Its obvious what he does well (defense hustle, good anticipation of ball- steals, running hard/fast into open space, and using speed to beat defenders), BUT when does the crossing/finishing improve? This is not as simple an argument as "oh, he's young, he'll get better"...for 3 years now, I've harped on the fact that his mechanics are WRONG. That is why Shaq struggles/struggled at the free throw line, and why Beasley is so inconsistent with crossing/finishing. He has not improved this one iota since being a pro player. He may be even worse, since now he plays even faster, leaving even less room for error (at speed). O'Neill's big advantage (to improve) is that it is a set-shot.....Beas problems must be corrected at speed (more difficult)...He has to "unlearn" some things.. I think the solution is going to be....that we'll see some marginal improvement (like Shaq's free throws), but that Beasley will always be a poor..at best average, crosser/finisher...meaning he will blow a good many of them....meaning, over a few games, he will need a plethora of these chances to convert a few into great opportunities.....luckily, he's got that speed, and that makes up for a lot (creates extra ops), but it is not good to have your "stroke" be so fundamentally flawed at this stage of a career. Outside of major re-tooling (he would have to relearn how to kick ball, plant foot), i believe Fire/Nats/Beasley are stuck with this problem. Look the kid is good...but its a shame, i don't know if he can take it to the next level with these mechanics (vs. Adu- who has GREAT mechanics, and Donavon with right (a bit weak with left), Mathis (great strike of ball...tremendous plant)..the house has gotta have a good foundation. I think what you see now is Beas for the next many years..... On a side note, I will be happy when US can upgrade its skill level beyond the Armas', Hedjuk's, and Stewart's who are one-dimentional, and can kill (offensive/defensive) moves due to their limitations....Mastro may not yet be the stopper that Armas is, but give me him any day now....he can do so much on ball, and should only get better......some of the Nats individuals limitations (Hedjuk et al) are permanent, and will never be solved (only their strenghts will get worse). Hence, give the younger, more skillful guys (Martino, Clark) an earlier chance...they could make a big difference in capability of future Nat teams...
JRI we know that even the week before the world cup you will be saying the exact same thing after every game we play. It has been this way for as long as I can remember. I agree with a lot of what you have to say, but really question you calling Stewart 1 dimensional and a liability. In the last 2 USMNT games Stewart has come on and done a very good job. In Seattle he brought on a new organization and a 2-0 half that won us the game and in Houston Bruce Arena called the first half "bad" and the second half "much better". Is it any coincidense that Stewart came on at the half in each of those games AND we had a positive change because of it? I personally thought Stewart was the most important man on the field for the nats. Every single play he was directing traffic. I mentioned in another thread that twice while the team was transitioning from defense to offense Stewart shouted and pointed at Convey to get him into a proper position. He was directing other players, free kicks, and doing most of the organizing. He also was hustling on defense, making runs offensively, and in general a good player to have on the field. Its a positive thing for our DMBs, Conveys, Donovans, Martinos, and whoever else comes along to play with players like Stewart because of what they will learn from him in his work ethic, prepartion, and tactical field sense. Players like Mastroeni especially could use Stewarts direction. Just trotting players out to play more games doesn't make us have a better national team. The players are developed mostly by the club teams and the national team games and camps are to identify talent and teach the talent how to play their role in BAs system. Earnie helps the new kids learn that role as he did with Convey yesterday.
Kind of like Kevin McHale's flawed jump shot. The Celtics had to put up with that for years, and so did the Sixers, and Lakers, and ... JRI, good analogy with basketball. How's "The Mrs." doing?
could somebody summarize those first two posts and give the rest of us a cliff's notes version? i don't have the attention span to read something that long right now.
