An outsiders view of the Colts

[twfish]

 

I enjoy listening to these guys especially around draft season. They make a lot of good points and were way more positive of Ballard then I anticipated.

[2006Coltsbestever]

3 major things that Ballard has always had in his back pocket to keep his job are:

 

1. Almost everyone couldn't stand Grigson and Grigson was an awful GM after his 1st season. Players like Reggie and Pat even had words with him and couldn't stand him. His success was because of Andrew Luck.

 

2. Ballard was a breath of fresh air for the franchise and players, charming guy, and always has got along with players.

 

3. The Andrew Luck factor, once Luck retired that bought him 5 years no matter what in reality.

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

I posted this in the other thread earlier. What they don’t get is talent evaluation is only a small part of being a good GM

[richard pallo]

Great video.  These two are spot on and very thorough in their analysis.  No agenda just the status of the team as they see it.  

[cdgacoltsfan]

Oh the anti Ballard peeps won't like this but great analysis and I totally agree!

[crazycolt1]

It's easy to sit back and judge the GMs position and have an opinion of wanting him fired without looking past that move.  The odds are 31 to 1 before the season starts.  Ballard has been very good at evaluating talent.  The only thing that has held the Colts back is the QB position.  Luck leaving put this team back 3 years. Rivers was a great signing but retired after 1 season when it was thought we would get at least 2 years out of him.  Next was the signing of Ryan and everyone including me thought that was a great signing.  

I truly believe that AR is going to be the future of the Colts.  

This opinion of firing Ballard is short sighted in the bigger picture.  IMO firing Ballard is not feasible to Irsay.  This nonstop talk of firing Ballard is a waste of time. 

[Solid84]

They are looking at it from college scouting point of view. Ballard is not a bad drafter, but I don’t think he’s as good as they want to make him out to be. If he was the team around AR would be at contention level and it’s just not. 

[cdgacoltsfan]

5 minutes ago, Solid84 said:

They are looking at it from college scouting point of view. Ballard is not a bad drafter, but I don’t think he’s as good as they want to make him out to be. If he was the team around AR would be at contention level and it’s just not. 

Wrong. In my opinion , they would have beaten the Lions with starting OL and a couple less flags along with Drew hanging onto the ball. You have to have the QB...AR is that guy...just be patient.

[Solid84]

Just now, cdgacoltsfan said:

Wrong. In my opinion , they would have beaten the Lions with starting OL and a couple less flags along with Drew hanging onto the ball. You have to have the QB...AR is that guy...just be patient.

Wrong. They didn't at all get into any of the concerns people have with Ballard and how he's build the team so far. It's all from a draft perspective.

 

It takes more than AR to make this team into anything more than a dark horse.

[cdgacoltsfan]

5 minutes ago, Solid84 said:

Wrong. They didn't at all get into any of the concerns people have with Ballard and how he's build the team so far. It's all from a draft perspective.

 

It takes more than AR to make this team into anything more than a dark horse.

Wrong again...but that's ok. You're probably an Andrew Luck apologist too.

[richard pallo]

56 minutes ago, Solid84 said:

They are looking at it from college scouting point of view. Ballard is not a bad drafter, but I don’t think he’s as good as they want to make him out to be. If he was the team around AR would be at contention level and it’s just not. 

Wrong.  If AR was up to speed this team would be at contention level.  If he makes the jump during the offseason this team is going to be a real contender next year.

[crazycolt1]

24 minutes ago, richard pallo said:

Wrong.  If AR was up to speed this team would be at contention level.  If he makes the jump during the offseason this team is going to be a real contender next year.

Your expectations of perfection is unrealistic.  When looking at the big picture circumstances happen and changes everything.  Yes the Colts have been struggling since Luck lost his love of the game. With that said, It's not from Ballards lack of trying.  Using hindsight to judge is wrong.  

Being negative serves what purpose?

[richard pallo]

1 minute ago, crazycolt1 said:

Your expectations of perfection is unrealistic.  When looking at the big picture circumstances happen and changes everything.  Yes the Colts have been struggling since Luck lost his love of the game. With that said, It's not from Ballards lack of trying.  Using hindsight to judge is wrong.  

Being negative serves what purpose?

I have no idea what you’re talking about.

[Zoltan]

The one thing I like the most from this video is the take that the Colts should sign Robert Saleh as the new DC. 

[crazycolt1]

35 minutes ago, richard pallo said:

I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Did I respond to you in mistake? Sorry, it was meant responding to a comment by Solid84.  My mistake.  

