AwesomeAustin
-
Posts
2,475 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
2
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Events
Blogs
Posts posted by AwesomeAustin
-
-
6 minutes ago, richard pallo said:
I think he saves his job this year and Colts fans are happy with the results of the season. He probably saved it last year but AR’s injury derailed the playoff spot. I think if he played the entire year we wouldn’t be talking about Ballard’s future with the team right now. So far so good this year. And the draft is still in front of us and he’s armed with more cap space so we shall see.
Not directed at you but in general. I don’t understand the talk about getting rid of Ballard. If he was going anywhere it would have been before last season. He picked the new coach and together picked the hopeful franchise QB. No way they will make a regime change unless Irsay wants to completely clean house. New GM would want his coach and maybe even a different QB, we would have to start over. Only chance the whole team isn’t blown up is if they would promote from within and that would probably be worked out before we would ever know it’s happening.
Ballard, Steichen and AR are the guys for the next 2-3yrs minimum and they will do whatever they can to win with this group.
-
3
-
-
3 hours ago, PRnum1 said:
To your point Paye has been improving as well.
He quietly got 8.5 sacks last season.
So maybe Ballard sticks with Paye and get ER depth in the later rounds ?
When we drafted Paye I predicted he would be a 6-8 sack a year guy with maybe 1-2 seasons he has a career type year and reaches double digits. We have a new DL coach and maybe he can get more out of him. I feel Paye is performing right around his ceiling. Good but not great player. There is room for him on this roster even on a 2nd contract if paid as #2 or top end rotational player.
-
1
-
-
If they are rolling it over until next year, maybe it’s part of the plan with all the three year extensions to make a couple splashes in FA or trades while AR is on his rookie deal. Maybe wants to make sure AR is good to go and works out his rookie ways this year. Idk but just a theory.
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, hoosierhawk said:
Love this move!! Still standing by to see what happens with Mo Allie. Lots of cap space available there if we decide to part ways but CB must really like him. We'll see but wrapping up Buck for two more years at the price we got him at was great.
I feel if MAC was going to be a cap casualty it would have already happened. Ballard is known to do right by his players and would most likely have cut him at the beginning of the league year allowing time to find a new team. Now that may change at final roster cut downs but until then, they plan for MAC to play this year.
-
2
-
-
Go Colts! The front office is telling us fans this roster is ready to compete with AR. This team looks like it’s being setup for a three year run. I fully believe they will do some moves during the draft to add quality players instead of acquiring more picks on day 3. Pure speculation on my end but I’m anticipating 4 players will be taken in the first three rounds.
-
2
-
-
Wife and I went to the game today. Couldn’t ask for a better first game for her. She isnt a sports fan but had fun and was clapping and cheering towards the end. The Pacers have a mini 3 going with Halliburton, Turner and Siakam. They played lights out and really put on a show. Going to check prices on playoff tickets and see if we can go again.
-
2
-
-
19 minutes ago, John Hammonds said:
I think that's counting both free agents and extensions. I was just compiling only the free agent figures on Sportrac. It was pretty amazing. I already knew from listening to the radio that Ballard was spending the money retaining his own. But when you actually see the numbers, it jumps out at you. Instead of spending 30-odd million dollars signing 12 to 14 players from other rosters, most of whom are bargain basement people, and signing only 2 or 3 of your own, he spent 93 million dollars signing 10 of his own players, while signing only 2 guys from other teams. It's a complete and stunning reversal.
I noticed this as well. Gives me a lot of confidence the Colts are ready to compete and looking to get the last 3-4 guys needed from the draft or developing guys already here waiting their turn. A lot of people are upset we didn’t add more in free agency but we don’t need to. The return of AR and another year together should improve most players enough we can compete with anyone. This is going to be a really good year
-
3
-
-
Closer we get to draft time I’m hoping more and more the Colts trade up their 2nd or 3rd round picks. If AR is who this team thinks he is, the roster is 3-4 players away from being a hard team to beat in the playoffs. I think we are past the quantity dart board approach and now into adding quality players. Personally, I think this draft and next years can set the foundation for a contending team for the next 4-6 years.
