Smonroe

If he signs any free agent (outside of our own) on the first day, I will be shocked. All in all, I think he’s played the FA game mostly right. Even though I get frustrated when I see a player of need get signed and we do nothing. But (and I know I haven’t done a good job expressing this) I thinks this is a “let’s go for it” year, and he may change his spots.

I get what you’re saying and mostly agree. But my point was that Ballard gives off the “I’m the smartest guy in the room” vibe and maybe he’ll listen more to Shane now. You’re correct that none of us really know the interactions going on. But if you watched the video of the draft the year they took Ehlinger, didn’t it seem like Chris made that decision by himself? Like it was a surprise to everyone in the room? Sure looked that way to me.

I’ll admit, the term “generational wealth” is foreign to me. And I do understand why guys don’t want to be tagged. But a smart guy like MPJ could take that tag money and turn it into generational wealth with no problem, if he should have a career ending injury. So, at least if it were me, I also wouldn’t have an issue if they tagged me. But I hope they sign him. The argument that he’s not a true #1 is moot. He’s a chain mover. That makes him a #1 in my book.

Others have already stated pretty much how I feel. I really don’t know how much influence the “typical HC” has on the draft. I would assume no GM drafts in a vacuum. They have to approve the direction the team is going with the HC in the first place. I would hope Ballard would put aside his smartest guy in the room attitude and go with Shane’s needs, position wise. What I keep coming back to was a couple years ago when Ballard went to the board to select Ehlinger. It looked like he surprised everyone in the room. I know 6th round picks are a crapshoot, but why waste it on a guy you know isn’t going to play. My point is that he showed arrogance with that pick. I don’t think Frank urged him to take it.

I chalk it up to Shane demanding accountability from players and coaches. It could be something else, money, etc., but I’m hoping it’s Shane insisting we do everything possible to succeed. I’d love to know how much influence he has on the draft.

I’m a little late to the game, but I just saw that MPJ and his wife bough a farm in Indiana. Sounds like he’s going to sign eventually.

Exactly. Thats why I said a case could be made for drafting a QB again this year. I know they won’t. But it would be justified for the future state of the franchise. If he can take a page from Mahomes, it would be better than taking one from Allen. Both do a great job of running, but Allen hardly makes attempts to avoid contact. He’s one tough dude. But that will catch up to him eventually.

Agreed on that last sentence. What’s still a question mark is his ability to stay on the field. While watching the Bills and Allen I kept thinking “AR can do that”. Just slide more, lol!

If Verse last to 15 we better take him. We should get Flowers back, so the CB group isn't too bad. But I'd rather give AR another playmaker. Either Bowers or a WR like Thomas from LSU. However, I fully expect Ballard to trade the pick.

My prediction - when it comes to the 15th pick in the draft we'll hear: "The Indianapolis Colts have traded their pick..." We need a playmaker, on either side of the ball. Yes, we have many needs and they would be better filled if we had more draft picks. Everyone wants a WR, and I have no problem with that. But I think Pierce will excel with AR and Downs is already good. MPJ is a stud, and a chain mover. At one point I thought we had too many TE's on the roster, but that dwindled fast. Woods is a question mark, as is Ogletree. MAC is adequate at best. I like both Mallory and Granson, but they basically bring the same thing. Bowers would look good in Blue and White.

That may be true. Now. But don’t you think that after 2025 those owners will be partnering with their city to submit proposals for the combine? I suspect Jerry Jones is already working on theirs.

Should I have added "in our lifetime"? Indy also has the same shot at the draft and the SB again. The city did a great job with the SB too. They aren't on the list for the next four years, while other cities have had it multiple times. As Cindi Lauper sang - Money changes everything.

Yeah, I suspect 2025 will be the last year it's in Indy. It doesn't matter what the players or even the coaches want. The owners make the final call and greed trumps logic.

Crosby would be a nice add. But I think Fields would not be happy being a backup. There's a rumor they may trade him to Atlanta, where he'd most likely be a starter.

Oh, I agree the season was fun. It was rewarding to know that we have a HC who's smart and demanding. But, to me, it was weird. I wanted to win every game and to make the playoffs. But in the back of my mind it was still a lost season in a way. I'm pretty sure a lot of others felt that same way. And you saw all the posts from people wanting us to tank for a higher draft pick. I'm definitely not in that crowd.

Again, I'm not suggesting we draft another QB, I'm just saying there's a case to be made. In your scenario (worst case) AR gets hurt and we have a veteran take us through another year like the last one. Even though we may win, maybe even make the playoffs, no one is very excited because we know it's not the team of the future. In the scenario where we draft a QB (I'm using Daniels as an example) one would win the starting job. If he gets hurt, it's sort of like the Cousins/RG3 year. (I know Cousins was a 3rd round pick, it's just an example.) The argument is moot, whether you're convinced or not.

To be clear, I'm not saying we should pick a QB in the first round. I'm just saying you could make that case. For all of the reasons you and I stated. The position is so important that you want to minimize your risk there. I think AR has it all, but that's a guess at this point. I bet that Jayden Daniels has a higher rating this year than AR did last year on the Colts board. It's possible he could be there at 15. But I think Ballard will live or die with AR.

No problem. Here it is: The QB is the most important position. Your franchise success is dependent on him. (For the sake of brevity I won’t go into reasons. We all know it starts with the QB). The Colts have a rookie QB that finished two games. He is still an unknown, both health wise and performance. If the Colts can get a QB at 15 that they rate higher this season than AR was last year, the chances of franchise success doubles. They compete for the starting job. Loser is a cheap(er) backup. Again, I’m not advocating it, I’m saying a case can be made for it. You can disagree, but then you’re saying we should put all the eggs in one basket.

The more you drink, the smarter I sound.

You’re mixing up your argument. Yes, I said the odds are that Ballard won’t select a QB. Obvious. Then I gave the legitimate case if he did select one. capisci?

Probably a million to one. But that wasn't what I said. I said you could make a case for any position being one of need, including the QB. Who could argue that we really don't know what we have in AR, both health wise and talent. To be clear, I think he's the real thing. I love his attitude and the little we saw of him on the field. But he's yet to prove himself in both of the areas I just mentioned.

You could make a case for a player at any position fitting a need. Including QB.

He didn’t have a choice last year. The Ballard thing to do (and probably the right thing) would be to trade back and get a couple good players to improve the team. The “fan”thing to do would be to stay put or even trade up for a stud WR. I’m a fan.

I know, logically, we need a stud CB or edge rusher. But I’m in the camp that says - give AR more weapons. So if a top WR is available, I’d love to take him. But we all know Ballard…

Stays and picks the BPA. But what if the BPA is Jayden Daniels?