smittywerb

no way Sean is trading for Zach to start. I don’t think Sean could even fix Zach. He’s probably there as insurance and change of scenery.

you know, one thing that I didn’t like about the presser was that I felt like Ballard was comfortable with where we are. Like I didn’t feel the urgency from him. I didn’t mention it because he could be displaying a poker face but I really didn’t feel the urgency. I guess a better way to explain it, is that it seems like he feels like we have time to build this team. Personally, I feel like that time is over the minute you get your franchise qb. Any moves from then on should be to making the team immediately better. The clock starts ticking. we’re essentially on year 2 out of 4 with AR. 5 if he turns out to be what we think he can be. I wouldn’t mind trading back if our targeted player(s) are gone and we can get more possible impact players by trading back. But that’s it, I don’t think we should trade back for development type players because by the time those players have the opportunity to play, AR will most likely be up or close to his contract and that player will probably be a year or two away from theirs. Pretty much, we have 2-3 years to contend under ARs cheap contract. 2-3 years sounds like a long time but really isn’t. Idk, once again, this is all me just giving my opinion. But if this is how Ballard truly feels, then he may not be here to see ARs second contract.

I know a lot was said, but I really don’t like when people bring up JJ because he was such a unique case. He fell for multiple reasons. Analysts thought he was a product of the system, he shined because of chase, they thought he was just a slot guy. JJ was such a curious case because he had the production to prove it but I think teams who picked other WRs ahead of him got wrapped up in the detractors. TBH, the only player I can see in a similar predicament at WR is Adonai Mitchell, other than that, I think what you see is what you get. Of course, there will be sleepers In every draft, but outside of Adonai, I don’t think there’s a “JJ” at WR In this draft. Maybe Troy Franklin too.

This presser has reinforced how I feel about this draft and what we might do. This is one of the most “it can go any way” drafts I’ve been apart of as a colts fan. Based on our needs, the strengths of this draft, and where we pick, there are numerous ways this thing can go. Some takeaways I got from this presser: - Getting AR a weapon: I think after this presser, we are definitely getting an AR another weapon. I’m not sure if it’s going to be with the first or second pick. Bowers to the colts doesn’t seem likely to me now. Ballard really likes our tight end group and I can’t see him investing a high pick into the tight end room given what we have. But either way, either the first or second pick will be a weapon. - Anything is possible: we may trade up, stay put, or even trade back. It all depends on how this draft goes, who they have on their board, and where they have them rated. I can see us trading up if one or two of the top 3 WRs get to pick 9. I can see staying put if our trade up options are gone but someone looks to be falling to us. I can also see us trading back if we have first round grades on certain players who are left and can be chosen later in the first round. I can see all of these things happening and it really all depends on how things play out. Personally, I’d hope we trade up if one of the top 3 WRs get close enough and doesn’t cost us too much. But either way, we’re in a unique position and this can go a lot of ways.

welp, after another week of developments, rumors, and predictions…here is where I stand: 1. My personal top 5 for our first has not changed. Mitchell, Arnold, Turner, BTJ, Bowers are still who id be ok with picking at 15. I’ve said it before, but this is one of the most “it can go any way for us” drafts I’ve witnessed for us in a long time, if not ever. 2. With the rumors of us looking to trade up, I AM ALL FOR IT. It’s ok to play it safe and build your team, but that gets mediocrity. We need to go out and get a guy. A player we KNOW that will be elite or very good. Not one that we hope can do that. I think MHJ is definitely going to the Cards (if they don’t trade out) so that means either Nabers or Odunze who we’re probably trading for if they fall to 8 or 9. Id prefer Nabers over Odunze. Nabers is that blazing separator we desperately need, Odunze is possessive beast, but I feel we already have that with MPJ. I don’t think trading up for bowers would be worth it. 3. Trading back is an absolute no for me. As said above, we have to start getting bonafide players and studs. If we have a chance to get a bonafide stud, then we shouldn’t give it up. Trading back and giving up the chance to get someone is lowering the talent level of our first pick. Let’s get aggressive for once and get OUR guy. If we can’t, let’s stay put and draft a player who will be VERY good.

meh. I agree, but in the same breath it seemed to work earlier in the year when wentz would throw for +30 times a game. I actually remember getting into debates on here when that would happen. People would say wentz played great and I would counter with saying the offense wasn’t balanced and people thought I was crazy. meh, that’s why I say it was mixed. Some good, some bad.