We may already have 1-2 of these players already on the roster. I’m really interested in the development of Downs, Cross and these TEs and CBs. There is talent in these spots and I think at least one of them steps up to be a very good starter. I know the big question is AR, if he elevates this team we will be able to compete with anyone. 3/4 more good to great players and we can beat anyone.
-
3
-
-
1 hour ago, BProland85 said:
I’ve done numerous mock drafts on PFN to where I was able to trade down with Tampa at 26 and get their 2nd and 2025 1st. Then I would select AD Mitchell each time at 26.
Wow. Take that trade anytime!
-
It will take more than #15 to get Crosby but it still makes a good topic of discussion. I’m guessing two 1s would be the minimum for them to even listen to an offer.
-
2
-
-
Even with Bowers appearing to be a great TE prospect, I don’t think the value is there for our team at #15. I feel we have the middle of the field covered very well with who we have. I do think he would help the offense but other players available could impact the team more. Will be interesting to see what happens.
To answer OPs question, I would go CB.
-
2
-
-
10 hours ago, tweezy32 said:
Let’s be honest, who really wanted Quinyon Mitchell? I find it funny a lot of the years when players do really well at combine there stocks rise up and now people want that player and are super in love with them. Like they were never wanted before the combine and when they have good stats they are just so good and need to be had.
In all fairness that’s how the process is designed work. Mitchell was a 2 time all conference and I believe all- American. He was invited to the senior bowl and then the combine and coaches/media get up close look at him. During this process more fans learn about players. I doubt majority of people watch enough college football to really know a corner back from Toledo is a first round capable player. Most people watch their team and maybe a few other big games, so unless their team crosses paths with a player like Mitchell, we don’t don’t know about him until now. I’m thankful for the process for this.
10 hours ago, tweezy32 said:Let’s be honest, who really wanted Quinyon Mitchell? I find it funny a lot of the years when players do really well at combine there stocks rise up and now people want that player and are super in love with them. Like they were never wanted before the combine and when they have good stats they are just so good and need to be had.
In all fairness that’s how the process is designed work. Mitchell was a 2 time all conference and I believe all- American. He was invited to the senior bowl and then the combine and coaches/media get up close look at him. During this process more fans learn about players. I doubt majority of people watch enough college football to really know a corner back from Toledo is a first round capable player. Most people watch their team and maybe a few other big games, so unless their team crosses paths with a player like Mitchell, we don’t don’t know about him until now. I’m thankful for the process for this.
-
6 hours ago, stitches said:
I really don't want to boil down everything to "Grigson had Luck"... You know how I feel about the QB position. It's incredibly important. But even at the peak of evaluation of its importance, it's what? Like... 20-25% of the success of the team? You still need a team around that one guy who can give you an advantage, but you cannot waste that advantage with the rest of the roster and that's what Grigson did.
As a volume, I agree that Ballard has done "more" at certain positions but IMO that has a lot to do with the pure volume of picks he accumulated(and this is absolutely to his credit, you know I like this approach). And again, I'm not here to defend Grigson. But Grigson hit big on his important positions(or inherited his big time players - AC) and his teams had more success than Ballard's teams have had so far. Grigson was truly a terrible GM and evaluator of talent. But the (few) hits he had at important positions elevated his team" to heights that Ballard's hits on guards and linebackers and running backs have not been able to replicate, despite me preferring Ballard as an evaluator and drafter.
Correct about the QB. Drew Brees had 8 seasons on teams with a .500 or worse record were he played in majority of the games. That’s almost a decade of losing in his career. I do think the Colts have a really good roster. If AR is everything the Colts planned for him to be, they should have some success the next three years. This is an AFC championship appearance roster with great QB play.
-
On 4/3/2024 at 12:47 PM, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:
This tweet has me thinking colts players are ok with mediocrity because they know Ballard is going to overpay them to keep them here.
And he still has done nothing.
Perhaps it’s the players believing they can get the job done. They are basically bringing back every starter and I’m sure those guys want to get it done. Shane Steichen said he believes in continuity. For the most part the coach is getting what he wanted. Only slight changes to the staff and roster for the team to go into year two and improve around their quasi rookie QB. I still think there will be another starter or two from the draft by end of next season. I’m actually enjoying watching this team come back mostly intact. They exceeded our expectations last year and I’m hoping they do it again this year. This is going to be fun.
