Breaking. Flacco starter for rest of the year

[Indeee]

39 minutes ago, Tsarquise said:

But Josh Allen 

[IrsaysArmy]

4 hours ago, CR91 said:

That press conference was a complete disaster. That all, but confirmed this was Irsay's call

It all but confirms that AR was a mistake. I know you bleed blue CR, but Richardson is horrible. I swear I don’t think he’d lead a college team right now

[Colt.45]

1 minute ago, IrsaysArmy said:

It all but confirms that AR was a mistake. I know you bleed blue CR, but Richardson is horrible. I swear I don’t think he’d lead a college team right now

 

There should be some nuance to this.

 

Basically AR has abilities that could change the sport IF he gets some of the unpolished aspects right. Those unpolished aspects are pretty much all about the soft side of playing the position. He's naturally gifted but doesn't have that soft side. Soft skills VS hard skills, most of us know some form of this. We all knew he was raw. 

 

AR was #4 pick solely based on his natural gifts and the Colts thinking that they could develop him. If he was drafted for tape and his understanding of what it takes to be QB (i.e. the softer side), he'd have been a 6th rounder and no one would be sweating it. 

 

The Colts drafted a 6th round QB in the 1st round and hope they can develop him into a Tom Brady. It's bizarre but it's the nuance. 

 

Essentially think: Nick Cross

 

Your call whether you're okay with that sort of decision-making. 

[csmopar]

6 minutes ago, Colt.45 said:

 

There should be some nuance to this.

 

Basically AR has abilities that could change the sport IF he gets some of the unpolished aspects right. Those unpolished aspects are pretty much all about the soft side of playing the position. He's naturally gifted but doesn't have that soft side. Soft skills VS hard skills, most of us know some form of this. We all knew he was raw. 

 

AR was #4 pick solely based on his natural gifts and the Colts thinking that they could develop him. If he was drafted for tape and his understanding of what it takes to be QB (i.e. the softer side), he'd have been a 6th rounder and no one would be sweating it. 

 

The Colts drafted a 6th round QB in the 1st round and hope they can develop him into a Tom Brady. It's bizarre but it's the nuance. 

 

Essentially think: Nick Cross

 

Your call whether you're okay with that sort of decision-making. 

They said the same thing about Vick, young etc. run first QBs just don’t last

[King Colt]

IF it is in fact over for the year I'll bet my home it is not only because of his stats. "Next man up."

[Colt.45]

7 minutes ago, csmopar said:

They said the same thing about Vick, young etc. run first QBs just don’t last

I wouldn't categorize AR as run-first. I think he has innate pocket passing abilities that are otherworldly. I think he's a pocket passer who can run, like Mahomes.

 

The running part is a nice physical dimension that the team likely hoped could be a good foundation to help him function while he developed the other side i.e. the soft side. It's the Jalen Hurt model. 

 

The problem I see with that is while AR can run/scramble, I don't think he's Lamar or Vick, I don't think that level of twitch is something he's got (his numbers say he should be more explosive but I just don't see it). Basically he's Josh Allen in my mind. A pocket passer who can do ridiculous athletic things.

 

I'm not saying this makes sense but that's why the player is an enigma. He's a pocket QB who can run but can't currently play as a pocket QB because he's RAW and never seemingly learned the stuff other QBs learn in college. 

[holeymoley99]

5 hours ago, JAS90 said:

Makes sense for this current stretch of games coming up. If Colts make a run here and playoffs are in reach Flacco keeps going. If Colts are 5-9 in December then I see a good chance AR comes back in and gets the last few games. 

Exactly how I see it ,also an injury can happen at anytime so AR needs to be ready and prepare as a starter.

[compuls1v3]

1 hour ago, richard pallo said:

I’m starting to think they have seen and heard enough.  And it’s just not how he performs on the field.  It’s things we don’t see or hear about.  It’s practice habits, how attentive is he in meetings, does he command the quarterback room the locker room for that matter,  is he really into the game when he is on the sideline, what’s with the smiling when you lose,  is he asking questions of Flacco and trying to learn.  I can go on and on.  
   I can’t really fault Ballard and Shane for drafting him.  He had to do something at 4.  He would have been crucified if he didn’t.  We know how much of a crapshoot the draft is.  You are near the top of the draft and you take a swing.  You give it your best shot.  What we don’t know is if they have seen and heard enough to be 100% out.  My guess is they’re not there yet but close.  Waiting to see how he responds for the remainder of the season.  At least they had the fortitude to make the change while the season is still salvageable.  I’m glad they made the decision.  He wasn’t showing improvement and progress.  Now it’s on to the Vikings and try to get the win.  Hoping for a strong finish.  Nothing the team can do about the quarterback position next season until we finish this one.  

