ColtStrong2013
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Posts posted by ColtStrong2013
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14 minutes ago, aaron11 said:
i know its not over yet, but i figure most of us dont follow day three guys well enough to grade them anyway
Nelson- A
Leonard- B
Smith- B
Turay-C
Lewis-D
i like nelson, im fine with leonard and smith, while lewis and turay feel like straight up reaches to me
I would grade Nelson an A+ as he is the best guard prospect ever...
Smith an A-, considering he is an all-american and pairs nicely with Nelson to bolster this god-awful O-line.
Leonard is probably a good grade at B. He fits well for the defense, but I will reserve judgement until training camp when we hear what kind of a player he is going to be.Turay is fair at a C, but I think he has a very high ceiling and according to Ballard will be part of this rotational waves he keeps referring to. So we will know this season what we are getting. I think it will be similar to Basham, maybe coming on late in the season. If Basham turns into a stud this year, we might have gotten a steal in Turay. Some seem to think so.
Lewis is the only one I disagree with. He might be a reach, but he cannot be graded a D as he will have an impact on this defense from the get-go. He will be the best run-stopping defensive end we have on the roster, and I fully expect some good productivity from him this season... and his versatility with being able to slide inside is what Ballard likes and sees in him. -
8 hours ago, Trueman said:
You can manufacture good receiver production by intelligent schemes and play-calling.
Just like you can manufacture elite rushing production with a good OL and multiple backs.
You cannot manufacture elite line play.
AMEN. This is gold. Frank Reich in he and Ballard's press conference that very few on here watched talked about the wide receivers quite a bit. He was impressed with the group in mini-camp. They strongly feel that a strong O-line and a healthy Andrew Luck can make any receiver who can create space, understand the offense and most importantly catch the football, look Great. Peyton Manning did it for years. Tom Brady has won several superbowls with it. Explosive receivers that are smart, and can catch the football.
Elite offensive lineman are hard to come by. They are getting more and more expensive. And they are being retained by their franchises... just as Nelson and Smith will be life-long Colts, IMO.-
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10 minutes ago, Narcosys said:
Then it is a matter of opinion and not whining. You are literally saying that anyone who disagrees is a whiner.
No I "literally" am not. I said that anyone who only posts that a pick is a reach without going into depth of why it is a reach, especially when they do it dramatically like I have seen several times on here, is whining. There have been several posts on here that have legit concerns and actually have informed opinions that are willing to elaborate a little more than one sentence. I can converse with that and enjoy differing opinions. But when it comes off like Donald Trump and his "WRONG" line... I can't take it seriously
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15 minutes ago, ricker182 said:
I really like the guy so far but what you said isn't true at all.
Especially with all this "trust the binder" garbage.
I haven't seen anyone blindly following him. I am one of those that was lumped into that category because I support his decision making. But I also take the time to listen to him explain through his press conferences and understand what he looking to accomplish, unlike most people on here. That's not me blindly following him. That's me doing my due-diligence as a fan and making an educated and informed opinion.... again unlike most people on here.
We complained for years that Grigson never spoke to the media, and now that we have a General Manager who literally lays everything out on a silver platter for everyone to consume, no one takes the time to listen. Chris Ballard is the most approachable GM in the league with the media. He thoroughly explains his decisions and has consistently laid out his vision... We are watching it being executed.
Those that mention the "Binder" aren't spewing garbage... they just are more informed than you are. Chris Ballard was said by former executives to be the most organized scout they ever encountered, and that he would be exceptional as a GM when it came to scouting and organization... That's where "trust the binder" comes from. He knows more than you and I, and you should sit back and listen. -
4 hours ago, JPFolks said:
I understand your (well, theirs really) premise but depth only makes sense if you at least have solid (meaning average or better) starters at key positions. If you have gaping holes at key positions, and the likely starters are coming from your inexperienced role players, it seems like a legit concern to raise. Perhaps last year's picks will step up, but I think it still remains to be seen. Our corners are weak, our linebackers are non existent (though the one we did pick up I liked) and our receiving corp is scary inexperienced and completely unproven at any level beyond Hilton. Those are enormous holes to fill with a 4, 5 and 7. I am still unsure of RT at this point as well and neither of these DEs are (or at least shouldn't be) starters this year. For that matter we still need another back to go with Mack. You can't fix all of this with a single draft which is why I didn't understand spending on a single difference maker at our biggest positions of need so that we at least had one less hole unfilled. I guess we're saving Irsay a few bucks this year. Let's hope they don't chase some camp reject or aging vet in desperation like Bryant.
