Chris Ballard on the fan

[Chloe6124 8,993]

Here is Ballard’s interview from this morning.

 https://www.1070thefan.com/blogs/jeff-big-joe-show/colts-gm-chris-ballard-joins-show-during-wild-offseason-nfl

[PeterBowman 1,399]

Ballard's line about... "we're not building a team to match up with others, we're building a team for them to match up with us." Was brilliant.

[Jared Cisneros 3,768]

Ballard said he liked the Safety class this year. I can definitely see him taking Rapp at 34, or Hooker at 59. Nice tidbit of info there.

[lollygagger8 3,282]

9 minutes ago, Jared Cisneros said:

Ballard said he liked the Safety class this year. I can definitely see him taking Rapp at 34, or Hooker at 59. Nice tidbit of info there.

 

Hooker & Hooker @ Safety? 

 

[Chloe6124 8,993]

11 minutes ago, Jared Cisneros said:

Ballard said he liked the Safety class this year. I can definitely see him taking Rapp at 34, or Hooker at 59. Nice tidbit of info there.

I think it is almost a necessity this year.

1 minute ago, lollygagger8 said:

 

Hooker & Hooker @ Safety? 

 

The pimp formation. Lol

[PeterBowman 1,399]

4 minutes ago, Chloe6124 said:

I think it is almost a necessity this year.

The pimp formation. Lol

They'll be slapping teams around in no time.

[lollygagger8 3,282]

Ballard has the absolute best interviews.

 

 

Man, I love listening to him. 

[dew5150 106]

12 minutes ago, PeterBowman said:

They'll be slapping teams around in no time.

Keep them away from Robert Kraft

[Fisticuffs111 1,952]

Solid interview. Makes sense that he liked Funchess coming into the league.

 

Also, we've all debated a lot about taking a safety at #34 or even #26, and I'd be fine with it (love me some Rapp, among others), but there could be some really good options there at #59 too.

[#12. 1,004]

1 hour ago, PeterBowman said:

Ballard's line about... "we're not building a team to match up with others, we're building a team for them to match up with us." Was brilliant.

 

They're not worried yet, Chris, I can assure you. 

 

As it stands, KC, NE or NO will absolutely carve up this defense - 2-3 TDs in the blink of an eye - just like we saw last year, and if you can't match scores offensively, if you don't have the weapons to match them offensively, forget about it.

 

If you're only playing for the AFC South, that's one thing.  If you're playing for the whole thing, yes, you better try to match these teams offensely, especially with what the rules are today.

[Legend of Luck 432]

11 minutes ago, #12. said:

 

They're not worried yet, Chris, I can assure you. 

 

As it stands, KC, NE or NO will absolutely carve up this defense - 2-3 TDs in the blink of an eye - just like we saw last year, and if you can't match scores offensively, if you don't have the weapons to match them offensively, forget about it.

 

If you're only playing for the AFC South, that's one thing.  If you're playing for the whole thing, yes, you better try to match these teams offensely, especially with what the rules are today.

 

This is true, but you're not considering that free agency isnt over, the draft hasn't taken place, unrestricted FA haven't been signed, and the entire roster from last year will have a chance to grow and develop within the system. We had the youngest team in football minus Vinny last year. These guys are gonna grow and get better. The same people that looked at our roster last year and had us ranked 32nd are the same people huffing and puffing because we didn't give a strong safety 90 million dollars. 

 

You can't judge this team yet, because it's an unfinished product. 

[Old Colt 152]

12 minutes ago, Legend of Luck said:

 

This is true, but you're not considering that free agency isnt over, the draft hasn't taken place, unrestricted FA haven't been signed, and the entire roster from last year will have a chance to grow and develop within the system. We had the youngest team in football minus Vinny last year. These guys are gonna grow and get better. The same people that looked at our roster last year and had us ranked 32nd are the same people huffing and puffing because we didn't give a strong safety 90 million dollars. 

 

You can't judge this team yet, because it's an unfinished product. 

Good points, but this team, unlike last year's, has some much higher expectations from us as fans. (wildcard minimum, win the division hopefully and make a better run)  Everyone is trying to improve and if Colts continue to ignore FA's that could be difference makers, the Colts better have the #1 draft again or we could regress and finish 3rd.  How would the fans react to CB's plans then.  This is a critical year for his banking cash and going with second wave players and draft only.

