Off-season moves
 

I wanted to start a thread to discuss what replacements we might be looking at, if the team moves on from anyone in the organization. I will say that I am not in the know on who is out there like some may be, but want to get your thoughts.

So, let's start with Ballard. If we move on, the only names I have heard are Louis Riddick, and Ed Dodds. I am not a Riddick fan, but Dodds might work.

If we move on from Shane, where do we go? The only names I have heard are Saleh, Rivera and Vrabel. Saleh is intriguing, but the other two are not.

If we get rid of Bradley, where do we go? Do we switch the scheme entirely to a 3-4? Who do we bring in? Eberflus?

What about the players? Who do we get rid of, and who do we target as replacements? I know a lot of this will depend on what higher moves we make, but let's talk about it.

Lastly, what free agents do we try to bring back? Fries is my top choice. I am not sure on many others.

Everything stays as is.
No idea about draft picks, but Ballard will trade down.
They will probably add a free agent or two to calm the storm.
A new QB will replace Flacco & Ehlinger. He won't challenge AR who will start and be an issue.
9-8/8-9

He got an extension last year (I think), but Buckner should leave if he can. He deserves better.
His agent should be putting in work.

I'll start with Bradley because he is the most likely domino too fall. Candidates I think that the Colts should consider are;

Eberflus: Hey, he had the 9th ranked defense before he left, he preached and got turnovers, no loafs, and hustle to the ball.

Rex Ryan: Only because the culture change would be seismic.

Rob Ryan: " " "

Robert Saleh: I'm in the corner of meh on this one, because I've heard from the talking heads that he plays a very similar scheme to Bradley.

Mike Caldwell: My surprise candidate. He did a damn good job in Jax before numb nut Pederson fired him. Now look at the sad sack Jags defense.

Gus has to go. There’s no way they can bring him back. He is 100 percent gone.

Beyond him, I think the next most likely candidate is Ballard. I’d say it’s a toss up whether Jim fires him or not. It may well depend on whether Jim thinks he can hire a guy to work with AR.

I think it’s at least conceivable that Steichen gets fired. I think it largely depends on the state of his relationship with AR. I don’t see Jim ditching AR this soon, unless things are a lot worse than we know of. So if Jim is forced to choose between the two, I predict he’d pick AR and try to find a coach to develop him.

The level of dysfunction in this organization right now is pretty incredible.

Wholesale conversion of this pile of shit- get rid of all these fucking idiots! Give AR one more shot with some new people in charge.

GM= John Dorsey
HC= Ben Johnson
DC= Al Golden
QB= AR
RB= Najee Harris

Care to elaborate on why for each of these?

Well it is no secret I hate MOST of the front office people currently in place.

Dorsey- widely credited with having overhauled a miserable Lions team in an extremely short period of time- we desperately need the same.

I hate to say it, I went into the season a giant fan of Steichen, and though I think his play calling has been suspect, his leadership seems to be very very poor. Give me Ben Johnson and his creativeness and aggression as a new direction. if we are sticking with AR, which in my plan we do for one more year of prove it, I want the most creative mind I can find to let him just go for it!

Al Golden- rumor is he wants one shot at the NFL before he hangs them up. The ND defense has been dynamic. He doesn't back down and he has been able to get incredible results despite incredible levels of injury. The scheme is 100% gas- they get after the QB and they assault the ball- everything is forward vs backward. To me a total revseral from dumb fuck Bradley's approach.

AR- I am not ready to throw him away just yet. Close, but not quite there. I have seen parts of the game where it looks like he could become a very serious QB. He needs a plan that allows him to succeed, and I don't think Steichen is capable of that sadly.

Harris over JT- I am tired of JT. Has so many moments of greatness, but you can't dispute the fact he is incomplete and repeatedly comes up small in big moments. Someone will probably be willing to give up a couple decent pics for him, so I do it because we need to stockpile young talent. We need solid football players from teams that have a history of being tough. Harris isn't gonna take it to the crib from 60+ 5 times a game, but he is going to stand in the pocket and allow his QB to get off a deep bomb, he's going to battle for 3 on 3rd and 2, he'll catch the 5 yarders in the middle and take the hit, and he is not going to drop the ball at the .5 yard line. To me he is the type of veteran bridge you want as you look to sign the back of the future.

I think they have to draft a QB to give Richardson some competition. He doesn't have to be 6'5" tall and weigh 250lbs, those guys get hurt to much, at least the Colt version does.

Or promote Bean and give him a legitimate chance to compete w/ AR.

I can't disagree w/ really any of this. Although JT would be a ~$12M cap hit in '25 if we release or trade him, so the likelihood that we move on from him this offseason is very unlikely.

So, you want to get rid of JT, but keep Franklin and Speed, aka the podcast clowns?

This speaks volumes about your mindset.

