From cruising throught the various mock drafts online, the "experts" or draft "gurus" have the Crew looking for either: 1. midfield help to replace Perez, Harkes and Warzyha 2. defensive help to solidify behind the improved attack. Personally, I like what Stokes has to offer... good size and speed, a physical presence and solid central defender. It also can't hurt that he played with Leitch in the past. (at least it would stand to reason that they played together at UNC) I think that we should continue to add defenders with the later picks. You never know when you might find a diamond in the rough. How long would the Crew own the rights to a player that left for England? I was thinking that picking someone's rights is always smarter than just taking a pass. Thats how we ended up with Mateo for the end of the season.
"And with the 17th selection, the Columbus Crew select.... 1 truck full of Boddingtons." Honestly, I never know what to expect from the draft, and knowing other people's agendas is hard to confirm. There is always the chance that somebody will get passed up that is expected to go early and they'll fall in our laps. I saw something the other day about the #1 pick from last year hasn't even stepped on the field yet? Anybody know more about this. I believe it had something to do with an injury, but I'm not certain.
maybe i'm misunderstanding you, but we drafted Matteo in the 2nd round. after training camp, he went to Monza (Italy C2), and then the D3 Westchester Flames. then we signed him to a developmental contract in august. i'm writing not to correct you, but to see if there's something i missed. you never can be sure with MLS.
Exactly. Look at where you guys drafted Buddle. That's true. The Burn took Chris Gbandi as the number one pick last year. But he was coming off a major knee injury so they knew there was that chance.
So is Gbandi projected to be back to full health and playing this season? I mean, Dallas was pretty good last year, but it would be great for them if the number 1 pick from last year suddenly showed up in addition to their picks this year.
question for your team may be whether Stokes or Shavar Thomas is available at #7. If they are both gone, I wonder if the Crew brass might prefer to trade down or trade the pick outright. What is your cap situation?
The Crew are good with the cap room. You do ask an interesting question. I would say if they are both gone then Ricky Lewis will be around at #7. He would be a good upgrade at right or lesft back. Although, if the price is right I could see them trading their first round pick if Stokes or Thomas aren't around. However, if it is appearent that they will not get either player they could try to trade up to get one. I think it all depends on what the Metros pick second. If they take Clark or Walsh, I think Stokes or Thomas will be available. If they take Thomas, I don't see Stokes falling to 7.
From what I heard from some of the MLS coaches, Stokes showed excellent at the combine (he was the best) and he is predicted to be picked (by the coaches) very high in the draft. So, most likely he will be gone before Crew's pick.
Marc Connolly's mock first round has Columbus selecting Ricky Lewis (D, Clemson) with the seventh pick.
I think we should move up, I predict that Crew will trade with DC for the first pick, sending Dante, our seventh pick, and a third rounder next year. With that pick we will either take Ricardo Clark, or Diego Walsh. If we stay at seven and Stokes is gone, we'll take Shavar from Jamaica.
Well I would crawl on my belly all the way to KC to get Shavar Thomas. And I would be more than happy to trade up to get him or Stokes. We haven't done any dealing, and one big move to get a young stud would make sense. But Dante AND the number seven pick AND another pick seems pretty steep to me. We're only talking about moving up two or three spots in the draft.
no I'd only give that up for the number one pick. But I agree, Shavar Thomas would be a great pick, in fact most would have him tabbed ahead or Stokes if not for the fact that he's an SI.
The only thing I am worried about is that DC might not see a need for Dante Washington anymore. Lets look at their forwards...Quaranta, Quintinilla (who I think will be a star soon), probably Alecko with the #1 pick, Stewart can play up top if needed. I just think that if we had a chance to trade Dante to the filth that that chance has come and gone. Hudson seems to be going in another direction.