If the Bradshaw deal falls apart..What are your thoughts on Payton Hillis?

[southwest1]

If I was guaranteed 10 games of Bradhsaw and 16 of Hillis, I would take the 10 of Bradshaw.

10 games from Bradshaw would be nice to see Dustin, but nothing is "guaranteed" in this league ever. Am I happy with a Bradshaw addition? Sure, I just know though how catastrophic foot issues can be to even the best seasoned athletes from my own family/personal experience. 

[Gabriel Alexander Morillo]

Give Ballard some time & he will improve with his hands IMO. Besides, he's paid to run between the tackles as our thumber, work horse back. Don't change his role on a squad that isn't broken. 

I will give him plenty of time. He is paid to help this team win, and i recall alot of dropped passes late in game especially v Ravens. 

I'm hoping the same for DHB

[southwest1]

It's whats behind him in case of injury that's the problem...

Good point...Sometimes, the next man up is more like a drop off down a steep cliff...Well said jshipp23...I forget to look at the next line of defense sometimes...Thanks for the reminder. 

[southwest1]

I will give him plenty of time. He is paid to help this team win, and i recall alot of dropped passes late in game especially v Ravens. 

I'm hoping the same for DHB

Sounds fair. Thank you. You do make a valid point though if Ballard gets better hands, he becomes a more valuable weapon even as a decoy on occasion Gabriel. 

 

My friend TK85 on here thinks DHB has rocks for hands when they should be more like velcro so you are not alone in your desire to see DHB consistently catch the ball as opposed to drop it. It's kinda weird when Pierre Garcon was a WR in INDY he dropped easy completions & made circus receptions. I just wanna see WR middle ground...catch the route passes you are supposed to at a bare minimum please that's all I ask.

[james_zeigler1994]

Terrible work ethic.

[Andy]

Pass on him and pass on any veteran running backs. There are 4 capable running backs on the roster, including a player who has proven he can be a good starter. 

[Warhorse]

Pass on him and pass on any veteran running backs. There are 4 capable running backs on the roster, including a player who has proven he can be a good starter. 

Just because we are considering AB, doesn't mean that the team feels that we have to get anothre RB. AB is a unigue player that has available at a unique time in their career. If we don't sign Bradshaw, I dount we continue searching for a nother RB.

[coltsfanatic24]

I would pass on Hillis if we can't sign Bradshaw.

[jamesie jr]

Doubt we will go after Hillis, all though if we do he would be great for the tough yards. And he could double up as a FB and adds versatility there and imo Hillis>Havilli

[Superman]

To be honest, Ballard is a pretty bad reciever in my opinion. He had a lot of drops when it mattered most and doesn't have much after he catch ability. 

 

A lot of rookie running backs lack polish as receivers. And he didn't really get a lot of chances as a receiver last year. 

 

I'm not too worried about Ballard. He isn't necessarily the future of our run game, nor does he absolutely have to be our primary back. Adding Bradshaw would make that even more obvious, but even if we don't, we're going to be "running back by committee" for sure. We'll use our guys in ways that highlight their strengths.

[NewColtsFan]

If we do sign Bradshaw, I am ***NOT*** expecting him to become our #1 running back.

 

I think Ballard will remain that.    Fair or not, Bradshaw hasn't shown that he can stay healthy.   Let's not lose sight that he gained over 1,000 yards last year, and the NYG just let him walk.   And that came after they spent a #1 on Wilson from VaTech.

 

Bradshaw is quality depth who will give us 10-12 touches a game.   But I think Ballard remains the lead dog....   everyone else follows.     I believe if the Colt's thought Bradshaw was going to be our lead back,  the contract would've already been signed by now.

 

Just my view....

[John Dee]

If we do sign Bradshaw, I am ***NOT*** expecting him to become our #1 running back.

 

I think Ballard will remain that.    Fair or not, Bradshaw hasn't shown that he can stay healthy.   Let's not lose sight that he gained over 1,000 yards last year, and the NYG just let him walk.   And that came after they spent a #1 on Wilson from VaTech.

 

Bradshaw is quality depth who will give us 10-12 touches a game.   But I think Ballard remains the lead dog....   everyone else follows.     I believe if the Colt's thought Bradshaw was going to be our lead back,  the contract would've already been signed by now.

 

Just my view....

