Bowen on Ballard’s combine press conference (MERGE)

[GoColts8818]

https://1075thefan.com/246594/chris-ballard-colts-combine-notebook/
 

good recap and his input on what Ballard was saying.  
 

Things I took away:

 

Pittman will be here one way or another.

Ballard isn’t changing how he spends in free agency.

Sounds like he’s setting the table for Kenny Moore and Gardner to leave in free agency.

Can’t take away too much from where Richardson is in his rehab in February.

Smith had knee surgery and will be good to go (and back which I know some were speculating he might not)

knows they need to get Richardson all the weapons they can while he’s on a rookie deal.  
Asked about Irsay and Olgetree and pretty much said I am not talking about that but him and Shane do speak to Irsay.
odd he wasn’t asked about Grover.

[ColtStrong2013]

@NewColtsFan

 

See comment on blocking tight ends… you have nailed that on the head.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

 

[NewColtsFan]

2 hours ago, ColtStrong2013 said:

@NewColtsFan

 

See comment on blocking tight ends… you have nailed that on the head.

Im sorry, I don’t see any comment on blocking tight ends.   What did I miss?    Can you elaborate?  

[Hammer]

2 hours ago, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:

 

How is it that a billion dollar organization has a $1.99 sound system. It would be nice to hear the questions.

[Patrick Miller]

14 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:

Im sorry, I don’t see any comment on blocking tight ends.   What did I miss?    Can you elaborate?  

He mentioned how difficult it was to find a te who can block.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

36 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:

Im sorry, I don’t see any comment on blocking tight ends.   What did I miss?    Can you elaborate?  

He did a separate ten minute gaggle with local media. It’s up on colts.com. Not up on YouTube yet. He talked about tight ends.

[ArmchairQB]

4 hours ago, GoColts8818 said:

https://1075thefan.com/246594/chris-ballard-colts-combine-notebook

Sounds like he’s setting the table for Kenny Moore and Gardner to leave in free agency 

I didn’t pick that up about Moore.  I have always thought he would let Minshew walk.  He said he wants him back but we will see how it goes.  I think it would be a mistake to let him walk.  Unless he plans on doing something in free agency and if he’s going to do that he should resign Moore.  
 

unless of course he is eyeing an upgrade in free agency.  But I don’t think we need to keep taking chances with a young secondary. 

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

Kind of got the sense the Pittman deal was almost done with Ballard being so open about it. This only confirms it.

 

 

[ColtStrong2013]

1 hour ago, NewColtsFan said:

Im sorry, I don’t see any comment on blocking tight ends.   What did I miss?    Can you elaborate?  

 

On the TE room: “I think their skillsets are kind of different. Do we have an elite tight end like a Kelce? No. But what we have is a good room, with some pretty good players that all have a different skillset from Mo Alie-Cox to what (Kylen) Granson brings. We thought (Will) Mallory offered something different. Not having Jelani Woods, who we had big hopes for with him being hurt all year, this new staff doesn’t even know who he is. They haven’t had a chance to really work with him. And we think he has some upside. We do like the room. We like what it has to offer. They’re all a little different. The hardest guy to find is the blocker. I know we all pay attention to the ‘F’ and you all want the dynamic playmaker but the hardest guy to find is the the guy that can block on the edge.”

[richard pallo]

6 minutes ago, ColtStrong2013 said:

 

On the TE room: “I think their skillsets are kind of different. Do we have an elite tight end like a Kelce? No. But what we have is a good room, with some pretty good players that all have a different skillset from Mo Alie-Cox to what (Kylen) Granson brings. We thought (Will) Mallory offered something different. Not having Jelani Woods, who we had big hopes for with him being hurt all year, this new staff doesn’t even know who he is. They haven’t had a chance to really work with him. And we think he has some upside. We do like the room. We like what it has to offer. They’re all a little different. The hardest guy to find is the blocker. I know we all pay attention to the ‘F’ and you all want the dynamic playmaker but the hardest guy to find is the the guy that can block on the edge.”