-
2 hours ago, DougDew said:
Yes. My goal of this entire discussion is to bring out the fact, I believe, that Ballard believes in the concept of blue chip players, and identifies that line every draft. Its just a matter of whether the value is there to make the trade. If you think that circumstances have changed a bit from the previous 8 years...notably being sold on AR and the depth of his roster.....and the SS factor.....its possible that the change might cause us to witness something we've never really seen before under Ballard.
Just saying, I wouldn't be dismissing a trade up from 15 out of hand because "its not what Ballard does" type of thing.
I know it will never happen bc of strategy reasons, but I wish a team would show their draft board and how they decide value and ranks of players. It would be so interesting to see how a team goes through the draft process and judges one player vs another.
Plus they could never make public the discussions on drafting someone to possibly replace a player in a year or so. Closest we can get is when scouts and other front office people leave the team setting to do media. Still, people seem to have an understanding to not overshare the day to day operations.
-
2
-
-
1 hour ago, DougDew said:
Makes great sense to me. Thanks for the post. A few things:
My discussion of the trade up is about whether or not Ballard's team views a couple of players as standouts vs the rest. If so, then a trade up would not be a surprise to me given that he said he wants more "explosion" (wh0 knows what that means really). I'm not one of these Ballard critics who says he is simply stuck in his ways and will never trade up. If there is a trade up, I think its because there probably is a break in talent somewhere around pick 11. I will trust the professionals to make that assessment as I am not going through a bunch of players to try to second guess who should have been picked the day it happens.
With the players you listed, I don't know that a player at 46 is going to push any of those guys that much. I'd rather push Paye/Ebukam with Dallas Turner than with another second rounder like Dayo. JMO.
I also think OT is on the table at 15. I really do. If there is a stand out guy there, that's head and shoulders above the rest, why not? You mentioned Smith is probably reached his peak, and some view him as a true G anyway. Then if French could replace Kelly next year, AR will have some good young protection for about 5 years. An OT is not necessarily explosive by himself, but it would allow AR to be more explosive...and would indirectly fit what Ballard was saying about getting more explosive (there are many ways that term can be satisfied later at a press conference, LOL)
I agree with you that likely a player at #46 won’t push those other players. However I feel a player at 15 and let’s say 35(don’t know who is picking there or who is available) could push two different positions.
I see the logic of trading up for the bright line scenario you are saying. I believe back in 2018 Ballard called them Blue Chip players. The million dollar question is the team better served with one blue chip player or a possible blue chip player at 15 and a darn good player in the late first early second.
I personally feel on draft night, if the Colts board around pick 8-11 is playing out we can get elite potential at #15, the Colts should stay where we are and look into moving the 2nd up. All that does depend on how the Colts rate players and if a bonafide starter on their draft board is even available at the end of day 1 or to start day two.
-
1
-
-
16 hours ago, DougDew said:
I think other teams will likely value the receivers over the corners, so Ballard would be most likely to get his explosion from a corner, the second tier receivers, or the second tier Edges at 15. But it may be deep enough, who knows.
I would not really look for "value" if I'm looking for explosion. I would spend capital to make sure I got the explosive guy. The capital I save is just going to give me more of the nonexplosive guys that I already have. Provided that I trust my methodology to recognize the difference between the guy at 8 and the guy ranked 46.
I’m really enjoying what you are saying bc it’s making me think and research a little bit. I looked at the last 25 picks at the #46 slot and no one jumps out. I want to counter what you are recommending with instead of trading up from 15, the Colts should trade up from 46.
For me personally, I believe the defense is void of much talent. If the draft shakes out where we can get a 1st round graded DT or DE at 15 and then trade up from 46 for a DB we have graded high…that would be a great start. Addresses positions of need while also keeping it in the spirit of BPA.
With all that said, I wouldn’t be upset if the Colts drafted OL either lol. So I’m on board with trading up but not really into the top 10. I would rather the Colts use their later picks as ammo to get more top 50-100 guys in this draft. I think the roster is super solid in most places. So instead of searching for the diamond in the rough with late round guys who probably can’t make the team, I would like players that can push current players and eventually replace them instead of giving them another contract.
Just off the top of my head here are a few players on both side of the ball it could be beneficial to draft a replacement for instead of signing to another contract.