Yes..  I agree 100 % with this..

 

Bradshaw IS NOT a starting NFL RB at this point in his still young career.     He is a spot duty RB.     And if he wants too much money then ...      cya.

 

I honestly cannot believe Indy is even giving him serious consideration.    

[Jay Kirk]

Sounds fair. Thank you. You do make a valid point though if Ballard gets better hands, he becomes a more valuable weapon even as a decoy on occasion Gabriel. 

 

My friend TK85 on here thinks DHB has rocks for hands when they should be more like velcro so you are not alone in your desire to see DHB consistently catch the ball as opposed to drop it. It's kinda weird when Pierre Garcon was a WR in INDY he dropped easy completions & made circus receptions. I just wanna see WR middle ground...catch the route passes you are supposed to at a bare minimum please that's all I ask.

Lol whats the lot of drops reference?Must have been watching different games than I did, because I recall the ball rarely being thrown to him .

[Valpo2004]

Hasn't Hillis has some issues with fumbling?

 

I like Bradshaw, I think he's a slightly better runner then Ballard, but probably a lot better at catching the ball.  I'd be happy to have him as our #1.  

 

It isn't so much his running, but it's the pass catching and the blocking.  I like Bradshaw because he's solid on the whole package.  

 

I'm not sure about Hillis.  

[Superman]

Lol whats the lot of drops reference?Must have been watching different games than I did, because I recall the ball rarely being thrown to him .

 

True.

 

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/drops/2012/

 

This site credits Ballard with one drop in 27 targets. Drop rate of 3.7%. Jamaal Charles, by comparison, had a drop rate of 6.25% (three drops on 48 targets). 

 

That site might not be gospel, but there appears to be some misconceptions about Ballard's hands. I don't think he's a great receiver out of the backfield yet, but that's not about his hands. It's about his footwork, body positioning, and finding the ball.

[Jay Kirk]

True.

 

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/drops/2012/

 

This site credits Ballard with one drop in 27 targets. Drop rate of 3.7%. Jamaal Charles, by comparison, had a drop rate of 6.25% (three drops on 48 targets). 

 

That site might not be gospel, but there appears to be some misconceptions about Ballard's hands. I don't think he's a great receiver out of the backfield yet, but that's not about his hands. It's about his footwork, body positioning, and finding the ball.

Out of likes,but thanks for aknowleging that fact 

[Dustin]

True.

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/drops/2012/

This site credits Ballard with one drop in 27 targets. Drop rate of 3.7%. Jamaal Charles, by comparison, had a drop rate of 6.25% (three drops on 48 targets).

That site might not be gospel, but there appears to be some misconceptions about Ballard's hands. I don't think he's a great receiver out of the backfield yet, but that's not about his hands. It's about his footwork, body positioning, and finding the ball.

Wow that number is a pretty distant feom the PFF number that had him at a 19.05% drop rate. That seems like a pretty big discrepancy to just be an error.

[Superman]

Wow that number is a pretty distant feom the PFF number that had him at a 19.6% drop rate. That seems like a pretty big discrepancy to just be an error.

 

You have a link?

[Dustin]

You have a link?

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/01/23/signatrue-stats-drop-rate-running-backs/

[jshipp23]

If we do sign Bradshaw, I am ***NOT*** expecting him to become our #1 running back.

 

I think Ballard will remain that.    Fair or not, Bradshaw hasn't shown that he can stay healthy.   Let's not lose sight that he gained over 1,000 yards last year, and the NYG just let him walk.   And that came after they spent a #1 on Wilson from VaTech.

 

Bradshaw is quality depth who will give us 10-12 touches a game.   But I think Ballard remains the lead dog....   everyone else follows.     I believe if the Colt's thought Bradshaw was going to be our lead back,  the contract would've already been signed by now.

 

Just my view....

James Mungro would be a better option than Donald Brown at this point....Just make DB a specialist, that's all he'll ever be...

[Superman]

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/01/23/signatrue-stats-drop-rate-running-backs/

 

Yeah, completely different number, and I'm sort of inclined to disagree with PFF on this one. 

 

First of all, you can't get 19.05% on 27 targets, so there's a discrepancy there. Not that PFF is at fault on that one, but I think that figure is in the ballpark. So in order to get to around 19% on around 27 targets, you're looking at around five drops. I haven't charted it, but I don't think Vick dropped five passes last season.