I think was really telling when someone asked Joe Flacco if AR asked him any questions, and Joe said AR didn't know what to ask.  That right there speaks volumes.

[Rolltide_gocolts]

Oline played like garbage and it’ll more than likely be worse Sunday night if freeland starts…. I think we will see how much AR really masked their deficiencies… if joe was playing Sunday he’s sacked 10 times 

[BlackTiger]

I'm a broken record at this point but it was a mistake all along to name him the starter.  Players need to earn playing time and he never did it.

 

Look at his college career, does anyone even remember his off season at this point(it wasnt good), look at his games this year.  That body of work is just not an nfl starter, he needs more work.  

 

"he needs to start and is the only thing that matters this year" this was always a big myth that way too many people were believing.  It wasn't true, theres a whole team of players and coaches that wont survive that.

[ColtStrong2013]

6 hours ago, GoColts8818 said:

So was Sam when he was named starter.  Ryan started two games later.  My point is these things can change.  

Jim Irsay's fingerprints all over this, and you are right. What is today is not necessarily tomorrow. Jim's patience is waning. Erratic moves and decisions will be made, unless Flacco stabilizes things and pulls some wins out and does it fast. 

[1959Colts]

Breaking. Flacco starter for rest of the year

...unless he gets hurt, or the colts lose four in a row

[Indyfan4life]

2 hours ago, csmopar said:

Didn’t they just do that by benching him….

Ballard didn’t bench AR. Shane did. So, as I said, Ballard will never admit to mistakes. 

[teganslaw]

8 minutes ago, ColtStrong2013 said:

Jim Irsay's fingerprints all over this, and you are right. What is today is not necessarily tomorrow. Jim's patience is waning. Erratic moves and decisions will be made, unless Flacco stabilizes things and pulls some wins out and does it fast. 

Steichen said that it was his decision to bench Richardson. Do you think that Jim Irsay influenced Steichen to make this move? I'm not sure what to think. According to Steichen, the final decision was his alone. 

[1959Colts]

1 minute ago, teganslaw said:

Steichen said that it was his decision to bench Richardson. Do you think that Jim Irsay influenced Steichen to make this move? I'm not sure what to think. According to Steichen, the final decision was his alone. 

I wouldn't read too much in to that statement. He would look rather impotent if he, as head coach, said otherwise

[IrsaysArmy]

1 hour ago, Colt.45 said:

 

There should be some nuance to this.

 

Basically AR has abilities that could change the sport IF he gets some of the unpolished aspects right. Those unpolished aspects are pretty much all about the soft side of playing the position. He's naturally gifted but doesn't have that soft side. Soft skills VS hard skills, most of us know some form of this. We all knew he was raw. 

 

AR was #4 pick solely based on his natural gifts and the Colts thinking that they could develop him. If he was drafted for tape and his understanding of what it takes to be QB (i.e. the softer side), he'd have been a 6th rounder and no one would be sweating it. 

 

The Colts drafted a 6th round QB in the 1st round and hope they can develop him into a Tom Brady. It's bizarre but it's the nuance. 

 

Essentially think: Nick Cross

 

Your call whether you're okay with that sort of decision-making. 

Well said. Who am I to complain about draft strategy but this one was a diaster. 

[IrsaysArmy]

14 minutes ago, teganslaw said:

Steichen said that it was his decision to bench Richardson. Do you think that Jim Irsay influenced Steichen to make this move? I'm not sure what to think. According to Steichen, the final decision was his alone. 

It was every single person of Influence in the organizations decision to bench him. Players included. 

[csmopar]

26 minutes ago, Indyfan4life said:

Ballard didn’t bench AR. Shane did. So, as I said, Ballard will never admit to mistakes. 

