Wentz Getting Cut? Maybe

[Lov2fish]

According to Mortenson it is possible

https://currently.att.yahoo.com/att/carson-wentz-rumors-qbs-future-183611183.html

[Hoopsdoc]

I think this will happen and it’s mandated from Irsay.

I think they roll with Ehlinger/free agent/draft pick next year.

[Chromeburn]

Yeah, I have a feeling he thinks his shit doesn’t stink. Even Peyton would admit things he needed to work on each off season. Wentz has been quiet as a church mouse. Just work on your mechanics at least.

[JAFF]

Ok, cut him. Who is going to play QB? A kid from Texas with a weak arm?

Who steps in? Could it happen? Sure, but without a replacement, it doesnt make sense

[Brylok]

Colts won't win a single game with Ehlinger.
Zach Hicks thinks it will be Mariota according to his Twitter account.
So... Mariota and Ehlinger. Electrifying.

[JAFF]

Colts won't win a single game with Ehlinger.
Zach Hicks thinks it will be Mariota according to his Twitter account.
So... Mariota and Ehlinger. Electrifying.

If Mariota could win a championship, he would be their starter

[omahacolt]

as he should be


the wentz experience should be over

[CletusPyle]

I think the Colts think their best chance is to emulate the 2012 Baltimore Ravens...they need someone to play the role of Ed Reed and the role of Joe Flacco! They should be able to find a Flacco stand in without breaking the bank!

[Brylok]

I think the Colts think their best chance is to emulate the 2012 Baltimore Ravens...they need someone to play the role of Ed Reed and the role of Joe Flacco! They should be able to find a Flacco stand in without breaking the bank!

We don't have anyone near the caliber of Ed Reed on our roster.

[CletusPyle]

We don't have anyone near the caliber of Ed Reed on our roster.

I agree...that will be tougher to find than a Flacco substitute!

[JAFF]

I think this will happen and it’s mandated from Irsay.

I think they roll with Ehlinger/free agent/draft pick next year.

That would be the waste of a year

[Butter]

That would be the waste of a year

So would another year of mediocrity.

[JAFF]

So would another year of mediocrity.

If the coaches or front office thought that, the Colts would have cut him

[Chromeburn]

Colts won't win a single game with Ehlinger.
Zach Hicks thinks it will be Mariota according to his Twitter account.
So... Mariota and Ehlinger. Electrifying.

Mariota won’t win much either. Looks like 2023 draft.

Find a LT and some more weapons this draft. Passrush specialist.

[Oldcolt]

The Colts have been exceedingly tight lipped as a team since Ballard took over. This doesn't smell right, unless Wentz is going to be let go very soon. Either way, keeping him or dumping his shitty ass, things look bleak for this team right now. There are a ton of teams who want a QB out there and we have about as little capital to get one as any who are in the chase.

[CletusPyle]

The Colts have been exceedingly tight lipped as a team since Ballard took over. This doesn't smell right, unless Wentz is going to be let go very soon. Either way, keeping him or dumping his shitty ass, things look bleak for this team right now. There are a ton of teams who want a QB out there and we have about as little capital to get one as any who are in the chase.

This info was leaked to Mortensen for a reason....it looks to me like the decision to get rid of Wentz has already been made!

[rcubed]

Done.

[IndyNorm]

Fingers crossed we can trade his worthless ass, so we don't have to eat any of his salary.

[JAFF]

Fingers crossed we can trade his worthless ass, so we don't have to eat any of his salary.

Why do fans worry about the salary cap? Its not coming out of your account.

[Racehorse]

Why do fans worry about the salary cap? Its not coming out of your account.

Competitive advantages of not wasting cap dollars is a good reason for me.

[Hoopsdoc]

That would be the waste of a year

Another year with Wentz would be worse than a wasted year, because it would end the same or worse than this year and we still wouldn’t know if Ehlinger or someone else is the answer.

Wentz has got to go.

[Mr. Session]

It’s shit like this that makes me feel so apathetic towards all of this because Both perspectives are right. Staying with him is stupid because you already know what you have, dumping him after a year illustrates poor decision making on the part of management, and I thought they were legitimately better than that.

This isn’t what I expected in year whatever of this regime. I’ve liked how Ballard’s built the team from the inside out, and I can work with the quarterback issues because I know some of that wasn’t in his control. But where the fuck is this team going?

I think the off-season will be more exciting. There’s no way they enter next season without making some kind of major move to drum up fan enthusiasm. I don’t live in Indianapolis but I have to imagine moral is pretty shitty. .

[Hoopsdoc]

It’s shit like this that makes me feel so apathetic towards all of this because Both perspectives are right. Staying with him is stupid because you already know what you have, dumping him after a year illustrates poor decision making on the part of management, and I thought they were legitimately better than that.

This isn’t what I expected in year whatever of this regime. I’ve liked how Ballard’s built the team from the inside out, and I can work with the quarterback issues because I know some of that wasn’t in his control. But where the fuck is this team going?

I think the off-season will be more exciting. There’s no way they enter next season without making some kind of major move to drum up fan enthusiasm. I don’t live in Indianapolis but I have to imagine moral is pretty shitty. .

To be fair to Ballard, there are very very few good quarterbacks and every team that doesn’t have one is trying their damndest to get one.

It’s not easy.

[CletusPyle]

Let me ask a question of those of you that have a good understanding of Wentz's contract. My understanding is, if the Colts cut him by March 18th, they save themselves $13M...but are still on the hook for $15M in 2022. If he is traded I assume part of that $15M would be off the books? What happens if he signs with another team, are the Colts still required to pay him the $15M?

[ZionsvilleColtsFan]

Should take Ballard with him.

[Dam8610]

Let me ask a question of those of you that have a good understanding of Wentz's contract. My understanding is, if the Colts cut him by March 18th, they save themselves $13M...but are still on the hook for $15M in 2022. If he is traded I assume part of that $15M would be off the books? What happens if he signs with another team, are the Colts still required to pay him the $15M?

That $15 million is guaranteed money that the Colts agreed to by having him on the roster on the third day of the league year last year. If he is on the roster on the third day of the league year this year, the remainder of his current year salary becomes guaranteed.

The problem I have with cutting or trading Wentz is what exactly are you going to find with the $13 million of freed up money plus the cap space available that is going to be better than Wentz? Have the Colts suddenly gained a great deal of faith in Jameis Winston or Teddy Bridgewater, both of whom they recently had chances to sign a their starting QB and chose not to? Are they going to go full Rams for Russell Wilson, who himself is coming off a career worst year? The Packers will want too much for Rodgers, the Texans will not trade Watson here. If you get rid of Wentz, what's the play?

[Colts And Orioles]

Should take Ballard with him.





o


And replace him with ???

o

[ChaosTheory]

o


And replace him with ???

o

Grigson or someone of that ilk, hopefully. He'd bring in guys like Calais Campbell, A.J. Green, Tyrant Mathieu, and Cam Newton. Among others

This way, instead of barely missing the playoffs with $50m in the bank... We can barely make the playoffs with none money in the bank and people can't say we didn't try. Which is the important thing.

Plus, our GM needs to be able to bench press a shitload.

[JAFF]

This info was leaked to Mortensen for a reason....it looks to me like the decision to get rid of Wentz has already been made!

You dont know that. Mort loves to dynamite fish, see what floats to the surface.

[CletusPyle]

You dont know that. Mort loves to dynamite fish, see what floats to the surface.

True....he likes to stir the soup, but it would make sense to leak it if they are planning to let him go, there is still time to rework his contract if another team would be interested in acquiring him.

[CletusPyle]

This entire article is conjecture....but it does present some possibilities for those that would like to see the Colts move on from Wentz.

https://sports.yahoo.com/6-potential-trade-destinations-colts-143217688.html

[JAFF]

o


And replace him with ???

o

Stop making sense.

I am retiring in May so I will be available and I will want a cap friendly contract

[Dam8610]

This entire article is conjecture....but it does present some possibilities for those that would like to see the Colts move on from Wentz.

https://sports.yahoo.com/6-potential-trade-destinations-colts-143217688.html

The Seattle idea is laughable. John Schneider is not going to take on Wentz and give the Colts Wilson for 1 draft pick. It would have to be a Goff like deal.

[Racehorse]

That $15 million is guaranteed money that the Colts agreed to by having him on the roster on the third day of the league year last year. If he is on the roster on the third day of the league year this year, the remainder of his current year salary becomes guaranteed.

The problem I have with cutting or trading Wentz is what exactly are you going to find with the $13 million of freed up money plus the cap space available that is going to be better than Wentz? Have the Colts suddenly gained a great deal of faith in Jameis Winston or Teddy Bridgewater, both of whom they recently had chances to sign a their starting QB and chose not to? Are they going to go full Rams for Russell Wilson, who himself is coming off a career worst year? The Packers will want too much for Rodgers, the Texans will not trade Watson here. If you get rid of Wentz, what's the play?

Therein is the rub. What are the alternatives? I would guess they feel they need to move on from the guy before his stench permeates the locker room, but what are the options as a replacement? Sam is likely not ready, and may never be. I read Love might be traded, but is he an upgrade? Doubtful. Jimmy G? Maybe, but not likely to be that much better. The top three names (Rodgers, Wilson, Watson) are very remote dreams. Other FA guys are about the same. The draft shows no real promise. Maybe they go after a FA guy for a couple of years, and hope to catch fire with the surrounding cast. All I know is that Wentz will likely be gone, and that is probably a good thing.

[daedge]

You dont know that. Mort loves to dynamite fish, see what floats to the surface.

He also really battles to spit out his words these days.

[MeSayDayo]

That $15 million is guaranteed money that the Colts agreed to by having him on the roster on the third day of the league year last year. If he is on the roster on the third day of the league year this year, the remainder of his current year salary becomes guaranteed.

The problem I have with cutting or trading Wentz is what exactly are you going to find with the $13 million of freed up money plus the cap space available that is going to be better than Wentz? Have the Colts suddenly gained a great deal of faith in Jameis Winston or Teddy Bridgewater, both of whom they recently had chances to sign a their starting QB and chose not to? Are they going to go full Rams for Russell Wilson, who himself is coming off a career worst year? The Packers will want too much for Rodgers, the Texans will not trade Watson here. If you get rid of Wentz, what's the play?

What you are going to do is be able to get some fresh talent in at the QB position. It doesn't make a wasted year as bad as it needs to be. We can evaluate young players like Ehlinger and bring in more talent everywhere. Build up a bit for 2023 and make your real move then.
If the team is serious about locking up Q, becoming a run first team to a degree...I think going for a young stud QB in the 2023 draft is the play. The only way to get closer to that without mortgaging the future to do it would be to lose JUST enough games in 2022 with stopgap QB solutions to land us a top 15 picks. Short term pain, long term gain. Unfortunately, I think our overall roster is too good and we are too competitive to actually put this plan into fruition. Ballard and Reich's seats are at the very least lukewarm at this point. They NEED to make a move now.
My pick is honestly take a one year flyer on Winston. At least he didn't fail in New Orleans because of ineptitude like Wentz. We could get him for what...7 mil a year? Give it a shot, so that the fans have something fun to watch during what we all hope will be a losing year.