I think you know better of me. 

[Defjamz26]

2 hours ago, Solid84 said:

They are looking at it from college scouting point of view. Ballard is not a bad drafter, but I don’t think he’s as good as they want to make him out to be. If he was the team around AR would be at contention level and it’s just not. 

Ballard is beloved in the draft podcast community because he’s good at what they’re covering.

 

what they failed to mention, is that John Lynch came into the league the same year Chris Ballard did and he never had an Andrew Luck to work with in the first place. He made his team more competitive by hiring an A+ coaching staff (3 ended up being head coaches) who were able to take Jimmy G and Brock Purdy to a Super Bowl. They were definitely carrying water for him and operating without a lot of crucial information.
 

Also I just realized something that I don’t think has ever been discussed here. Kyle Shanahan was also hired in 2017. If Pagano had been fired with Grigson or Ballard came in and fired him, I wonder if we would have had a chance at him. I mean we had Luck on the roster at that point, which would’ve been a selling point.

 

[smittywerb]

Great video and agree!  I might have my frustrations with Ballard and currently want someone to replace him and build a winner for whoever our QB will be in the future…

 

But ultimately, I like Ballard.  I think he’s overall a good GM.  He’s built a solid foundation.  But it’s time to change the philosophy.  Not saying he needs to become super aggressive, but tactically aggressive.  We have 3 years to move the needle.  Do I think he can make the moves to move the needle, yes.  Do I think he will, idk.  

[richard pallo]

51 minutes ago, smittywerb said:

Great video and agree!  I might have my frustrations with Ballard and currently want someone to replace him and build a winner for whoever our QB will be in the future…

 

But ultimately, I like Ballard.  I think he’s overall a good GM.  He’s built a solid foundation.  But it’s time to change the philosophy.  Not saying he needs to become super aggressive, but tactically aggressive.  We have 3 years to move the needle.  Do I think he can make the moves to move the needle, yes.  Do I think he will, idk.  

I think he will.  If anyone knows it’s time to make some moves now it’s Ballard.

[Hoose]

Ballard the leopard isn’t likely to change his spots. He is who he is and proud of it. I have a very hard time believing much of  anything will change in Colts land so long as Ballard remains in the GM slot. 
 

And that means more .500, at best, seasons with no true game changing players on either side of the ball. This needs to change; Ballard needs to go.

[VikingsFanInChennai]

3 hours ago, cdgacoltsfan said:

Wrong. In my opinion , they would have beaten the Lions with starting OL and a couple less flags along with Drew hanging onto the ball. You have to have the QB...AR is that guy...just be patient.

Lions didn't even need to shift into next gear of their offense to beat Colts... They'd have dropped 50 points on Colts defense if the offense was any more competitive than scoring 6 points. Let's not get to the foolish belief that that game was winnable if one or two things had gone our way. Not with the opponent as great as lions are. 

 

I'm all for optimism, but that was one of the most overestimated statement I've read here in a while. 

 

As for Ballard, he's okay as talent evaluator but for a GM keeping the position close to a decade, he's not found a franchise QB and that's just bad evaluation. A franchise QB is one who could Excel at the passing game, and could win games against any opponent in any circumstances without having to need any excuses. You'll know that guy is the franchise QB when that happens, and that's a magical feeling.

 

AR is a lot of wishful thinking and prayers and is far from being a franchise QB. Ballard has not shown any evidence that he could find an excellent passer who has got most things right between his ears. Until he could, he's just okay as a talent evaluator. As a GM, he's borderline bad, with his aversion towards free agency and building a team with no question marks. Ballard is just timid in those aspects, and his evaluation metrics is unproven and has not been going great for his own results. There are certainly a lot of positive aspects about him, but if he can't find a franchise QB and if he can't build a roster with proven (not promising) talents in most positions, he's still far from being a good GM. I guess I'm like-minded as @Solid84 in this case.

[LJpalmbeacher2]

12 minutes ago, Hoose said:

Ballard the leopard isn’t likely to change his spots. He is who he is and proud of it. I have a very hard time believing much of  anything will change in Colts land so long as Ballard remains in the GM slot. 
 

And that means more .500, at best, seasons with no true game changing players on either side of the ball. This needs to change; Ballard needs to go.

 

With OR Without Ballard, things won't change in Colt land.....which is all the more reason on why he continues to stick around. 

[VikingsFanInChennai]

33 minutes ago, richard pallo said:

I think he will.  If anyone knows it’s time to make some moves now it’s Ballard.

