I Think The Colts Have A Running Back!

[King Colt]

Is there a single person out there that does NOT believe Ballard is the #1 RB?

[chad72]

Something is wrong with the "new thread" posting, I posted a duplicate one myself in the NFL General section.

[oldunclemark]

Is there a single person out there that does NOT believe Ballard is the #1 RB?

i wish we had him and Donalnd Brown...

27 carries..79 yards....Okay..

best thing he's done is not fumble

[chadedward]

I liked the guy during preseason. He's a beast.

[Gavin]

I like them both but before Brown went down he was the better Back, He went down, Ballard got the majority of carries since then, Also Brown is the more secure ball carrier

[JoKeR]

Ballard had a tough game with little blocking, plus Watt, and he didn't let it get to him, allowing us to run out the clock. GJ Ballard.

[MSColtsFan]

I think Ballard is the #1 RB on this team.  I would prefer a better receiving and blocking back long term, but the NFL has changed, and those are few and far between.  And, Ballard could improve those areas of his game as well.  I think Ballard, like so many other rookies, had a great season.  My guess is, especially with Grigson and Pagano (McCoy and Rice), that a 1st or 2nd rounder in 2014 or 2015 at the latest will be used on a RB though. 

[Jay Kirk]

Is there a single person out there that does NOT believe Ballard is the #1 RB?

I believed that from the time they drafted him,if the OL doesnt allow defense to be in backfield as ball is being handed off,this guy always makes something positive happen,and hes only gonna get better

[Jay Kirk]

I like them both but before Brown went down he was the better Back, He went down, Ballard got the majority of carries since then, Also Brown is the more secure ball carrier

Gavin , I disagree on the more secure,also id take Ballard between the tackles anyday,Brown is quicker to the outside,and right now a better reciever,but hes not durable at all,Vic will only get better as a reciever and pass blocker and IMO much more durable,Everyone better be glad we have him,because if we didnt we wouldnt be in playoffs

[Superman]

I think Ballard is the #1 RB on this team.  I would prefer a better receiving and blocking back long term, but the NFL has changed, and those are few and far between.  And, Ballard could improve those areas of his game as well.  I think Ballard, like so many other rookies, had a great season.  My guess is, especially with Grigson and Pagano (McCoy and Rice), that a 1st or 2nd rounder in 2014 or 2015 at the latest will be used on a RB though. 

 

Rookie running backs struggle in pass protection, almost without exception. I'll be looking for Ballard to show improvement over the course of next season.

[SLILLINGTON10]

future pro bowler

[PrincetonTiger]

A great player

[GrizzColt]

Out of every rookie we have this year, he has performed without the direct benefit of Luck.  He has had to depend on our putrid offensive line which makes what he's done all the more remarkable.  I was one who predicted him to overtake Brown in the middle of the season, because I watched his college games and because Brown is injury prone will be out of the NFL soon.   

[Gavin]

Gavin , I disagree on the more secure,also id take Ballard between the tackles anyday,Brown is quicker to the outside,and right now a better reciever,but hes not durable at all,Vic will only get better as a reciever and pass blocker and IMO much more durable,Everyone better be glad we have him,because if we didnt we wouldnt be in playoffs

Brown has 1 fumble in his 3 year career and you disagree to Ballards 3 in 1 year? Not really sure what to think,,,,,,That statement just baffles me, Durabilty might be a concern going forward though that I agree with, personally I see a 2 Back set going forward with Brown starting if healthy

[methodicaleddie]

I kinda figured Ballard was going to start getting more carries towards the 2nd half of the year.  I didn't know that it was because Brown would get injured.  But I think Ballard is a better back, especially between the tackles.

[austriancolt]

To be honest I didn't like the pick on draft day because I thought we would need Offensive Line more than a Running Back. And well we still need help on the Offensive Line, but MAN i love the way Vick is fighting for every inch. He is hard to bring down and at least for me he is the new number one. He will probably share carries with Donald next season.

[Andy]

I remember before the season saying he would get the starting job this year and not let it go.

 

He didn't, and Ballard just had a great season, especially considering he's a rookie. Had he been the starter for the whole season, he would have gotten to 1000 yards. 

 

It's clear he's the running back of the future, and has put Brown's job in jeopardy. 

[hawkeyes]

Really have liked the way Vic has looked the last half of the season!

 

Wish we had him and Lance Ball that we let get away - he looked great for the broncos yesterday!

[swflacoltsfans]

He can't keep carrying the ball on every running play. We need to get Carter healthy and hope he doesn't fumble the ball. Ballard had a bad drop on a pass that would have given us a first down. I like him though. He runs hard and keeps churning those legs.

[Captain Americolt]

i wish we had him and Donalnd Brown...

27 carries..79 yards....Okay..

best thing he's done is not fumble

Behind our line and that Texan d-line... thats pretty good.

[MSColtsFan]

i wish we had him and Donalnd Brown...

27 carries..79 yards....Okay..

best thing he's done is not fumble

 

10 carries on the last drive alone, which killed the last 9:26 of the 4th.  He closed.  That, to me, was incredible.  The opening and closing drives yesterday were things of beauty.  And you are exactly right - the fact that he secured the ball, was trusted with that many carries to close the game and kill the clock, speaks volumes about his progress and value. 

[manning04]

Ballard is a great back. we need to add a blazing one now for a combo backfield. Ballard has laid the ball on the ground quite a bit. Delone did that less last year and was almost ran off the forum.