[Chloe6124 8,993]

Just now, Old Colt said:

Good points, but this team, unlike last year's, has some much higher expectations from us as fans. (wildcard minimum, win the division hopefully and make a better run)  Everyone is trying to improve and if Colts continue to ignore FA's that could be difference makers, the Colts better have the #1 draft again or we could regress and finish 3rd.  How would the fans react to CB's plans then.  This is a critical year for his banking cash and going with second wave players and draft only.

The guys that got the big money in FA aren’t really difference makers. 

[Old Colt 152]

15 minutes ago, Chloe6124 said:

The guys that got the big money in FA aren’t really difference makers. 

we'll have to see about that, Collins, Bell very well could be....

[Chloe6124 8,993]

1 minute ago, Old Colt said:

we'll have to see about that, Collins, Bell very well could be....

A safety is never going to be the difference in winning a SB. 

[jskinnz 1,744]

3 minutes ago, Chloe6124 said:

A safety is never going to be the difference in winning a SB. 

 

Holy cow...

[Legend of Luck 432]

16 minutes ago, Old Colt said:

Good points, but this team, unlike last year's, has some much higher expectations from us as fans. (wildcard minimum, win the division hopefully and make a better run)  Everyone is trying to improve and if Colts continue to ignore FA's that could be difference makers, the Colts better have the #1 draft again or we could regress and finish 3rd.  How would the fans react to CB's plans then.  This is a critical year for his banking cash and going with second wave players and draft only.

 

Chris Ballard has no incentive to NOT spend on guys that can make a difference. His job depends on winning. 

 

If there were guys out there that would come in and make an impact, Ballard would have brought them in for a reasonable offer. 

 

Landon Collins getting 84 million is not reasonable. Many of the other big name FA's were given unreasonable deals as well.

 

Ballard believes not only in his ability and his teams ability to scout and draft, but on his staffs ability to make the players he drafts even better.

 

His job is to make the team better. His job is to prevent regression. His job isn't to blow big contracts on mid level free agents just to make it look on paper like the team is better. Hes going to make the team better through the draft and development instead. 

[PeterBowman 1,399]

8 minutes ago, Chloe6124 said:

A safety is never going to be the difference in winning a SB. 

Bob Sanders says hi.

[Old Colt 152]

1 minute ago, PeterBowman said:

Bob Sanders says hi.

Exactly, he was a big difference in the Colts lone SB win..... (INDY COLTS);  any position can be a difference maker, not just a QB, RB, etc.

[Colts_Fan12 1,803]

13 minutes ago, Chloe6124 said:

A safety is never going to be the difference in winning a SB. 

Jesus the amount of people on here that disrespect the S position is sad especially in our defense 

[Chloe6124 8,993]

8 minutes ago, PeterBowman said:

Bob Sanders says hi.

My point was at 84m that is ridiculous. For a elite defensive end yes the money is worth it.  We never would of got Collins anyway. He wanted to play in DC. 

[Colts_Fan12 1,803]

1 hour ago, Chloe6124 said:

My point was at 84m that is ridiculous. For a elite defensive end yes the money is worth it.  We never would of got Collins anyway. He wanted to play in DC. 

Now you are trying to twist your comment to make it seem less dumb?

[DougDew 2,268]

3 hours ago, Fisticuffs111 said:

Solid interview. Makes sense that he liked Funchess coming into the league.

 

Also, we've all debated a lot about taking a safety at #34 or even #26, and I'd be fine with it (love me some Rapp, among others), but there could be some really good options there at #59 too.

Yeah, when a GM says he likes the safety class, he's not necessarily saying that he likes it better than the DT class. 

 

So if he just leaves it at that, people might think he's thinking S at 26 or 34 when he's coyishly thinking S at 59.

[Steamboat_Shaun 1,399]

2 hours ago, #12. said:

 

They're not worried yet, Chris, I can assure you. 

 

As it stands, KC, NE or NO will absolutely carve up this defense - 2-3 TDs in the blink of an eye - just like we saw last year, and if you can't match scores offensively, if you don't have the weapons to match them offensively, forget about it.

