[sherck]

My 2 cents:

1. The 2017 draft by Ballard was done with him still having to use Grigson's scouting staff / reports. The fact that we got anyone worthwhile out of it is a somewhat minor miracle.

2. The 2018 draft is the first one using Ballard's scouting staff / reports / criteria / guidelines and it is 5 months old. Why don't we wait for, I don't know, 4 whole regular season games to get in the books before declaring it a complete disaster. What? Too slow for you?

3. Ballard is not an idiot even though some imply on here that he should change his name to Skippy the clown. He has clearly said that he will sign quality free agents WHEN the time is right and they can come into the locker room, provide synergy and leadership to the club and help get us to the SB.

4. For those of you who are too blinded by your hate of all things Colts, the time is not right yet.

5. Andrew Luck is now in his 7th year in the league with about 5 1/2 years of play experience. The vast majority of long-term elite franchise QBs are most effective between their 6th/7th year in the league up until their 12th - 14th year in the league (look at the stats). Window on Luck is now just opening; not closing.

6. IF Ballard can build a team over the next 2-3 years that can challenge for the SB for the following 5 seasons, would that not be a good thing? Real Colts fans would say "yes" rather than chasing the "feel good" fiction that current year success is all that matters.

7. Ballard may not work out in the long run. Nothing is certain. But, holy crud, the amount of whine and hate in this thread for a 2nd year GM is truly unhinged.

8. You don't know football better than the professionals. Sorry, I know a lot of football and you know a lot of football and they all know a ton more than we do combined. Now, their vision about their knowledge may suck (i.e. Grigson chasing the feel-good current year success model) but even Ryan Grigson knows more about football than we do. To see and say that you do know more than Ballard and his coaching staff is just plain dumb.

9. That said, John Simon and Jonathan Hankins. Yeah, those 2 cuts I just don't get. Oh, I understand the "age verses reps for young players" and "don't fit the system" arguments but I think they are a bit weak. Those guys, IMO, could still be helping us. In Ballard's and Reich's decision, they could not. Of all the moves this year, those are the onese that I scratch my head most about.

10. Of course, the fact that Hankins has not been signed by anyone else tends to shoot my theory in the foot but, as most in thead are doing when confronted by logic, whateves.....

11. I, for one, am looking forward to this year's Colts football regardless of their eventual record. I want to see my horseshoes play an offense system that was invented sometime in the last century. I want to see a defense that, hopefully, makes plays. I want to see Andrew Luck slinging the football again. I think 7-9 wins and I hope I am right but I will enjoy this season (like all the rest) regardless of the record.

12. Find your enjoyment in the season and team we will have, Freaks. Rather than the team you wish we had. Are you a glass half empty or a glass half full guy/gal?

Walk Worthy,