One thing is jumping out at me though....Ballard has been super mum on the QB's in this upcoming draft. Maybe he loves one or two of them? Maybe this is the year he moves up to get his guy. Who knows? Trade a player, next years first...things can happen. I would think that the top 2 QBs in this draft even are worth at least two firsts to move up and grab, despite the question marks around their game. Maybe you land Rosen, maybe you land Herbert? Should be an interesting two months for Colts fans. Ballard's moves in FA will surely telegraph his draft strategy though.

[omahacolt]

He also really battles to spit out his words these days.

Didn’t he have a couple bouts of cancer

[Lov2fish]

Can Sam really be worse than Wentz? He has better mobility than Wentz. I know the knock is no deep ball, but I watched Wentz under throw so many balls this past season and without a shit ton of luck the dude has about 17 picks. So not convinced he has the big arm that we are lead to believe. Sam inside 30 yards has got to be more accurate than Wentz. Watching his throws (Wentz) says he is woefully off target. How many catches did receivers make in 21 that bailed Wentz out? To many to count. Give the kid a chance. For fucksakes Brady was a 6th. rounder. How did that turn out?

[omahacolt]

Can Sam really be worse than Wentz? He has better mobility than Wentz. I know the knock is no deep ball, but I watched Wentz under throw so many balls this past season and without a shit ton of luck the dude has about 17 picks. So not convinced he has the big arm that we are lead to believe. Sam inside 30 yards has got to be more accurate than Wentz. Watching his throws (Wentz) says he is woefully off target. How many catches did receivers make in 21 that bailed Wentz out? To many to count. Give the kid a chance. For fucksakes Brady was a 6th. rounder. How did that turn out?

Yeah. He could be worse.

But really that doesn’t matter to me. We aren’t competing for the super bowl next year. With or without Wentz

[Lov2fish]

Yeah. He could be worse.

But really that doesn’t matter to me. We aren’t competing for the super bowl next year. With or without Wentz

Without correcting the QB situation we are never competing for a SB.

[kitekrazy]

I think you have to give Wentz another year.

[Colts And Orioles]

I think you have to give Wentz another year.





o


I agree, and I know that you and I are in the vast minority here on ColtFreaks in regard to that subject ...... but if some issue is bubbling under the surface that has little to nothing to do with Wentz' play on the field, he may not get that chance ...... not necessarily because Reich, Ballard, and Irsay don't think that he deserves another chance, but rather because there is something else about Wentz that has turned them off to him.

And if that is indeed is what is happening and it plays out that way (Wentz gets cut from the team for some other reason besides his play/ability), then in a sense, the Big 3 in our organization will be cutting off their noses to spite their faces.


Now, is it possible that those 3 people do in fact cut their noses off to spite their faces and the Colts wind up with a better quarterback than Wentz for the 2022 season anyway ??? Yes, that is possible. But it is also possible that Wentz could improve next season after having had a full year of experience under his belt with his new team ...... the odds may not be in his favor, but it is possible. Somewhere inside of there is the quarterback who led his team to 3 consecutive playoff berths while throwing 81 TD passes and only 21 INT's with a 64.4% completion ratio in the 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons combined. It's a gamble that may be under 50%, but considering that he is already here and that we already gave up the 2022 first-round draft pick, I hope that the Colts roll the dice with him.

o

[njcoltfan]

I think you have to give Wentz another year.

No you don't !!!!!! Colt's just can not keep waiting till next year !!!

[Chromeburn]

Therein is the rub. What are the alternatives? I would guess they feel they need to move on from the guy before his stench permeates the locker room, but what are the options as a replacement? Sam is likely not ready, and may never be. I read Love might be traded, but is he an upgrade? Doubtful. Jimmy G? Maybe, but not likely to be that much better. The top three names (Rodgers, Wilson, Watson) are very remote dreams. Other FA guys are about the same. The draft shows no real promise. Maybe they go after a FA guy for a couple of years, and hope to catch fire with the surrounding cast. All I know is that Wentz will likely be gone, and that is probably a good thing.

Have to wait to see how the dominoes fall. Rodgers just ended his engagement. Maybe he is ready for something new. Options available seem to be:
1. Keep Wentz, hope he improves. But likely get same results.
2. Trade Wentz. Try to get a upgrade veteran. Lose lots of draft capital.
3. Trade Wentz, roll with a rookie or Sam. Maybe hope for a high draft pick next year.

[Racehorse]

o


I agree, and I know that you and I are in the vast minority here on ColtFreaks in regard to that subject ...... but if some issue is bubbling under the surface that has little to nothing to do with Wentz' play on the field, he may not get that chance ...... not necessarily because Reich, Ballard, and Irsay don't think that he deserves another chance, but rather because there is something else about Wentz that has turned them off to him.

And if that is indeed is what is happening and it plays out that way (Wentz gets cut from the team for some other reason besides his play/ability), then in a sense, the Big 3 in our organization will be cutting off their noses to spite their faces.


Now, is it possible that those 3 people do in fact cut their noses off to spite their faces and the Colts wind up with a better quarterback than Wentz for the 2022 season anyway ??? Yes, that is possible. But it is also possible that Wentz could improve next season after having had a full year of experience under his belt with his new team ...... the odds may not be in his favor, but it is possible. Somewhere inside of there is the quarterback who led his team to 3 consecutive playoff berths while throwing 81 TD passes and only 21 INT's with a 64.4% completion ratio in the 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons combined. It's a gamble that may be under 50%, but considering that he is already here and that we already gave up the 2022 first-round draft pick, I hope that the Colts roll the dice with him.

o
Look, I wanted Wentz to be the answer once we traded for him. I see that he is not. However, if we keep him another year (which I doubt will happen) then I will wish for him to pull off a miracle and actually be the answer. I have blue sunglasses, and always hope for the best. However, I also like to cut the losses when they are obvious. Something about Wentz was just wrong for this team last year. Maybe we roll the dice elsewhere and hit paydirt.

[Racehorse]

Have to wait to see how the dominoes fall. Rodgers just ended his engagement. Maybe he is ready for something new. Options available seem to be:
1. Keep Wentz, hope he improves. But likely get same results.
2. Trade Wentz. Try to get a upgrade veteran. Lose lots of draft capital.
3. Trade Wentz, roll with a rookie or Sam. Maybe hope for a high draft pick next year.

I think Rodgers stays in GB or retires. I don't think Wilson will be traded, and if he is, we do not have the ammo to be in the mix. Maybe Bridgewater or Winston can be signed and work out. I am not convinced on either being successful. Maybe Sam is ready next year, but I doubt it. No good players in the draft available. That leaves a free agent, or Wentz. See my post above for my thoughts on him.

[YDFL Commish]

WWBB do?

[Chromeburn]

I think Rodgers stays in GB or retires. I don't think Wilson will be traded, and if he is, we do not have the ammo to be in the mix. Maybe Bridgewater or Winston can be signed and work out. I am not convinced on either being successful. Maybe Sam is ready next year, but I doubt it. No good players in the draft available. That leaves a free agent, or Wentz. See my post above for my thoughts on him.

We have the capital if we want to use it. You just throw future firsts and other picks to compensate.

[Oldcolt]

I may be alone but I don't believe we have the capital to go after a top QB if they become available. Not with the number of teams needing a QB and us not having a number one this year. You are going to need at least two number ones and even if it was accepted it would give us three years in a row without a number one. Think Ballard will be in for that? We are not one QB away from the Super Bowl anyway. Our situation sucks big time. Missing on Wentz has put us in a world of hurt. I don't see any answer right now but don't want us pulling off some bullshit panic move that sets us back even further. We need calm heads, especially right now.

[Hoopsdoc]

I think you have to give Wentz another year.

Nonsense. Wentz is not the answer, Wentz will never be the answer.

He is a fatally flawed quarterback whose shortcomings get magnified the bigger the moment. He is the antithesis of clutch. His mechanics fall apart, he has zero pocket presence, he locks in on receivers, and he never just takes the layup.

We will never win a big game with Wentz at quarterback, I firmly believe that now.

So the only logical thing to do is to move on and keep looking.

[Dewey 5]

WWBB do?

Sign Cam Newton & have Mac Jones fall in his lap.

[Racehorse]

We have the capital if we want to use it. You just throw future firsts and other picks to compensate.

This year's first is worth a whole lot more than future picks.

[Oldcolt]

This has got to be one of he worst years ever to be looking for a QB. Nine teams, or so, need a QB. There are no good free agents to speak of and the draft doesn't have any elite QBs. We don't have a number one. Ballard and co. will do everything they can to improve the position, I just have a hard time seeing how. I'm betting we end up rolling with Wentz for one more year. Of all the QBs available to sign (I do not see us giving up draft capital for a lateral move) Trubisky would be my choice.

We were a bottom 10 team in pass blocking, one of the worst TE rooms in NFL and our number one receiver would be a number two or three on most playoff teams. Our number two and three receivers wouldn't even be in most playoff team rotations. And yet the issue was Wentz and only Wentz. Put some decent weapons around him, get a pass rush and see what we can do next year with a full off season.

[HoosierinFL]

It really seems like there's a lack of QB talent in the league right now. There's a few teams that have legit franchise worthy QBs and a bunch of guys who I have no confidence in, and a few question marks.
I mean just for fun, looking at the league:
Patriots: Jones is a ?? for me right now. He might turn out OK and be their guy but their success was really predicated on their defense. And now without McDaniels, how good will Jones be? (by the way, McDaniels leaving for the Raiders proves that when BB/Kraft talked him out of the Colts job, it wasn't because they promised him something special within their org, it was just a screw job against the Colts)
Bills: Allen is legit
Dolphins: I have no confidence in Tua and we all know Jacoby isn't it
Jets: Wilson might still be a ?? but personally I don't think he'll be any good

Bengals: Burrow is the man for sure
Ravens: Jackson is legit but possibly not good enough to get them all the way, they really melted down late in the season. Tyler Huntley is probably not going to amount to anything.
Steelers: Big Ben is gone, no one on their depth chart is gonna be the guy
Browns: I suppose Mayfield is the guy, but closer to ??

Colts: Wentz is clearly in the ?? domain
Titans: Tannehil is probably in the ??domain too, so far not enough to warrant the label franchise QB
Jags: clearly have promise but only time will tell with mr shampoo commercial
Texans: they have no one (Watson doesn't count, his career is over)

Chargers: clearly Herbert is the guy
Chiefs: no doubt about Mahomes
Raiders: Carr is probably past his window, but maybe McDaniels does something good with him. So I'll call it a ?? here. It's a no to Mariota
Broncos: Lock, Bridgewater, they all suck

Thats 16 teams in the AFC and only 5 QBs that would one even consider legitimate players that can lead a team to a superbowl (Mahomes, Herbert, Allen, Burrow, Lawrence), and 6 maybes (??, Wentz, Tannehil, Jones, Carr, Mayfield, Jackson) and out of them only 1 or 2, at most 3, are probably legit (Jackson, Mayfield, Jones, in that order).