Yeah, Ballard knows and he can't change his stripes unfortunately. I mean, he still could go on to be all that, but there are no signs that he will.

[crazycolt1]

2 hours ago, Defjamz26 said:

Ballard is beloved in the draft podcast community because he’s good at what they’re covering.

 

what they failed to mention, is that John Lynch came into the league the same year Chris Ballard did and he never had an Andrew Luck to work with in the first place. He made his team more competitive by hiring an A+ coaching staff (3 ended up being head coaches) who were able to take Jimmy G and Brock Purdy to a Super Bowl. They were definitely carrying water for him and operating without a lot of crucial information.
 

Also I just realized something that I don’t think has ever been discussed here. Kyle Shanahan was also hired in 2017. If Pagano had been fired with Grigson or Ballard came in and fired him, I wonder if we would have had a chance at him. I mean we had Luck on the roster at that point, which would’ve been a selling point.

 

Hindsight is a wonderful thing when pushing a narrative. 

[chad72]

9 hours ago, Defjamz26 said:

Ballard is beloved in the draft podcast community because he’s good at what they’re covering.

 

what they failed to mention, is that John Lynch came into the league the same year Chris Ballard did and he never had an Andrew Luck to work with in the first place. He made his team more competitive by hiring an A+ coaching staff (3 ended up being head coaches) who were able to take Jimmy G and Brock Purdy to a Super Bowl. They were definitely carrying water for him and operating without a lot of crucial information.
 

Also I just realized something that I don’t think has ever been discussed here. Kyle Shanahan was also hired in 2017. If Pagano had been fired with Grigson or Ballard came in and fired him, I wonder if we would have had a chance at him. I mean we had Luck on the roster at that point, which would’ve been a selling point.

 

Biggest difference is FA and trades, between Lynch and Ballard. Plus 2 DCs in Saleh and DeMeco Ryans that landed HC jobs that amplified their defensive talent drafted and signed.

 

Other than the Chiefs who have won 3 SBs in 5 years, the other 2 years were Bucs and Rams that played FA well to net a SB. Chiefs signed plenty of FAs too, not just re-sign their own homegrown talent.

 

[Dark Superman]

Right for the job? 8 years with the Colts with 1 playoff win back in 2018 when Andrew Luck was still on the roster.

0 division titles.

Close to 8 starting QB's since becoming Colts GM.

If it hasn't worked out after 8 years then It will never happen.

Jim Irsay needs to step down and hand over ownership to his daughter. He's so out of touch with reality and needs to retire.

Chris Ballard is stubborn and does the same approach every off-season expecting the same result which NEVER happens.

Chris Ballard needs to go.

[Creekside]

12 hours ago, crazycolt1 said:

Your expectations of perfection is unrealistic.  When looking at the big picture circumstances happen and changes everything.  Yes the Colts have been struggling since Luck lost his love of the game. With that said, It's not from Ballards lack of trying.  Using hindsight to judge is wrong.  

Being negative serves what purpose?

 

I think you answered the wrong post?..

[Indianapolis-Colts-Fan]

How many years do you give a guy? Marvin Lewis was the bengals HC for 16 years and won zero playoff games. When do you know to walk away from a guy? Marvin Lewis had some success and did make the playoffs several years, but couldn’t manage to get over the hump. You could argue him being somewhat successful by making the playoffs kept him around for all those years, however is somewhat successful an accomplishment in the NFL? Is that enough to keep you around year in and year out? 

[holeymoley99]

Being able to sign top free agents means those free agents want to sign with your club, we have seen zero proof any top free agents want to come here so thus forced to resign your own even when they have shown their warts. This makes drafting even more crucial and thus more risks for those with high RAS scores hoping they can be developed into those stars we are unable to sign.

[Defjamz26]

10 hours ago, crazycolt1 said:

Hindsight is a wonderful thing when pushing a narrative. 

In what way? Which part of what I said are you referring too?

[Solid84]

13 hours ago, crazycolt1 said:

Your expectations of perfection is unrealistic.  When looking at the big picture circumstances happen and changes everything.  Yes the Colts have been struggling since Luck lost his love of the game. With that said, It's not from Ballards lack of trying.  Using hindsight to judge is wrong.  

Being negative serves what purpose?

I don't expect perfection at all, but I do recognize some position groups need better than just average performance. It's not about Luck or any QB as such which is my point - the team as a whole isn't good enough.

 

I'm not negative, I'm realistic.