I’d say it was a mixed year. Remember, we were losing games because wentz kept checking out of run plays and he’d throw the ball +30 times and JT would only have 10 touches averaging 5 yards per. It wasn’t until we started handing the ball off more that we hit our stride. Wentz was playing well during the stride but then it was the last 2 games and teams started selling out on the run and forced us to throw. That’s how I remembered that season. so personally, I wouldn’t say it was good, it was average. Yeah, you look at his TD/INT and think he was playing some really good ball, but when you watched the games it was different.

For the first 2 picks (without trading) I’d be happy with: 1st: Mitchell/Arnold/Turner 2nd: Leggette or 1st: Bowers/BTJ 2nd: Dejean I feel like if we walk away from this draft without drafting 2 impact players in the first two rounds, we’re done lol. Our needs and the talent in this draft are in alignment.

Oops, made a mistake and chose that I’m a diehard fan of another team But the way I became a colts fan is a funny one. I live in Baltimore (ironically) but I’m 33 so I didn’t experience the whole mayflower thing and really didn’t feel any entitlement to it like older people here. but I got a ps1 for Christmas in 2000. I didn’t know the intricacies of football at the time but I played it and loved it. However, I didn’t know anything about the teams. So when choosing a team to play with, I just went with my favorite color…blue. See, I like a certain type of blue, so teams like Chicago and the Seahawks really didn’t do it for me. As I got older and started to follow the teams, since I was so familiar with the colts, I just stuck with them. Was a fan of them but didn’t join the forum until 2011 I believe. But I was an actual fan, meaning knowledgeable of the game and the team and players, since I’d say 03 or 04. Growing up in a city that has a football team and you’re not a fan of it is hard. Growing up in a city that has football team AFTER the original one left in the middle of the night, and you just so happen to be a fan of that SAME TEAM is even harder lol. But It was accepted here because Baltimore has many steeler fans for some reason and at this point ravens fans hate the Steelers more than the colts by far. So I can say I’ve been spoiled as a colts fan. Went through the Peyton and Luck years. It’s frustrating sometimes because i feel like with what we’ve gone through, there should be more for us to rave about than just one Super Bowl. But hey, it is what it is, much better than being a lions fan lol. But for me, it’ll forever be go colts!

Regarding WR, I wouldn’t mind it if that was our first pick, not what I prefer though. This draft is so unique in relation with our needs because it could go so many ways and we’d still come out with some elite to good talent in the first three rounds. Regarding DT, I think we got a couple years before that is a thing. I haven’t looked at the DT prospects this draft but read it’s not really all that. But I wouldn’t be surprised if we grabbed someone this draft. But you’re right about DE and Corner. I can see us grabbing Turner if he falls. And regarding Pierce, I agree also. I think the person who is going to take his spot gets drafted this year. If pierce was drafted in this year, he would probably be a third round prospect, so that says it all right there.

definitely agree, he’s everything Steichen wants and then some. And he’s obtainable. Reason why I said we may need to make moves in the second because there is going to be a run on WRs from the back of the first round and it will probably continue through the second. So may need to get antsy and move from the 46 if he slides a little. Bills, Chiefs, Ravens are just three teams in the first I see going WR. Add in the second round teams and you can see where I’m getting at. Regarding Pierce, unless the person we draft absolutely shows out in camp, Pierce should start. He’s the vet, he’s familiar with what we do. But if pierce isn’t doing the job and the rookie flashes, I can see Pierce moving to WR4. I could be wrong, Pierce may show me up with AR and become that field stretcher we need. But idk, unless Pierce is getting one on one looks, I don’t see anything changing. I personally think not only do we need someone to push back the safties deep, but someone who can do it quickly and even find open spaces deep and that’s just something Pierce has yet to do consistently. We’ll see.

