25 replies to this topic

[TheJACKCOLT]

In the last four games of the season, we really started to develop the running game and has made the Colts a more balanced offense, this shows Luck and Ballards averages in the last 4 games vs the first 12.

Luck-  1st-12-games  averages

com/att        yds/pr/gm     td      int      pect..     td.pr/gm         int/pr/gm

23/41.9         299.6          17     16       55.6%      1.41               1.33

Luck-  last-4-games

com/att       yds/pr/gm      td      int      pect        td/pr/gm        int/pr/gm

15/31            194.5           6        2      48.3%       1.50                0.75

 

Ballard  1st-12-games

att      yds      att/gm      yd/pr/gm      td      avg

133    468      11.08        39.0            1      3.51

Ballard  last-4-games

att      yds      att/gm      yd/pr/gm      td      avg

84      346        21             86.5          1       4.1

 

The stats show that we have been a much more balanced offense, I wasn't really suprised to see how much Ballards stats had improved, but I was suprised to see that Luck had averaged less than 200 yds/pr/gm over the last 4 games and the completion % was a suprise. Luck has really improved on the td/int ratio and that has been a big factor in the Colts winning games. I think the Colts have gotten better as an overall team over the last 4 games,(no blowouts), but to win in the playoffs, I think Luck will have to improve his passing % and throw for a little more yards.I would like to see him run the ball a few times a game, this puts so much pressure on the defense and keeps them guessing.     THIS IS NOT ME BASHING LUCK, I know how making an observation on this board can get people to flip out and start bringing up things that have nothing to do with my post.I love Luck, he is my favorite Colt, i would rather have Luck than any player in the Nfl. The Colts will need Luck to be at the top of his game if we are to win in the playoffs, we will go as far as he can take us.

.. Ballard has really developed into a big time NFL back. Ballards averages over the last 4 games, equals 1,384 yards over a 16 game season, we haven't seen that kind of production out of a Colts running back in a long time. We haven't had a back average over 4 yds a carry in a long time,and he gets more comfortable each week. He reminds me of the Edge. in the way he gets stronger as the game goes on, the more carries he gats the better he plays.both Luck and Ballard are doing these things behind a poor O-line, Luck is pressured on nearly every pass play, Ballard has 6-8 plays a game where he is hit 3-4 yards  deep in his on backfield, which makes these accomplishments even more impressive. No matter what happens in the playoffs, this has been a great season and a lot of fun to watch. Once we build a strong offensive line, they will be unstoppable, for now, if this team can step it up another level,anything can happen. I have no doubt that with the heart this team has, they will come out fighting and keep fighting til the last second. Here is to hoping the Colts can keep yhis season going.     "GO COLTS"

[AustinCollie17]

Agree with the Edge comparison. Ballard is going to be the workhorse for us for the next 8 years

[DoomOf21]

This is something we've been calling for a while now. Balance!!!

Ballard has been a beast these last few games. It really is a shame we haven't a back with such good numbers in the past few years. *

[braveheartcolt]

In the last four games of the season, we really started to develop the running game and has made the Colts a more balanced offense, this shows Luck and Ballards averages in the last 4 games vs the first 12.

Luck-  1st-12-games  averages

com/att        yds/pr/gm     td      int      pect..     td.pr/gm         int/pr/gm

23/41.9         299.6          17     16       55.6%      1.41               1.33

Luck-  last-4-games

com/att       yds/pr/gm      td      int      pect        td/pr/gm        int/pr/gm

15/31            194.5           6        2      48.3%       1.50                0.75

 

Ballard  1st-12-games

att      yds      att/gm      yd/pr/gm      td      avg

133    468      11.08        39.0            1      3.51

Ballard  last-4-games

att      yds      att/gm      yd/pr/gm      td      avg

84      346        21             86.5          1       4.1

 

