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Originally Posted by Karthik
So let's stray from specifics for minute. I was at the Granite State regional in 2004, and I was not blown away by defense. Aside from Team 69's performance in match two of the finals, when they pushed 175 across the field, I didn't get the impression that I was watching a defensive region. I was definitely more wowed during my trips to the Midwest in the late 90's and early 2000's.
I'm not trying to say that the Northeast doesn't play hard defense, I'm just saying I've yet to see anything concrete that suggest the Northeast is far ahead of the Midwest in terms of defense. I mean, for every 121, 88 and 69 in the Northeast, I can bring up a 494, 68 or 48 from the Midwest. My best argument regarding the defensive strength of the Midwest has to be the 2002 game. The offensive way to play that game was to pickup balls, while the defensive way to play that game was to control goals. Almost all the best goal grabbers in that game were from the Midwest. Take a look at 71, 469, and 68.
I guess the only way to settle this is for a few Midwest powerhouses to make the trip east, and a few northeast big dogs to head west.
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I'm loving the return of good ol' fashioned debate back on these forums. Karthik, you bring alot to the table, but being as stubborn as I am, you will never sell me on this. I admit I have never physically been to a midwest regional (I am hoping to change this soon), but I have viewed many of them as we used to send scouts out to take video. We would spend lots of time picking apart teams from the midwest, trying to figure out strengths and weaknesses, and though there were flashes of brilliance in defensive play at times, I could never see a solid arguement for even comparing the defensive play of the midwest to that you would find in New England or New Jersey. I do not deny that the number of defensive teams in the midwest are growing, but I feel that if you really watch what New England has offered up in the past, you would see a major difference.
You point out 2002 as an example of the midwest brilliance in defense. As good as Beatty was in grabbing three goals and taking a beating while holding strong...I dont feel that it compares to the downright crazy defensive showing we would see at Battlecry that same year. First you have team 121...a very strong offensive robot that year, who was so smart when we played them in one round, that when the round was close, and they realized that we were caught in their end zone, they boxed us in there...such an amazing defensive move that ended up winning the match for them and sending them into the finals. The other example..was team 190. Beatty could hold 3 goals and walk its way to the middle of the field...but with Gompei...you litterally had to rip that robot in half to even come close to prying those goals away. I dont think a soul who was there would ever forget the sight of the team 190 robot, being ripped apart, but still holding strong to those two goals...now that is defense.
I guess, no matter how you cut it, we could all go back and forth to no end on who is more defensive. I guess as it was stated before, there is only one way to find out...time for some teams to travel. Boy do I miss the days of Rumble at the Rock...when these questions could be answered.
Also, I find it interesting that the majority of the arguements on behalf of the midwest have come from those who are not even from the region! I'm very curious to see how members of those midwest teams feel on this issue?
Great discussion everyone, keep it up.
-Andy Grady