As the leagues landscape continue to change, so does my viewpoint on our draft. I think the first three rounds are very important to our success. We have to help AR but we also have holes to fill or position groups to improve at. Here are a couple bullet points on my thoughts: - At 15, I hope we grab Mitchell if he’s there. The more and more I research him, the more I like him. Everything is there. The speed, physicality, and football IQ. Him and Brent’s on the outside with Moore at the nickel is a deadly trio of CB. You’d have everything you want. I really want us to go WR at 15 but Mitchell is too good of a prospect to pass up on. - This year, we need accelerate ARs growth. We’re essentially down a year. We have 3 years (maybe 4) of his rookie contract left. And no matter how good we make our defense, this team will go as AR goes. With that said, BTJ sounds great at 15, but while the CB class is moreso top heavy, the WR class is deep. However, with the list of teams needing WRs growing, we’re going to have to make moves with the second pick. I don’t want us to end up in the same situation with Alec Pierce. I wanted George Pickens, only for the Steelers to select him the pick before. This time, let’s go get the we want. I’m personally looking at leggette. He’s at the top of that second tier and has that explosiveness we need desperately for our offense. Pittman, Leggette on the outside. Downs in the slot and hopefully Woods at tight end is a formidable offense with the potential to be a great one. Maybe not as stacked as the Texans, but we can even the odds with our dynamic qb and top 5 running back. So basically I’m hoping we get Quinyon and Leggette.

Well tbh, not much to rebuild from. I guess what I really mean we should start looking for another qb to build around. Which may require some different personnel to exploit his talents. I maybe misspoke when I said “hit the rebuild”. Don’t actually mean an entire fire sale. But I’d be down for kicking Bradley to curb and revamping this defense and also finding a QB. Like i said though, if AR struggles and/or can’t survive. Maybe give him third year but that would be the max because then it’s almost contract time.

Honestly, I everyone we resigned was worth it. Pittman, he’s our WR1. Moore, he’s probably the best nickel corner in the game. Grover, one of the best run stopping DTs. Blackmon, we could’ve gotten better but fumbled getting better by waiting on the sneed deal. JT, no brainer, top 5 RB in the league. so with that said, I do think our best bet was to resign to those players. I do think we had a chance to get better at FS (still can) but we stayed in the sneed negotiations too long. I always thought our explosiveness needed to come from the draft. The player we select will be cheap and provide an immediate impact.

Id say if we make the playoffs or come close, I can see Ballard saying to irsay “look how close we are. Give me this off-season to make some big moves” and he’ll do his usual and get fired midway through 25 :’(

After sitting on the Diggs trade for a day, listening to the podcasts and radio shows, here are my thoughts: - We are not in the same position as Houston. Houston had a fire sale, acquired resources, and made this happen. We’ve built the foundation using our own resources. Houston’s rookie QB played a full season and shocked the entire league. Our rookie showed flashes but couldn’t get through 4 games. Houston is doing what we should do next year if AR shows he can play a full season at an All-Pro level like Stroud. - Ballard seat is hot. If AR shows what he has and meet the expectations, we need to go into win now mode. We’d have probably 2 or 3 years left on his rookie contract. We need to spend the resources and do whatever it takes to support AR. Imo, when he gets his contract, we won’t be able to hold onto everyone. So yes, what Houston is doing will hurt them in the long run, but there’s no better time to use resources and money when you have your answer at QB on a rookie deal. If Ballard is once again hesitant to do that, then he needs to go. - It is time for Ballard to start taking risks. Every GM has to do it. It’s fine to play it safe when you’re building the team. But when it’s time to build a contender, you can’t have the same philosophy. This year, I’ll give Ballard a pass because of the people we had to resign. Next year, there isn’t a pass. Spend the money, make the trades and use draft picks if necessary. But no matter what, build AR a winning team while he’s on his rookie deal. - This just reiterate me wanting Stroud last year. I’ve gone on record and said we should’ve traded up to number one, even if it costed us some serious draft capital. I just knew stroud was the real deal. But we have AR who I think can be just as good if not better. AR has a lot of pressure on him this upcoming year. Our future is really dependent upon if he has a good season. If he struggles and play the full season, I’d say hit the rebuild button. If he balls out, I’d say hit the win now button

agreed. We tried going after sneed, failed. But I’m ok with why it didn’t happen. I didn’t like how long we stayed in negotiations. We do need to grab a FS and a vet CB. Also need a DE.