The stats show that we have been a much more balanced offense, I wasn't really suprised to see how much Ballards stats had improved, but I was suprised to see that Luck had averaged less than 200 yds/pr/gm over the last 4 games and the completion % was a suprise. Luck has really improved on the td/int ratio and that has been a big factor in the Colts winning games. I think the Colts have gotten better as an overall team over the last 4 games,(no blowouts), but to win in the playoffs, I think Luck will have to improve his passing % and throw for a little more yards.I would like to see him run the ball a few times a game, this puts so much pressure on the defense and keeps them guessing.     THIS IS NOT ME BASHING LUCK, I know how making an observation on this board can get people to flip out and start bringing up things that have nothing to do with my post.I love Luck, he is my favorite Colt, i would rather have Luck than any player in the Nfl. The Colts will need Luck to be at the top of his game if we are to win in the playoffs, we will go as far as he can take us.

.. Ballard has really developed into a big time NFL back. Ballards averages over the last 4 games, equals 1,384 yards over a 16 game season, we haven't seen that kind of production out of a Colts running back in a long time. We haven't had a back average over 4 yds a carry in a long time,and he gets more comfortable each week. He reminds me of the Edge. in the way he gets stronger as the game goes on, the more carries he gats the better he plays.both Luck and Ballard are doing these things behind a poor O-line, Luck is pressured on nearly every pass play, Ballard has 6-8 plays a game where he is hit 3-4 yards  deep in his on backfield, which makes these accomplishments even more impressive. No matter what happens in the playoffs, this has been a great season and a lot of fun to watch. Once we build a strong offensive line, they will be unstoppable, for now, if this team can step it up another level,anything can happen. I have no doubt that with the heart this team has, they will come out fighting and keep fighting til the last second. Here is to hoping the Colts can keep yhis season going.     "GO COLTS"

 Some good stuff sir. Donald Brown's career average is 4.1 YPG, so you've overlooked that though.

[Gavin]

In the last four games of the season, we really started to develop the running game and has made the Colts a more balanced offense, this shows Luck and Ballards averages in the last 4 games vs the first 12.

Luck-  1st-12-games  averages

com/att        yds/pr/gm     td      int      pect..     td.pr/gm         int/pr/gm

23/41.9         299.6          17     16       55.6%      1.41               1.33

Luck-  last-4-games

com/att       yds/pr/gm      td      int      pect        td/pr/gm        int/pr/gm

15/31            194.5           6        2      48.3%       1.50                0.75

 

Ballard  1st-12-games

att      yds      att/gm      yd/pr/gm      td      avg

133    468      11.08        39.0            1      3.51

Ballard  last-4-games

att      yds      att/gm      yd/pr/gm      td      avg

84      346        21             86.5          1       4.1

 

The stats show that we have been a much more balanced offense, I wasn't really suprised to see how much Ballards stats had improved, but I was suprised to see that Luck had averaged less than 200 yds/pr/gm over the last 4 games and the completion % was a suprise. Luck has really improved on the td/int ratio and that has been a big factor in the Colts winning games. I think the Colts have gotten better as an overall team over the last 4 games,(no blowouts), but to win in the playoffs, I think Luck will have to improve his passing % and throw for a little more yards.I would like to see him run the ball a few times a game, this puts so much pressure on the defense and keeps them guessing.     THIS IS NOT ME BASHING LUCK, I know how making an observation on this board can get people to flip out and start bringing up things that have nothing to do with my post.I love Luck, he is my favorite Colt, i would rather have Luck than any player in the Nfl. The Colts will need Luck to be at the top of his game if we are to win in the playoffs, we will go as far as he can take us.