 

And that's the big problem with drop stats, in my opinion. They're subjective. You have to rule on what should be credited to the receiver, etc. There's going to be discrepancies.

[NewColtsFan]

James Mungro would be a better option than Donald Brown at this point....Just make DB a specialist, that's all he'll ever be...

 

If you want people here to take you seriously -- I mean, really, really seriously -- then you'll have to come up with something a little more substantial than this....

[jshipp23]

If you want people here to take you seriously -- I mean, really, really seriously -- then you'll have to come up with something a little more substantial than this....

The TRUTH  dnd u know it ncf...My goal is never to b taken seriously tho..this is strictly for entertainment purposes....superman knows this as well, despite chokin on his cereal...

[NewColtsFan]

The TRUTH  dnd u know it ncf...My goal is never to b taken seriously tho..this is strictly for entertainment purposes....superman knows this as well, despite chokin on his cereal...

 

Fine...... 

 

Have it your way.     You don't want to be taken seriously be your fellow Colts fans?

 

Your wish is our command........        

[jshipp23]

Fine...... 

 

Have it your way.     You don't want to be taken seriously be your fellow Colts fans?

 

Your wish is our command........        

I'm serious when it calls for it, I want Bradshaw, but have 0% doubt if we don't get him we will pick up another cap casualty in July, the fact that Grigson realizes our definciency in this area lets me know he will do something, and that's better than DB as a #2...

[Drewbacca]

Still better than Donald Brown even as an after thought...

 

Doubtful.

[Gavin]

I'm serious when it calls for it, I want Bradshaw, but have 0% doubt if we don't get him we will pick up another cap casualty in July, the fact that Grigson realizes our definciency in this area lets me know he will do something, and that's better than DB as a #2...

you keep us all aware of your dislike of Donald Brown but can you tell us why you dislike him as a runner, Just curious

[throwing BBZ]

If we do sign Bradshaw, I am ***NOT*** expecting him to become our #1 running back.

 

I think Ballard will remain that.    Fair or not, Bradshaw hasn't shown that he can stay healthy.   Let's not lose sight that he gained over 1,000 yards last year, and the NYG just let him walk.   And that came after they spent a #1 on Wilson from VaTech.

 

Bradshaw is quality depth who will give us 10-12 touches a game.   But I think Ballard remains the lead dog....   everyone else follows.     I believe if the Colt's thought Bradshaw was going to be our lead back,  the contract would've already been signed by now.

 

Just my view....

 

Bradshaw is a proven RB who is good to very good at all aspects of the position.

Ballard runs pretty well, WAS questionable as a receiver, and terrible at pass blocking. Ya, more Ballard please.

[NewColtsFan]

Bradshaw is a proven RB who is good to very good at all aspects of the position.

Ballard runs pretty well, WAS questionable as a receiver, and terrible at pass blocking. Ya, more Ballard please.

 

What you left out, of course, is that running backs gets old very quickly in the NFL.

 

Bradshaw is 27 with a LOT of miles on his legs.     He runs hard, he plays hard and has gotten quite banged up in his years in the NFL.  

 

Ballard, on the other hand,  is young, has fresh legs, and got better as the season went on last year.   So, yes,  I'll be quite happy with some more Vick Ballard please....    thanks!       

[throwing BBZ]

What you left out, of course, is that running backs gets old very quickly in the NFL.

 

Bradshaw is 27 with a LOT of miles on his legs.     He runs hard, he plays hard and has gotten quite banged up in his years in the NFL.  

 

Ballard, on the other hand,  is young, has fresh legs, and got better as the season went on last year.   So, yes,  I'll be quite happy with some more Vick Ballard please....    thanks!       

No doubt Bradshaw has health issues. A lighter running load and a fair amount of the play action game for him. Should be a real boost.

And Ballard is a good kid with plenty of potential. He was just LOST as a pass blocker. A MUST area for improvement. Goooo Colts!

[jshipp23]

you keep us all aware of your dislike of Donald Brown but can you tell us why you dislike him as a runner, Just curious

He has zero vision and goes down if you look at him wrong....

[schwamm]

He has zero vision and goes down if you look at him wrong....

The vision thing gets tossed around a lot on this forum.