 

Edit: Also, this is not hindsight. All the issues the above relates to were discussed real-time. We discussed the Dline and Oline in '21/'22 offseason and Ballard still trotted out deficient units. Same with current LBs and secondary. WR has taken years to fix as well.

 

By the time Ballard finds a solution a new issue comes around. It's been that way for too long.

[Solid84]

10 hours ago, VikingsFanInChennai said:

Lions didn't even need to shift into next gear of their offense to beat Colts... They'd have dropped 50 points on Colts defense if the offense was any more competitive than scoring 6 points. Let's not get to the foolish belief that that game was winnable if one or two things had gone our way. Not with the opponent as great as lions are. 

 

I'm all for optimism, but that was one of the most overestimated statement I've read here in a while. 

 

As for Ballard, he's okay as talent evaluator but for a GM keeping the position close to a decade, he's not found a franchise QB and that's just bad evaluation. A franchise QB is one who could Excel at the passing game, and could win games against any opponent in any circumstances without having to need any excuses. You'll know that guy is the franchise QB when that happens, and that's a magical feeling.

 

AR is a lot of wishful thinking and prayers and is far from being a franchise QB. Ballard has not shown any evidence that he could find an excellent passer who has got most things right between his ears. Until he could, he's just okay as a talent evaluator. As a GM, he's borderline bad, with his aversion towards free agency and building a team with no question marks. Ballard is just timid in those aspects, and his evaluation metrics is unproven and has not been going great for his own results. There are certainly a lot of positive aspects about him, but if he can't find a franchise QB and if he can't build a roster with proven (not promising) talents in most positions, he's still far from being a good GM. I guess I'm like-minded as @Solid84 in this case.

To be clear, I still think AR can be it. What I'm not happy with is the state of the rest of the team. 

 

The offense is mostly good I think and will really take off when AR gets more experience. I'm not happy with most of what we have behind the Dline on defense though. Moore is a key piece, but getting up in age. Cross/Blackmon are good at SS I feel. Jones and Womack are up and down. Brents can't stay healthy. Our LBs are so overrated by Colts fans. We don't have a FS.

[cdgacoltsfan]

2 hours ago, Dark Superman said:

Right for the job? 8 years with the Colts with 1 playoff win back in 2018 when Andrew Luck was still on the roster.

0 division titles.

Close to 8 starting QB's since becoming Colts GM.

If it hasn't worked out after 8 years then It will never happen.

Jim Irsay needs to step down and hand over ownership to his daughter. He's so out of touch with reality and needs to retire.

Chris Ballard is stubborn and does the same approach every off-season expecting the same result which NEVER happens.

Chris Ballard needs to go.

CB isn't going anywhere . Get used to that idea.

[Crunked]

I am not high on Ballard, but I am also not an extreme hater either, I went from avid supporter, to luke warm, to chilly, to doubter over the past few seasons. Things that never sat well with me to bring me down in temperature with Ballard. With Luck "its not all about 1 guy"....7-9 after he left so obviously that was wrong....Brissett is a franchise QB thats why we are paying him like 1.....7-9......wrong again, Matt Ryan (even I could watch falcon highlights and see he was done but we were sold on no he still has gas in the tank).....the dude didnt even HAVE a tank........ then his binge drafting  tons of O-line tons of D- line....style, No Wr, No Wr, all WR.....same with CB a couple years ago, I feel like we have missed some BPA's binge drafting.....Can it all work out and we start winning, its possible, but the length of time we have been stuck in also ran, I feel has to do with how he binge builds..... So my chief concern on firing him or steichen or any of the staff, I need to feel we have an upgrade at the position when we change, blowing it up just to blow it up is not where I want to be, but its a fine line, I dont want to be in purgatory forever waiting for the right candidate..... so I guess that makes me a tweener on Ballard, but at the moment trending downward.

[crazycolt1]

3 hours ago, Creekside said:

 

I think you answered the wrong post?..

Yes I did. 

[crazycolt1]

2 hours ago, Solid84 said:

I don't expect perfection at all, but I do recognize some position groups need better than just average performance. It's not about Luck or any QB as such which is my point - the team as a whole isn't good enough.

 

I'm not negative, I'm realistic.

 

Edit: Also, this is not hindsight. All the issues the above relates to were discussed real-time. We discussed the Dline and Oline in '21/'22 offseason and Ballard still trotted out deficient units. Same with current LBs and secondary. WR has taken years to fix as well.

 

By the time Ballard finds a solution a new issue comes around. It's been that way for too long.