.. Ballard has really developed into a big time NFL back. Ballards averages over the last 4 games, equals 1,384 yards over a 16 game season, we haven't seen that kind of production out of a Colts running back in a long time. We haven't had a back average over 4 yds a carry in a long time,and he gets more comfortable each week. He reminds me of the Edge. in the way he gets stronger as the game goes on, the more carries he gats the better he plays.both Luck and Ballard are doing these things behind a poor O-line, Luck is pressured on nearly every pass play, Ballard has 6-8 plays a game where he is hit 3-4 yards  deep in his on backfield, which makes these accomplishments even more impressive. No matter what happens in the playoffs, this has been a great season and a lot of fun to watch. Once we build a strong offensive line, they will be unstoppable, for now, if this team can step it up another level,anything can happen. I have no doubt that with the heart this team has, they will come out fighting and keep fighting til the last second. Here is to hoping the Colts can keep yhis season going.     "GO COLTS"

We had a Back very recently average well over 4 yards per carry, His name? Donald Brown, 4.8

[John Dee]

Brown is easy to miss since he is MIA so often....  

 

hehee..

 

I am torn whether or not Indy should resign him...   

 

Tough call .. . . 

[RW87]

Agree with Ballard. The guy has shown in these last 4 weeks that we have a great back for years to come.

[Fx Stryker]

We had a Back very recently average well over 4 yards per carry, His name? Donald Brown, 4.8

 

Can you admit you are Donald Brown? I really am starting to think you are....

[TheJACKCOLT]

Yeah I'm still high on brown, look foward to getting him back next season, he could really help us out right now and was playing really good this season. I still thought Brown was our best back when he got hurt, his injury has allowed Ballard to step up and get the majority of the carries, I'm still high on Carter too, hope we can get him back this week, he could really help us out when Ballard needs a breather. I'm very happy with our stable of backs, believe all three are capable of carrying the load if needed, and this alows us the luxury of concentrating on filling other positions in the off season.

[Gavin]

Can you admit you are Donald Brown? I really am starting to think you are....

No, I just dont understand everybody fallin all head oer heels for a Back that has 2 td's and is getting these yards because of his increased work load (do to Brown getting injured) when he has fumbled 3 times this year (which is 1 less then Carter has in his career). He is a hard runner and I like him alot, I like his running style but he has not even had a breakout game yet 

[NewColtsFan]

Brown is easy to miss since he is MIA so often....  

 

hehee..

 

I am torn whether or not Indy should resign him...   

 

Tough call .. . . 

 

Actually,  not a tough call at all...

 

As he's already signed for next year.    He gets more than $1.2 Mill (if my memory is correct?)

 

I hope he's back to be the complimentary piece to Ballard who should clearly start.   But Brown should be a fine #2.

[NewColtsFan]

No, I just dont understand everybody fallin all head oer heels for a Back that has 2 td's and is getting these yards because of his increased work load (do to Brown getting injured) when he has fumbled 3 times this year (which is 1 less then Carter has in his career). He is a hard runner and I like him alot, I like his running style but he has not even had a breakout game yet 

 

Define 'breakout game'....??

 

Not sure what you want that Ballard hasn't done yet?

 

I think he's our clear #1.     I don't even think there's a debate left to be had.....

 

But,  that's just my opinion......

[Gavin]

Define 'breakout game'....??

 

Not sure what you want that Ballard hasn't done yet?

 

I think he's our clear #1.     I don't even think there's a debate left to be had.....

 

But,  that's just my opinion......

Clear #1 based on what? ( No sarcasm intended) I'd just like to know why so many see him as the clear number 1. Dont get me wrong I have said I really like him and I know he can carry the load, he is a good Back, he runs hard and he has a couple moves but when he was splitting carries with Brown Brown had the better ypc, he was taking care of the ball better. Ballard already has 3 fumbles 

[cmgww]

He is a rookie, so with technique the fumbles will go away. What you can't teach is Ballard going for a hole instead of dancing, pushing/falling forward, and instinct. Brown is good in space, but Ballard is a better between the tackles runner. And ypc? Brown gets a skewed number when rips off the occasional big run. Ballard has earned the starting job, or at least a split. Brown would be a great change of pace guy....