I disagree vehemently that Beasley's shooting technique is bad. He has a hard and heavy shot for which he needs very little set up time. His has incredible hip flexiblity which gives his shot lots of power. While he doesn't turn his hips in the "classic" fashion, but instead rather slingshots his leg through the ball, on a good touch it can be laser like. I have seen him do it on a number of occasions, both in person and on TV. He is one of the few American players who can shoot near post and beat a strong keeper. Recall the game winning shot in the Gold Cup. He did the same thing on a rooftop shot to beat Hartman in the '01 playoffs. I think last night's field conditions inevitably made for some weird bounces and tough touches. As for his crossing, he really hasn't done a lot of it, but he is improving at it. Meanwhile, his forte right now in his career is beating defenders for a near post carry, not "push it past, swivel, cross." I want to see him...and I daresay Bruce wants to see him...smoke those defenders and get into the 18 with the ball at his feet, and the near post just a few strides away. This is what he did in the Fire home opener to score after he was taken down in the area. (Another reason he needs to take the ball deep...I predict he will create a decisive PK in a WC qualifier in this cycle). Getting into the 18 behind defenses is what he should be a his first priority, not crossing. It's induces sheer panic in the defense.
I haven't studied his technique so I cant comment there but I will say he blew at least 3 good chances at goal last night.
I can recall two -- one from the header back down which came up off the turf hard and would have required a pefect touch to get the shot on frame, let alone in the net. The second one was where he megged Duvino, but the push ahead was a bit strong, and Sanchez came off his line nicely. In both cases, Beasley put himself in excellent positons to score, one of which started from a hellacious move. This just in -- scoring in professional soccer is hard. Scoring in international soccer -- especially on a piece of crap field and against and intense rival -- is REALLY hard. I think folks here are WAY too critical. This kid scares the pants off of every defense he faces. At the same time he strikes fear into defenses, he himself is a tenacioius defender, and will go all out, all game long. He will be a fixture on the national team, assuming healthy, for the entire cycle. Get used to it. None of the criticisms expressed here are going to change this fundamental fact one iota. I have seen him play dozens of times, and in my view he is one of the most electric players in the USA.
I'm going to disagree strongly with jri here. Am I the only one here who's actually consciously tried to model my own shooting technique after Beasley's? I've been doing this for the last year or so, and while I'm quite a bit bigger than Beasley and don't have anywhere near his hip flexibility, I'm still finding that I can release a shot more quickly than I could before with little or no loss of power and accuracy. If anyone else has actually tried to emulate Beasley's shot, can you comment?
Can you think of ANY world class player past or present that had or has Beasley's shooting technique?
Yeah, but that's not what Beasley's main attributes are as a player. He has world class speed, a good first touch, makes good runs and takes players on. He doesn't have to have a world class shot to be a world class player. When he goes abroad to England, Spain or Italy I think you'll see just how good he is with the type of coaching only available in Europe (at this time anyway). Point: His game is built around speed and taking players on, finishing and crossing he will undoubtedly improve and become very good at. However, it will always be the secondary part of what he brings to any team he plays for.
Easily. He just doesn't necessarily look as fast because the game's spread out over more space. Last season the Columbus Crew's 40-yard times were comparable to an average NFL team's. No one else in MLS reported 40-yard times, so I can't discuss anyone else's. But Beasley's definitely faster than anyone on the Crew's roster.
Sigh. *World Class in soccer, Mr. Cam* All the other world class speedsters in the world run *track*. We're not competing against NFL players out there on the field.
Well, Beasley has scored at every level. An international game against a very high level opponent like Mexico is different from playing the Chicago Latin All-Stars in a friendly, different from Project-40, different from the age group world cups, and different from the Olympics in that your window of decision making and shot executing time is very small. So Thursday night Damarcus was unlucky, but that won't always be the case. In following DMB since he came to the Fire, I think he has made great strides of improvement, and the others who have commented that he has creatively adapted his shooting technique and crossing technique to complement his speed are right on the mark. Besides: He really is more a midfielder than a striker. Goal scorers are like home run hitters-- it is not realistically to expect them to score every day. Just look for consistency and technique and the ability to be a difference maker, and the compulsion of teams like dc united and the mexican mnt to send this guy flying is a testament to the fact that they think he has these qualities.