No you said “this team” team has more than one person in it. Team is the entire organization.  Therefore you’re saying the entire team can’t admit mistakes. 
 

furthermore, while Shane may have the final say, no way he does this without Ballard and Irsay at least in agreement to some level. 

[richard pallo]

11 minutes ago, csmopar said:

No you said “this team” team has more than one person in it. Team is the entire organization.  Therefore you’re saying the entire team can’t admit mistakes. 
 

furthermore, while Shane may have the final say, no way he does this without Ballard and Irsay at least in agreement to some level. 

No doubt Irsay approved the benching but I don’t believe he initiated or forced it.  I believe that was Shane and Ballard reaching consensus and getting his approval.

[jvan1973]

17 minutes ago, richard pallo said:

No doubt Irsay approved the benching but I don’t believe he initiated or forced it.  I believe that was Shane and Ballard reaching consensus and getting his approval.

If I had to make a guess, this was Irsays call.   Ballard drafted him at 4. He has to believe his future is tied to AR.  Steichen knows his future is tied to Ballard.  Why would they go with the vet?  Win or lose,  they are probably doomed with Flacco.  

[ColtAndOrioles]

2 hours ago, Colt.45 said:

 

There should be some nuance to this.

 

Basically AR has abilities that could change the sport IF he gets some of the unpolished aspects right. Those unpolished aspects are pretty much all about the soft side of playing the position. He's naturally gifted but doesn't have that soft side. Soft skills VS hard skills, most of us know some form of this. We all knew he was raw. 

 

AR was #4 pick solely based on his natural gifts and the Colts thinking that they could develop him. If he was drafted for tape and his understanding of what it takes to be QB (i.e. the softer side), he'd have been a 6th rounder and no one would be sweating it. 

 

The Colts drafted a 6th round QB in the 1st round and hope they can develop him into a Tom Brady. It's bizarre but it's the nuance. 

 

Essentially think: Nick Cross

 

Your call whether you're okay with that sort of decision-making. 

If AR was 6'1 and 200 pounds, with the same other attributes that he has now, would people be saying he could change the game?

 

Probably not.  His size as an NFL qb (because it is unheard of)  seems to make people think he can and should do things that he otherwise cannot and gives him a mystique that is not valid. 

 

 

[Colt.45]

7 minutes ago, ColtAndOrioles said:

If AR was 6'1 and 200 pounds, with the same other attributes that he has now, would people be saying he could change the game?

 

Probably not.  His size as an NFL qb (because it is unheard of)  seems to make people think he can and should do things that he otherwise cannot and gives him a mystique that is not valid. 

 

 

 

 

The reason AR is spoken of that way is because the combination of physical and natural quarterbacking traits is rare. It just is. If he were 6'1, sure maybe it's a different story but that's a hypothetical and reality's given us enough on the plate right?

[richard pallo]

7 minutes ago, jvan1973 said:

If I had to make a guess, this was Irsays call.   Ballard drafted him at 4. He has to believe his future is tied to AR.  Steichen knows his future is tied to Ballard.  Why would they go with the vet?  Win or lose,  they are probably doomed with Flacco.  

To win games and make the playoffs.  If they stayed with AR and he continued to have a terrible season and they had a losing season Ballard is likely gone.  Now they have a fighting chance with Flacco and the pressure and limelight comes off AR until next year rolls around.  Hopefully he shows us something in training camp and gets off to a good start.

[jvan1973]

4 minutes ago, richard pallo said:

To win games and make the playoffs.  If they stayed with AR and he continued to have a terrible season and they had a losing season Ballard is likely gone.  Now they have a fighting chance with Flacco and the pressure and limelight comes off AR until next year rolls around.  Hopefully he shows us something in training camp and gets off to a good start.

I hope so too

[jvan1973]

16 minutes ago, ColtAndOrioles said:

If AR was 6'1 and 200 pounds, with the same other attributes that he has now, would people be saying he could change the game?

 

Probably not.  His size as an NFL qb (because it is unheard of)  seems to make people think he can and should do things that he otherwise cannot and gives him a mystique that is not valid. 