[NewColtsFan]

Clear #1 based on what? ( No sarcasm intended) I'd just like to know why so many see him as the clear number 1. Dont get me wrong I have said I really like him and I know he can carry the load, he is a good Back, he runs hard and he has a couple moves but when he was splitting carries with Brown Brown had the better ypc, he was taking care of the ball better. Ballard already has 3 fumbles 

 

I think Ballard is a guy who has gotten better the more he's called upon.    I think Brown is smaller and less durable.   I think his speed and elusiveness, which I like, play better as a complimentary piece rather than as the main back.

 

I think Ballard's style plays better as the 'lead' back.

 

Do I think Ballard is in the top-16 of the running backs in the NFL?    No.    But he's the best we've got and fine for now.   This team will keep building over the next several years.    It will not be done after the next draft and free agent period.   

 

Just my two cents....

[Gavin]

I think Ballard is a guy who has gotten better the more he's called upon.    I think Brown is smaller and less durable.   I think his speed and elusiveness, which I like, play better as a complimentary piece rather than as the main back.

 

I think Ballard's style plays better as the 'lead' back.

 

Do I think Ballard is in the top-16 of the running backs in the NFL?    No.    But he's the best we've got and fine for now.   This team will keep building over the next several years.    It will not be done after the next draft and free agent period.   

 

Just my two cents....

Yeah he does look like he could be our #1, like I said, I like him alot but I get nervous every time he touches the ball, There just has not been any reason to get that way with Brown like Carter and Ballard,  Given our O Line he may be better suited to start but Brown does get tough yards as well, More of a toss up for me I guess BUT I am glad we have both kinda like thunder and lightning comparitively

[throwingBBS]

Not one poster got it.
The one Obvious difference is A.Q. Shipley anchoring the middle in the running game.
Andrew has been playing rather poorly through most of the last 4 games.
He NEEDS a running game, just like he did in college.

Defenses have figured him out.
1) Maintain even pocket pressure limiting his stepping up
2) Blitz, especially from the outside so he can`t roll out

Make him throw from the pocket under some pressure, he is SLOW to get rid of the ball and generally inaccurate throwing quick short passes. And he focuses on Reggie, not on who has one on one coverage, and he IS NOT doing his checkdowns like he should (if you can believe BA`s public comments).

Of course Andrew comes up with a few amazing plays that clearly has us all shaking our heads, jumping for joy and well, its just hard to find words for it. We are ALL left to think about his/OUR future with a BETTER O-Line. !

I still say DBrown is NOT a good back. If they open a hole right in front of him he is ok, but I see a guy who time and again has absolutely POOR Vision on reading a Defense and who constantly misses openings just one hole away. Before this season he was a TERRIBLE blocker (costing him playing time) and he has several times this season failed to pick up the CORRECT blitzer, making his Lineman & QB look bad.

[seeblu]

IMO, Brown is too fragile to be an NFL RB.  Ballard has carried the entire load these last few games.  What a remarkable performance for a rookie behind an O line that is as effective as a sieve.  Mr. Grigson will find the cures for our O line and next year we will be able to run the ball and protect our QB.  I would not be surprised to see Costanzo moved to RT. 

[Nobody]

Not one poster got it.The one Obvious difference is A.Q. Shipley anchoring the middle in the running game.Andrew has been playing rather poorly through most of the last 4 games.He NEEDS a running game, just like he did in college.Defenses have figured him out.1) Maintain even pocket pressure limiting his stepping up2) Blitz, especially from the outside so he can`t roll outMake him throw from the pocket under some pressure, he is SLOW to get rid of the ball and generally inaccurate throwing quick short passes. And he focuses on Reggie, not on who has one on one coverage, and he IS NOT doing his checkdowns like he should (if you can believe BA`s public comments).Of course Andrew comes up with a few amazing plays that clearly has us all shaking our heads, jumping for joy and well, its just hard to find words for it. We are ALL left to think about his/OUR future with a BETTER O-Line. !I still say DBrown is NOT a good back. If they open a hole right in front of him he is ok, but I see a guy who time and again has absolutely POOR Vision on reading a Defense and who constantly misses openings just one hole away. Before this season he was a TERRIBLE blocker (costing him playing time) and he has several times this season failed to pick up the CORRECT blitzer, making his Lineman & QB look bad.

