on defense coincided with the ugliness and overuse of the backpass, and the visible acceleration of the death spiral of the season. Glinton just really never had a chance. I'm not ready to give up on Eddie yet either.

 

Fair enough guys.

You all seem to hold a belief that DJ can be what Colin is looking for.

In the end I think it is very clear that Colin will trade ANYONE on the roster if it means that he can gather a better player for particular position.

That means DJ, EJ, ROB and even Garlick.

The only guarentee is that this will be a different Dallas Burn in 2004.

 

Hitman, I know I don't have any behind the scenes info or anything but I see nothing that would lead me to believe that DJ isn't loved by his teammates. I remember watching him through the entire 2002 season on the bench, talking to everyone giving the scorers high fives, sure he did joke a lot but I think he is in no way a cancer to the team.


and goal123 is DJ, hahaha am I right?

 

I wish. Just a fan. Does anyone know about Dunseth? Is he gone?

 

Posters on the Crew boards are saying that they've seen him in town and that he's said Dallas didn't pick up his option for next year.


Which means the Burn still owns his rights, though, so if anyone else wants him, they've got to give us something.

 

a conditional draft pick perhaps?

 

I for got something else (and yes Brushes you should remember this). Who was sitting with the U17's at Dallas Cup and being one of the guys? That's right Mr. Cancer. Eddie was also there but more low key in a Hollywood disguise job with large knit cap. DJ thanked everyone who cheered in the section.

I think that those who observe from afar might be getting wrong info on DJ. If you notice the posters from the cheap seats are all in his corner and everyone else is ok with a trade. Just a difference of opinion in observing him up close over the coarse of a season. I'm on his side but have missed on other young players.

There is never a player you don't listen to trades about. If they make your team better do them. Don't do them for Ranger reasons (does anyone want Tom Hicks as an owner anymore?).