Preseason Player of the Year

[Danny Hogan]

i wasn't commenting on or discrediting cook as a player.

just that the conso's are a waste of time for most teams.

[Rob Graff]

With all due respect to other posters - whose opinions I often agree with - I disagree with the comment that the back bracket is a waste of time. It is what you make of it. To paraphrase Herm Edwards -you play the game to win the game. The back bracket is a great and unique opportunity to play other OOC games against teams your team might never play against. And if your player's motivation is to play lacrosse against the best - these games are great opportunities.

Rob

[Joe Oakland]

I agree I felt the consolation games last year were no less competitive than the bracket games except for the 4th quarter.

I propose a 5th quarter so the integrity of a full game can be kept while giving an alloted time to get bench players in.

[CATLAX MAN]

While I agree with Rob regarding this being a good opportunity, the unfortunate fact is that not all teams approach it that way. That is why you have some that say that not all teams give it their best effort and you can't put much stock in these games. Both sides have a valid point.

[Rob Graff]

As with life - opportunities are what you make of them. If teams choose to start their summer early, I cannot prevent that. But I'd like to believe that most would view it in the following manner - "Any time I cross onto the field, I play to win. Period."

At least that's what I was always taught. And that's what I teach.

I think Joe's suggestion has merit if the teams are concerned about the level of play dropping off.

[EvanFSU]

Anyone who doesn't take their time at nationals seriously doesn't deserve to be there. It's a privilege, and all games should be taken seriously.

Rob, remember the great game fsu vs umd was in the LOSERS bracket two years ago. Neither team took that game for granted.

[John Paul]

Regardless of whatever idealistic thoughts we have about the privilege of playing at the tournament and the honor in playing your best at all times, the reality is that teams that came to the tournament with a legitimate shot at winning it are not going to approach consolation games with the same passion and motivation. I've found (having far too much experience in consolation games) that teams generally approach those games with different agendas (perhaps to play all seniors or to give younger players an opportunity in a tournament game), but if the game is close as it heads to the final quarter, the adrenaline gets going and the will to win kicks in. We've had some incredible consolation games between two great teams that came down to the wire (Sonoma, Cal, BYU and a few others), but we've never approached those games the same way as winners bracket games. We don't scout or gameplan for them. We play everyone early. It's a completely different situation.

[PigPen]

While I agree with Rob regarding this being a good opportunity, the unfortunate fact is that not all teams approach it that way. That is why you have some that say that not all teams give it their best effort and you can't put much stock in these games. Both sides have a valid point.

That said it all

[dv]

Has anyone mentioned any of the big names from the Rocky mt league?
I would say there's a couple standouts on BYU (Archibald etc.), and i'm sure someone can make an argument for a CSU player to be the best.

The problem I see with this thread is that not everyone who is posting replies here has seen all the best players from ALL the best teams. So maybe we should post a name, and see who agrees.

[defense_wins_championship]

Of course nobody has seen all the players from all the best teams. And until we are getting MDIA highlights on Sportscenter (which will never happen) nobody will. Nobody is ever going to know who all the best players, thats why there is controversy about all league teams every year. They run into the same problem in college football too. It's hard to define who the "best" players are. Are they the best players on the best teams or just the best players period. There's no exact science to this. Thats why especially in this sport we really have to rely on good word of mouth.

[benji]

consolation games are just that-consolation. individual accomplishments are nice-that FSU kid made some nice passes a couple of years ago and earned the record, but I think everyone has a different midset during those games. It's a shame because some of those matchups are so intriguing on paper. But I have seen it too many times-it's like confetti after the party.

True talent should show in any matchup, consolation or not. If you lose a consolation game, you've still lost a game... and I don't think anyone likes to lose.

In my opinion, I think you can use a consolation game as a gauge of an individuals caliber of play. In fact, one might argue that a game that "does not matter" could be looked at just as equally as one that does.

[Danny Hogan]

it can also be deceiving when the 'true talent' is on the bench for one of the teams.

[fonz ikeda]

I have read the posts regarding preseason players and I was surprised no one spotlighted #12 Brandon Hays a.k.a. "Slash" from UCSD. This guy is a straight up assassin on the field.








fonz: 5'7" 130

[WaterBoy]

I've seen him play. He's quite good and the kid has some wheels on him. Preseason player of the year? Probably not, but most definitely a player to watch.