That leaves at most only half of the AFC with a real QB, the rest are needing to upgrade. Of the 8 that I named, they are all locked up.

Seems like the numbers are even worse in the NFC.
The real QBs would be:
Rodgers (but also he's 38, he is not a long term solution for anyone except the packers)
Prescott (but I have my doubts about him sometimes)
Stafford
R. Wilson (though he just had a bad year too)

And that's literally it, 4 franchise QBs, assuming Brady really retires.

Murray is a headcase. Jimmy G is always injured. Cousins, Trubisky, Goff, Winston, Hurts, Minshew, they are all JAGs. Cam Newton sucks.

[Chromeburn]

This year's first is worth a whole lot more than future picks.

They’re still firsts. You just throw in a bit more. Rams did it.

[Chromeburn]

This has got to be one of he worst years ever to be looking for a QB. Nine teams, or so, need a QB. There are no good free agents to speak of and the draft doesn't have any elite QBs. We don't have a number one. Ballard and co. will do everything they can to improve the position, I just have a hard time seeing how. I'm betting we end up rolling with Wentz for one more year. Of all the QBs available to sign (I do not see us giving up draft capital for a lateral move) Trubisky would be my choice.

We were a bottom 10 team in pass blocking, one of the worst TE rooms in NFL and our number one receiver would be a number two or three on most playoff teams. Our number two and three receivers wouldn't even be in most playoff team rotations. And yet the issue was Wentz and only Wentz. Put some decent weapons around him, get a pass rush and see what we can do next year with a full off season.

MPJ was the best receiver in the NFL against the press. He was one of the best in the NFL on third down, and was leading the NFL for part of the season. All this in his second year. People need to stop with the narrative that he isn’t a number one. It’s bullshit and they don’t know what they are talking about.

TEs were functional, no mismatch athletes. But they got open and can catch.

He also had the best running back in the nfl. Faced stacked boxes the majority of the time with single coverage. He had the 6th easiest passing schedule of all QBs.

We had one of the lowest drop rates in the NFL. Do we need some better WRs, sure. A mid match TE would be great. But it won’t make Wentz more accurate. Won’t make him a better decision maker. If your pass protection is bad, you speed up your throw. He was at the bottom of the league in time to throw. It’s a problem when the guy is overthrowing Mo Allie Cox by five feet consistently. Fix Wentz and a lot will get better. If your QB sucks, your WRs will look like crap. Unless Randy Miss is walking through the door, a WR won’t make him better.

Hell we just saw a noodle armed Rivers take them to the playoffs.

[rcubed]

This has got to be one of he worst years ever to be looking for a QB. Nine teams, or so, need a QB. There are no good free agents to speak of and the draft doesn't have any elite QBs. We don't have a number one. Ballard and co. will do everything they can to improve the position, I just have a hard time seeing how. I'm betting we end up rolling with Wentz for one more year. Of all the QBs available to sign (I do not see us giving up draft capital for a lateral move) Trubisky would be my choice.

We were a bottom 10 team in pass blocking, one of the worst TE rooms in NFL and our number one receiver would be a number two or three on most playoff teams. Our number two and three receivers wouldn't even be in most playoff team rotations. And yet the issue was Wentz and only Wentz. Put some decent weapons around him, get a pass rush and see what we can do next year with a full off season.
Agree. I think we will end up with another year of wentz as he is currently on the roster and lack of real options. Ballard is not trading a ton a picks for any top end QB (non of which I think will be available anyway). Ballard is not trading picks for a short term/slight upgrade at QB. It will be another frustrating year with wentz (his last) or roll with sam or some random one year QB with looks toward next years draft or possible FA.

or maybe wentz surprises us all and has a really good year...but thats probably not happening.

[Oldcolt]

It was not meant as a put down on MJP. I agree he is a number one. But he still isn't the number one on most of these playoff teams. And the cupboard is practically bare after that.

I agree about the tight ends being functional, that isn't good enough in this NFL. Especially if you are not explosive outside.

This was not meant to be somehow supportive of Wentz long term (or even short term). We need a long term solution and it probably isn't on the roster right now. We know how shit Wentz is, we didn't live through these other QB's shittiness. The whole situation just makes me sick. There is no option I can see that has any real promise.

[Lov2fish]

I personally think if Wentz gets cut, or traded (Salvage what you can) they are going to give Sam a shot. They won't have to work a QB into the system, he knows it. I know I am probably 100% wrong, but trading Wentz for another Wentz is not solving anything, but if someone is willing to give a 2nd. this year for him, do it. We are no way getting a one out of him, we drew the short straw for that one.

[njcoltfan]

I personally think if Wentz gets cut, or traded (Salvage what you can) they are going to give Sam a shot. They won't have to work a QB into the system, he knows it. I know I am probably 100% wrong, but trading Wentz for another Wentz is not solving anything, but if someone is willing to give a 2nd. this year for him, do it. We are no way getting a one out of him, we drew the short straw for that one.

Whats the problem with going with Ellinger next year, at worst he sucks, improving your draft position looking towards drafting his replacement, at best he surprises, has a fantastic year and proves that he just might be the guy!! Anyway you try, Wentz, Ellinger or FA, its probably going to be ANOTHER lost season!!

[Discflinger]

I doubt Sam would make it half the season before being hurt.

[Dam8610]

Sam Ehlinger is the answer to the question "What QB could the Colts go into the 2022 season with as their starter to ensure they will get the #1 overall pick in 2023?"

[Lov2fish]

Whats the problem with going with Ellinger next year, at worst he sucks, improving your draft position looking towards drafting his replacement, at best he surprises, has a fantastic year and proves that he just might be the guy!! Anyway you try, Wentz, Ellinger or FA, its probably going to be ANOTHER lost season!!

That was my point. Get what we can out of Wentz and roll with the kid. Worse case scenario we are in the same place but without the price tag. Best case scenario we suck and improve our draft position, or he pleasantly surprises and performs well.

[Oldcolt]

Unless ‘the kid’ has somehow found an NFL arm it doesn’t matter how smart he is. And why does anyone think he is so wonderful at reading defenses and leading this team? Did you not watch his preseason? Seems like a nice young man but not our savior by any means. We are in a world of hurt.

[Brylok]

Unless ‘the kid’ has somehow found an NFL arm it doesn’t matter how smart he is. And why does anyone think he is so wonderful at reading defenses and leading this team? Did you not watch his preseason? Seems like a nice young man but not our savior by any means. We are in a world of hurt.

I've just had this feeling that it's even worse than we think. Ballard and Reich are probably both on hot seats, and Reich is hanging by a thread. Ballard is floundering with an ill-built team with two offensive weapons, and Diamond Jim is pissed. To me, the shine is completely off of Ballard. We're bang average with a great RB, LG, linebacker, and a number 2 receiver. That's it. Five years and that's all we have. I just have a feeling it's worse than we think over there. Roast me if y'all want.

[Brylok]

I forgot to mention Buckner. He's really good too, but he's double teamed so often he's rendered irrelevant.

[ChoppedWood]

I've just had this feeling that it's even worse than we think. Ballard and Reich are probably both on hot seats, and Reich is hanging by a thread. Ballard is floundering with an ill-built team with two offensive weapons, and Diamond Jim is pissed. To me, the shine is completely off of Ballard. We're bang average with a great RB, LG, linebacker, and a number 2 receiver. That's it. Five years and that's all we have. I just have a feeling it's worse than we think over there. Roast me if y'all want.

That's why I don't understand why so many on here defend either one of these guys with such vigilance. When you look at the results, neither one of them has really done much of anything to speak of. We literally have the EXACT same problems we went into last off season with, and with a hell of a lot less options to try to remedy due to Frank massaging Wentz's sack and Ballard trying to get Freeney and Mathis year 5 results out of 2 rookies- one of which couldn't even play. When you step back and look at things with a wide lens, Ballard really kind of seems to suck at this GM thing.

[CletusPyle]

I've just had this feeling that it's even worse than we think. Ballard and Reich are probably both on hot seats, and Reich is hanging by a thread. Ballard is floundering with an ill-built team with two offensive weapons, and Diamond Jim is pissed. To me, the shine is completely off of Ballard. We're bang average with a great RB, LG, linebacker, and a number 2 receiver. That's it. Five years and that's all we have. I just have a feeling it's worse than we think over there. Roast me if y'all want.

I think the Wentz debacle has definitely hurt both Ballard and Reich, I'm sure they have both lost some level of respect across the league...it wasn't as bad as the Trent Richardson butt reaming that Cleveland gave Grigson, but it was close! Since Wentz is still on the roster, my guess is either Reich or Ballard, or both, want to try to salvage this deal and give him another shot and hope he proves everyone wrong! I would love to be proven wrong, but until I hear Wentz speak out and say he's wants to stay and work his ass off in the off season to get better, I don't see it happening!

[apballin]

Bottom line this is Taylor’s team on offense now

Wentz has zero precision passing/timing throws he holds it waaayyy too long every fucking time I don’t know if that’s fixable. Reich took a chance on his old long lost son and it failed we all wanted it to work but obviously it didn’t. I’d rather get a QB in here that is a game manager and doesn’t turn it over with the understanding he’s a compliment to JT. That’s my biggest concern is Reich continually game after game tried to make Wentz the hero and it fucked us.

Look how successful Rivers was he got the ball out quick and that’s before we knew how good Taylor was.

It didn’t work, blame whatever you want Wentz ankles, lack of weapons (which I don’t agree with) , Covid at the end of the year whatever we went to the playoffs with Rivers in year one and Wentz steps in with the exact same team a much improved running back and shits the bed

I’m with Irsay on this one Carson has got to go it’s Taylor’s team and Reichs biased emotions will always get in the way it’s not 2017 anymore Frank the Carson you loved is long gone

[IndyNorm]

That's why I don't understand why so many on here defend either one of these guys with such vigilance. When you look at the results, neither one of them has really done much of anything to speak of. We literally have the EXACT same problems we went into last off season with, and with a hell of a lot less options to try to remedy due to Frank massaging Wentz's sack and Ballard trying to get Freeney and Mathis year 5 results out of 2 rookies- one of which couldn't even play. When you step back and look at things with a wide lens, Ballard really kind of seems to suck at this GM thing.

Objectively speaking Ballard is probably around the NFL average. He drafts pretty well, manages the cap well, and has made some good trades. On the other hand he has completely ignores glaring team needs and isn't good at proactively replacing players at super important positions (AC, TY, etc.). He also seems to put more much more importance on physical traits rather than production, which has led to some big misses with early round draft picks.

He's also gotten a pretty big pass on things b/c the guy he replaced was incompetent (that goes for Frank as well).

If we have another offseason or 2 of completely ignoring team needs then it might be time to move on.

[IndyNorm]

Competitive advantages of not wasting cap dollars is a good reason for me.

Exactly. It'd be much better for the Colts to trade Wentz rather than just cut him b/c Ballard could put the $15M in dead money we'd be paying Wentz towards filling some of the glaring holes this team has.

