I typed out a point by point response and lost it on the damn mobile app. I’ll just say we simply disagree and we’ll see how Ballard builds from here. I’ve conceded he’s a pretty good talent evaluator, but I also recognize there is some degree of positional value that matters. I’d give him credit if he drafted an All Pro punter. I also recognize that’s less valuable than a really good but sub pro bowl level DE.

On the contracts - In general, no I don’t think setting the market at LG, off-ball LB, and RB is a real path to greatness. Admittedly there isn’t a formula though and each situation is different. Individually after spending a 6 on Nelson they had to pay him, no complaints on that contract. I understand why they wanted to pay Leonard, but I’ve also said they will likely regret the contract. And I think they are right in being cautious with Taylor. I wouldn’t give him what he’s reportedly asking for.

Ultimately my issues with Ballard boils down to philosophy. You asked how to properly build a team. My first thing would be determining where you are - rebuilding or winning mode. Ballard’s moves have bounced between these two categories. He’s signed and traded for aging QBs (win now moves) and then treated the rest of the roster like he’s in a rebuild. Ignoring critical positions, and gifting positions to rookies and raw players with little vet competition. The Colts have been in no man’s land with Ballard at the helm. Irsay becoming involved IMO is a result of exactly what I’m saying. And as much as I wish Jim would shut up and stay out of everything, he is the reason the team now has hope - whether that was his intent with the whole Saturday move or not.

If AR pans out we’ll get to see what Ballard can do. He’s had the crutch of no QB to help justify anything he does. This is Ballard’s 7ths season in charge. I see individual good pics, admittedly better than many. I don’t see anything particularly impressive in the overall roster and certainly not in the outcomes of those seasons. I think half the GMs in the league could have steered the Colts to as an impressive of a roster and record as Ballard currently has. I’m sure you disagree and honestly I hope you are right - maybe we’ll finally see the dynasty Chaka kept telling me Ballard was building when we had these same discussions.

Edited to add: I’ll also admit that if a few particular young guys at key positions (QB, LT, DE, WR) hit this could be a really good team and I’ll need to eat some crow. But in that case Ballard would be drafting at an extremely impressive clip and I believe most things show even great talent evaluators tend to come back closer to the pack over time.

i was going by an actual real scenario. not your retarded version of reality

Fantastic breakdown and the call out of his passive aggressive approach with vets and rooks / low draft pics is spot on. I also think a good portion of that could be attributable to Frank who I will go to my grave believing was and remains convinced his scheme can turn a turd into a diamond, particularly at WR. I could easily see meetings where Frank would champion a player like Pascal or Michael Johnson as break out stars if you just gave him a tried and true stand in the pocket passer ignoring the fact that talent trumps every other factor, including that fucking obsessive play sheet. Thus telling Ballard to emphasize other areas. I've long blasted to ad nauseum the Pryor fiasco as being much more Frank than Ballard (though I think both should have been fired for that one alone). Frank is the fucker that would have play after play after play seen him in camp and had the responsibility of doing something about it - but didn't, again, because I believe he is so bought into his fucking geriatric play sheet that he could mask Pryor's level of suck.

All that said. Ballard has had a long damn time to build a winning team and right now, this team to me, is woefully short on quality back-ups. LB and DL look to be pretty well stocked, no other position on the the team seems to have guys that look like they could step in and maintain a high level of play if the main guy goes down. Minshew not included- because I think he is a low end starter in the league and an anomaly in that right now, he could probably produce more wins than the starter at the position but that's not what we need today. I do think bringing Minshew in was a stand out move, but one I mentally attribute more to Stichen than Ballard.

I think it is possible, not likely but possible. If we develop a pass rush, which could happen and if AR/Steichen can find a way use AR's athleticism to move the ball and have a middle of the pack offense, in this division it is possible. We aren't going to scare anybody in the postseason and it would depend on Paye and Dayo taking a step. That is possible. Paye was showing some signs of getting it together last year before he got hurt. When we drafted him we knew it would take time, he was incredibly raw as a pass rusher. Dayo is in his third year out from achilles, this is the year he was supposed to get his explosion back. Our tackles are not an issue, we do have that to build on. That might cover a lot for our secondary, which is scary to me. Not going to put any money on it but weirder shit has happened. On the night before we open it is about as positive as I can get.

Is today Groundhog Day?

Having a sense of déjà vu with this news.


https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/sta...49670002569384

https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/sta...50630615626209

3 out of 4 in a not at all serious preseason prediction is not bad at all I would say.

I saw the headline this morning and started wondering if Smith is going to be out for a while. Any word?

No official word about Smith. Today, one of the beat reporters asked about a timeline on Braden and Steichen said he didn't have a timeline on his return.

The other odd thing about this signing is that Veldheer was hit with a 6 game suspension due to a positive drug test. Rather than serve the suspension, he retired. I would assume he will need to serve that suspension first unless he now plans to appeal it somehow.

I'll give you one more too, you were right about Stroud, at this point he appears to be the best QB in the draft....I'm afraid AR is going to spend more time on the injury report than on the field!

That's weird. Maybe he doesn't have to serve the suspension since he retired? Otherwise if he does then there's really no point in us signing him.