So another way to look at the "dilemma" is that Beasley has the potential to make a name for himself (either at a World Cup or in Europe) by taking players on, getting behind them and feeding -- not necessarily crossing -- the ball to teamates; But he doesn't look like he's improved his finishing lately? Nice problem. Man, I remember a significant WCQ where one of our options on the wings was David Wagner.
Why do posters insist on doing this when they know the sport we're talking about is a given. Besides, not all American football/soccer fans like gridiron ball. I hate it for one, and even played it for a while (that's why) same goes for baseball...but I do like ice hockey I must admit.
JRI--I agree completely, although DMB does bring another strength to the table. By being so fast, he forces extremely close marking and space tends to open as a result. This is not to be scoffed at. The real question is whether another player (Convey?) can deliver more using different methods. Karl--You are right that his shot is unorthodox, and the word "slingshot" is most apt to describe it. I have written that he "whips" his shot. I would quarrel with your implication that he actually is shooting near post. His slingshots have the look, at least to me, of being poorly considered and, most of the time, I don't think he takes the time to look for the best option--he's moving too fast.
My point was that he CAN shoot near post, and be very effective doing it, whereas most players simply can't get away with it. Professsional level keepers are simply too good. This is another part of his unorthodox style -- rather than finish "far post" in what a traditionalist might call the "appropriate fashon," he simply grips it, and rips it. He gets a good touch, or a nice rolling ball, and it will be a frozen rope, on frame. A number of times I have seen this shot near post completely handcuff keepers, with the ball either going rooftop or slashing right by them. And if they do get their hands on it, all they can do is parry, and it will rebound out front for either a desperate defensive clearance or easy tap in on the second ball. Again, his style really doesn't really bother me as much as it seems to bother others -- speed's his game, and not spending time setting up his shot is actually an advantage I think. Then you've got the quickness, the defensive tenacity, and end to end to aggressiveness, and -- voila!! -- you now have yourself a heckuva player. A player who is, in fact, going to get BETTER.
What kind of player would you have if you added Adu's skill set to Run DMB's skill set and run DMB gained 50 pounds of solid muscle?
What kind of player would you have if you added Adu's skill set to Run DMB's skill set and run DMB gained 50 pounds of solid muscle? pele?
The ¨whip¨you are referring to basically means that Beasley has a 1 in 4 or 5 chance of really striking ball clean at any given time.....his shooting (crossing) is statistically poor, so it pretty amazing how you can defend his technique....jeez, just watch a game and see how the ball performs when struck by Donovan, Mathis, etc. Watch how the ball moves Beasley swings for the fences with poor technique....you shouldn´t mistake his occasion ¨nailing it¨to someone who is actually kicking the ball correctly...
Well, I was at the Fire game last night, and the technique served him quite well ...he ripped one that rattled the post in his typical fashion. It was unlucky not to go in. After that, the direction of the game turned toward Fire momentum. A 0-0 tie, but we completely outplayed them. The other thing that DMB did was suffer another bunch of fouls -- one for a dangerous free kick opportunity. They were all of the clip-his-ankles variety, which I think are less likely to cause injury. I am sorry, you are way too critical. This kid is a dynamic electric player, who will be a fixture on the national team, certainly for this cycle and probably for the one after that. You'd better learn to love the whip-leg shooting style!! You know, three years ago, I arrived early at Soldier Field, and watched the guys warm up. My eye was immediately drawn to ......Sergei Daniv. This guy was like a ballet dancer out there, unbelievably graceful, beautiful technique on the ball, sent lovely curling passes and elegant shots -- he seemed to be able to send the ball whereever he wanted to. He looked like, walked like, and I daresay talked like a big time soccer player. But when the whistle blew, and the game began, he was a lost little boy. You see, there's much more to the modern game today than just beautiful technique. The "technically challenged" Beasley is 5 times the player he is. Gawky bowl legged lumbering Chris Armas, a guy you'd think is an undersized rugby player, is 5 times the player he is. Great technique is lovely, but it doesn't do squat for you if you don't bring something else to the game outside of it -- speed, smarts, tenacity, incredible fitness -- that is truly extraordinary.