[JAFF]

Objectively speaking Ballard is probably around the NFL average. He drafts pretty well, manages the cap well, and has made some good trades. On the other hand he has completely ignores glaring team needs and isn't good at proactively replacing players at super important positions (AC, TY, etc.). He also seems to put more much more importance on physical traits rather than production, which has led to some big misses with early round draft picks.

He's also gotten a pretty big pass on things b/c the guy he replaced was incompetent (that goes for Frank as well).

If we have another offseason or 2 of completely ignoring team needs then it might be time to move on.

Ignoring team needs? There is a pro bowler at every level of the D. There are 2-3 all pro O linemen, the best Rb in the league and a Wr on the verge of being something special.

The only big problem is the lack of a QB. Ballard has checked every box, except that one. The colts fucked up, they should have tanked a season to get a better draft position.

Is there a college player who could be drafted and play right now for the Colts? That or ask Brady if he wants to play? Give up picks this year and next for —————— or a vet. Thats about the only thing I can see that will get them over the hump

[ChoppedWood]

Ignoring team needs? There is a pro bowler at every level of the D. There are 2-3 all pro O linemen, the best Rb in the league and a Wr on the verge of being something special.

The only big problem is the lack of a QB. Ballard has checked every box, except that one. The colts fucked up, they should have tanked a season to get a better draft position.

Is there a college player who could be drafted and play right now for the Colts? That or ask Brady if he wants to play? Give up picks this year and next for —————— or a vet. Thats about the only thing I can see that will get them over the hump

All those things you say in the beginning paragraph, and we sipped fruity drinks on the beach while others played the last 5 weeks. That smells like a crappy coach to me.

[rm1369]

Ignoring team needs? There is a pro bowler at every level of the D. There are 2-3 all pro O linemen, the best Rb in the league and a Wr on the verge of being something special.

The only big problem is the lack of a QB. Ballard has checked every box, except that one. The colts fucked up, they should have tanked a season to get a better draft position.



Ballard has checked every box ……. except QB, DE, and LT. The three most important positions to winning. That’s without getting into the debate about whether or not the WR corp is lacking (I think it is). Hopefully DE is checked now, but that remains to be seen and is far from certain. He went into the season with no DE on the roster with double digit career sacks. I honestly haven’t been able to verify it, but I have to believe the number of teams that have done that and did anything in the post season is pretty small. Especially when you consider that the guy he counted on to improve it had all of 11.5 sacks in 4 college seasons. That’s not a knock on Paye, he’s clearly talented. But that in no way addressed a major need for the season.

I can make an argument to defend most of Ballard’s individual decisions (even those I disagree with)but ultimately he is what his record says. And his methods have led to a team with holes at some of the most critical positions. I don’t necessarily blame him for the QB position, but he’s in danger of wasting all of the good things he has done due to his decisions at the three big positions.

[rm1369]

All those things you say in the beginning paragraph, and we sipped fruity drinks on the beach while others played the last 5 weeks. That smells like a crappy coach to me.

If I told you a team was on its 5th different starting QB in 5 years, lacked a pass rush, and had issues at LT would you assume it was a successful team?

[JAFF]

Ballard has checked every box ……. except QB, DE, and LT. The three most important positions to winning. That’s without getting into the debate about whether or not the WR corp is lacking (I think it is). Hopefully DE is checked now, but that remains to be seen and is far from certain. He went into the season with no DE on the roster with double digit career sacks. I honestly haven’t been able to verify it, but I have to believe the number of teams that have done that and did anything in the post season is pretty small. Especially when you consider that the guy he counted on to improve it had all of 11.5 sacks in 4 college seasons. That’s not a knock on Paye, he’s clearly talented. But that in no way addressed a major need for the season.

I can make an argument to defend most of Ballard’s individual decisions (even those I disagree with)but ultimately he is what his record says. And his methods have led to a team with holes at some of the most critical positions. I don’t necessarily blame him for the QB position, but he’s in danger of wasting all of the good things he has done due to his decisions at the three big positions.

He drafted two DEs last draft. Both look pretty good. Fisher was hurt most of the year, that was a wiff. We know the Qb drama since Luck retired, and maybe he should have sold the future for Stafford. Thats in the past. Do you want kurk cousins? Thats about all that is out there. Or Brady.

[IndyNorm]

Ballard has checked every box ……. except QB, DE, and LT. The three most important positions to winning. That’s without getting into the debate about whether or not the WR corp is lacking (I think it is). Hopefully DE is checked now, but that remains to be seen and is far from certain. He went into the season with no DE on the roster with double digit career sacks. I honestly haven’t been able to verify it, but I have to believe the number of teams that have done that and did anything in the post season is pretty small. Especially when you consider that the guy he counted on to improve it had all of 11.5 sacks in 4 college seasons. That’s not a knock on Paye, he’s clearly talented. But that in no way addressed a major need for the season.

I can make an argument to defend most of Ballard’s individual decisions (even those I disagree with)but ultimately he is what his record says. And his methods have led to a team with holes at some of the most critical positions. I don’t necessarily blame him for the QB position, but he’s in danger of wasting all of the good things he has done due to his decisions at the three big positions.

We have and have had way more problems than just QB:

Our pass rush has sucked for years and was in an even bigger hole going into '21 after we let Denico Autry and Justin Houston walk. So what does Ballard do about it? He drafts 2 projects, one of which wasn't going to play until the middle of the season at the earliest. Maybe Paye and Dayo might actually work out, but there was really no chance that they would be able to provide the glaring help needed in '21.

The writing was clearly on the wall a couple of years ago that AC was going to hang it up sooner rather than later, but Ballard did squat to backfill him or build depth at LT to help transition until a long term replacement could be found. We were lucky that Fisher was on the market after his injury in the '20 AFCCG, and unfortunately we found out why he was available.

Outside of MPJ our WRs are all below average at best (even TY as father time and his injury history has caught up with him). Our WR corps needed upgraded at least at WR2 going into '21, but all Ballard did was draft a late round project. Clear failure on Ballard's part that we're not better at WR across the board.

Some other lessor needs that went unaddressed going into '21:

After letting Burton walk we needed a pass catching 3rd TE. Ballard again went with a rookie project. We're in even worse shape now as Doyle is probably going to hang it up and MAC regressed big time this year.

Our secondary depth, especially at safey was pretty bad going into the year. Losing Blackmon was a huge blow, but it could have been softened if weren't relying on ageing journeyman brought in off the street and thrown into the startling lineup. Also, Ballard still needs to address CB1 (or 2) having only band aided it the past 2 off seasons with 1 year contracts for Rhodes.

Obviously you can't expect all team needs to get addressed in an off season (or even 2), but the huge gaping holes in the top 3 team needs I listed are huge failures on Ballard's part.

[CletusPyle]

He drafted two DEs last draft. Both look pretty good. Fisher was hurt most of the year, that was a wiff. We know the Qb drama since Luck retired, and maybe he should have sold the future for Stafford. Thats in the past. Do you want kurk cousins? Thats about all that is out there. Or Brady.

Kirk Cousins would be an upgrade in my opinion...the guy is accurate and has a lot of experience.

[JAFF]

All those things you say in the beginning paragraph, and we sipped fruity drinks on the beach while others played the last 5 weeks. That smells like a crappy coach to me.

Reich had a better record BEFORE Wentz showed up. And Reich wanted him, he was in on that decision. The HC is not exempt from the season results. If the Colts miss the playoffs, Irsay may clean sweep the GM, And HC.

I’m not giving anyone a pass. Ive made other posts that the entire organization is responsible for last season, including Irsay.

[JAFF]

Kirk Cousins would be an upgrade in my opinion...the guy is accurate and has a lot of experience.

And how has he played in BIG games?

[ChoppedWood]

If I told you a team was on its 5th different starting QB in 5 years, lacked a pass rush, and had issues at LT would you assume it was a successful team?

I would tell you it sounds like your GM sucks.

[CletusPyle]

And how has he played in BIG games?

I had to look it up...he is 1-3 in the playoffs, but to be fair he has played on some very mediocre Washington and Minnesota teams. He would probably cost too much for the Colts anyway, unless they could trade Wentz in the process.

If the Colts defense can continue to improve and Jonathan stays healthy, and say they can add another sure handed WR or TE, our QB won't be expected to carry the team to victory each Sunday, but he will need to be accurate, be smart, and not be a turnover machine. I'm still on the fence as to whether Wentz can be that guy, I wish he would speak up, I'd like to know what he is willing to do to improve his game for next season!

[JAFF]

I would tell you it sounds like your GM sucks.

It would tell you that the GM didnt tank a season to get one of the top five picks in the draft

The Colts were winning without an elite Qb. That takes talent.

[Colts And Orioles]

And how has Kirk Cousins played in BIG games ???











I had to look it up ...... he is 1-3 in the playoffs, but to be fair he has played on some very mediocre Washington and Minnesota teams. He would probably cost too much for the Colts anyway, unless they could trade Wentz in the process.

If the Colts defense can continue to improve and Jonathan stays healthy, and say they can add another sure handed WR or TE, our QB won't be expected to carry the team to victory each Sunday, but he will need to be accurate, be smart, and not be a turnover machine. I'm still on the fence as to whether Wentz can be that guy, I wish he would speak up, I'd like to know what he is willing to do to improve his game for next season !!!





o


Also, to be fair to Cousins, one of those 3 losses came in his rookie season when he had only played in one game prior to that playoff game ...... Robert Griffin III was the Rookie of the year for the Redskins that year, and also started the playoff game in which the Redskins lost. Griffin III led the Redskins to a 14-0 lead before suffering a severe knee injury. At that point, Cousins entered the game and went 3-for-10 for only 31 yards, as the Seahawks outscored the Redskins 24-0 for the remainder of that game. So yes, he was awful in that game ...... but he also essentially had no pro experience prior to that game, and wasn't expected to play at all before he was forced into action because of Griffin III's knee injury.



Robert Griffin III’s Knee Injury Brings Painful End to Brilliant Season

(By Mark Maske)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins-vs-seahawks-robert-griffin-iiis-knee-injury-brings-painful-end-to-brilliant-season/2013/01/06/2cb8d1f4-5872-11e2-b8b2-0d18a64c8dfa_story.html

o

[ChoppedWood]

It would tell you that the GM didnt tank a season to get one of the top five picks in the draft

The Colts were winning without an elite Qb. That takes talent.

The Colts sent 7 to the Pro Bowl. The Colts lost their final 2 games knowing all they had to do was win against one of the worst teams in NFL history and still crapped the bed. The Colts led the league in rushing. The Colts led the league in turn over differential. The Colts didn't even make the playoffs.

Something is not right with this organization. Either we have a very bad GM, a terrible head coach, or we have two guys that are very very pedestrian at what they do and together they aren't getting the job done. Neither Ballard nor Reich are difference makers in terms of an organization. Ballard is too bought in to his build by draft near exclusively mentality and Frank, well Frank seems to be way too invested in Frank's desire to provide reclamation than winning championships.