So the sky isn't falling... that fell during Grigson's years. I am less trusting until people prove something. Hopefully the results will live up to or surpass our GM's reputation league wide. I am optimistic but to suggest we're now on easy street after 5 picks in the first two rounds seems a little too optimistic. Meanwhile Luck's years are ticking by with half of them so far already wasted.
On a positive note, thank god they are FINALLY serious about fixing the O-Line.
In this new defense, it really doesn't matter who is starting on the defensive line. There is going to be a lot of rotation, and a lot of players getting equal snaps. "Situational Waves" meaning they are going to plug Basham and Turay in together at times and let them try and cause chaos. Simon and Sheard. Autry and Anderson. Ridgway and Lewis. There is a lot of quality players on this defensive line that are going to be rotated and fresh every single game.
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25 minutes ago, Narcosys said:
So when someone says we reached and there were better options for the positions he drafted, which category does that fall into for you? As that is most of the opinions I've seen.
When the commenter literally only posts that it was a REACCHHH, like many of these opinions have been.. it's whining. There's no substance. There is no conversation about why they picked these people. They don't take the time to watch the presser to try and understand (and it makes perfect sense when you listen to them break it down for the media.)
There weren't better options available at those positions. They literally said in the presser they were at the top of the board for reasons listed. Ballard said Turay would have been coming off quickly. Great length and bend and better speed off the ball than anyone in the draft at the position. Lewis has the versatility he wants on the d-line to rotate in situational waves.
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9 minutes ago, Southside Hoosier Fan said:
Ok other than Hilton. Name one other receiver on the Colts that starts for another team. U can't because we don't have one.
Ryan Grant has started 15 games in his short career. Chester Roger's will prove to be starting caliber. And there are still plenty of opportunities in the next few days to snag some very capable receivers. How many years have the Patriots won with receivers that wouldn't start for other teams, sir? Can you answer that objectively? We have 2 tight ends that will do a lot of heavy lifting for this offense this year. We have three all-American interior lineman now that will open a lot of running lanes for a committee of running backs to pound and open defenses up for #12 to pick apart. We will be OK this year without a true #2 receiver. We sure as hell didnt have one last year in Moncrief.
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1 minute ago, needanoline63 said:
I think we would’ve taken will Hernandez had he been there, I wish! But I’m excited about Nelson and smith!
No doubt. Ballard said Smith was just behind Hernandez and Corbett. They felt good about him. Why wouldn't they feel good pairing an All-American with the nastiest and best guard prospect to ever come out of college in Quenton Nelson. Our offensive line could very well go from god-awful to dominant in the next few seasons. This season should feel much more comfortable on offense.
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13 minutes ago, Buck Showalter said:
Well said @ColtStrong2013 I have to wonder if the detractors even listen to Ballard when he has described his philosophy, if they don't understand it, or if they just don't pay attention. It seems pretty clear through free agency & the draft that Ballard has a plan & is sticking to it...
ALL of the above. They don't listen. They don't understand it. They think they know best and can't hold a conversation with people that follow the Colts every day and every move. Some people actually watch the pressers and try to understand what the goal is. Some don't care and like to complain for a living.
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1 minute ago, Southside Hoosier Fan said:
Last time I checked you can only play 11 guys at once. You can't stack 11 defensive linemen.
Yeah and Philly won a championship rotating 7 to 9 defensive lineman this season... but you knew this
Dazzle us with your brilliance, dont babble us with your nonsense
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6 minutes ago, Southside Hoosier Fan said:
No one is griping about the offensive linemen we picked. Its the 2 situational DE'S we picked. How did that make the Colts better today?
You didn't read the original post at all did you? You clearly didn't watch the press conference. You obviously don't follow the Colts and what they are planning on doing defensively this season.
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5 minutes ago, Southside Hoosier Fan said:
No one is griping about the offensive linemen we picked. Its the 2 situational DE'S we picked. How did that make the Colts better today?
GET WITH THE PICTURE DUDE. They are all situational defensive lineman in this defensive scheme. What do you not understand about this???
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Just now, Jared Cisneros said:
Watched it and it definitely cooled me down. I think Braden Smith was a much better pick than I did a few minutes ago with it being his last starting O-Lineman on the board. Leonard probably doesn't fall so it's solid there. Not sold on the DE's, but I understand his vision for the team with them and will give it a chance.
It works on defense. Find guys that mesh well together as pass rushers and work them in and out as units throughout the game. Philly's defensive line was wonderful with this last year. I think that is a big reason why Reich is buying in on this vision. Philly made the trenches work last year. You cannot have 5 guys on each side of the ball... you have to have 7 or 8 starting caliber players, because they more than likely will be at some point through the season. It's not a contact sport folks, it'a a collision sport.