Smith(relies on injuries, he has played great)
Fries
Kelly
Pierce
Dayo(this is make or break year)
Paye
Speed
Safety
Corner
Thats 9-10 positions we could use an upgrade or replacement in near future. I touched a few areas so I hope this makes sense.
-
1
-
-
36 minutes ago, Shive said:
Wow! That's really cheap! Still leaves us some space to make another move if we restructure someone.
It appears it slots him in at #15 if he hits all his incentives. Who knows what it takes to get all of them. Of course there are others that could sign and move him down a slot or two. I guess I would consider it fair. Not sure if he is a top 15 safety in the league but close enough when healthy.
-
On 3/31/2024 at 3:12 PM, NewColtsFan said:
I think this generally true. Of the three levels, DL would be first, LB second, secondary third.
Im extremely curious if there’s been a change in philosophy. An article last summer from Bucky Brooks…. He interviewed all teams that run a 4-3 defense and reported that half of them now view LB as no better than a Day 3 pick. They view LB as the RB of the defense — devalued — because so many LBers come off the field for more corners and/or safeties.
So the question becomes…. Is Ballard now one of those GMs who think that? Or does he try to draft Shaq Leonard 2.0?
We may find out on Day 2, Friday the 26th.
I think they drafted Leonard in the 2nd round bc they identified him for the talent he was. I believe the TV guys said it was a reach at the time. I could see Ballard going LB again only if they find the right guy, they won’t force it. Leonard was unreal on his rookie contract and well worth a 2nd.
-
3 minutes ago, indyagent17 said:
I had two different friends. Tell me we signed Justin Simmons today now I can’t find it anywhere.
Check out what today is on your calendar
-
3
-
-
Great game today! Congrats to Purdue for beating my favorite college team. Tennessee had a great run and played them hard. I’ve caught a lot of flack from my friends being a UT fan and living 20min from Purdue. I was ok with either team winning but have said since Friday, Purdue has a great chance to win it all this year where Tennessee was exceeding expectations. An elite 8 appearance was awesome for our football school. I will definitely be rooting for Purdue the rest of the way.
-
3
-
-
17 hours ago, NewColtsFan said:
Yes…. But the Nelson move down was at the top of the draft. From 3 to 6. Points there are large.
But once you’re in the middle of the first round, the points are much more modest so a small move gets you very little. To get a bigger return teams may have to trade either to the bottom of the first, or sometimes out of the first altogether.
This. Ballard has already traded a first round pick and got an additional 2nd. He had to trade out of the first round and the 2nd was the following year. I believe it was with Washington. I’m with you. I highly doubt any team will give up their 1st and 2nd or 3rd for the 15th pick.
-
1
-
-
I don’t see them cutting Mo Alie Cox this late in the game. I could have seen it at beginning of league year if they needed the cap space. Ballard typically does right by the players and not giving Mo the best chance to sign with a team for market value isn’t a Ballard type move unless requested by player. A trade or extension seems more likely than being cut. I do think he is way over paid so who knows.
-
2
-
-
2 hours ago, ColtStrong2013 said:
I saw enough last season to be far more concerned about his availability than his ability to throw the ball. He showed a lot with his arm, ability to make big plays in a comeback against the Rams. He has yet to show he can stay healthy. Regardless what he does this year, there will be a lot of anxiety watching him play all the way up until the end of his season, whether by injury or by conclusion of the team’s season.I understand why there is a concern but I can’t predict injuries so won’t worry about it unless it happens. It’s virtually impossible for an NFL player not to get nicked up and battle injuries from minor to major. Hopefully the major injuries are behind him. I want to see how AR plays and responds to adversity. Can he repeat what he did in the Rams game but lead the team to wins? I think this defense will be putting AR in a hole multiple games and force him to throw. A good QB elevates his team. I haven’t seen enough from his arm to feel like it’s certain he will be able to pick apart NFL secondaries and everything else these DCs will do to confuse him
-
1
-
Colts have the 15th pick in the draft. (MERGE)
in Colts Football
Posted
I really like the idea of using day 3 picks to move up on day 2. I think this team needs quality over quantity and would rather walk away from the draft with 5 players in the first four rounds than 8-9 bc we got more late round picks trading down.
I would even be ok with moving down in the first if the draft board says the players we want are valued in the 20s and it nets a 3rd or 4th.