I have no desire to see either one of them continuing to be in charge of this organization, I see nothing from either one that tells me they are the entity that will put us over the top and I expect us to be about where we are right now so long as these two remain in their respective positions.

[JAFF]

The Colts sent 7 to the Pro Bowl. The Colts lost their final 2 games knowing all they had to do was win against one of the worst teams in NFL history and still crapped the bed. The Colts led the league in rushing. The Colts led the league in turn over differential. The Colts didn't even make the playoffs.

Something is not right with this organization. Either we have a very bad GM, a terrible head coach, or we have two guys that are very very pedestrian at what they do and together they aren't getting the job done. Neither Ballard nor Reich are difference makers in terms of an organization. Ballard is too bought in to his build by draft near exclusively mentality and Frank, well Frank seems to be way too invested in Frank's desire to provide reclamation than winning championships.

I have no desire to see either one of them continuing to be in charge of this organization, I see nothing from either one that tells me they are the entity that will put us over the top and I expect us to be about where we are right now so long as these two remain in their respective positions.

While we, the fans, are disappointed, its an over reaction to do a total reset.

1. There is a lot of talent on this team. 9 wins 7 pro bowlers.
2. The GM has a good track record, all of the present talent he has brought in.

3. Reich has been a winner as a player, and as a coach. He has been on a super Bowl team and 4 Super Bowls as a player. He has engineered 2 huge comebacks as a college player and a pro.

4. I think Jim Irsay is a great owner.

I think Irsay loves a challenge. If he chooses to stand pat and put a fire under some butts, I want to see what happens. You make steel with a hot fire under pressure

[Puck]

The Colts sent 7 to the Pro Bowl. The Colts lost their final 2 games knowing all they had to do was win against one of the worst teams in NFL history and still crapped the bed. The Colts led the league in rushing. The Colts led the league in turn over differential. The Colts didn't even make the playoffs.

Something is not right with this organization. Either we have a very bad GM, a terrible head coach, or we have two guys that are very very pedestrian at what they do and together they aren't getting the job done. Neither Ballard nor Reich are difference makers in terms of an organization. Ballard is too bought in to his build by draft near exclusively mentality and Frank, well Frank seems to be way too invested in Frank's desire to provide reclamation than winning championships.

I have no desire to see either one of them continuing to be in charge of this organization, I see nothing from either one that tells me they are the entity that will put us over the top and I expect us to be about where we are right now so long as these two remain in their respective positions.

We do not have a bad GM. We do not have a bad HC. We are in QB purgatory. It happens more often than not. Sure blame the FO for the Wentz debacle this yr. Then you would have to blame about 28 GM's/HCs for not being perfect.

Choppped. We have history. Epic battles. Still like and respect you, but dude let it go. Set your sites on the officials in the SB or better yet the SB halftime committee. They are in more need of ridicule than the Colts FO And besides your just gonna keep beating your head against the wall for no reason.

Anyway Luck is coming back so no worries

[CletusPyle]

We do not have a bad GM. We do not have a bad HC. We are in QB purgatory. It happens more often than not. Sure blame the FO for the Wentz debacle this yr. Then you would have to blame about 28 GM's/HCs for not being perfect.

Choppped. We have history. Epic battles. Still like and respect you, but dude let it go. Set your sites on the officials in the SB or better yet the SB halftime committee. They are in more need of ridicule than the Colts FO And besides your just gonna keep beating your head against the wall for no reason.

Anyway Luck is coming back so no worries

This skinny guy ain't coming back...besides his wife won't let him!:D

https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/andrew-luck.jpeg?quality=90&strip=all

[IndyNorm]

It would tell you that the GM didnt tank a season to get one of the top five picks in the draft

The Colts were winning without an elite Qb. That takes talent.

No, it tells you that your FO has done a shitty job of filling/backfilling the most important positions. And it's not just a QB that we're hurting. '21 was the 5th year for Ballard, and the fact the we don't have at least a decent pass rush is a failure on his part. Same with that we only have 1 receiver on the team that's above NFL average.

Ballard's obviously done some good things and is certainly a huge upgrade over his predecessor, but he's not the rock star that some people think he is.

[ChoppedWood]

We do not have a bad GM. We do not have a bad HC. We are in QB purgatory. It happens more often than not. Sure blame the FO for the Wentz debacle this yr. Then you would have to blame about 28 GM's/HCs for not being perfect.

Choppped. We have history. Epic battles. Still like and respect you, but dude let it go. Set your sites on the officials in the SB or better yet the SB halftime committee. They are in more need of ridicule than the Colts FO And besides your just gonna keep beating your head against the wall for no reason.

Anyway Luck is coming back so no worries

Man he looks like he is 53 years old.... wtf is going on here?

[JAFF]

No, it tells you that your FO has done a shitty job of filling/backfilling the most important positions. And it's not just a QB that we're hurting. '21 was the 5th year for Ballard, and the fact the we don't have at least a decent pass rush is a failure on his part. Same with that we only have 1 receiver on the team that's above NFL average.

Ballard's obviously done some good things and is certainly a huge upgrade over his predecessor, but he's not the rock star that some people think he is.

With all the injuries last year, they found a lot of guys to step in and play. Still had a winning record. If you are looking for perfection, you wont find it in the NFL.

[Chromeburn]

I would tell you it sounds like your GM sucks.

That’s a bit of a distorted statement though. We’ve only been looking for a QB for 3 seasons. And that first season of looking he had about two weeks. So essentially we’ve had two full off seasons of QB looking. Compared to how long some teams go, not all that long.

I don’t like everything Ballard does. But not finding a franchise QB in two off seasons is not one of the issues.

[Brylok]

Jordan Schultz' Twitter 2 days ago: "Curt Cousins has zero intention of taking a pay cut, sources say. I'm told an extension could pay Cousins, 33, around $40M per year."

HARD pass on that! That's more than double his actual worth. Lol.

[CletusPyle]

Jordan Schultz' Twitter 2 days ago: "Curt Cousins has zero intention of taking a pay cut, sources say. I'm told an extension could pay Cousins, 33, around $40M per year."

HARD pass on that! That's more than double his actual worth. Lol.

It's looking more and more like Wentz will be our QB next season...unless the Colts just decide to tank for the 2023 draft!

[Brylok]

It's looking more and more like Wentz will be our QB next season...unless the Colts just decide to tank for the 2023 draft!

I agree unless Irsay is just super pissed and demands that Wentz leaves. It will be Frank and Carson's final ride unless there's a miraculous turn around in Wentz. I don't expect either will be here for the 2023 season.

[ChoppedWood]

I agree unless Irsay is just super pissed and demands that Wentz leaves. It will be Frank and Carson's final ride unless there's a miraculous turn around in Wentz. I don't expect either will be here for the 2023 season.

I could actually ride with this. Tell them both at the outset to set the bar- it's AFC title game or you both take the dirt nap. Mid season it will be a floundering mess, both will have checked out, we will suck bad. Good draft pick and shed the dead weight of these two. Ballard on the clock to get a good coach and a real QB in here to win with a team that still has several tremendous players in their prime.

[Chromeburn]

It's looking more and more like Wentz will be our QB next season...unless the Colts just decide to tank for the 2023 draft!

I would take that over Wentz. We are not going anywhere with him. He is the most divisive player I’ve ever seen. You can’t depend on him being consistent. Dude is a coach killer.

[Oldcolt]

I agree unless Irsay is just super pissed and demands that Wentz leaves. It will be Frank and Carson's final ride unless there's a miraculous turn around in Wentz. I don't expect either will be here for the 2023 season.

The longer this goes on the more this seems true to me, ie Irsay is pushing this. I hope he cools down, let’s Ballard/Reich decide and then holds them responsible. It’s is counter productive, in my opinion, to fire Ballard. Do that and he’ll be hied as a GM within days by another very happy team. Just look at the poaching going on from this team. Tells you all you need to know about what the professionals think of this regime.

[njcoltfan]

It's looking more and more like Wentz will be our QB next season...unless the Colts just decide to tank for the 2023 draft!

VERY VERY VERY, did I say Very hypothetical, if you could get Desaun Watson for NEXT years 1 and 4, would you ??

[Spike]

VERY VERY VERY, did I say Very hypothetical, if you could get Desaun Watson for NEXT years 1 and 4, would you ??

Hell, the Texans are dumber than a fence post, but I don't think they are dumb enough to trade him to the Colts. Maybe if O'Brian was still in charge. 2nd, is Watson even going to be playing football in the NFL in the next 3-5 years? Watson is a hell of a talent, and before all of his alleged bullshit, I would have traded 3 first round picks for him.

[Brylok]

The longer this goes on the more this seems true to me, ie Irsay is pushing this. I hope he cools down, let’s Ballard/Reich decide and then holds them responsible. It’s is counter productive, in my opinion, to fire Ballard. Do that and he’ll be hied as a GM within days by another very happy team. Just look at the poaching going on from this team. Tells you all you need to know about what the professionals think of this regime.

Ballard definitely won't be fired. I just hope the "Golden Boy" image has been seen through. Frank put his own neck in the noose by wanting Wentz. They'll hang together.

[CletusPyle]

VERY VERY VERY, did I say Very hypothetical, if you could get Desaun Watson for NEXT years 1 and 4, would you ??

Even if Watson is not criminally charged and settles with his accusers, if he comes to Indy the NFL will suspend him for who knows how long...of course, if he goes to Tampa or Pittsburgh the NFL will probably let him play!

Watson is a top talent, the Colts would likely win a championship if he came here for 4 or 5 seasons...but he also has some serious issues that puts doubts on if he can avoid repeating his bad behavior. He will be suspended when he returns...so the first year you might not even have his services!

No, I would not pursue him.....

[Hoopsdoc]

Holder and Keefer did a one percent better podcast today they seem to think the decision has already been made to move on from Wentz, it’s just a matter of when it actually takes place.

This was, in their words, after conversations with people around the organization over the past week. And they believe it’s coming directly from Irsay.

I’m about 99 percent sure now that, regardless of what else happens, Wentz will not be a Colt next season.

[Discflinger]

I just wonder if it was the shot or something else that pissed him off royally. The last two weeks go without saying.

[Hoopsdoc]

I just wonder if it was the shot or something else that pissed him off royally. The last two weeks go without saying.

I think the shot is part of it but it’s more than that. For instance, i don’t get that vibe from Jim regarding Leonard or Kelly.

Jim’s been pissed since Jacksonville and it seems like Wentz is the guy he’s pissed at.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

I think the shot is part of it but it’s more than that. For instance, i don’t get that vibe from Jim regarding Leonard or Kelly.

Jim’s been pissed since Jacksonville and it seems like Wentz is the guy he’s pissed at.


I haven't listened to the podcast yet but Keefer has already indicated that Irsay was not happy that Wentz went through the season unvaccinated.

I would say the big difference between Leonard or Kelly vs. Wentz is that the team could weather missing Leonard or Kelly a bit better than losing the starting QB.

I mean Brent Hundley was the de facto backup QB for the majority of the season. As bad as Wentz has played at times, there is a significant dropoff from Wentz to Hundley. And before you say Ehlinger, the Colts could have thrown in Ehlinger to the Oakland game and decided a Carson Wentz with little to no practice was a better option than Ehlinger.