 

 

The sack he shredded before he tapped out is unique.   He was dead to rights.   The kid has unique traits.  Unfortunately, being accurate passing isn't one..  yet.  I think it's far too early to give up on him.  Pay Steve Clarkson what ever he wants to work with him

[ColtAndOrioles]

14 minutes ago, Colt.45 said:

 

 

The reason AR is spoken of that way is because the combination of physical and natural quarterbacking traits is rare. It just is. If he were 6'1, sure maybe it's a different story but that's a hypothetical and reality's given us enough on the plate right?

Well my point was because AR is taller and weighs more than the average NFL QB with a high RAS score, it gives him a mystique that most QBs don't have. 

 

But none of that matters if he can't learn the fundamentals and nuances of being an NFL QB.  

 

IF he was 6'1" and 200 pounds, we wouldn't hear how great he was coming out of college despite his lack of experience.   But because he was deemed a 'freak' due to his height and weight, he was hyped way more than he should have been. 

[Colt.45]

3 minutes ago, ColtAndOrioles said:

Well my point was because AR is taller and weighs more than the average NFL QB with a high RAS score, it gives him a mystique that most QBs don't have. 

 

But none of that matters if he can't learn the fundamentals and nuances of being an NFL QB.  

 

IF he was 6'1" and 200 pounds, we wouldn't hear how great he was coming out of college despite his lack of experience.   But because he was deemed a 'freak' due to his height and weight, he was hyped way more than he should have been. 

 

He's not Malik Willis which is the picture you're painting (6'1 etc etc). If AR booms, he can legit change the position the way Mahomes has. Willis can't do that even in his dreams, it may sound unfair but this isn't Brees v Manning in size comp, the physical gifts legitimately matter for what AR could be.

 

But yes, the fundamentals and nuances are not there. So it's all cudda shudda wudda till further notice.

[ColtStrong2013]

2 hours ago, teganslaw said:

Steichen said that it was his decision to bench Richardson. Do you think that Jim Irsay influenced Steichen to make this move? I'm not sure what to think. According to Steichen, the final decision was his alone. 

 

I'm sure a great deal of what Chris Ballard says is covering up with his boss does/says too. No one knows what goes on at the top of the organization, but I think it's pretty obvious that over the last 15 years, there has been a lot of dysfunction. No matter who is GM or head coach. That should be the red flag. 

[GoColts8818]

3 hours ago, Indyfan4life said:

Ballard didn’t bench AR. Shane did. So, as I said, Ballard will never admit to mistakes. 

Ballard has done that just about every off-season he’s been here with the “that’s on me” stuff.  That’s not the problem.  The problem is he keeps making big mistakes.  

[Tsarquise]

As much as I don't like Richardson, I think he should start until it is abundantly clear to everyone that he is not a good QB. If that takes until the end of next year, so be it. Maybe, even though it is highly unlikely, he might just learn too and get better.

 

Seeing the fan and media reaction is super annoying. I wish we had never drafted him. 

[Dobbinblitz]

Ballard:

“Either you believe for something or you believe nothing,’’ Ballard said. “It’s easy to vacillate. Easy to vacillate and go with what the world wants you to do.

“You either believe in something or you don’t. This is what we believe.

“If it gets me fired, so be it.’’

 

Well at least he always knew his fate would tied to HIS Quarterback. His over valuing athletic traits at times over on field production may spell the end.

[indyagent17]

I don’t think the team has said he will not start again this season they said for the near future. Anything can change.
 

Right now, the Dodgers are three outs away from winning the World Series

[ThorstenDenmark]

A QB who taps out due to tiredness....

 

Wonder if any of the linemen on the O or D-line has ever said they were tired and subbed themselves out of a game.

If they did that, they would be cut the next day.

 

So why should we keep a QB who taps out on his own, just because of one freaking run?

He´s paid like a king and starts complaining when the sweat is on his forehead....cut him, trade him or just bench him the rest of his - hopefully - short time at the colts, bc we can't use a player who taps out.

[Nevbot]

12 hours ago, Colt.45 said:

 

There should be some nuance to this.

 

Basically AR has abilities that could change the sport IF he gets some of the unpolished aspects right. Those unpolished aspects are pretty much all about the soft side of playing the position. He's naturally gifted but doesn't have that soft side. Soft skills VS hard skills, most of us know some form of this. We all knew he was raw. 

