NewColtsFan

Trust me, you’re not out. You telling me I’m wrong is your happy place. You’ll be back again and again to tell me you think I’m wrong. I don’t think you need much imagination to guess what I think of your opinion. Our friendship was fun while it lasted.

Ok…. I’m more confused than ever. No where have I ever said that Irsay was told anything by agents. Those are your words, not mine. All I’ve ever said is that top free agents won’t sign with Indy unless the Colts overpay. That’s it. I think you’re reading way too much into way too little.

Just wanted to drop a quick note to say thanks for the classy response. Much appreciated, though not surprised. I’ll be trying to send more responsive post either much later tonight or tomorrow. Things are little crazy here tonight. Tomorrow looks to be better. Didn’t want you to think I had blown you off.

It’s not that I don’t remember, I don’t think Irsay has ever given specific details. Only that Indy is not a destination location for top free agents. I’d like to think if Irsay had given specifics i’d have remembered that. That would be a unique thing to be honest about. I would never expect Irsay would be that candid. I find this pushback I’m getting here from you and others interesting. I’ve written about this before, several times over the years, and have never received this kind of head wind. You’d think this is the first time I’ve said this publicly. Far from it. Back to my memory, to be accurate, you written that post three times, not twice. The first two were identical, the third time had the change reflecting Taylor. And I do think it’s interesting that I remember this so clearly and you don’t. In your own profile…. You can look at the last day you won top poster of the day. That’s the day you posted that famous post for the first time. Oddly enough, one of the things that stuck out about the post was that it read to me as a criticism of Ballard. But the first pick on the list — center — wasn’t drafted by Ballard. Ryan Kelly was drafted by Grigson. And it’s to his ever lasting credit. Back in 2016, there were already stories being written about how the 2017 OL class was shaping up to be the absolute worst class of O-lineman in history. So Grigson — again to his credit — used picks 1, 3, 5, and 7 on Kelly, Clarke, Haeg and a small center. Best thing Grigson did before he lost his job. He wanted to get lineman while he could. In 2017, Ballard didn’t use a pick on an OL until he took Zack Banner late in the 4th round. The pickings were very, very slim. Sorry, I’ve been rambling a bit for needed context.

Well…. You’re not the first person to write this, and I’m sure you won’t be the last. But given the I believe Irsay makes the choice, and Irsay loves Luck, I feel confident in saying this will eventually happen. It might not happen for a good number of years, but I think it will surely happen someday.

Well…. If you’re going to question my memory, then I should let you know that you’ve made the same version of the same post three times this year. The post where you list all the wrong positions the Colts have drafted over the Ballard years as the reason why the Colts are where they are. The first time you made it, you won top poster of the day you received so many likes. You then went on to post it twice more during the summer. But the second time, there was a key change. The first two times you listed the positions the Colts have used those picks in the top 37. Then, when it looked like the Colts might not have Taylor this year, you changed it to the top 41 picks, because Taylor was pick 41. Am I refreshing your memory? My memory may not be what it once was, but I think it’s better than many here, so I still sleep well at night.

I still don’t think I understand why you think there’s a scenario that would lead him to resign? He’s had overwhelming success as an owner and he’s extremely involved in the community. Why would he ever resign?

Nope. I’ve just heard them say it in interviews. Wouldn’t know where to find that type of link.

Remember, Irsay was the team’s GM before he was the owner. So he has personal experience, plus the input of Polian, Grigson and Ballard. I have no idea as to the exact reason. Only Irsay would know. But I’m responding to you saying he should pack it in because he wasn’t a true Hoosier. I don’t know what more Irsay has to do to ingratiate himself with you and others. He lives in Indy. He supports Indianapolis causes. He’s as invested in the city as any owner could be. What more could you want?

A rare disagreement for us. But it’s pretty substantial, and I don’t think there’s much upside for debate. We've debated this before. Ballard had to convince Irsay that it was in his best interest in re-doing the team facility. That it was frankly — a dump. And, it got done. Irsay was living on the cheap (like a small market owner) until Ballard convinced him it was in his best interest to re-do the facility. By the way, Cincinnati used to have the same type of facility, and it used to hurt them. Now, they’ve redone their facility and it helps. As for Grigson, I literally wrote the words that he only spent big once. But that he didn’t spend to that extent again. What does that tell you? The Colts didn’t get much bang for their buck from spending and they didn’t do it again. I’ve demonstrated that the Colts have operated as a small market team for 25 years spanning 3 GMs so I don’t understand your arguments. The Colts operate as a small market team. And the Colts also believe in Ballard’s modest spending in FA toward roster building. Both can co-exist together. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. I don’t know if I’ve answered your questions very well, but I found your post very confusing…. Frankly a little baffling. If I’ve missed the mark, my apologies.

When I arrived the Colts under Polian and Grigson were the second winningest franchise in the NFL. And even including the Ballard years, the Colts I believe are the fourth winningest franchise for a span of 25 years. I’d say Irsay has nothing to apologize for when it comes to how he does business. In fact, I give Irsay credit for being willing to tell the fans news that may not be popular. Telling fans that their beloved city isn’t a desirable destination for many elected players is not welcome news to most fans so I give Irsay major props. I don’t think most owners would say this.

I look forward to Andrew being inducted into the Colts Ring of Honor someday. And I hope there won’t be too much booing at the ceremony. But NFL Hall of Fame? No. And Luck fans don’t get much bigger than me, but no. His career wasn’t long enough or accomplished enough.

As I wrote in my post…. This is the same approach taken by both Grigson and Polian. So, no, I don’t think Ballard and/or Irsay are hiding behind anything.

