NewColtsFan

Tell me…. Who was the “star” wide receiver that the Colts passed on who went on to have great success? Julio Jones? Nope. OBJ? Nope. Jarvis Landry? Nope. Robert Woods? Nope. Allen Robinson? Nope. All the people you talk about weren’t star players, they were big name players who fans here know and don’t realize were past their prime. So they used to be stars, but weren’t anymore. Fans didn’t know their contract or their health or their age. And none of them did anything for their new team. And please don’t throw out guys like Adams or Hill or Hopkins or anyone else. Those guys had leverage and were never coming to Indy even if the Colts wanted them. And if CB is reluctant to pay a WR $25m per, imagine trying to pay more than that which those players got. Not happening. Ballard had a terrible 2022, you could argue worse than terrible. But none of the moves that you’re complaining about would have made a difference in 2022.

I don’t know why, but you think Taylor’s rookie year is “average.” I’m operating from memory but I believe JT’s rookie year was at least 1100 yards, might’ve been close to 1200. There’s nothing average about that. Plus, you seem to think a decision made by Philly AFTER Steichen left reflects Steichen’s opinion. Maybe, it’s possible, but I wouldn’t bet on it. Plus he’s already on record as saying JT should be a big asset to AR. SO again, if JT gets hurt again, you may get your wish. But if not, I think it’s more likely he remains a Colt.

We were horrible for one year. 2022. I don’t count 2017 because the Colts lost Luck. But otherwise, one seriously bad year. And you’re tired of being horrible? Really?

Im not giving Nelson a free pass. We all saw things happen to him that we hadn’t seen before. But that doesn’t mean playing next to Raimann didn’t impact Q. Answers to complex questions rarely are simple. They’re often complicated. I don’t know why anyone would doubt playing next to Raimann was difficult. As it was the year before when he played next to Fisher who couldn’t pass block (though EF did have a very good year run blocking). You want to take Nelson at his word because it fits your narrative. A narrative you’ve been selling since the day the Colts drafted him over 5 years ago.

Thank you. This gives me a little clarity as this unusual off-season continues. Everywhere I look I see stories and videos raving about AR. And I can’t figure out why? I want AR to succeed as much as the next guy, but I’m not seeing enough reason to justify the incredible hype. Things will get interesting in late July when camp opens. Everything is going to get much faster than he’s ever experienced.

That’s fair. But other than Shane Steichen once saying that Richardson made some plays in one practice “that were next level stuff”, was there anything about AR so far that you find encouraging? The few times passing stats were released by anyone, (Colts or media) they were typically terrible. I’m very confused about AR so far. He’s a very hard read.

To be fair to Kevin, everyone was raving about how precise Ryan was last summer. All media plus every member of the Colts franchise that would get in front of a microphone or a camera. Remember, the week of the Colts season opener in Houston, Jim Irsay was talking about a new contract extension for Ryan that might go 3-4 years. So for a short while, everyone was all in on Matt Ryan. Boy did that change quickly.

You and others can think whatever you want about the 23 difference. Your choice. But there is almost ZERO statistical objective evidence that the 23 defense was the best in the Ballard era. It’s laughably false. It’s silly. An argument that goes the 23 defense was better than the 23 offense does not also mean the 23 defense was the best of Ballard’s seven years as GM. There are no dots to connect. Come on now….

I hope this is a prediction that you do NOT want to happen? I think your scenario is just about the worst possible outcome.

Peter…. There are a million things I could say in response. But I doubt it would change your viewpoint. So I suspect you and I are going to have to agree to disagree. Good luck.

Yup, fully agreed. Was trying to say that your viewpoint as someone who has considerable gambling experience and understanding I think is very helpful to this discussion.

“Their GM figured it out in one year and made the playoffs” Interesting…. Hmmm…. If only the Colts had a GM that was hired in 2017 and a year later had a draft that was so good that the Colts went from 4-12 to 10-6, made the playoffs, and even won a playoff game. You seem completely unaware that what you envy in Jacksonville in 21-22 actually happened here in Indianapolis in 17-18. You are literally writing multiple posts that Ballard doesn’t know what constitutes modern NFL football, yet you do. I don’t believe that’s a good look, but you clearly disagree. Good luck with that.

Thanks for that long detailed explanation. This has been my hunch all along. That while Rodgers made hundreds of bets, they may not have all been on the Colts. I don’t know nothing, I’m just publicly speculating. But your explanation makes the most sense to me! Appreciated.

