Quote:
Originally Posted by rm1369
The weird thing is, if the team fails because of AR I’m more likely to give Ballard more time. As stated, I don’t fully give Ballard credit for AR so I’m also not going to hold him fully responsible for AR either. He was a risky pick, but the right pick given the situation. So missing the playoffs next year isn’t an automatic “fire Ballard” for me at this point - assuming the issue is AR not developing or being injury prone and not the lack of support from the rest of the team. If they go into the season with a raw secondary lacking proven even replacement level talent at CB or safety, if they again throw a mess of rookies and unproven young guys at the problem then I’m done with Ballard. And honestly that’s regardless of outcome. Playoffs or no playoffs. And it may be the case if the pass rush falls off like I fear may happen. Reports were Ballard was after Hunter, offered more, and he chose Texans. I’ll give him some leeway while I also recognize his history says he ALWAYS only looks for bargains so I’m confident he didn’t put out an offer Hunter couldn’t resist. Maybe that’s “smart” but the lack of aggressiveness is part of the reason the team is where it’s at. It’s where that great salary cap position should be used - to stretch on a need. Any one player or situation can be written off, but with Ballard it’s a philosophy. One I believe has and will continue to hurt the team until he changes or he’s gone.
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To be a successful organization long term, you have to trust the players you draft to develop and become good players. Everyone is upset the Colts didn't get L'Jarius Sneed right now, the Chiefs drafted him with a 4th round pick, then developed him into a good player. Would it have been nice to get Sneed or Hunter? Yes, but if Brents, Jones, or Flowers doesn't develop into a good starter, it won't matter how much pass rush the Colts get or who the starter on the opposite side of them is. And if the Colts got Hunter, that would've been a 2 year stopgap solution, they still would've needed to find an alpha pass rusher in this draft or the next one. I'd suggest Mo Kamara if they're not willing to invest in Verse or Latu on Day 1. But either way, they will not get where they want to go with a Free Agency spending spree. That was Grigson's style, and it didn't work.