I also wonder if there was any truth to the rumors about certain players intentionally contracting COVID-19 to avoid having to test during the post season. Carson Wentz was one of the last Colts who contracted COVID-19. I could see Irsay being pissed off about that if Carson intentionally caught COVID. That is all rumor and speculation, however.

[JAFF]

I haven't listened to the podcast yet but Keefer has already indicated that Irsay was not happy that Wentz went through the season unvaccinated.

I would say the big difference between Leonard or Kelly vs. Wentz is that the team could weather missing Leonard or Kelly a bit better than losing the starting QB.

I mean Brent Hundley was the de facto backup QB for the majority of the season. As bad as Wentz has played at times, there is a significant dropoff from Wentz to Hundley. And before you say Ehlinger, the Colts could have thrown in Ehlinger to the Oakland game and decided a Carson Wentz with little to no practice was a better option than Ehlinger.

I also wonder if there was any truth to the rumors about certain players intentionally contracting COVID-19 to avoid having to test during the post season. Carson Wentz was one of the last Colts who contracted COVID-19. I could see Irsay being pissed off about that if Carson intentionally caught COVID. That is all rumor and speculation, however.

Anyone who caught covid on purpose should have a psych evaluation

[Oldcolt]

If Irsay is making these decisions we are fucked. He has already proved he is shit as a GM Let the professionals run the team. If they decide we are better off without Wentz great. At least it would be a football decision, not a decision made by an embarrassed pissed off old man

[apballin]

I just wonder if it was the shot or something else that pissed him off royally. The last two weeks go without saying.

Not only were you embarrassed by the last 2 weeks it was in view for the world to watch us look like jackasses on hard knocks

Wentz wasted one of the best single season performances I’ve ever witnessed by Taylor

Just my hypothetical…

Irsay didnt want Wentz he got off on the wrong foot by refusing the vax, then not retuning to the game week 1, his stupid turnovers costed us huge games early and the last 2 weeks were Curtis Painter like Irsay had high hopes of playoffs atleast I believe and the last 2 games sealed Wentz fate

[apballin]

If Irsay is making these decisions we are fucked. He has already proved he is shit as a GM Let the professionals run the team. If they decide we are better off without Wentz great. At least it would be a football decision, not a decision made by an embarrassed pissed off old man

No Reich let his emotions get involved clearly Wentz was a shitty trade based on nothing but emotions because he played the same way last year for Philly

[Oldcolt]

Exactly my point apballin. When you make emotional decisions they rarely work out. I am not saying we should keep Wentz. I just think it needs to be a purely football decision, not some pissed off owner trying to do something, anything that just makes him feel better and cover his embarrassment. Im not even sure why this would embarrass him after all the shit be as pulled himself.

[apballin]

Exactly my point apballin. When you make emotional decisions they rarely work out. I am not saying we should keep Wentz. I just think it needs to be a purely football decision, not some pissed off owner trying to do something, anything that just makes him feel better and cover his embarrassment. Im not even sure why this would embarrass him after all the shit be as pulled himself.

Pure football decision honestly look at his performance from beginning to end and the dude got worse as the season went along and he had the best RB in the league by far

He makes everyone’s job harder, Oline has to block longer he gets his receivers killed with inaccurate passes and he fumbles every time he gets sacked

We were a joke offensively our best play for a month was under thrown pass getting PI

[Oldcolt]

I agree. He needs to be gone. He isn’t the worst QB I’ve ever seen. I want to make sure we are better off after we make the QB moves we need to make. You could end up with a worse QB if you just say fuck it and cut the guy without a plan. I don’t trust Irsay to have a plan. This all just sucks big time.

[apballin]

I agree. He needs to be gone. He isn’t the worst QB I’ve ever seen. I want to make sure we are better off after we make the QB moves we need to make. You could end up with a worse QB if you just say fuck it and cut the guy without a plan. I don’t trust Irsay to have a plan. This all just sucks big time.

See I think Jonathan Taylor is as good as advertised and if Reich stays out of his way while mixing in passes and play action we can still be successful we just need the QB to get it out quick and don’t fuckin turn it over

We may see something even more historic from Taylor next year

[rm1369]

See I think Jonathan Taylor is as good as advertised and if Reich stays out of his way while mixing in passes and play action we can still be successful we just need the QB to get it out quick and don’t fuckin turn it over

We may see something even more historic from Taylor next year

Taylor had 372 touches this season. That’s more than enough. Slightly too much to me. If you want to maximize Taylor get him a passing game that lessens the load on him. Don’t run his ass into the ground.

[Chromeburn]

See I think Jonathan Taylor is as good as advertised and if Reich stays out of his way while mixing in passes and play action we can still be successful we just need the QB to get it out quick and don’t fuckin turn it over

We may see something even more historic from Taylor next year

If we get a QB that can make loaded boxes pay, then Taylor will get some breathing room. That’s a QB with accuracy as a trait.

[Kray007]

No you don't !!!!!! Colt's just can not keep waiting till next year !!!

When your choices are either a 1987 Yugo or a 1973 Ford Fiesta, you wait till next year

[Kray007]

The consensus on Wentz, after the trade, was that he had gotten mucked up in Philadelphia, and all he needed to excel was a return to the arms of a Quarterback whisperer like Frank Reich.

Well, he might have come to the Colts; but, for all practical purposes, Reich never got the opportunity to take apart his game, his mechanics, fix them, and put the pieces back together.

First, Covid wiped out offseason workouts, then the foot ended Wentz’s preseason.

Give Reich another shot at it. If it works out, great. But, if his critics are right and Wentz is unsalvageable, you have a first round draft choice in a better class of QB’s or you can pick up a free agent from a deeper pool.

[apballin]

The consensus on Wentz, after the trade, was that he had gotten mucked up in Philadelphia, and all he needed to excel was a return to the arms of a Quarterback whisperer like Frank Reich.

Well, he might have come to the Colts; but, for all practical purposes, Reich never got the opportunity to take apart his game, his mechanics, fix them, and put the pieces back together.

First, Covid wiped out offseason workouts, then the foot ended Wentz’s preseason.

Give Reich another shot at it. If it works out, great. But, if his critics are right and Wentz is unsalvageable, you have a first round draft choice in a better class of QB’s or you can pick up a free agent from a deeper pool.

See drafting a QB is not the answer to me this team is full of guys heading into their prime it’s built to win right now we don’t have time to let a rookie come in and develop

[Oldcolt]

Kray007 makes to much sense. This year is a crapshoot no matter how you slice it

[CletusPyle]

Kray007 makes to much sense. This year is a crapshoot no matter how you slice it

Yeah he makes sense, but I really hate the thought of JT wasting another season of his career, we all know these RBs have a short lifespan in the NFL!

[IndyNorm]

With all the injuries last year, they found a lot of guys to step in and play. Still had a winning record. If you are looking for perfection, you wont find it in the NFL.

You're not going to find perfection anywhere, at least on Earth. The point I'm making is that we're either no better off or worse in the 3 most important areas to winning games in the NFL: QB, pass rush, and LT. You have to cut Ballard some slack on QB. Luck fucked us and Ballard has done what he could within reason.

As for pass rush: we had 33 sacks in 16 games in 2016 (last year under that worthless turd Grigs) and 33 sacks in 17 games this year. Clearly a failure on Ballard's part not to have improved there.

As for LT, yeah AC retired, but he had been showing signs that he wasn't going to be around for much longer for several years before he retired. Ballard had plenty of time to come up with a better replacement plan than a 1 year band aid player coming off a torn achilles.

I'm also going to throw receiving threats at WR/TE in there b/c you need receiving weapons to win in today's NFL. Like pass rush we're no better than where we were in 2016 as back then we had TY and a bunch of below average guys. Now we have MPJ and a bunch of below average guys.

Look Ballard's at least a decent GM, which is a hell of a lot better than who we had before. But if he was one of the top GMs in the league like some people claim him to be, then he would have had some of the glaring holes in critical areas fixed by now.

[Brylok]

Mitch Trubisky? I read something today about how Buffalo really likes him and thinks he should get another chance. Josh Allen said he'd tear it up if given a chance. I might be interested in that, but there will probably be a bidding war and the Colts don't have the capital. What a mess.

[Racehorse]

replacement plan than a 1 year band aid player coming off a torn achilles.

I'm also going to throw receiving threats at WR/TE in there b/c you need receiving weapons to win in today's NFL. Like pass rush we're no better than where we were in 2016 as back then we had TY and a bunch of below average guys. Now we have MPJ and a bunch of below average guys.



I think this group could look much better with a more accurate QB, or at least a more decisive one that can read defenses better.

[IndyNorm]

Mitch Trubisky? I read something today about how Buffalo really likes him and thinks he should get another chance. Josh Allen said he'd tear it up if given a chance. I might be interested in that, but there will probably be a bidding war and the Colts don't have the capital. What a mess.

IMO he'd be worth bringing in. It certainly couldn't hurt.

[IndyNorm]

I think this group could look much better with a more accurate QB, or at least a more decisive one that can read defenses better.

True. Still would have liked to have seen Ballard be more proactive about replacing AC since he had plenty of notice ahead of time that AC would be hanging it up soon.

[Racehorse]

True. Still would have liked to have seen Ballard be more proactive about replacing AC since he had plenty of notice ahead of time that AC would be hanging it up soon.

I was only addressing the pass catchers as a group.

[smitty46953]

True. Still would have liked to have seen Ballard be more proactive about replacing AC since he had plenty of notice ahead of time that AC would be hanging it up soon.

I still think they should have signed Leno, already got extension with Washington. :cool:

[Oldcolt]

Trubisky might be worth it. He certainly had shit for a coach and has an NFL arm. Would be another crap shoot but you play enough craps and sooner or later win.

[CletusPyle]

Trubisky might be worth it. He certainly had shit for a coach and has an NFL arm. Would be another crap shoot but you play enough craps and sooner or later win.

Or become the Cleveland Browns.....:D

[Puck]

Kray007 makes to much sense. This year is a crapshoot no matter how you slice it

Yes he is making a lot of sense. But it doesn't matter. It appears that Irsay does not want him so he is gone.

There is something that happened besides his on the field stuff which in itself was not a reason to move on. He was top 10 in QBR rating and improved in every area that he was terrible in the yr before in Philly. It is attitude or game prep or something. And no it's not the vax otherwise there would be a bunch more on the hot seat.

[Oldcolt]

I tend to agree with you Puck. It doesn’t make me feel good. Irsay making this decision is fucked. His decision’s have sucked in the past and will suck now. Hope he’s like a blind squirrel and finds the right answer by pure luck.

[Chromeburn]

Yes he is making a lot of sense. But it doesn't matter. It appears that Irsay does not want him so he is gone.

There is something that happened besides his on the field stuff which in itself was not a reason to move on. He was top 10 in QBR rating and improved in every area that he was terrible in the yr before in Philly. It is attitude or game prep or something. And no it's not the vax otherwise there would be a bunch more on the hot seat.

