SR711

Yeah the minute he sidestepped the rush, you knew he was hitting the big play over the top

I wasn’t a big fan of Lions blitzing on that 4 and 14. Play coverage there and make the window small for Mayfield. Too risky of a defense at that point in the game especially when the Bucs were prepared for it

Honest question for you and the rest on the board, do you think that not having the pressures, etc of day to day operations of owning an NFL franchise would help him stay sober or does doing that give him something to occupy his mind, time and give him something to fight for? I don’t have a good answer myself

I don't think anything Venturi said is particularly off base. He did back his points up with facts (the playing zone 79% of the time, the low blitz rate, the specific type of zone coverage being played, etc). If the results on defense were even moderately successful, then I can understand sticking with the scheme and "doing what you do". However, facts are the defense was the 5th worst in the league in points per game (which is probably the most important stat) despite the team being essentially middle of the pack in terms of giveaways. The Houston game obviously stings, but I can give a somewhat of a pass understanding that Stroud is really good and, therefore, he was going to make some plays. However, there was no excuse for giving up 29 points (over 10 points over their season average) on Christmas Eve to an Atlanta offense and Taylor Heinicke in a game where we had no turnovers on offense. The points given up that day where a direct result of repeatedly playing a passive, sit back type of defense without much blitzing.

Bottom line, IMO, the front office is going to have to be a lot more aggressive with trades, free agency compared to what they have been in the past in order to get this franchise back to where we all want. This is especially true these upcoming off seasons as I have a feeling that the competition in this division is going to be raised a lot in the coming years. It’s frustrating as a fan that even with all the changes/re-tools/re-boots our division rivals have had over the past few years, we still have not won the AFC South in 9 years where every other team in over division I believe has won it twice during that same time span.

Bad move on Titans part…this guy can coach and motivate men. If he goes somewhere with a better QB situation, look out

Thank you for posting this. I consider myself to be a die-hard fan of this team, but at the end of the day, this is one of the reasons why I am not overly optimistic that the franchise headed back to greatness. Those in charge simply are change-averse no matter how much evidence there is that one may be beneficial. Bradley's scheme and even Dungy's scheme are ones where the X's and O's does not lift up/enrich the talent but rather its the talent on the field that has to lift up the scheme. Yes, I understand that if we have a dominant DE/edge rusher (like Freeney, Mathis), high instinct safety who can cover ground, etc Bradley's D will look a whole lot better, but where exactly is this influx of talent going to come from in 1-2 years? Ballard in 7 years has not shown he can draft a dominant D-lineman. We most certainly are not going to trade for one or get into a bidding war in FA. Get ready for a rinse, repeat year in 2024 when it come to this defense.

My thoughts on Ballard, overall direction of this franchise... - To me, the credit for going from 4 wins in 2022 to 9 this year goes mostly to a having a largely unimposing schedule, having fresh ideas, schemes with our offense, better play calling, more competent QB play (the bar was set pretty low last year), improved O-line play. Very little reflects on Ballard and his 7 years of "delayed gratification" roster construction. - My issue Ballard's overall roster construction philosophy is that he continues to make (or not make) moves, save assets planning for a future that never comes into fruition. In reality, IMO, the way the modern NFL roster rules are constructed with salary cap, draft, etc, it really is a year to year league. What I mean by that is that the days of doing a methodical multi year build relying solely on the draft to bring in impact players are gone. Teams have to be somewhat aggressive in filling holes that appear on a roster and adding talent (especially when its available for low cost) because that is what your competition is doing and that is how they leap frog you leaving those that dont cycling around the .500 mark or, possibly, worse and not true contenders. - The defense scheme needs to be revamped/Bradley needs to go. There needs to be more blitz packages put in the playbook and mores aggressiveness that is put into the DNA of the defense. There is no reason that the team should be in the bottom five in the league on how much they blitz when taken in context with how many points per game they were giving up. However, I will be surprised if any substantial changes are made as this sit back, zone heavy, rely on turnovers scheme has been something that Ballard prefers and possibly may be mandating (look back at his comments regarding defensive scheme after 2016 season for reference). - Unfortunately, because of the AR injury, this season while entertaining and intriguing does very little to indicate whether this franchise is back on the road to contention. The same question marks that were there going into the season will remain. The necessary invaluable game experience, teaching moments, growing pains that are realistically going to be there for AR in order for him reach his full potential are going to have to occur. As a result, I don't it is a given that this team improves on its W-L record next year.

- First and foremost, I completely realize the ending of this season, this game is hard to swallow, but if we take a step back and are being fair, I think the team and specifically Steichen deserves a lot of credit for continuing to have the offense produce despite some of the injuries. Unlike 2 years ago when they blew that last of the game of the season at Jax, the team and coaching staff showed up to play and compete today. - At the risk of inciting the Ballard defenders, that is now 7 years he has been here with only 2 playoff appearances and no division titles to show for it. As Bill Parcells once said "you are what you're record says you are". Once again, a Colts season is torpedoed by a foolish gamble that was made on a certain position group (this year being the secondary) that is littered with young, untested, Day 2, Day 3 draft picks. Color me skeptical, but I would caution those who think that Ballard will be aggressive in filling in the holes there are on this roster which are keeping the team from being elite. - The bottom line with this season is that, while entertaining and intriguing, it ultimately tells us very little on whether this team and franchise is on road back to being a title contender.

Why did Shane waste that time out before 4th down. They could’ve used it here. Once again, he gets too cute trying to draw people off sides and wastes time out.

Minshew misthrew it as well

Team has to be credited that they have kept fighting despite all the injuries,etc

He got it. His momentum was stopped right at the first down line

Play calling has been questionable with forcing the run game when it hasn’t been working

Horrible

It’s both in my opinion. Unfortunately, as things currently stand. It may be the issue that ends up sinking our playoff hopes for this season. The secondary was absolutely abused, exposed that last drive.

Hold them to a Fg here

He has no business playing in the NFL. That much was clear after the debacle in the Browns game.

When you generate negative plays as a defense, you can’t just give it all back in one play

Terrible tackling

I will take that defensive turnover that we haven’t seen in 11 quarters anytime now

Stop with the up middle runs, they are on to it!

That should be a 1st down

That’s big…hope Freeland can step it up

Get some off tackle runs going and maybe throw on 1st down