[GOCOLTS_ROLLTIDE]

I also think we should give deji a shot in the backfield

[Boiler_Colt]

He's one of those guys that isn't flashy but he just flat out gets the job done. Kinda like post-ACL Edge. Given a more solid offensive line, he could really flourish. I think we will need a change of pace back to compliment him though. Perhaps Brown sticks around one more year to prove he can be as such.

[Kenny]

He is def a good 1-2 punch with Brown. He closed that game out yesterday beautifully. He has a knack for getting those chaince moving too. Imagine how much better he'd be if we weren't so predictable on the run **Reggie motion...snap....handoff....stuffed**

[Smonroe]

He can't keep carrying the ball on every running play. We need to get Carter healthy and hope he doesn't fumble the ball. Ballard had a bad drop on a pass that would have given us a first down. I like him though. He runs hard and keeps churning those legs.

 

Yeah, I wonder if Carter is in any shape to take a series yet.  Apparently they have no faith in Moore running the ball, he was only in to pass block and catch a pass.  Karim has break away speed, but he hasn't even seen a series.

 

I love how the Colts have treated all the rookies - you're here to play, we're not holding anything back, and we expect you to play every game because it's not a 12 game college schedule.  Too bad Powers never .... okay, I'll stop here.

[ruksak]

i wish we had him and Donalnd Brown...

27 carries..79 yards....Okay..

best thing he's done is not fumble

That's a kinda watered down assessment. 

 

Ballard is the first legit NFL caliber RB we've had since Edge, period. I went on about this weeks ago and all the kid has done since is prove me correct. We need a higher standard at O-line positions for any RB to come out and produce truly undeniable stats. 

[Steagles]

Vick Ballard has all the tools to become a great running back. Hes above average right now. I've never been a fan of Brown and feel he should be behind Ballard.

[GrizzColt]

That's a kinda watered down assessment. 

 

Ballard is the first legit NFL caliber RB we've had since Edge, period. I went on about this weeks ago and all the kid has done since is prove me correct. We need a higher standard at O-line positions for any RB to come out and produce truly undeniable stats. 

 

Yes, I agree.  Some of Donald Brown's relatives from Connecticut aren't happy with the way Ballard played

[Jay Kirk]

Brown has 1 fumble in his 3 year career and you disagree to Ballards 3 in 1 year? Not really sure what to think,,,,,,That statement just baffles me, Durabilty might be a concern going forward though that I agree with, personally I see a 2 Back set going forward with Brown starting if healthy

Dont think Brown will be starting,may not be here

[Gavin]

Dont think Brown will be starting,may not be here

he will, he has a year left and they would be a great tandem once the O Line is fixed, Like I mentioned in another thread, Ballards thunder to  Browns lightening, I just get nervous every time Ballard touches the ball

[funktacious2]

I still like Donald Brown. Injuries certainly didn't help him and he was no less productive than Ballard really. I still say they work as a tandem.

[spoonfish]

Ballard has been a pleasant surprise and I only expect him to get better.  Hopefully we'll improve our run blocking to help him out.

[Smitto]

Only reason he has a starting job is cause Brown is injured. Good back but not better than Brown.

[Jay Kirk]

he will, he has a year left and they would be a great tandem once the O Line is fixed, Like I mentioned in another thread, Ballards thunder to  Browns lightening, I just get nervous every time Ballard touches the ball

Gavin ,I do understand where your coming from to an exstent ,but 1 thing you have to look at is where the ball is being carried,Ballard is in no way a fumbler,lol he carrys primarily between the tackles,and hes carried it a  load of times,and correct me if im wrong,my memory isnt as sharp as it once was,if im not mistaken 1 fumble was from a poor exchange,if you watch this kid he carries it secure,and if need be wraps it in both arms,hes only going to get better.Im not slamming Brown right now hes the better 3rd down back,when we have him to play,but hes been injury prone,and thats not a good thing,i get tired of seeing it year in year out,and i loved B Sanders but this is beginning to remind me of him.And then we have Reggie pretty much the Iron Horse,that is durability ,being there when needed

[JustAColtsFan]

Only reason he has a starting job is cause Brown is injured. Good back but not better than Brown.

 

You must not be watching the same games as I have.  He is much better than Brown.  He absolutely gets more yards after initial contact.  Brown just hits the deck while VIC just keeps those legs churning.  Brown bounces around too much looking for the perfect hole while Ballard punches a hole.

[SOMDColtsfan]

I like Ballard`s hard running style but I just don`t see him as a "take it to the house"  kind of RB. He never will be if he doesnt have it now. Donald Brown does, but he can`t stay healthy. Never has been able to. The kid in Washington, Alfred Morris, he`s a combination of both Brown and Ballard. Thats what the Colts need long term

[SOMDColtsfan]

You must not be watching the same games as I have.  He is much better than Brown.  He absolutely gets more yards after initial contact.  Brown just hits the deck while VIC just keeps those legs churning.  Brown bounces around too much looking for the perfect hole while Ballard punches a hole.

Early on in Brown`s career I would have to agree with you but this year he looked different. He hit the holes fast and always found a way to fall forward when he went down. He looked like he was ready to break a long run at anytime. Problem is, he cant stay healthy long enough to be a reliable RB

[NewEra]

I love Ballard and his running style. I also reag like Carter and would like to see what Karim could do. He has that burner speed. We don't really need burner speed as long as we keep grinding out 1st downs though. Like the punching it down their throat, break their will running game personally. Helps keep our defense fresh also. Win win, control the clock, drive the field, score!

[BleedingBlue]

I like them both but before Brown went down he was the better Back, He went down, Ballard got the majority of carries since then, Also Brown is the more secure ball carrier

really Gavin? not letting this one go huh?