The idea that you don't think Beasely will improve makes me laugh... hard. You've just suggested that a player will max out his skill after either (a) 21 years old or (b) 2 good years of pro-soccer behind him. Shall I laugh a little louder? To think Beasely can't improve is not only ignorant, it goes against everything science has taught us (including the Laws of Gravity!). I personally hope that DMB heads to Ajax which was supposed to happen right after the World Cup but got cut short by MLS operations. I think Ajax would be an awesome place for him to refine his skills (which I agree are lacking). But to say he has peaked and his skill will only get marginally better is naive.
Aren't you making JRI's point for him here? Beasley does have speed, tenacity and incredible fitness but he DOESN'T have great technique. Gividen, I think JRI is saying that Beasley won't get much better if he stays in MLS too long.
Read the entire post and [EVERY linked article before you post your comments http://www.footballsfuture.com/2002/news.html 40 yard times! 2002 NFL Draft News http://espn.go.com/melkiper/s/2001/0307/1136944.html 2001 NFL Draft NFL combine ... by the numbers http://www.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/stories/022403aar.html Quick Times Improve NFL Prospects' Chances “The surprises came from people such as South Florida linebacker Kawika Mitchell, who was listed last year at 6-foot-2, 255 pounds and ran in the 4.7 range.” How ‘out Fargas as a midfielder or striker? “While only 13 of the 32 running backs invited actually ran, Fargas didn't hesitate. By running in the 4.3s twice on what many players consider a slow RCA Dome surface, Fargas demonstrated he was fit, and that his impressive senior season was no fluke.” http://www.nfl.com/draft/2002/profiles/ferguson_jarrett.htm What USMNT member can match these numbers? Another defender perhaps? AGILITY TESTS 4.48 in the 40-yard dash …… 385-pound bench press …… 361-pound power clean …… 630-pound back squat …… 385-pound push jerk. http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cach...ombine.html+NFL+40+yard+times+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 SPEED, SPEED, and MORE SPEED “At the NFL Scouting Combine, a player's stock can rise or fall as suddenly as the Wall Street Stock Market. It is the one time when you have the opportunity to perform in front of the owners, general managers, directors of player personnel, and coaches from every single team in the league.” http://www.jsonline.com/badger/fb/mar02/25567.asp Imagine that, a 305 pound man with faster times that any 200 pound USMNT player! Earlier, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Bryant surprised even himself by running 40 yards in an unofficial time of 4.77 on the turf inside the McClain Center. UW director of strength and conditioning John Dettmann had set a time in the 4.7s as a goal when he started helping Bryant prepare for the workout, but Bryant had his doubts. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/134437135_les16.html U.S. Soccer must have this his level of recruiting to win a World Cup. Good Read. Tony Beckham personifies best of the NFL draft http://insiders1.ezboard.com/fvirginiatechfrm1.showMessage?topicID=356.topic DeAngelo Hall breaks record with a 4.15 40 yard dash Posted: 2/20/03 7:19:08 pm February 20, 2003 DeAngelo Hall recorded the fastest time in the 40-yard dash on Tech's timing day, running a 4.15 and setting a new school record in the process. Hall broke the previous record of 4.21 set by former tailback Keith Burnell last February. A list of times with an internet link? An excellent post by cpwilson80. Cpwilson80, read these two, they both address your concerns. Sound familiar? http://www.bowdoin.edu/studorgs/orient/2003-05-02/sports09.htm In the NFL, however, athleticism only goes so far. The game's most feared and talented linebacker, Ray Lewis, runs a slow time in the 40-yard dash. If he were a college prospect with his 4.8 time, he would drop to the second or third round. As a NFL linebacker, Lewis doesn't need to excel in the 40-yard dash. His excellent vision and ability to fend off would-be blockers makes him