I don’t know who we are discussing? Our fan base here? As for Nelson, he’s a team guy. I don’t see him publicly calling out Raimann and saying HE was the cause of his falloff. Same with Kelly and Smith who had to deal with Pinter/Fries between them. That’s what good teammates do. The three of them have their money, there’s no need to point fingers and assign blame. I think to the extent that he could say something publicly, Ballard said what he could…. That the substandard play at two spots badly impacted the three good players who should have been better. Ultimately, last years disastrous OL performance is the responsibility of Ballard and Strausser. Irsay says Ballard is safe for now. Strausser lost his job but was quickly hired by Houston. It’ll be interesting to see how he does there.

That Nelson deserved to be the 6th pick in the draft was proven a long time ago. There are only a small number of non-believers left. Three historically great years. Interesting that you write positive things about Smith. He’s now one of the more unpopular players with members of our community. Many here want Smith moved inside to RG even though he’s still one of the top tackles in the game. One correction from me about 21…. Nelson missed four games, not five. I just double checked and wanted to clarify. Also, FWIW, Smith’s foot injury in 21, (different from Nelson) forced him to miss 6 games.

The broken foot and high ankle sprain were in 2021, NOT 2022. Q’s grade has been roughly the same for the past two years. About 69. Last year was a nightmare for everyone. Ballard’s official comment was that Raimann and Pinter/Fries brought down the performance of the three veterans.

I think the only way your scenario plays out is if Taylor is badly hurt again and his value plummets. If that happens, the future becomes very questionable. But if it doesn’t, and JT enjoys two good to very good years, then I think the Colts tag him in 24 and 25 before figuring things out then. But that would still leave three more years of Taylor with the Colts.

You’re now saying that the 2022 defense, which had two of the biggest meltdowns in NFL history in the same season is the best defense in Ballard’s tenure? The 4th quarter meltdown vs Dallas and the epic second half collapse vs Minnesota should’ve stopped you in your tracks from thinking that much less writing it here for all to read. This is theater of the absurd stuff…. Dear God….

Once we get past the 4th of July, don’t be afraid of calling the Colts’ offices directly. I’m sure you can get the number online. Whoever answers the phone should be able to give you the info you need. They’re there to service their fan base. They will welcome your call. Your interest means $$$ to the franchise. Good luck and let us know.

Your math does not add up. This year, 2023, is the 4th and final year of JT’s rookie contract. So the Colts don’t have tag Taylor this year. The first tag year, likely roughly the same or similar $10.1m., would be used in 2024. The second tag, with a 20 percent bump, would push JT’s 2025 salary to $12.2m. If JT has two good years, then odds are he’ll be tagged twice, which means three more years…. 23, 24, and 25. If the Colts believe Taylor is a net benefit for Richardson then this projection of three more years of JT is highly likely to happen. He’d have to get hurt and have very disappointing seasons for this not to unfold. Just saying….

What’s your point? That’s not in dispute. His falloff in his PFF grade is well documented. But you repeatedly leave out the part that explains why. And when that’s pointed out to you, you ignore it. And when the subject comes up again, you make the exact same argument which lacks context. You’d have fans believe there is no explanation for why Nelson’s play us nit the same as it once was. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Even in this exchange, you didn’t point out the injuries, even when it’s pointed out to you. OK…. Your call. Good luck with this.

FWIW: The early reviews on Arch Manning are seriously underwhelming. Most people didn’t have him with a 5-star ranking when he graduated HS. Then he goes off to Texas and doesn’t win the job outright. The best think Arch has going for him would appear to be…. His last name. Arch might be great someday but that day would appear to be far off.

Do you have any idea how many times you’ve made this same argument about Q, and each time you conveniently leave out the part of a broken foot in training camp and then a high ankle sprain during the ‘21 season? I think Q missed 5 games that season. So your argument removes any and all context for why Q’s performance dropped off. He has no excuse. If I had $1 for every time I’ve pointed this out, I’d be rich. So the fact that you’ve done this over and over and over tells me it’s deliberate and not accidental. That says you have an agenda.

It’s mid-June. Who knows anything? Predictions by the fans are all over the map. Predictions by the media are mostly not kind. Again, no one knows anything right now. Enjoy the off-season and come back in late July! Have fun!

Why should JT be done? He’s not the first RB to sustain a high ankle sprain. All things considered, he didn’t even have a terrible year with his injury.