So it sounds like Cox is going to remain on the team given the current players in the room.  No one can block better than Cox .

[Pelt]

8 minutes ago, ColtStrong2013 said:

 

On the TE room: “I think their skillsets are kind of different. Do we have an elite tight end like a Kelce? No. But what we have is a good room, with some pretty good players that all have a different skillset from Mo Alie-Cox to what (Kylen) Granson brings. We thought (Will) Mallory offered something different. Not having Jelani Woods, who we had big hopes for with him being hurt all year, this new staff doesn’t even know who he is. They haven’t had a chance to really work with him. And we think he has some upside. We do like the room. We like what it has to offer. They’re all a little different. The hardest guy to find is the blocker. I know we all pay attention to the ‘F’ and you all want the dynamic playmaker but the hardest guy to find is the the guy that can block on the edge.”

If I were one of the tight ends in that room, I would take that as a hint from my boss...

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

BTW Ballard was asked if he had a position in mind at 15. He said yes. Of course didn’t say what position.

[Pelt]

6 minutes ago, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:

BTW Ballard was asked if he had a position in mind at 15. He said yes. Of course didn’t say what position.

Yeah, a position lower than 15 when he trades back! 

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

Here is Ballards little gaggle with the local media.

  

 

[richard pallo]

6 minutes ago, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:

BTW Ballard was asked if he had a position in mind at 15. He said yes. Of course didn’t say what position.

I think he said this WR class is equal to the 2020 class.  Metcalf , Lamb, Pittman.  So if he wants to get AR another weapon he has a chance to get a premier receiver prospect at 15.  May move up to get one of the top three.

[GoColts8818]

1 hour ago, ArmchairQB said:

I didn’t pick that up about Moore.  I have always thought he would let Minshew walk.  He said he wants him back but we will see how it goes.  I think it would be a mistake to let him walk.  Unless he plans on doing something in free agency and if he’s going to do that he should resign Moore.  
 

unless of course he is eyeing an upgrade in free agency.  But I don’t think we need to keep taking chances with a young secondary. 

I got it from saying he thought Moore WAS a really good player as in past tense and said they would try to sign him but see how free agency works out.  That’s normally code for we will give him an offer but if someone else makes a bigger offer we aren’t going to get into a bidding war over the player.  Trust me I don’t want Moore to leave he’s my favorite player just the vibe I got from what Ballard said.

[GoColts8818]

33 minutes ago, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:

BTW Ballard was asked if he had a position in mind at 15. He said yes. Of course didn’t say what position.

I think you can peace a few things together to get the position he talked about.  He talked about needing more weapons for AR and how deep the WR class was are two big hints to the position he’s looking at.  Again, depending on what happens with Grover could change that.  

[GoColts8818]

43 minutes ago, Pelt said:

If I were one of the tight ends in that room, I would take that as a hint from my boss...

Yes but he also spoke glowingly about the tightend room before that last part.  I think he’d like to find a blocker but he also really likes the guys they have, including Mo, much to some dismay.  

[Zoltan]

I like what he said about linebackers, where when scouting he doesn't care what they do on 1st down or 2nd but what a Linebacker can do on 3rd down and prioritizes a linebackers ability in pass coverage. This gives me hope we will be looking to improve our LB room with a new starter as our current LBs struggle on 3rd down.

[Zoltan]

3 minutes ago, GoColts8818 said:

I think you can peace a few things together to get the position he talked about.  He talked about needing more weapons for AR and how deep the WR class was are two big hints to the position he’s looking at.  Again, depending on what happens with Grover could change that.  

The talk of depth at the WR position makes me believe we will not be drafting one in the 1st round, because they believe they will be able to get a good WR later.

[GoColts8818]

Just now, Zoltan said:

I like what he said about linebackers, where when scouting he doesn't care what they do on 1st down or 2nd but what a Linebacker can do on 3rd down and prioritizes a linebackers ability in pass coverage. This gives me hope we will be looking to improve our LB room with a new starter as our current LBs struggle on 3rd down.