I agree, but there aren’t many more moves to make other than signing a FS. The WRs we can trade for are going to need new BIG contracts which we can’t do because we already have one. Regarding our needs on defense, we tried. I do agree, the time is now. But I will say this, we shouldn’t have traded for diggs. He’s old and expensive. Texans are clearly in win now mode, which is fine. They’ve had the time and resources to do it. Now next offseason, we should be in win now mode and if we aren’t, Ballard won’t be here much longer.

Regarding the Texans and Ballard: im not mad at Ballard. We brought our players back. But now that we have everyone back, ITS TIME TO GET BETTER. Texans just made Ballard seat hotter. This year, I didn’t expect us to make a lot of splashes, maybe one. But next year, now that everyone is locked up, we need to add some serious talent. The Texans are not playing at all. They have given Stroud the weapons needed to succeed. I’ve said it before, the formula for when you have a young stud qb on a rookie deal is to have a star WR getting paid (ex. Diggs, Pittman) and have a stud capable WR1 on a rookie deal (ex. Tank dell). Every team has done it, except for the chiefs because they have pat Mahomes. ballard, the clock is ticking. The world isn’t ending, but it has an end date.

Nice! Guess Blackmon saw what his market was and said screw it. assuming this will be a prove it type deal. Nice that we filled a hole by bringing back one of our own. I hope Ballard isn’t done and signs a FS. He does that, then I’m honestly ok with this free agency period. Tried to make splashes but they fell through, brought back our own. Now let’s hit the draft, grab some players who can come and contribute and maybe even start, and I’m excited to see what we can do in this competitive division.

oh sorry, I was skimming the convo and thought this was regarding only WRs. Personally, based on what we need, I’d say Turner depending on far he falls is worth a trade up. Other than that, if it isn’t MHJ or Nabers, I’m fine staying at 15.

I’d say no. theres Nabers, Odunze, and MHJ who id considered elite (imo, I think Nabers and MHJ are the only 2 worth trading up for) then there’s BTJ who I’d considered fringe elite (I think he’s a good possibility to be available at 15) then there is the worthy, leggette, Mitchell tier who are very good. Could be developed a little bit more (if we go DE or CB with the first pick, I hope to grab one of these players in the second) then there’s everyone else.

if we trade up, I definitely think our next pick should be a WR. I think we’d be missing out if we have to pick a player outside of the Worthy/Leggette-tier of WRs. Sucks because if we go DE and WR we’d miss out on a talented CB (maybe, what if a player like cooper dejean slides?) but I’d be ok with looking at FA to grab a CB1 caliber player. A vet DE and WR, we’d have to pay them +$20million vs a vet CB we can get away with $20-$15 million.

BP1: based on our scheme and current personnel, I think we need playmakers at DE, WR, FS, CB (in that order). we may get one or multiple at DE, WR, and/or CB this draft depending on how it plays out. I hope we don’t go high on a FS this draft as it has been said this isn’t a good safety draft. BP2: if we move up to 7, I’m hoping we grab Dallas Turner. He’s mocked to maybe slide to us at 15 so idk if trading that far up is necessary. But if he’s available at 15 or if we have to move up, that would be my pick. I’d personally go WR with our next pick. WR class is deep and could maybe even get a stud. Note: I am apart of the Arnold/Mitchell club at pick 15 if the draft plays out that way. If Turner/Latu are not there. I’d be hurt about not getting BTJ, but as said above, we can find a good WR to fit our explosive deep threat need in the 2nd (ex. Leggette, worthy)

This. Latu, then Leggette in the second