When I hear Mike Chappell say he thinks Ballard will be back that tells me we are stuck with that clown. Chappy is seldom wrong about things of this nature

Watching videos on the subject make me think Chappy is correct. Irsay isn't going to pay another fired high profile guy and eat that contract if he is not willing to spend for free agents.

On a side note, a lot of people point to turnarounds by other teams, but every one of those mentioned have made a home run pick at QB, which it seems we did not do. If Irsay runs it back, we better all hope AR has the work ethic and health this offseason to transform himself into what we all hoped he would have already become.

No, I put up my thoughts on what are contentious / "important" personnel decisions. I don't view either of those guys to fit that mold and have said several times- ditch all the WE>ME guys, which they would seem to reside in the penthouse of that shithouse!

Fair enough. I just read it as you thought JT was the only player you wanted to see replaced, whereas I want the Podcast Clowns gone. They seem to be the bigger cancers.

JT would be the 1st to go.

Do people realize that made 4 embarrassing mistakes in last weeks game alone?

1. Forgot the play and forgot the ball when Flacco tried to hand off.
2. Forgot to turn around for the ball and the pass hits him in the helmet.
3. Ran out of bounds (untouched) 1 yd short of the first down on 3rd down.
4. dropped a simple lateral from 2 yds. away on the 2-point conversion.

I just can't stand that dude! He talks a good game, but is as phony as fuck.

Yeah, after hearing that I figure we're definitely keeping everyone but Bradley. I wonder what the fan reaction will be. People seem to be angrier than I can remember in years.

I don't hate Taylor, I just don't like him much at all. He seems, to me anyway, like a GIANT douchebag personality and that was made 10X worse and more obvious during his holdout temper tantrum. And in his interview after dropping the TD in Denver he said something like "we would have had six more points". Just a dickhead in general. There have been other things. He has talent and elite speed and will score TDs, but I'm not a fan.

I’ve loved his game since he was at Wisconsin. I wish he was a capable of more and I hate the contract but I appreciate his skill set for what it is.

I just don’t ever want to hear that guy talk again. He sounds annoying, he is annoying, and this act he’s putting up like he’s a high character guy got fucked 2 years ago. Now he just comes off disingenuously.

We all know who you are, Jonathan. Fucking own it. Stfu and be the same prick you were two years ago, we’ll respect you more.

I think there are 2 choices here that make sense. One is what most of the fans want, while the other is what the most stable, consistently good franchises do.

1) Burn it all down. If you're firing Ballard, fire Steichen, and trade AR for what you can get. Ballard got saddled with a coach he didn't hir in his first season, and no head coach Ballard has had hired their own DC. This is an entirely clean slate for a new front office to go out and build what they believe to be a competitive team. They'll have to solve the QB problem, but there are solutions available.

2) Run it back with the same group one more time. Maybe Gus Bradley gets fired, but mostly keep the front office and coaching staff in tact. Bring in a DC Steichen wants that has a vision to compliment his offense, let that DC hire his own position coaches if he so chooses, and see if AR can develop into that franchise guy with a full offseason of being able to develop his passing rather than rehabbing his shoulder and a full training camp to learn what he needs to learn to grow and develop in this offense.

The first option is the option most Colts fans seem to want, but it reminds me of something the Browns, Panthers, or Jaguars would do. The second option is the one that would lead to incessant bitching from the fanbase, but is more reminiscent of what the Ravens, Steelers, or Eagles would do. I'd rather be in line with that second group of franchises.

That is my thinking. Yes, a lot of fans will light the torches and get out the pitchforks, but if it pans out, they will return. If the instability rules, who knows when stability will return and we return to a serious contender.

That said, if Ballard can't get the QB situation solved, and we don't get a DC who can elevate the talent there, I will bring the lighter fluid and pitchfork sharpener.

Ballard isn't even close to being in the same league as Eric DeCosta or Howie Roseman.

Ballard is in a league of one, his own ego is the only league there is.

FUCKING FIRE CHRIS BALLARD!

As much as my gut tells me otherwise, I just think they have to give AR one more year.

I think a good franchise would do so.

What they do around him, I have no idea.

Most likely scenario is Gus Bradley is cut loose. I don't think it's the scheme, necessarily, because other teams employ similar schemes to good effect. But the other coaching aspects, like weekly prep and motivation and actual gameday play calling were not there. Accountability issues due to being a nice guy could also be an issue.

I would expect Ballard and Steichen to return. I don't think Steichen has proven to be a liability. The main thing I worry about with Steichen is A.) Richardson, to the extent he's saddled to him even if he doesn't work out. B.) IF the accountability stuff is true. That's a coaching thing. However it's delegated, that's the HC. If position coaches aren't making sure guys are showing up/giving effort, that goes to the HC.

Insofar as any of that shit is true. If so, my guess would be the defense has more culprits.