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3 minutes ago, Southside Hoosier Fan said:
You have no 2nd WR. A guy who's 1sr round talent is sitting there for you to draft immediately and make your team better and you reach on Leonard(who I like) and lose out on Sutton. Then needing a CB and with 1st round talent at a need position you reach again for a situational pass rusher. Oliver, Jackson and others sitting there. How do you make the team better by drafting reach players who are situational pass rushers. I'm baffled.
Frank Reich in the press conference disagrees with you. Plenty of guys that are explosive off the ball, creating space, catching the ball and understanding the new offense. He said mini camp showed wide receiver group is pretty solid. They have a higher importance in the trenches. Every single defensive lineman is essentially going to be "situational pass rushers" in this new defense. Get with the picture.
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I just finished watching Ballard and Frank's press conference... how many of you complaining watched it?
They make a lot of interesting points and comments on this draft. First and foremost, Ballard is 100% confident that this league is won up front, especially in December and January when it matters most. That is so important to me as a Colts fan as it has been neglected time and time again. He commented that he "dreamt of the day when he drafted o-line and dline." He feels that strongly, and I tend to agree. They both talked about the division and how important the trenches are against our division opponents... Jacksonville damn near won a superbowl last year because of consistent focus on the fronts. And they have retooled for this season by snagging Norwell. These first two rounds are HUGE for the Indianapolis Colts and the health of this franchise going forward for that reason alone. We are facing 2 formidable defensive fronts in Houston with a healthy JJ Watt and Co. & Jacksonville with Campbell and Co. 4 games next year could put Andrew Luck into retirement if we fielded an o-line like we did last year. Ballard simply said we picked plauers off the street last year because of no depth and he refuses to do it again. KUDOS to you my friend.
They talked about Leonard and how quickly he would have been picked up had they not taken him. He was #5 linebacker on their board and 4 were off, so they felt good. He's fast and they preached the importance of speed for this defense and team overall.
Most important they talked in depth about the defensive line and its importance to this defense. They play on running 7 to 9 guys consistently and what he considers in "rotational waves" which lead to them placing high importance on Turay and Lewis. Ballard thinks highly of them both, especially Turay who is "long, explosive and has great bend." He mentioned Von Miller carefully and laughed as the media told them Turay's comment about Miller. They will be key pieces in this defense from the start, make no mistake.
In other points, Reich talked about the wide receiver depth which was questioned multiple times by the media. He said the mini camp showed that we have plenty of talented receivers that are explosive off the ball, catch well and are understanding the new offense. New England has won many superbowls with underrated receivers that fit that mold... plenty of opportunities to find talent there in rounds 4, 5 and 7.
Ballard said last year he was frustrated with the fronts getting beat so badly. There was little depth in the draft which is why they spent money in FA on the defensive line especially and focused on skilled players in the draft.
I'm confident this team improved drastically the past two nights.
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14 minutes ago, Mr.Debonair said:
I think majority like Nelson pick. Most of the head scratching has come from the second round picks, outside of say Smith
Darius Leonard is a day 1 starter. And difference maker. Perfect fit for Eberflus defense... I was concerned they wouldn't take a linebacker in the 2nd and really feel the effects with less talent in rounds 3-7.
The back to back defensive ends is where most are upset. But it fits with the current nfl trend on defense. Stacking pass rushers and keeping them fresh through rotational "waves." It isn't wrong. It's smart.
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10 minutes ago, Mr.Debonair said:
Just because he has a vision doesn’t mean it’s right and doesnt mean it’s wrong. Just like you believe he’s making the right moves, it’s okay for some not to feel the same way
Actually it is right. His vision is what wins in the NFL and has been proven to win over and over. Frank Reich can elaborate on it as he just received a superbowl ring...
He's picking great athletes that have potential and fit with their scheme/culture they are creating. Quenton Nelson sure does. This should be a breath of fresh air for Colts fans, and some of these * are throwing a fit because they think they know best. Laughable.
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1 hour ago, boo2202 said:
That's fine feed me later. Not understanding ballards tactics here. Bash me if you want but to me it's been very suspect
Elaborate on what you mean by tactics please.
He literally preached building the trenches the last 3 months. Over and over. He put it into practice today. He obviously values the fronts greatly and thought they needed serious help/depth. He isn't wrong, you do realize that right? We got our butts whipped last year on both sides of the ball up front. That is going to change soon.