 

AR was #4 pick solely based on his natural gifts and the Colts thinking that they could develop him. If he was drafted for tape and his understanding of what it takes to be QB (i.e. the softer side), he'd have been a 6th rounder and no one would be sweating it. 

 

The Colts drafted a 6th round QB in the 1st round and hope they can develop him into a Tom Brady. It's bizarre but it's the nuance. 

 

Essentially think: Nick Cross

 

Your call whether you're okay with that sort of decision-making. 

so basically Sam Ehlinger 

[VikingsFanInChennai]

13 hours ago, krunk said:

I couldn't resist

 

Josh Allen had flashes of brilliance in his early starts followed by some dumb throws, Allen was going through progressions of the NFL though not many would've guessed him to get better overall. Allen also played through shoulder injury early on that impacted his accuracy that above stats don't tell. Allen was mentally very mature, and could appreciate what defenders were trying to do - all such capabilities that you don't know if AR has or not. Allen also showed he was an elite mobile QB from early on, and AR is nowhere that smart in rushing as well. Allen took command of the locker room pretty quickly as a leader. Allen's accuracy and completion % improved dramatically every year and never went good to worse while AR's has gone from 50s last year to 44 this year.

[superrep1967]

16 hours ago, Nesjan3 said:

They have seen enough. He has been historically bad. I think they should have let him play it out the rest of season but I also understand that the tap out was probably the final straw. Its been embarrassing and they want to avoid further embarrassment.

You're exactly right he’s been an embarrassment so to keep playing him right now will add even more embarrassment maybe he’ll pan out in the future but right now he’s not ready. 

[Colt.45]

3 hours ago, Nevbot said:

so basically Sam Ehlinger 

No, opposite of that. The reason I picked Nick Cross is because the story on him when he was drafted was that he was a really young kid who had little experience playing the position, who might have some maturity issues but oh boy, he had exceptional physical skills and was worth developing.

Heck, even this season, folks were calling for Cross to be benched. He had a rough pre-season then the lights came on once the season started.

 

Ehlinger's lights have always been on, he just aint got the physical skills to be a great. AR does.

[tikyle]

16 hours ago, krunk said:

I couldn't resist

 

Thank you.

 

And this is not to say AR will be anything close to Josh Allen but this benching makes ZERO sense.

 

Will Joe Flacco be the QB1 next year?

Will Joe Flacco lead the team to a SB this year?

Will the Colts be able to get an extra year to make an assessment on Richardson before they have to pay him or cut him?

 

Anthony Richardson has thrown 610 pass attempts............since HIGH SCHOOL.  The guy hasn't played that much football and needs time to grow, mature and learn.  If you didn't bench him all year last year to learn, what sense does it make to bench him now?

[chickenMan]

This team has no idea how to win. It took one of, if not the greatest quarterback of all time and a Hall of Fame head coach to drag this dung heap franchise to a Super Bowl win and another appearance, and now that they've both been gone for over a decade, we've since wasted a generational talent and apparently make decisions by consulting a roulette wheel. Why is it so hard for the Colts to just not be stupid?

 

Oh well, at least we can keep inducting new members of the Manning-era Colts into the Ring of Honor each year and wax poetically about the "glory days" (those glory days being us wasting the career of Peyton Manning).

 

Indiana deserves better than this clown show.

[Colt.45]

15 minutes ago, chickenMan said:

This team has no idea how to win. It took one of, if not the greatest quarterback of all time and a Hall of Fame head coach to drag this dung heap franchise to a Super Bowl win and another appearance, and now that they've both been gone for over a decade, we've since wasted a generational talent and apparently make decisions by consulting a roulette wheel. Why is it so hard for the Colts to just not be stupid?

 

Oh well, at least we can keep inducting new members of the Manning-era Colts into the Ring of Honor each year and wax poetically about the "glory days" (those glory days being us wasting the career of Peyton Manning).

 

Indiana deserves better than this clown show.

 

The glory days that Jim Irsay poopooed. "Mr. We-want-multiple-rings-not-Star-Wars-numbers." Now he'd walk from Fort Wayne to Gary just for another of those regular 12-win Manning days.

 

Starts from the owner, trickles down to his GM, and across the board. Pyramid effect.