 

If you're only playing for the AFC South, that's one thing.  If you're playing for the whole thing, yes, you better try to match these teams offensely, especially with what the rules are today.

 

Young teams get better, old teams get worse. If we keep drafting & developing at the level we saw last year, we have nothing to worry about.

[Steamboat_Shaun 1,399]

2 hours ago, Old Colt said:

we'll have to see about that, Collins, Bell very well could be....

 

I can't see either the Jets or the Redskins getting over the playoff hump as a result of those 2 signings. Barring some crazy unforeseen circumstances, the Pats will easily win the East, & the Cowboys & Eagles will both keep the Redskins out of it, IMO.

[2006Coltsbestever 21,068]

2 hours ago, Chloe6124 said:

A safety is never going to be the difference in winning a SB. 

Bob Sanders would disagree 

[NewColtsFan 7,375]

2 hours ago, Chloe6124 said:

A safety is never going to be the difference in winning a SB. 

 

Not sure what you were thinking here...  but this post is false.   100 percent false.   

 

You might want to re-think this one....

[2006Coltsbestever 21,068]

1 hour ago, NewColtsFan said:

 

Not sure what you were thinking here...  but this post is false.   100 percent false.   

 

You might want to re-think this one....

I think Bob slipped his mind because without him, we weren't winning it all in 2006.

[throwing BBZ 1,132]

 What he clearly did say was pass rush up the middle was important.
So i will be counting on it using our pic 26 and whatever else is needed to satisfy his hunger.

[DougDew 2,268]

9 minutes ago, throwing BBZ said:

 What he clearly did say was pass rush up the middle was important.
So i will be counting on it using our pic 26 and whatever else is needed to satisfy his hunger.

That was always the smart move, to get that guy at 26.  Now with the way the FA signings are falling into place around that guy, a DT pick at 26 or 34 seems highly likely.

[Coffeedrinker 3,537]

5 hours ago, Chloe6124 said:

My point was at 84m that is ridiculous. For a elite defensive end yes the money is worth it.  We never would of got Collins anyway. He wanted to play in DC. 

So an $84 million safety won't help win a SB but a cheaper safety will help?

[coltfaninnewyork 676]

Dude gets me fired up a true leader 

[LockeDown 1,323]

Sanders, Polamalu, .  Wow they were huge difference makers

[crazycolt1 6,985]

10 hours ago, #12. said:

 

They're not worried yet, Chris, I can assure you. 

 

As it stands, KC, NE or NO will absolutely carve up this defense - 2-3 TDs in the blink of an eye - just like we saw last year, and if you can't match scores offensively, if you don't have the weapons to match them offensively, forget about it.

 

If you're only playing for the AFC South, that's one thing.  If you're playing for the whole thing, yes, you better try to match these teams offensely, especially with what the rules are today.

If you think other GMs and coaches haven't noticed what the Colts have done and are doing right now you are out of your mind. 

Luck having a full season of training camp and practice?

I can assure you they are worried.

Just the signing of Houston today drew some attention. Now they are going to have to game plan just for him. You think Maniac don't worry the other coaches? Wrong.

[EastStreet 8,575]

Loved Sanders, but he had some serious durability issues. He was the highest paid safety the last contract we gave him, and missed how many games? I had a serious love/hate relationship with that guy lol. 

[EastStreet 8,575]

15 minutes ago, crazycolt1 said:

If you think other GMs and coaches haven't noticed what the Colts have done and are doing right now you are out of your mind. 

Luck having a full season of training camp and practice?

I can assure you they are worried.

Just the signing of Houston today drew some attention. Now they are going to have to game plan just for him. You think Maniac don't worry the other coaches? Wrong.

 

sorry, still don't think they have to worry too much about our O. we haven't done anything to get TY out of double coverage. between that, and Reich's short/quick horizontal attack, DC's aren't going to quake. at least not the top ones. we still can't compete in a boat race.

 

they are definitely taking notice of our D though. houston alone is big time, but the biggest impact IMO is that he will demand enough attention, that other lanes will be open, and our other guys (and our new 1st round iDL :-) will all look much improved.