Even though they are a primary two linebacker team they do have room for a third to replace Leonard.  So yeah I could see them looking for a pass defense specialist at linebacker.  Franklin and Speed are pretty good vs the run so that’s the hole that’s missing.  It also gives them depth when Franklin’s contract comes up.  I’ll say Ballard’s best position he’s drafted has been linebacker and he’s been good finding them all over the draft so he doesn’t necessarily have to take one high.

1 minute ago, Zoltan said:

The talk of depth at the WR position makes me believe we will not be drafting one in the 1st round, because they believe they will be able to get a good WR later.

Could be but it also could be he was talking about the depth of WR especially in the first round.  Again just my take on what Ballard was saying.

[richard pallo]

9 minutes ago, Zoltan said:

I like what he said about linebackers, where when scouting he doesn't care what they do on 1st down or 2nd but what a Linebacker can do on 3rd down and prioritizes a linebackers ability in pass coverage. This gives me hope we will be looking to improve our LB room with a new starter as our current LBs struggle on 3rd down.

He mentioned Leonard specifically to fill that role and he was an every down linebacker.  So I don’t think he’s looking for a 3rd down specialist but an every down player like Leonard.  I don’t know if there is a linebacker in this draft class for that role but there is a FA and that’s Patrick Queen.  He could be a player we go after and immediately solve our linebacker coverage problem.

[Zoltan]

12 minutes ago, GoColts8818 said:

Could be but it also could be he was talking about the depth of WR especially in the first round.  Again just my take on what Ballard was saying.

The reason I think it's later is because he mentioned the depth when they picked Pittman in the 2nd and he's obviously happy with how that worked out, so may go with the same mentality of getting a WR in the 2nd.

[GoColts8818]

Just now, Zoltan said:

The reason I think it's later is because he mentioned the depth when they picked Pittman in the 2nd and he's obviously happy with how that worked out, so may go with the same mentality of getting a WR in the 2nd.

Not going to rule it out.  I just think that’s the position he’s looking at when talking about needing weapons for Richardson too.  I will say if they lose Stewart he’s going to have to draft a DT or get one some place else because they don’t have another starting DT on the roster besides Buckner who is also a free agent next year.

[w87r]

2 minutes ago, GoColts8818 said:

Not going to rule it out.  I just think that’s the position he’s looking at when talking about needing weapons for Richardson too.  I will say if they lose Stewart he’s going to have to draft a DT or get one some place else because they don’t have another starting DT on the roster besides Buckner who is also a free agent next year.

Need to draft a DT, even if we bring Grover back.

[Zoltan]

1 minute ago, richard pallo said:

He mentioned Leonard specifically to fill that role and he was an every down linebacker.  So I don’t think he’s looking for a 3rd down specialist but an every down player like Leonard.  I don’t know if there is a linebacker in this draft class for that role but there is a FA and that’s Patrick Queen.  He could be a player we go after and immediately solve our linebacker coverage problem.

I think you only heard part of that, because he said the reason they picked Leonard where they did is because of what he could do on third down. It's not that they are looking at third down specialist but when scouting Lbs they hold a linebackers ability on 3rd down/pass coverage in high regard. If you think about it Leonard and Okereke fit this mould

[Pelt]

22 minutes ago, GoColts8818 said:

Yes but he also spoke glowingly about the tightend room before that last part.  I think he’d like to find a blocker but he also really likes the guys they have, including Mo, much to some dismay.  

Oh yeah. And if I'm one of them I'd be spending time working on my blocking technique to try and separate myself from the rest of the room and get more time on the field.

[GoColts8818]

Just now, w87r said:

Need to draft a DT, even if we bring Grover back.

Agree but if they bring Grover back they don’t have to force it with a super high pick.  If they lose Grover I think they have to take one high, baring a trade or free agent signing.