There might be an off field thing. Didn’t they take a plane flight somewhere recently. On field I think it’s the stubbornness. He won’t use the weapons he has. Not throwing outlet passes and not using JT and Hines in the passing game out of the backfield. Use what the team has. Adapt.but he is reportedly stubborn. Actually said mid season he does like the outlet pass bc he doesn’t think it’s aggressive.

Then the my e Janice issue that he has never fixed. Gotta believe Peyton was in Irsay’s ear about Wentz’s play.

[Brylok]

Blaine Gabbert is going to replace Brady in Tampa Bay. Hopefully the Colts are above that level of a choice. Yikes.

[Puck]

There might be an off field thing. Didn’t they take a plane flight somewhere recently. On field I think it’s the stubbornness. He won’t use the weapons he has. Not throwing outlet passes and not using JT and Hines in the passing game out of the backfield. Use what the team has. Adapt.but he is reportedly stubborn. Actually said mid season he does like the outlet pass bc he doesn’t think it’s aggressive.

Then the my e Janice issue that he has never fixed. Gotta believe Peyton was in Irsay’s ear about Wentz’s play.

Yes Feb 10th the plane meeting. And a couple days after that the leak from Mort.

I think they are all 3 out on Wentz. Even Frank. It's a shame too because the kid has talent.

I just think that Irsay wasn't hearing the commitment that he wanted to hear from him.

Who knows, but the bad thing about the leak which is speculated to have come from Irsay hurts the trade value

All JMO

[Chromeburn]

Yes Feb 10th the plane meeting. And a couple days after that the leak from Mort.

I think they are all 3 out on Wentz. Even Frank. It's a shame too because the kid has talent.

I just think that Irsay wasn't hearing the commitment that he wanted to hear from him.

Who knows, but the bad thing about the leak which is speculated to have come from Irsay hurts the trade value

All JMO


He will keep getting chances because of his talent. But he doesn’t have the temperament. High ceiling really low floor. Honestly after some of the idiocy he pulled this season I wished we had Foles to replace him with.

[Chromeburn]

Blaine Gabbert is going to replace Brady in Tampa Bay. Hopefully the Colts are above that level of a choice. Yikes.

Means Tampa is gonna hope for a QB next years draft.

[Hoopsdoc]

Yes Feb 10th the plane meeting. And a couple days after that the leak from Mort.

I think they are all 3 out on Wentz. Even Frank. It's a shame too because the kid has talent.

I just think that Irsay wasn't hearing the commitment that he wanted to hear from him.

Who knows, but the bad thing about the leak which is speculated to have come from Irsay hurts the trade value

All JMO

I get the feeling that Reich is out on Wentz because he was TOLD he was out on Wentz.

[IndyNorm]

Yes he is making a lot of sense. But it doesn't matter. It appears that Irsay does not want him so he is gone.

There is something that happened besides his on the field stuff which in itself was not a reason to move on. He was top 10 in QBR rating and improved in every area that he was terrible in the yr before in Philly. It is attitude or game prep or something. And no it's not the vax otherwise there would be a bunch more on the hot seat.

Not sure what goes into QBR, but I wouldn't trust a system that rates Wentz as having a better year than Joe Burrow. Not even close as to who had the better year, and it definitely wasn't Wentz. Admittingly Wentz had a decent first half of the year, but really regressed and had a really bad 2nd half as I chronicled here:

http://www.coltfreaks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117823&page=13

I do agree with you on that the leak sucks b/c it certainly does hurt what little trade value Wentz had.

[IndyNorm]

There might be an off field thing. Didn’t they take a plane flight somewhere recently. On field I think it’s the stubbornness. He won’t use the weapons he has. Not throwing outlet passes and not using JT and Hines in the passing game out of the backfield. Use what the team has. Adapt.but he is reportedly stubborn. Actually said mid season he does like the outlet pass bc he doesn’t think it’s aggressive.

Then the my e Janice issue that he has never fixed. Gotta believe Peyton was in Irsay’s ear about Wentz’s play.

That's a great point. Pretty much made me sick to my stomach watching the Kurt Warner analysis where time after time Wentz's dumbass chose to throw into double and triple coverage instead of to a wide open JT/Hines with all kinds of running room in front of them.

[IndyNorm]

I was only addressing the pass catchers as a group.

Gotcha. Yeah, they would definitely be better if we had a decent QB, but we really need a legitimate deep threat at WR2 and a good slot receiver.

[Brylok]

Means Tampa is gonna hope for a QB next years draft.

Well, the scummy Glazers are their owners. It wouldn't surprise me if they intentionally tanked.

[Racehorse]

Gotcha. Yeah, they would definitely be better if we had a decent QB, but we really need a legitimate deep threat at WR2 and a good slot receiver.

TY or Hines in the slot, and pray Campbell can stay healthy, or...Allen Robinson.

[CletusPyle]

Not sure what goes into QBR, but I wouldn't trust a system that rates Wentz as having a better year than Joe Burrow. Not even close as to who had the better year, and it definitely wasn't Wentz. Admittingly Wentz had a decent first half of the year, but really regressed and had a really bad 2nd half as I chronicled here:

http://www.coltfreaks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117823&page=13

I do agree with you on that the leak sucks b/c it certainly does hurt what little trade value Wentz had.

Even some of the comments that have been made publicly are counter productive, if you are planning to keep him and you hope to motivate him to work harder, or rework his contract, maybe you say those things, but if you are hoping to trade him, they don't help! Sorry, but in my opinion, the Colts have handled this badly, which is why I believe there is still a good chance Wentz is here next season.

[MeSayDayo]

TY or Hines in the slot, and pray Campbell can stay healthy, or...Allen Robinson.

At this point, praying for Campbell to stay healthy has long passed as a viable option. I would let him play out training camp, and if he cant stay healthy for the whole preseason just curb his ass. I have never seen such an injury prone "but had no injury history in college" player. He hasn't even flashed enough for me to think he is worth scheming around, even when healthy.

Hines is not a receiver. He is too small. Wont win any jump balls, and if placed in a strictly receiver role, we would see his limitations there. He is a scat, 3rd down receiving back. Every team should have one, and he is a good one.

TY in the slot is interesting but only if we bring in a WR and TE to start. If not, I do not want TY featured at this point. Too injury prone, and really just too old. Just move on. He was a great Colt, but shouldn't still be a Colt going forward. We could have spent the money on TY in MUCH more impactful ways last year, IMO.

Allen Robinson though? That just might be the 1A to Pittmans 1B that we need. He is still a good age, he is still talented as hell, a veteran who can produce with garbage QB play, and he wont cost Godwin/Adams type money. If we can get him, I think he'd be a great fit. Arob and Pitt on the outside...and if we can get Jarvis Landry for cheap I am all for it. That is a solid starting three, but also aging.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Blaine Gabbert is going to replace Brady in Tampa Bay. Hopefully the Colts are above that level of a choice. Yikes.

Means Tampa is gonna hope for a QB next years draft.


Tampa has another internal candidate for QB - the Bucs spent a 2nd round pick on a QB in last year's draft - Kyle Trask.

Not surprised that Trask wasn't immediately named as starter - Tommy Cheater and Gabbert probably received the majority of the reps in practice this past season and the rookie was relegated to individual workouts with the QB's coach Clyde Christensen.

[Oldcolt]

Cletus. I couldn’t agree with you more that the Colts have shit the bed by the way they have handled this. Not a good look or sign for the future. I’m fearing mediocrity for a long time

[Colts And Orioles]

Cletus. I couldn’t agree with you more that the Colts have shit the bed by the way they have handled this. Not a good look or sign for the future. I’m fearing mediocrity for a long time.




o


I wouldn't necessarily be so presumptuous about that. Remember that when Andrew Luck first retired and the Colts had to roll with Jacoby Brissett, the Colts were designated to mediocrity for a grand total of one year ...... they went 7-9 for that one season in 2019, and then after signing a past-his-prime, immobile Philip Rivers at quarterback they went 11-6 the very next season and took the Bills right down to the wire in the playoffs on their home field.

Also, remember how unpredictable the entire 2021 season was for a whole bunch of teams, including the Colts ??? When the 49ers got dominated by the Colts and fell to a record of 2-4 overall, who would have guessed that Jimmy Garoppolo and company wound wind up going to the NFC Championship game and taking the eventual world-champion Rams right down to the wire ??? And after the Colts started the season at 0-3, I'll bet that the vast majority of Colts fans would have been surprised if somebody had told them that they would go 9-3 over their next 12 games and would be be sitting pretty in terms of a playoff berth prior to the final 2 games of the season. Plus, there were tons of individual-game examples, especially in the AFC. When Derrick Henry went down with an injury in the middle of the season, the Titans had the eventual world-champion Rams in their very next game. The Rams had just acquired Von Miller in a trade, and their overall record at that time was 7-1. It was supposed to be a blowout in favor of the Rams. It was indeed a blowout, but it went the other way. The Derrick Henry-less Titans stomped on the Rams that night. The score of the game was 28-10 late in the 4th quarter before the Rams added a cosmetic touchdown with only 24 seconds left to play in the game.


I'm not saying that your fear of the Colts falling into a state of mediocrity for a long period of time won't come to fruition, because it might ....... I'm only saying that I have seen far too much unexpected shit go down over the last few years to presume anything for almost any team, including the Colts.

o

[Oldcolt]

I love your confidence, and it may very well be correct. I won’t be sharing it if it turns out that this was Irsay’s decision. I agree Wentz was crappy this year but have seen way to many professional athletes turn it around. I agree it is a long shot but it is a shot. The idea that a full off-season with Reich intrigues me personally. The dude has the physical characteristics you want, the way Reich loves to go for it on fourth down makes his size a plus. I’m not saying I like this idea, I just like it better than rolling with any of the alternatives

[Colts And Orioles]

I love your confidence, and it may very well be correct. I won’t be sharing it if it turns out that this was Irsay’s decision. I agree Wentz was crappy this year but have seen way to many professional athletes turn it around. I agree it is a long shot but it is a shot. The idea that a full off-season with Reich intrigues me personally. The dude has the physical characteristics you want, the way Reich loves to go for it on fourth down makes his size a plus. I’m not saying I like this idea, I just like it better than rolling with any of the alternatives.





o


I'm not necessarily confident that the Colts will rebound, like they did with Philip Rivers in 2020 ...... I'm just not at the other extreme either, and necessarily presuming that mediocrity is what the Colts are destined for for years to come.

o

[rcubed]

The idea that a full off-season with Reich intrigues me personally.
eh. it shouldn't take a whole offseason to get your QB to hit a checkdown. if he isnt doing that with any consistency (when appropriate) then there are fundamental problems.

if it took me years for me to catch on to something I was consistently missing at work, I would not be employed......hence......

[JAFF]

TY or Hines in the slot, and pray Campbell can stay healthy, or...Allen Robinson.

TY is done. Makes me sad, but he will struggle to make the team

[Racehorse]

TY is done. Makes me sad, but he will struggle to make the team

He can still get open, but just doesn't have the burners. He would be good in the slot only.