[crazycolt1 6,985]

10 minutes ago, Irish YJ said:

 

sorry, still don't think they have to worry too much about our O. we haven't done anything to get TY out of double coverage. between that, and Reich's short/quick horizontal attack, DC's aren't going to quake. at least not the top ones. we still can't compete in a boat race.

 

they are definitely taking notice of our D though. houston alone is big time, but the biggest impact IMO is that he will demand enough attention, that other lanes will be open, and our other guys (and our new 1st round iDL :-) will all look much improved.

Huh? Luck having a whole season to prepare himself and the offensive line with another year under their belts don't worry other GMs and coaches? 

Funchess can draw enough attention to help TY in the double coverage issue.

Getting Doyle back on the field also makes this offense better.

Just listen to what Ballard said about this team being so young last season and how they will get better as a unit.

With a much improved defense the offense don't have to carry the burden and have to score 30 points a game to win.

[WoolMagnet 3,063]

12 hours ago, lollygagger8 said:

 

Hooker & Hooker @ Safety? 

 

Charlie Sheen will be our newest #1 fan.

[EastStreet 8,575]

19 minutes ago, crazycolt1 said:

Huh? Luck having a whole season to prepare himself and the offensive line with another year under their belts don't worry other GMs and coaches? 

Funchess can draw enough attention to help TY in the double coverage issue.

Getting Doyle back on the field also makes this offense better.

Just listen to what Ballard said about this team being so young last season and how they will get better as a unit.

With a much improved defense the offense don't have to carry the burden and have to score 30 points a game to win.

Funchess isn't going to keep double coverage off TY. He isn't that fast, and doesn't get much cushion/separation. He's never been that guy (to get much separation). He will be a RZ mismatch, but not much of relief for TY between the 20s.

 

In terms of Ballard commenting on youth and getting better. youth was not our problem last year on O late season. our problem vs KC was we couldn't score even with the OL firing on all cylinders late in the year. TY had a big blanket on him the entire game, and they shut all of Reich's short/quick passes to everyone else. Reich's short game scheme was ineffective (that's another conversation), but it would not have mattered anyway as we had zero deep/vertical threat besides TY. 

 

Recap of our KC first half O possesions 

 

Punt after 3 and out, which included TY being DC'd and Ebron struggled to get open on a short toss. 

 

Punt after 3 and out, which included 2 short throws, one to a DC'd TY, and then a long attempt to Pascal who couldn't get separation. 

 

Next punt after 3 and out, after two run attempts and a sack. 

 

Next punt after a 3 out after 2 short passes.... 

 

Then, our best drive, which had zero pass attempts to TY (because he was shut down), ended in a missed FG to end the half. 

 

Funchess isn't changing the above. A fast, vertical threat WR2 would.

[crazycolt1 6,985]

3 hours ago, Irish YJ said:

Funchess isn't going to keep double coverage off TY. He isn't that fast, and doesn't get much cushion/separation. He's never been that guy (to get much separation). He will be a RZ mismatch, but not much of relief for TY between the 20s.

 

In terms of Ballard commenting on youth and getting better. youth was not our problem last year on O late season. our problem vs KC was we couldn't score even with the OL firing on all cylinders late in the year. TY had a big blanket on him the entire game, and they shut all of Reich's short/quick passes to everyone else. Reich's short game scheme was ineffective (that's another conversation), but it would not have mattered anyway as we had zero deep/vertical threat besides TY. 

 

Recap of our KC first half O possesions 

 

Punt after 3 and out, which included TY being DC'd and Ebron struggled to get open on a short toss. 

 

Punt after 3 and out, which included 2 short throws, one to a DC'd TY, and then a long attempt to Pascal who couldn't get separation. 

 

Next punt after 3 and out, after two run attempts and a sack. 

 

Next punt after a 3 out after 2 short passes.... 

 

Then, our best drive, which had zero pass attempts to TY (because he was shut down), ended in a missed FG to end the half. 

 

Funchess isn't changing the above. A fast, vertical threat WR2 would.

Since the day we signed him one you have doubted the talent level of Funchess.

Now you want to use one game to judge the whole team and what it did the last the last 12 games of the season?  That is being too narrow minded IMO.