Maybe looking at the bigger picture would give you a different perspective.  Pointing a finger at Ballard and 

Judging him on what other GMs have done in their history is wrong. 

Example > is Belichick called the GOAT because he made the luckiest 6th round pick in NFL history? What is Belichicks record without that 6th round pick? 

Regardless of your opinion Ballard has done a fine job with everything but the QB position. He has fielded numerous pro bowl players and does have a very good record with his draft picks. He also has done a good job at controlling the cap space.  

He he been perfect? No, but neither has any other GM been. 

 

[NFLfan]

15 hours ago, VikingsFanInChennai said:

Lions didn't even need to shift into next gear of their offense to beat Colts... They'd have dropped 50 points on Colts defense if the offense was any more competitive than scoring 6 points.

 

I disagree. The Lions dropped 50 points on the Jags and Titans. It was not necessary but they continued to do so. The Colts limited Detroit's chances to score by sustaining drives on offense.  That was because of Richardson. You and I used to complain about Kirk's failure to sustain drives. Richardson was making plays to extend drives.

 

Look at this game today. The Lions are already up 16-0 in the second quarter. The Bears are not sustaining drives and are giving the ball back to the Lions offense.

[Solid84]

2 hours ago, crazycolt1 said:

Maybe looking at the bigger picture would give you a different perspective.  Pointing a finger at Ballard and 

Judging him on what other GMs have done in their history is wrong. 

Example > is Belichick called the GOAT because he made the luckiest 6th round pick in NFL history? What is Belichicks record without that 6th round pick? 

Regardless of your opinion Ballard has done a fine job with everything but the QB position. He has fielded numerous pro bowl players and does have a very good record with his draft picks. He also has done a good job at controlling the cap space.  

He he been perfect? No, but neither has any other GM been. 

 

I'm not pointing at other GMs. I'm pointing at Ballard because he hasn't build a contender in 8 years.

[BlackTiger]

14 minutes ago, NFLfan said:

That was because of Richardson.

That is being generous, they let off the gas because they knew colts were not going to put up many points

 

Ar wasnt terrible but im not going to praise an 11 completion game at 38%

[shasta519]

16 hours ago, VikingsFanInChennai said:

Lions didn't even need to shift into next gear of their offense to beat Colts... They'd have dropped 50 points on Colts defense if the offense was any more competitive than scoring 6 points. Let's not get to the foolish belief that that game was winnable if one or two things had gone our way. Not with the opponent as great as lions are. 

 

I'm all for optimism, but that was one of the most overestimated statement I've read here in a while. 

 

As for Ballard, he's okay as talent evaluator but for a GM keeping the position close to a decade, he's not found a franchise QB and that's just bad evaluation. A franchise QB is one who could Excel at the passing game, and could win games against any opponent in any circumstances without having to need any excuses. You'll know that guy is the franchise QB when that happens, and that's a magical feeling.

 

AR is a lot of wishful thinking and prayers and is far from being a franchise QB. Ballard has not shown any evidence that he could find an excellent passer who has got most things right between his ears. Until he could, he's just okay as a talent evaluator. As a GM, he's borderline bad, with his aversion towards free agency and building a team with no question marks. Ballard is just timid in those aspects, and his evaluation metrics is unproven and has not been going great for his own results. There are certainly a lot of positive aspects about him, but if he can't find a franchise QB and if he can't build a roster with proven (not promising) talents in most positions, he's still far from being a good GM. I guess I'm like-minded as @Solid84 in this case.

“The closest 24-6 game of all time” 

 

The Colts aren’t really close to the level of a team like DET. Not that many are, but even in the AFC, they are prob the 9th best team?

 

The 2024 Colts beat a PIT team with Justin Fields (helped by Pickens flipping them a football inside IND’s 10)…and a MIA team with Skylar Thompson and some other guy who I can’t even remember. And they only won because MIA fumbled multiple times too. What  other big wins? 
 

Now they have the easiest remaining SOS. So they prob win 7-8 games.

 

But this seems to be their ceiling with Ballard. Win against bad teams, but lose against good teams. It’s indicative of a low ceiling.
 

Want to give AR another year? That’s fine, but not with Ballard as GM. 

[NFLfan]

34 minutes ago, BlackTiger said:

That is being generous, they let off the gas because they knew colts were not going to put up many points

 

Ar wasnt terrible but im not going to praise an 11 completion game at 38%

 

They let off the gas in the first half??? I doubt that is the mindset of Dan Campbell or Aaron Glenn.