Smonroe

Speculation. You put together a good team, especially with a good young QB, and players will want to be here.

Our 2 is better than the 49ers 3. Simple as that. And you don’t get a hit if you don’t swing the bat. It would have been a cheap tryout for us.

If we got him and he returned to form, why wouldn’t we sign him again? QB, LT, Pass rusher - the building blocks for good teams. He was a need.

You’re “beginning to question”? Welcome to the party. Okay I’m accepting that we’re doing nothing to improve the team this season. But how about addressing needs so we can be competitive next season? And let’s not count on the draft to solve everything. Pass rush, depth on the Oline, and a WR who can get some separation. And, of course CBs who can actually play.

And how do you become a competing team? First by addressing your weak points. Like not having a pass rush, and constantly failing to improve it in the draft.

Sure, but they first try to do what’s good for their team. A Colts 3 is better than a 49ers 3. I would have given a 2. Ballards refusing to improve the team tells us what we all suspected. It’s tank time.

well, it’s not like we needed a pass rusher. Better to keep the drat picks. Worked like a charm so far.

Look at it this way, we have no Influence on the outcome of a game. So why not root for your team to win? Try to enjoy the season as much as possible. Try to enjoy each game. Next May the draft position will be what it is, no sense in being concerned about it now. You’ve seen the commercial, pretty soon a cold night in Buffalo will just be a cold night in Buffalo.

I’m jumping in late, but here’s my question- If Ballard does nothing what does that tell us about the plan for the rest of the season? I’ll give you a hint … rhymes with rank.

It’s all about the ‘when’. Right now, in this when, I want to win this game. I want to win every remaining game too no matter our record and what it does to our draft position. Next May, no one will care if we lost this game if it improved our draft number. But this is now and I never want my team to lose. I don’t understand that mentality.

I think he's working his way back, but still no where near where he once was. Definitely not a $20M LB. I hope he improves. Too bad we don't have coaching decision grades. Not using Taylor in the second half gives Shane a D. Not benching Brown gives Gus an F.

Understand (and I'm playing devil's advocate) - but if a GM can see obvious weaknesses in a team and does nothing to improve them - then what do you call that? Isn't standing pat the same as saying we're satisfied with losing? It's obvious that we don't have a pass rush. Even with Grove we weren't pressuring the QBs. Reportedly, Washington would take a 2 for Chase or Sweat. If that's true, our 2 has to be one of the most valuable. Wouldn't either of those players fit into our future plans? We have the cap, we have the draft pick. Why wouldn't Ballard make that deal? I can understand not making a move for a CB. Hopefully next season we'll be healthier. But are we counting on a draft pick to improve the pass rush? If so, we can use that draft pick right now.

You're correct. So, was playing Brown on the outside a coaches decision? We have to assume so. I'm not sure if that's an indictment on our coaches or on the GM for not having any better options. (How about playing Brown in the slot, or just stay in base the entire game? Or play Blackmon in nickel and bring in Cross. It couldn't have been much worse) So while I agree with you about the coaches not intentionally tanking, can we say the same about the FO? Supposedly, there are two Commodore D-Linemen on the block. Our D line pass rush is horrible. If the FO doesn't attempt to improve it, are they negligent or in tank mode? Is a 2nd round pick (and just go through Ballards latest 2nd round picks) more valuable than one of those guys? I can understand the quandary at CB with injuries, etc. But to ignore the fact that our pass rush is non-existent isn't acceptable unless the plan is to go for a higher draft pick.

Okay, I'm in no way a conspiracy theorist, but... If they continue to play Tony Brown on the outside...if they continue to keep Taylor out of the game when he's playing so well, if they continue to make "questionable" calls on O and D... and if they do nothing to improve the pass rush during the trade deadline... Then I have to wonder...is the Tank in effect? They may be saying they want to win. But doing those things is like saying I want to lose weight, but I'm going to continue my bad eating habits and not exercise. They're smart enough to know it's not working.

What frustrated me most Sunday was the drive where we were running the ball down their throats, and you could feel the momentum on our side, then Minshew threw the lame duck to their CB in the endzone. What happened to Run to Win? Also - I know this comment belongs in the other forum - but it's obvious that we don't have a pass rush. Why not trade our #2 for Sweat or Young? We aren't going win this year with the depleted CB room, but we need to start building a team for next season. Okay, I'm off my soapbox now.

I really don’t understand why anyone thinks we should be good? Injuries (and gambling) devastated the CB room, backup QB, and no pass rush. You can’t blame Ballard for the injuries. But we can blame him if he doesn’t try to trade for a legitimate pass rusher, like Sweat or Young.

Playing with a back up QB, no pass rushers, and (except for KM) subs at CB. You aren't going to win many games with that formula.

The odds of finding a star/stud WR is the draft are exponentially better than finding a D lineman who’s a difference maker. (My humble opinion)

Forget Jeudy, WRs are a dime a dozen in the draft. I would not be upset if we traded a 2 for Young or Sweat.

If I'm reading this right, his cap hit is $8M in dead cap and $12M in cap savings if he's cut prior to 6/1. (Not that I'm for cutting him unless it's shown he's not the player he once was. We need playmakers on D) https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/indianapolis-colts

I’d take a chance on Chase. But I’m a Buckeye, so I’m hopeful for his career to pan out.

QB, Edge, LT - you hit on stars at those positions and everything else can be filled in yearly. We MAY have hit on two (we’re hoping). Edge is still a big need.

Keep playing him. It’s not like decent starting QBs are available. Besides, even with those turnovers he was only partially responsible for the Browns loss. SS and the refs share that debacle.

Thats kind of how I feel too. I want to win every game. But a loss means a higher pick, so it’s not too upsetting. (Although the Browns game was upsetting because we should have won) In a way it’s a no pressure season.

I want to win the rest of the games, make a run in the playoffs, and get the second pick in the draft. There...is that so hard? (oh, you wanted a realistic opinion? you came to the wrong place)