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5 minutes ago, Mr.Debonair said:
Since when is critiquing or disagreeing with someone “boo-hooing?” Not everyone has to blindly follow Ballard like you
No one is blindly following Ballard. Many of us understand he is professional with a damn good scouting background, and most importantly a vision. He laid out his vision pretty clearly, and followed through with his beliefs. Games are won on the fronts, and this roster was in dire shape on both sides of the ball. Solidify the fronts and put playmakers in position to win ballgames. We have some playmakers believe it or not.
This is a multi-year rebuild. Year 2 to be exact and Ballard's vision is becoming clear and coming together. Have you checked out the capspace for next offseason by chance? Patience young grasshoppa
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10 minutes ago, Tunggreat said:
One thing I can say about Ballard, his draft board is way different than many experts and analysts. Not sure that's a good thing but we will see.
One thing I can say for certain, is that Ballard doesnt give a damn what self proclaimed experts from espn say... and he watched a heckuva lot more film than any of them did on these guys.
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2 minutes ago, threeflight said:
Well....I hate to be called a naysayer but I have so far seen last years draft and 3 picks of the 2018 draft, and if I am being honest, nothing blows me a way.
Last year we still have a few years to evaluate, but I don't know...average at best??
This year, we have Nelson draft first. Solid pick. Good pick. Could it have been something more based on what they started with and the ability to trade down more because of the run on QBs?
Probably.
The next 2 picks........I don't know. Not saying they are not solid players, but at the stage in which they were drafted? Both seem like reaches. You had some true studs left on the board. Studs that could have turned out, maybe not turned out. But they would not have been reaches and they could have excited the fan base.
It just feels as if Ballard is always going conservative. I am a big believer that almost all sports teams are basically equal when it comes to 80% of the roster. It is the other 20% made up of STARS that truly make a difference. And I don't feel we have any...other than Luck if he comes back and maybe Hilton.
Not impressed so far.
On whose board? Yours? Where are you getting your info? ESPN? Lol! Time will tell, but Ballard just landed two solid starters for this team at positions of great need. Obviously he thinks this team needed it on the offensive line, and Frank Reich had a great deal to say about that as well... How can you not be excited to see running lanes and Andrew Luck with time to throw the football?
This is a multi-year rebuild, and unfortunately, many continue to forget this. These guys were likely at the top of the board for Chris Ballard.
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14 minutes ago, JColts72 said:
Ryan tried to build a line too, getting more d will help.
Yeah with overpaid free agents that busted and mid to late round draft picks. This isn't even comparable. Two All American guards, one being the best prospect possibly ever. This is game changing for this offense and Andrew Luck.
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As much as I feel like we should be reaching for some linebacker in round 2, I am hoping Ballard sticks with taking the best players on the board... There is a lot of top notch talent that is going to fall to us. As Kiper said (and I quote him carefully and infrequently), "All Ballard has to do is to not overthink and take the best players available." Keep it simple. Let your board do the work. We are in a HECK of a spot right now folks. Tickled the way this draft is falling in our favor.
My prediction, Skip Landry (especially if there is medical red flags) and take Josh Jackson and Guice. Focus on WR and LB on our next two picks, which makes more sense with the players that should be available at those picks. I don't feel good about our linebacking core, but also understand that Ballard and Eberflus might feel much better than we do with what we have on roster/ what they know they can get late 2nd/3rd/4th rounds.
Don't rule out moving some picks either. With that much talent left, I can see Ballard turning heads with multiple trades tonight. -
14 minutes ago, Barry Sears said:
I predict we'll be happy with who we pick at #6, or if we get #12 and #22 in a trade, we'll be happy with those picks.
There's not going to be any Dorsett or TRich type surprises with Ballard in charge.
I have full faith in Ballard and his process. He strikes me as being almost over-prepared and has an answer for whatever scenario presents itself this evening. I know he'll be getting phone calls when we are on the clock, and I'm sure he will stick to his plan and do what's best for the Horseshoe.
There is no such thing as over-prepared. You are either prepared or not... and a great deal of GM's don't come close to being as prepared as Ballard, so he is one of few I would consider being comfortably prepared for this draft... (not needing a qb helps that as I think the chaos of this draft and qb needing teams will lead to GMs making bad decisions for the longterm health of their respective franchises.)
Other than that, I completely agree with you on Ballard's preparation and decision making. Go Blue.
Thoughts on Ballard's vision
in Colts Football
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Leonard is a starting linebacker in this defense.
Smith is a starting guard and makes an interior offensive line that Andrew Luck has never had the privilege of playing behind in the NFL. He is an All-American... which makes 3 on the interior. That's not wasting Luck's career, that is trying to salvage it.
Turay and Lewis might be cheap depth in your eyes, but you aren't taking into consideration that they will play every bit as much in this defense as the "Starters" you refer to.