After watching Bradshaw's highlights, and seeing the enormous lanes he had to run through, can you show me where Brown had anything similar, but failed to see it? TBH, my vision (or memory) might be waning, because I don't recall seeing any gaping holes created by the OLine in the last handful of years.

Hard to see something that isn't there?

[Gavin]

He has zero vision and goes down if you look at him wrong....

His vision isn't great but he has decent vision, Him going to easy I certainly agree with.....He is a tiny guy.....Not all 5'10" running backs are built the same, He all muscle but very little fat, One thing I really like about him is his balance, I think he is certainly on the outside looking in however

[NewColtsFan]

His vision isn't great but he has decent vision, Him going to easy I certainly agree with.....He is a tiny guy.....Not all 5'10" running backs are built the same, He all muscle but very little fat, One thing I really like about him is his balance, I think he is certainly on the outside looking in however

 

Donald Brown.   5'10" 210....     Tiny?

 

And I agree,  not all similar size players, no matter what the height, are built the same.      But,  tiny?

 

http://www.colts.com/team/roster/Donald-Brown/4643b02f-330e-488b-a503-3eec0d79e36a

[John Dee]

Brown has thin thighs, but so did Robert Smith...  

 

I think Brown is very similar to Smith in MANY ways...    history wise and running style.

 

I think Indy's patience could pay off with Brown.    A couple 60 yard trots will change the tone on this topic with the quickness.

[Carlos Danger]

Glad we got Bradshaw... Hillis would have been a mistake. Ballard is tailor made for a 1A role. Brown is one of the better 3rd backs in the NFL,

 

I think that we have the best worst backfield in the league..... er, uh... Of the teams that have the fourth best backfields in their respective divisions, ours is the best, IMO :yes:

[Gavin]

Donald Brown.   5'10" 210....     Tiny?

 

And I agree,  not all similar size players, no matter what the height, are built the same.      But,  tiny?

 

http://www.colts.com/team/roster/Donald-Brown/4643b02f-330e-488b-a503-3eec0d79e36a

Thin....very thin, Tiny kinda fits if ya ever get the chance to stand next to him, Im in a wheelchair and sitting down I came almost up to his shoulders, He has basically all muscle on him, very little if any fat, At least that has been the case up til this point, I haven't seen him this year obviously, He needs some fat on his thighs to go along with that muscle. Thats the biggest culprit in his inability to stay healthy, he is not thick enough to take a pounding

[NewColtsFan]

Thin....very thin, Tiny kinda fits if ya ever get the chance to stand next to him, Im in a wheelchair and sitting down I came almost up to his shoulders, He has basically all muscle on him, very little if any fat, At least that has been the case up til this point, I haven't seen him this year obviously, He needs some fat on his thighs to go along with that muscle. Thats the biggest culprit in his inability to stay healthy, he is not thick enough to take a pounding

 

Well...  fortunately for the Colts,  it looks like we're not planning on Brown taking a pounding.   At this point, he's got 3rd back in the rotation in his near future.   So, we don't have to worry about how much of a pounding he'll take,  he won't be playing that much.

 

I'd be happy if we can use him and his skills in the right situation and make the most of him.    I'd just like to see a season where he can stay healthy for 16 games.    That'd be nice....

 

Oh, for what it's worth,  Brown is now listed as 207, down 3 pounds from last year's 210.  (Again,  that may be worth next to nothing.....)

[Gavin]

Well...  fortunately for the Colts,  it looks like we're not planning on Brown taking a pounding.   At this point, he's got 3rd back in the rotation in his near future.   So, we don't have to worry about how much of a pounding he'll take,  he won't be playing that much.

 

I'd be happy if we can use him and his skills in the right situation and make the most of him.    I'd just like to see a season where he can stay healthy for 16 games.    That'd be nice....

 

Oh, for what it's worth,  Brown is now listed as 207,Never down 3 pounds from last year's 210.  (Again,  that may be worth next to nothing.....)

Who knows if its accurately listed on the site, But in my opinion ya need to have some fat to go along with that muscle especially if your gonna play RB

[NewColtsFan]

Who knows if its accurately listed on the site, But in my opinion ya need to have some fat to go along with that muscle especially if your gonna play RB

 

Not if you're going to be a speed back....   then you don't need any extra meat on the bones.....