[w87r]

Just now, Zoltan said:

I think you only heard part of that, because he said the reason they picked Leonard where they did is because of what he could do on third down. It's not that they are looking at third down specialist but when scouting Lbs they hold a linebackers ability on 3rd down/pass coverage in high regard. If you think about it Leonard and Okereke fit this mould

Full faith in Ballard's LB evaluations.

 

Jaylan Ford a name to keep an eye on there.

[Zoltan]

Just now, w87r said:

Full faith in Ballard's LB evaluations.

 

Jaylan Ford a name to keep an eye on there.

agreed

[w87r]

2 minutes ago, GoColts8818 said:

Agree but if they bring Grover back they don’t have to force it with a super high pick.  If they lose Grover I think they have to take one high, baring a trade or free agent signing.

I would still look at it in round 2 or 3 regardless. 

 

Grover at most probably 2 more good years.

 

 

Kinda have a man crush on Sweat right now. In case no one has noticed my obsessive mentioning of him. Lol

 

 

There are a few vets that could replace Grover as well though.

[GoColts8818]

Just now, w87r said:

I would still look at it in round 2 or 3 regardless. 

 

Grover at most probably 2 more good years.

 

 

Kinda have a man crush on Sweat right now. In case no one has noticed my obsessive mentioning of him. Lol

 

 

There are a few vets that could replace Grover as well though.

Again wouldn’t rule it out but worth remembering Grover was also a fourth round pick.  Ballard can find guys all over the draft.  

[chad72]

28 minutes ago, Zoltan said:

The talk of depth at the WR position makes me believe we will not be drafting one in the 1st round, because they believe they will be able to get a good WR later.

I am feeling DL (DT/DE) or CB for No.15 more and more

[richard pallo]

12 minutes ago, Zoltan said:

I think you only heard part of that, because he said the reason they picked Leonard where they did is because of what he could do on third down. It's not that they are looking at third down specialist but when scouting Lbs they hold a linebackers ability on 3rd down/pass coverage in high regard. If you think about it Leonard and Okereke fit this mould

Right.  They both were every down linebackers.  And that is where the need is.  They both were able to stay on the field on 3rd down.  That’s what Queen would give us.  He is in the mold of Leonard and Okeroke and very good.

[GoColts8818]

6 minutes ago, richard pallo said:

Right.  They both were every down linebackers.  And that is where the need is.  They both were able to stay on the field on 3rd down.  That’s what Queen would give us.  He is in the mold of Leonard and Okeroke and very good.

While I would love Queen he’s the exact type of player Ballard talked about today that he doesn’t like to go after because you end up way over paying.

[MikeCurtis]

35 minutes ago, chad72 said:

I am feeling DL (DT/DE) or CB for No.15 more and more 

 

If we don’t spend in FA

I would think we would have to fill the hole at DE, FS, and WR in first three rounds

 

That makes sense

 

but….. he will probably draft a Guard.   Who knows

 

 

[jvan1973]

35 minutes ago, GoColts8818 said:

While I would love Queen he’s the exact type of player Ballard talked about today that he doesn’t like to go after because you end up way over paying.

The Ravens didn't even pick up his 5th year option.   If they thought he was a player that would be highly sought after, wouldn't they pick up the option and trade him?

[GoColts8818]

51 minutes ago, jvan1973 said:

The Ravens didn't even pick up his 5th year option.   If they thought he was a player that would be highly sought after, wouldn't they pick up the option and trade him?

No because that makes a cap hit and the Ravens are strapped for cash which is why he’s going to be available in the first place.  He was second team all pro.  He can play that’s not the issue here.

[jvan1973]

23 minutes ago, GoColts8818 said:

No because that makes a cap hit and the Ravens are strapped for cash which is why he’s going to be available in the first place.  He was second team all pro.  He can play that’s not the issue here.

Why didn't they trade him before the deadline last season?  Why let him go and hope for a comp pick?   Something is odd