Flash7

Yup, I can see that, but it's up for interpretation. Some claim Ballard is among the top GMs in the league. I would interpret that to mean that he's doing a great job, but good is fine.

I agree that there are numerous reasons why people are critical of Chris Ballard, including his lack of focus on specific critical positions. More recently in this thread, with FA ongoing, the focus has been a bit more on Ballard's lack of activity in FA. That's what I was addressing in my comment, but you're right. There are other camps as well. Here are the tools that GMs have at their disposal: 1. Draft 2. Free Agency 3. Trades 4. GM's can also get creative with their financing to make more moves. IMO, to go from good to great, Ballard should continue to focus on the draft, but look to make shrewd moves using the other tools at his disposal. When he traded for D. Buckner, the team improved. I don't think the fan base would be opposed if he made other such moves.

There seems to be two sides on the Ballard issue. 1. The side that thinks Ballard is doing a great job given the situation he was left with after Luck's departure. And 2. The side that thinks Ballard is doing a poor job because he will not utilize all of the tools (FA) to improve the team. I think a true assessment involves both. Ballard has done a very good job given all of the circumstances. He also has shied away from utilizing Free Agency to find difference makers. He seems to always be looking for good backups and role players. Overall, has fielded good teams. He will continue to field good teams, including this year. But, so far it appears that he will NEVER take the leap that it takes to go from good to great. He's too risk averse.

That would be better for the Colts. AR will not be on IR yet. Joking....just joking!

Yes!!! All good fans must get in line and like whatever the Owner, GM, and players say or do.

Honestly, all they needed was Nico Collins. We couldn't figure out how to guard that dude in two games last year.

This roster would get demolished by the Colts rosters from 2003-2007.

Sounds like people are expecting another season where we are on the cusp of making the playoffs, but on the outside looking in.

Ballard drafted one of the riskiest players in last year’s draft in AR. He had a history of injuries in college and very little experience. Ballard gambled and lost in year one. Let’s hope AR can stay healthy, but no doubt last year was not a get out of jail free card. Ballard finally drafted “his” QB and got only 4 games out of him.

Agreed, a rough rookie year is not proof of the future. But, we do have to evaluate based on the information that we have, and so far, it has not been positive results, unfortunately. Only 4 games played with a concussion and a season ending shoulder injury isn't what you'd hope for. I'm not aware of the OP's posting history, but I can definitely see that if he's gloating now, it would be annoying.

We have to admit that year 1 has resulted in only 4 games played. During those 4 games, he's suffered a concussion and a season ending shoulder injury. That's not off to a good start. Again, I hope he's not a bust. I hope he bounces back and has a great season and a great career. But if I'm keeping score right now, we're taking an L in year 1. You really can't make the claim that the OP has "nothing to prove otherwise."

I'm giving Ballard a pass on the past QB situation. I agree, it's been a hindrance. If you and I are to look forward, we have to agree that Ballard selected AR to be his franchise QB. He's hitched his horse to AR, who was, and still is a risky proposition, due to his injury history and lack of experience. Do you agree that if AR does not pan out, then it would fall squarely on Ballard? I think we would judge every other GM in this manner. The results need to be better moving forward now that Ballard has made his decision on the QB. I think that's a fair way of looking at it.

I'm not sure that's a better argument. "It's not deliberate, it's due to incompetence".

Let's be honest. Ballard's been here a long time now. And this has been a very SLOW rebuild without great results. A lot of that has to do with his strategy on how to build a team, and a lot of it has to do with the QB position. He's hitched his horse to AR, who has only 1 year of college experience, and a history of being injured. Ballard took a chance on a QB with a high ceiling but also a very low floor. Year one is in the books and so far, Ballard's choice in QB1 has not netted positive results. Just 4 games played. If there is an issue with the QB position moving forward, that's now squarely on Ballard.

We ARE talking about a QB who missed a majority of last season due to injury. The same QB who suffered numerous injuries in college, including a right knee injury from dancing. AR has already had numerous concussions, numerous shoulder injuries (including one currently), numerous hamstring strains, ankle injuries, and right knee surgery (all not good for a QB that runs as often as AR does). It is incredible though, that even after these leg injuries, he ran as fast as he did in the combine. After watching him play this season in just a few games, many fans walked away thinking that he needs to improve upon his passing accuracy. This is something that he needs to work on, not only to become a better passer, but to keep himself out of harms way. This will lessen the need for him to run in order to move the ball downfield and keep drives alive. I'm not saying that AR will be a bust and certainly hope he will not be one. But the odds of him being our franchise QB are slim. When you look at the best QBs of all time, Brady, Manning, Montana, etc. -- these guys were not athletic freaks. They had in incredible understanding of the game. They were accurate and had unbelievable timing. But of course, this is looking backwards. The game is changing. Let's see what AR writes in our history books.