Could be wrong, but I'd be more surprised if we didn't have full blown suicide watch this off-season because Ballard stays. If they let him go, he'll get picked up fairly quickly. You can believe the reason for that is because he's a trickster, or you can believe it's for a legitimate reason. I think ownership knows that, which is why I tend to think he stays.

I just listened to the Mike Cappell interview on JMV's Friday show again. For like the fifth time. The sadness and apprehension in his voice and response tells me that, definitely, Ballard, Steichen, and AR will be back next season. Gus is probably gone.
Prepare yourselves, super-angry posters.

Yep, that's how it will go down...unless, somebody pissed in an Irsay drink during these cordial visits and rides himself out of town.

Better sign a decent backup QB, that pussy might not make it to training camp

That's why I said one more time. I think if Ballard, Steichen, and AR are brought back, you make it clear to all of them that 2025 is make or break. Either AR becomes the guy and this team at the very least makes the playoffs, preferably wins the division and has a deep playoff run, or they're all gone next year. I think Ballard is generally a very good talent evaluator, but if you can't get the QB position right in the NFL, you can't stay a GM.

najee Harris? fuck that

Reminds you of something the Browns would do? Ballard has been here 8 fucking years. Firing him wouldn’t be a knee jerk reaction, a sign of unrealistic expectations, or constant changing of direction. We’ve seen what his “leadership” and vision builds. We know the end result. How many years do you give someone so that you appear stable like a good franchise? 10? 15? Might as well move the team now. All Ballard is building is an unlikable team and a disgusted fanbase.

Fair enough. Was just looking at RB's that:
- Can actually perform in all three phases
- Are available
- Aren't pussies
- Aren't known to be incompetent players that are a lock to make numerous stupid plays throughout the year
- Aren't gonna be real expensive
- Will be a player that 1-2 years from now can easily say "thanks for your services, our 2nd / 3rd round pick will now take the starting spot, good luck in the future, or you can stay here as a back up for $150 gift card going forward".

There are probably 10+ that meet these criteria and would be perfectly suited to replace a player that is WAY fucking over paid for what he really is.

I am just stunned by those that are somehow still either in Ballard's camp (prob like 15%) or are more comfortable with what you know vs what you don't (prob 85%). What we know, is he sucks, his record over a long duration of measurement, is proof of this. This is NOT something that is open for debate.

What is more confusing- there are a LOT of recent examples of drastic restructurings that have been successful. The Lions are a terrific example of it. Arguably the best team in football from being atrocious just a few years ago. They shook up everything and turned the entire culture around.

A lot of people scoff'd at Dion doing what he did 2 years ago at Colorado. Held a full team session and told a bunch of players they weren't good enough and they would be replaced. A lot of people said it would fail- they won 9 games this year and are getting huge recruits to come to their team. Hell Cignetti right in the back yard basically did the same thing.

I know, I know, college totally different, but the premise is not. It is time someone come in here, be given the latitude they need to assess and fucking just get rid of all the dead wood on this team. Ballard has proven HE WILL NOT DO IT! At some point, fuck man you have to rip off the band aid and fucking address the injury.

I saw a great piece with Belllicheat the other day talking about what it will be like at UNC now. Really simple statement; "we're going to have guys that love to play the game, if you don't love to do this, well then you probably need to find another place.". That message is very simple but very profound- he is looking for football players, guys that live for this shit. The Colts have way too many dudes that view this as a great way to make a living regardless of the W/L register. Fuck those guys- those are BALLARD guys!

Ballard had Luck for 2 seasons, spent 4 seasons trying to find a solution at QB, then there's been 2 seasons of AR so far. If you give up on Ballard, you're probably giving up on AR as well. A new front office certainly wouldn't be tied to him. I think giving AR one more year is the best option, because I feel like he's either going to develop into the franchise QB that the front office envisioned or he'll do poorly enough to get the team a top 5 pick so that when they move on, the new front office will be in good position to get their franchise QB. To me, that also means giving Ballard 1 more year, because he is tied to AR, which makes him motivated to put the best team around him to allow him to succeed, moreso than a new regime would be.

This was one of your criteria and you picked Najee Harris? There's a reason Jaylen Warren plays so much in Pittsburgh, and it's not because Harris is reliable.

And why Warren will be in a Steeler uniform next year and Harris will be in another.

You give me a choice between Taylor and Najee Harris, I take Taylor 15 out of 10 times.

Great. Terrific. And we'll be 8-9, 7-10, 9-8 for the next three years and he will then be completely washed and cut. This type of decision making, is driving Chris Ballard's 8+ year plan...

This TEAM sucks! He is part of the suck, but he has external value. We need to get value to rebuild with complete football players, not a player who can run the ball and do nothing else.

You think having more talented football players is not a winning strategy? I'm fairly certain 32 NFL GMs would disagree with your stance here.