[JAFF]

He can still get open, but just doesn't have the burners. He would be good in the slot only.

He has not been able to stay healthy. His legs are gone. I hate saying that, I love his game.

[IndyNorm]

At this point, praying for Campbell to stay healthy has long passed as a viable option. I would let him play out training camp, and if he cant stay healthy for the whole preseason just curb his ass. I have never seen such an injury prone "but had no injury history in college" player. He hasn't even flashed enough for me to think he is worth scheming around, even when healthy.

Hines is not a receiver. He is too small. Wont win any jump balls, and if placed in a strictly receiver role, we would see his limitations there. He is a scat, 3rd down receiving back. Every team should have one, and he is a good one.

TY in the slot is interesting but only if we bring in a WR and TE to start. If not, I do not want TY featured at this point. Too injury prone, and really just too old. Just move on. He was a great Colt, but shouldn't still be a Colt going forward. We could have spent the money on TY in MUCH more impactful ways last year, IMO.

Allen Robinson though? That just might be the 1A to Pittmans 1B that we need. He is still a good age, he is still talented as hell, a veteran who can produce with garbage QB play, and he wont cost Godwin/Adams type money. If we can get him, I think he'd be a great fit. Arob and Pitt on the outside...and if we can get Jarvis Landry for cheap I am all for it. That is a solid starting three, but also aging.

Well said all around. Ballard needs to go into this offseason with the mindset that Campbell is gone and needs to be replaced. If he manages to stay healthy through camp and makes any contributions on the field then it'll be a pleasant surprise, but we sure shouldn't be counting on anything out of him.

We could have some plays designed to use Hines as a slot receiver, but for the most part let him do what he does best which is catch the ball out of the backfield. It's not his fault Wentz is too stupid to throw him the ball.

Maybe TY could be good in the slot, but he has lost a step(s) and gets hurt a lot anymore. Plus it sounded like he was seriously considering hanging it up at the end of the year.

Agree that both ARob and Landry would be good pickups. Landry's still under contract but would be a big cap savings for the Brownies if they cut him.

[IndyNorm]

Even some of the comments that have been made publicly are counter productive, if you are planning to keep him and you hope to motivate him to work harder, or rework his contract, maybe you say those things, but if you are hoping to trade him, they don't help! Sorry, but in my opinion, the Colts have handled this badly, which is why I believe there is still a good chance Wentz is here next season.

I guess the only thing is that once Ballard started offering Wentz for trade that word would get around and what little trade value he had would drop anyway. But leaking that we're going to trade or release him doesn't help that's for sure.

[JAFF]

I guess the only thing is that once Ballard started offering Wentz for trade that word would get around and what little trade value he had would drop anyway. But leaking that we're going to trade or release him doesn't help that's for sure.

If one GM takes to another about borrowing 2 gator aid jugs the whole league knows

[IndyNorm]

Mitch Trubisky? I read something today about how Buffalo really likes him and thinks he should get another chance. Josh Allen said he'd tear it up if given a chance. I might be interested in that, but there will probably be a bidding war and the Colts don't have the capital. What a mess.

Not that there wouldn't be a potential bidding war, but Trubisky only made $2.5M last year with the Bills and is a FA. We're $35M under the cap and (if I'm understanding it correctly) would be $63M under the cap if we can trade Wentz. I would think we could bring in Trubisky.

[Brylok]

Not that there wouldn't be a potential bidding war, but Trubisky only made $2.5M last year with the Bills and is a FA. We're $35M under the cap and (if I'm understanding it correctly) would be $63M under the cap if we can trade Wentz. I would think we could bring in Trubisky.

It's a huge gamble but, gun to my head, that's what I would do. He's been on a good team that thinks highly of him. Hopefully he's learned a lot from being in Buffalo. Frank is allegedly "the QB whisperer". Let's see it.
Rodgers isn't realistic and honestly we don't need any more headaches than we already have. Wilson isn't realistic and I seriously doubt Ciara wants to live in Indy.
Out of who's available, I don't see much upside. Garoppolo actually might happen, but he is what he is and has no future development left. He's still better than Wentz. So, yeah, I'd look at Trubisky. And while they're at it, let him compete and actually try to earn a captaincy. Don't just gift it to him like Wentz.

[Chromeburn]

Not that there wouldn't be a potential bidding war, but Trubisky only made $2.5M last year with the Bills and is a FA. We're $35M under the cap and (if I'm understanding it correctly) would be $63M under the cap if we can trade Wentz. I would think we could bring in Trubisky.

I would be ok with Trubisky or Winston. Both gambles but with analytics trending in the right direction. Not any more a gamble than Wentz for another year. And if it doesn’t work, hopefully have a high draft pick in a QB draft next year.

[CletusPyle]

Frank is allegedly "the QB whisperer". Let's see it.


:D

[Brylok]

I would be ok with Trubisky or Winston. Both gambles but with analytics trending in the right direction. Not any more a gamble than Wentz for another year. And if it doesn’t work, hopefully have a high draft pick in a QB draft next year.

Winston is a dipshit. I agree with the rest of what you said.

[Chromeburn]

Winston is a dipshit. I agree with the rest of what you said.

Don’t care, just get the best stopgap until we can draft a QB.

I’m still a little intrigued by Minshew as well. He played very well for the Eagles.

[JAFF]

Winston is a dipshit. I agree with the rest of what you said.

Winston has grown up quite a bit with the Saints. He had a pretty good year last year

[Brylok]

Don’t care, just get the best stopgap until we can draft a QB.

I’m still a little intrigued by Minshew as well. He played very well for the Eagles.

Who knows? I'm tired of doing business with the Eagles though.

[Brylok]

Winston has grown up quite a bit with the Saints. He had a pretty good year last year

I would hope so. I tuned out on him when he ate the W. He looked like an absolute idiot.
I have no clue what the Colts will ultimately do at QB. The scary thing is they might not know either.

[njcoltfan]

o


I wouldn't necessarily be so presumptuous about that. Remember that when Andrew Luck first retired and the Colts had to roll with Jacoby Brissett, the Colts were designated to mediocrity for a grand total of one year ...... they went 7-9 for that one season in 2019, and then after signing a past-his-prime, immobile Philip Rivers at quarterback they went 11-6 the very next season and took the Bills right down to the wire in the playoffs on their home field.

Also, remember how unpredictable the entire 2021 season was for a whole bunch of teams, including the Colts ??? When the 49ers got dominated by the Colts and fell to a record of 2-4 overall, who would have guessed that Jimmy Garoppolo and company wound wind up going to the NFC Championship game and taking the eventual world-champion Rams right down to the wire ??? And after the Colts started the season at 0-3, I'll bet that the vast majority of Colts fans would have been surprised if somebody had told them that they would go 9-3 over their next 12 games and would be be sitting pretty in terms of a playoff berth prior to the final 2 games of the season. Plus, there were tons of individual-game examples, especially in the AFC. When Derrick Henry went down with an injury in the middle of the season, the Titans had the eventual world-champion Rams in their very next game. The Rams had just acquired Von Miller in a trade, and their overall record at that time was 7-1. It was supposed to be a blowout in favor of the Rams. It was indeed a blowout, but it went the other way. The Derrick Henry-less Titans stomped on the Rams that night. The score of the game was 28-10 late in the 4th quarter before the Rams added a cosmetic touchdown with only 24 seconds left to play in the game.


I'm not saying that your fear of the Colts falling into a state of mediocrity for a long period of time won't come to fruition, because it might ....... I'm only saying that I have seen far too much unexpected shit go down over the last few years to presume anything for almost any team, including the Colts.

o
The Colt's are already in a state of mediocrity if every year they are wondering who their next QB is going to be !!!

[IndyNorm]

Winston has grown up quite a bit with the Saints. He had a pretty good year last year

He wasn't bad but pretty inconsistent last year before his injury. Did seem to play better against good opponents. Also, he'll be coming off an ACL tear.

[Racehorse]

Winston, to me, is a guy who could end up like Fitzmagic. He could light up a box score, and then be replaced by the starter. Nobody really believes in him, but he can get the job done. I think he isn't the same guy who stole crab legs. He has matured a lot. I would give the guy a tryout, at least. Same with Mitch.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


I wouldn't necessarily be so presumptuous about that. Remember that when Andrew Luck first retired and the Colts had to roll with Jacoby Brissett, the Colts were designated to mediocrity for a grand total of one year ...... they went 7-9 for that one season in 2019, and then after signing a past-his-prime, immobile Philip Rivers at quarterback they went 11-6 the very next season and took the Bills right down to the wire in the playoffs on their home field.

Also, remember how unpredictable the entire 2021 season was for a whole bunch of teams, including the Colts ??? When the 49ers got dominated by the Colts and fell to a record of 2-4 overall, who would have guessed that Jimmy Garoppolo and company wound wind up going to the NFC Championship game and taking the eventual world-champion Rams right down to the wire ??? And after the Colts started the season at 0-3, I'll bet that the vast majority of Colts fans would have been surprised if somebody had told them that they would go 9-3 over their next 12 games and would be be sitting pretty in terms of a playoff berth prior to the final 2 games of the season. Plus, there were tons of individual-game examples, especially in the AFC. When Derrick Henry went down with an injury in the middle of the season, the Titans had the eventual world-champion Rams in their very next game. The Rams had just acquired Von Miller in a trade, and their overall record at that time was 7-1. It was supposed to be a blowout in favor of the Rams. It was indeed a blowout, but it went the other way. The Derrick Henry-less Titans stomped on the Rams that night. The score of the game was 28-10 late in the 4th quarter before the Rams added a cosmetic touchdown with only 24 seconds left to play in the game.


I'm not saying that your fear of the Colts falling into a state of mediocrity for a long period of time won't come to fruition, because it might ....... I'm only saying that I have seen far too much unexpected shit go down over the last few years to presume anything for almost any team, including the Colts.

o






The Colts are already in a state of mediocrity, if every year they are wondering who their next QB is going to be !!!





o


Maybe ...... but the other side of that same coin is that a team that has been in quarterback limbo since the abrupt retirement of Andrew Luck in 2018 has somehow managed to have back-to-back winning seasons in 2020 and 2021 in spite of it ...... the antithesis of teams that were extremely quarterback-dependent during the majority of Peyton Manning's and Andrew Luck's careers.

So while we are all bemoaning the failures of Carson Wentz this past season (especially in the final 2 games against the Raiders and the Jaguars), Chris Ballard is apparently doing what he said that he claimed that he would do ...... building a complete team that wouldn't necessarily necessarily fall to pieces without their starting quarterback, like the 2011 Colts did without Peyton Manning when they went 2-14.

o

[JAFF]

He wasn't bad but pretty inconsistent last year before his injury. Did seem to play better against good opponents. Also, he'll be coming off an ACL tear.

An ACL tear might make stay home in the pocket a throw the ball

[rcubed]

An ACL tear might make stay home in the pocket a throw the ball


Drinking already?

[JAFF]

Drinking already?

No, tender knee and a brace might keep him home in the pocket