Luck has been bad these last four games? Let me guess, you didn't watch the games, instead just looked at comp %. How have defenses figured him out if he has 6 TDs to 2 INTs? Any QB would be inaccurate under significant pressure all game.
Luck only looks to Reggie? Explain TY's recent dominance and Avery's hot start.

You got the Shipley part right, though.

[Maniq]

Luck has been bad these last four games? Let me guess, you didn't watch the games, instead just looked at comp %. How have defenses figured him out if he has 6 TDs to 2 INTs? Any QB would be inaccurate under significant pressure all game.
Luck only looks to Reggie? Explain TY's recent dominance and Avery's hot start.

You got the Shipley part right, though.

This. Well put.

Could Satele play guard?

[Andy]

We had a Back very recently average well over 4 yards per carry, His name? Donald Brown, 4.8

 

 

Who without an 80 yard run that was a bit of a fluke, suddenly averages 4.2 ypc. Considering he's about to make 2.25M next year, which is 1M more than what he's making this year, I would not be surprised if they dump him. I'd even bet on it.

[braveheartcolt]

Who without an 80 yard run that was a bit of a fluke, suddenly averages 4.2 ypc. Considering he's about to make 2.25M next year, which is 1M more than what he's making this year, I would not be surprised if they dump him. I'd even bet on it.

 

Discounting 'big runs' is pretty childish. It's like discounting all the minus yards / small gains he gets when the line falls apart and he gets hit behind the LOS. Even 4.2 ypc is better than Ballard. I just don't get the Ballard Love / Brown Hate mantras on here. They are both decent backs who would shine like a pair of polished diamonds if we had a decent line to block for them. Manning was a loser if you discount his only SB win. See what I did there?

[Andy]

Discounting 'big runs' is pretty childish. It's like discounting all the minus yards / small gains he gets when the line falls apart and he gets hit behind the LOS. Even 4.2 ypc is better than Ballard. I just don't get the Ballard Love / Brown Hate mantras on here. They are both decent backs who would shine like a pair of polished diamonds if we had a decent line to block for them. Manning was a loser if you discount his only SB win. See what I did there?

 

 

I never said I hated Brown. I was just pointing out that the stats really don't represent how he did last year. I'm just saying you take away one run and you get a better picture of him.

 

No hate at all, and I like having a system with both of them involved.

[BleedingBlue]

I want to talk about how a running back has improved our game...but first i need to appease the luck fanatics and make sure that they KNOW I am a huge Luck fan and I would rather have him than any other QB...

wth..

Is this what these boards have come to?

You shouldn't have to precede anything with a pro luck statement to say its been a team effort.

[Golfr]

Donald Brown is the past.  VB is the future.  DB never impressed me other then a couple of big plays.  DB would be a good flag football player but in the NFL you need to run thru tackles.

We had a Back very recently average well over 4 yards per carry, His name? Donald Brown, 4.8

[Golfr]

Clear #1 based on what? ( No sarcasm intended) I'd just like to know why so many see him as the clear number 1. Dont get me wrong I have said I really like him and I know he can carry the load, he is a good Back, he runs hard and he has a couple moves but when he was splitting carries with Brown Brown had the better ypc, he was taking care of the ball better. Ballard already has 3 fumbles 

You said it erself............when DB was getting carries.  Vic gets better the more carries he gets............DB was taking Vicks carries and dancing behind the line wanting to get outside cause he was to scaird to run between the tackles.