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- - Ballard (http://www.coltfreaks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=141308)

Interesting that the author of that article makes a lot of similar observations that those of us who have been critical of Ballard have made:

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When talking about Chris Ballard and the success he has had as a general manager, most will begin with the 2018 draft. Ballard moved back from pick No. 3 in a trade with the New York Jets and still acquired two All-Pro level players (Quenton Nelson and Shaquille Leonard).

Both players are tremendous and are key cogs of the Colts’ roster. Of course, building a roster around All-Pro level players was always a great place to start. That is — unless they play left guard and off-the-ball linebacker.

This began a key trend for Ballard- hitting home runs on positions that matter the least. For example, Jonathan Taylor is one of the best running backs in the league and yet even his dominance couldn’t lift the Colts to the playoffs in 2021. In 2020, the Colts gave up their first-round pick to acquire Deforrest Buckner and sign him to a mega-deal. Buckner is a game wrecker (make no doubt about it), but even as a top-five defensive tackle, he’s yet to have a double-digit sack season as a Colt.

Typically, around March, NFL media praises Ballard because he managed to acquire a quarterback for just a second or third-round pick or signing Phillip Rivers for next to nothing. While it does seem savvy to be able to gain a starting quarterbac for mid-level picks, you tend to get what you are paying for.

Moving on from Carson Wentz to the current version of Matt Ryan isn’t exactly something to celebrate. Additionally, the Colts continue to have holes at some of the most important spots on a roster: wide receiver, left tackle, edge rusher and corner. The Colts' roster is strongest where it matters least.

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Originally Posted by IndyNorm (Post 281156)

Interesting that the author of that article makes a lot of similar observations that those of us who have been critical of Ballard have made:

Ballard's pecs though, man puttin' in the work at the gym.

Can't stand him, think he should have been shit canned a couple years ago.

The author of that article hasn't watched the Colts. Holes at WR and LT? Pittman and Downs are both starting caliber, and Pierce is a viable deep threat, and the Colts are one of a very few teams in the league that have 2 players capable of starting at LT. I'd even argue they have the players at CB, they've just been hit by the injury bug.

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Originally Posted by Dam8610 (Post 281168)

we clearly need help at wr.

having only 2 good ones and just bodies after that is not ideal

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Originally Posted by Dam8610 (Post 281168)

Check the date on the article - it’s from Sept ‘22. At that time very, very valid observations. The question is does Ballard have the aggressiveness in him to ever put together a top tier roster and not push everything to 1-2 years down the road. We’ve seen it time after time. So often it’s hard to argue it’s not what he does. The question is: is that because he’s “rebuilding” still? Or is it just his philosophy. Unfortunately I think it’s the latter. He’s already had longer to “rebuild” that any GM I can remember. QB is in place, no more excuses.

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Originally Posted by Dam8610 (Post 281168)

rn beat me to it on the date of the article. You might be right on LT, although they've both taken a step back the past couple of weeks. Downs looks like he might something special. Pittman is ok, but nothing great. Everyone is JAGS. And the jury is out on CB. At the very least clearly our dept there is a big issue.

Anyway, I'm not beating the fire Ballard drum. Just pointing out that someone who covers the Chiefs has noticed the same shortcomings that a lot of us on here have.

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Originally Posted by rm1369 (Post 281187)

I think that was what he was waiting for. No sense wasting cap dollars when the QB is not going to be good enough to win against 660% of the teams in the league. Now if he doesn't push in a few more chips to the middle of the table, I will question his overall plan.

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Originally Posted by omahacolt (Post 281186)

we clearly need help at wr.

having only 2 good ones and just bodies after that is not ideal

It's not a weak enough position to be called a hole. Pittman and Downs are better than just good (Downs looks like one of the steals of the 2023 draft class), and Pierce is more than a body. You could add talent there, sure, but DE needs talent more, and you could say the same thing about RB, TE, OL, CB, and DT.

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Originally Posted by Racehorse (Post 281202)

I question the logic in acquiring two old vet QBs and not trying to fill out the rest of the roster. Regardless if Ballard has managed the roster the way he has because he didn’t have confidence in the QB, I can accept that. If he still doesn’t or this is really just his philosophy then I’m ready to move on to someone else. That doesn’t mean he needs to sign every big name FA this off season. It’s the constant gifting of spots to rookies and the disregard for mid level vets that I’m tired of.

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Originally Posted by rm1369 (Post 281214)

Agreed. You don't build your roster and go for it, until you know you have the QB. After 16 games from Manning, BP knew what he had and began building the roster.

We what, 8 qtrs of play from AR? Do we know what we have?

I think if you add either an elite pass rusher or CB in FA and MHJ, this team could go along way though.