Wow…. What I wrote must have really rubbed you the wrong way. Why, is another story. First, in my lifetime, I’ve never thought of Indianapolis as “some small little hick town in the middle of a cornfield.” Second, what is your metric for judging Indy as the 22nd biggest market with 10 smaller? Population of the City? Something else? There are other metrics. Third, you’re not going to deny that both Irsay and Ballard have been very clear that Indy is NOT a destination location for top NFL free agents. That the only way for them to sign them is to over-pay them and they’re not interested in that. Fourth, how about the Colts are viewed as a small market team because they operate as a small market team. In my 12+ years as a fan, the Colts spent big on free agency once…. 2013, Grigson’s second year. They haven’t done it again since. And didn’t also Polian spend very little in free agency? So by most outward appearances the Colts operate like a small market team. Fifth, when Ballard arrived one of the first things he did was to convince Irsay that he had to do a major upgrade on the entire facility. That the team facility was an important attraction draw to players, especially players who have experienced the facilities that other teams have. Finally…. I’m very fond of Indianapolis. I always speak well of the city and its people. I’ve talked about wanting to come to Indy to take in a game. I don’t think I’ve ever written a negative word about the city. Hope I answered your question. Sorry to have bothered you so much.

It’s not just small market teams in general. It’s Indianapolis in particular. To their credit, Irsay and Ballard have freely and clearly said Indy is not a destination location for the vast majority of NFL players. The only way to get big time talent to Indy is to massively over pay and Irsay and Ballard just don’t want to go down that road. So how do you attract good solid contributing players? You create a great locker room. Word gets around. The players look after and take care of each other. A good number of decent players want to be a part of that. No knuckleheads. Thats why I try to support that concept.

Im sorry my friend. I agree with almost none of this. First, I hope we don’t throw 40+ times a game as a routine. I hope we only do it for an emergency when we’re behind and the running game. Plenty of teams don’t throw 40+ per game week in or week out. Second…. I don’t understand your view on JT? Your attitude appears to be the Colts had leverage and didn’t use it. You’re mad the Colts didn’t put the screws to JT. Ballard and Irsay recognize Indianapolis is not a destination franchise for free agents. If you’re willing to put the screws to JT simply because you can, then you can say goodbye to keeping best guys because they know you’re willing to put the screws to them as well. So much for having a high quality locker room who help one another. What you want would blow up the locker-room. And for what? There are limitations when you’re a small market franchise. Trying to make the locker room and keep it a welcoming place to be is not just important — it’s EVERYTHING. It’s how we keep players, and how the Colts can attract players as well. Sorry I couldn’t find common ground.

I appreciate the time you took to explain your thinking. Not sure how much I agree with but that’s ok. Your view points may be exactly what the Colts are thinking. But I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

Thanks for the good 411 on the Covid money. As always, you’re a fountain of great information. If I may, I’d like to ask you about what you think our approach will be with Moss and the RB position. At the end of the season, what do you imagine we say to Moss? Thanks for a great year and a half, but we’re going in another direction? Normally, Ballard might say go out and shop for your best deal, but please bring it to us to see if we can beat it and keep you. Do you not think we’d do that? Hard for me to imagine the Colts are simply letting Moss walk out the door without a second thought. Honestly, I think the Colts have a strategic advantage in every game they play with the Taylor/Moss duo. Much less falloff than most teams have with their RB1 and RB2. I think having the Taylor/Moss combo wears out opposing defenses. And I don’t know what anyone has seen from Evan Hull to think he’s going to be a good RB2. And I’d like not to use a precious draft pick to find a quality RB2. To be clear, I’m sure there’s a number Moss could bring to Ballard and he’d say, congratulations, enjoy your new team. But I’d like to think the Colts would at least like to TRY and bring him back. Why let go of a very good weapon for what amounts to a yearly number of just under $7m ?? The plan you alluded to seems to be RB3 level kids trying to fill in at RB2. I don’t see the advantage? I may have misunderstood you, so I look forward to hearing from you on a topic of great interest.

Not sure you’re aware that the whole league not paying running backs is roughly a year and a half old. Thats it. It just bubbled up last year and boiled over this year. That’s it. And some teams are still drafting RB’s in the first round. Atlanta just took Bijan Robinson in the first round this year. So this idea that everyone agrees on the idea of devalued RB’s is not unanimous and it’s only been very very recent.

I don’t believe Frank ever said that. I’ve never seen a story saying that. Hard to think he’d say that before the team drafts Young. Posters here have speculated Frank wanted Stroud, but I’m not aware of any evidence that proves that. All speculation.

I don’t trust Pepper. Not as far as I can throw him. If he can find a way to turn this into with cause, I fear he will. I’d be very happy to be wrong.

Plenty of moving parts. Some filled by the draft, some by free agency. But if the Colts want to go hard after Moss they’ve got the ability to do it. Ultimately it will be Mosses call. Some team may pay him as RB1, and that may make the difference.

I don’t connect those dots. The salary cap is about to go way up, the Colts have plenty of money to afford Moss if they want. I believe they will make a serious try. I think the question will be whether Moss wants to stay or try to max his second contract by going all the way to free agency.

Im not sure how much the Colts are still paying Frank. Hard to know without knowing the contract he signed with Carolina.

I don’t think that’s typical league backup pay at all. I think those are the high end backups. Plenty of backups make closer to what the Colts signed Minshew too…. That’s $3.5m. Could the Colts double his pay? Maybe. Either way…. You could be right, but I’m not convinced…. Yet.