one of the game's greatest defensive players. http://www.sportingnews.com/voices/dan_pompei/mailbag/20020506.html Hi Dan, Enjoy your opinions and articles, keep up the good work! Quick question, though: When do you think the NFL will stop reporting and putting so much emphasis on all the 40 times? As a former track and football guy, I have a pretty good handle on times. Frankly, Ben Johnson would be hard-pressed to hit a lot of the times claimed by scouts, players and teams. Some of the fastest guys ever in the NFL were barely world class sprinters, so how are all these other guys hitting 4.1s and other sub-4.4 times? I read somewhere they used a computer to measure Johnson's race and calculate the 40-yard time and it was right around 4.3, so if he's considered the fastest starter ever, you tell me? A real 4.4 on a track in spikes is pretty fast. I can get my car 0-60 in 5.5 seconds -- downhill with a rolling start. What's your opinion? Cheers, Scott ***Scott: I don't know if the NFL ever will stop putting so much emphasis on 40 times. I agree with you, though, the 40 is way overrated. In most cases, 40 times have little relevance to football ability, and they can be very inconsistent, depending on who is doing the timing, the surface, the conditions, etc. The problem is the 40-yard dash has become a standard. If a team broke from the pack and said it wasn't using 40 times, and then got burned on a player as a result, it would never live it down. Everybody is doing it, so that means everybody has to do it. The best way to judge a player's speed, to me, is still game tape. http://www.soccertimes.com/usteams/roster/men/friedel.htm One of the best all-around athletes on the U.S. team. http://www.soccertimes.com/usteams/roster/men/donovan.htm Donovan http://www.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/uwire/050203aaa.html Soccer will have arrived in the U.S. when this level and type of Activity achieves SOP for COLLEGE, PDL, ProSelect, A-League Assembling top programs begins with recruitment http://www.viewnews.com/2000/VIEW-Sep-20-Wed-2000/East/14377065.html Defender or Target Forward? Dyante Perkins How authoritative. http://www.dailynorthwestern.com/daily/issues/2000/10/13/gameday/cover.shtml The Quick and The Deadly Based on what OBJECTIVE EVIDENTIARY FOUNDATION can you based this assertion on? http://www.dailynorthwestern.com/daily/issues/2000/10/13/gameday/cover.shtml The Quick and The Deadly El Nino, please tell us all just one little thing. Whom do you think has established credibility, expertise, and results in this field and whom do you think has established their total lack of credibility, expertise, and results in this field? Once again a mental midget barks out of his arse hole. The principles in this article did what you can never seem to do. They recognized their deficiencies, then they sought out professional assistance from someone that had developed their ideas into a comprehensive program to address a seemingly insurmountable athletic performance problem. Elninho, do you have the character and the courage to say: I apologize to all concerned, I was totally wrong, I stuck both of my feet in my mouth, Mr. Cam is far smarter than I ever thought he was, he really does want soccer to succeed in America, he loves the USMNT more that I ever thought possible, and perhaps American Football and the NFL in partnership with American Soccer can advance the game far beyond my wildest imagination, if I would just open my mind and consider the possibilities. Can you explain why you have a pathological hared for American Football? On the other hand, Mr. Cam does not see fit to hold his breath either. Such intellectual Idiolatry has proven a most difficult condition to recover from, and like any addition, the addict must admit to the problem before any cure or corrective action can take place. Perhaps this program http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cach...ombine.html+NFL+40+yard+times+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 can combine with this program to build a better USMNT? http://www.dailynorthwestern.com/daily/issues/2000/10/13/gameday/cover.shtml Quick and The Deadly