Quote:
Originally Posted by VeveJones007
If they don't make heavy investments in UFA next offseason, I'll completely agree. I can see several justifications for not doing it this offseason, though.
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What would be "heavy investment" in your book?
In 2017, the Colts have added 12 free agents for a total 2017 cap hit of $35.480m. That is a lot of cheddar.
Of those 12 players:
- 3 are outright starters (Sheard, Simon, Locke)
- 3 are likely starters (Sean Spence at ILB, Darius Butler at FS, Al Woods at NT)
- 3 will likely be the primary backup to a position (Schwenke at OC/OG, Kamar Aiken at WR, Robert Turbin at RB).
- 3 are depth/developmental (Mingo, Hunt, TE Brandon Williams)
What is "heavy investment" to you? Big names? Top ten contracts? Just players you like?
Honestly, if you are hoping that Ballard is one of those GMs who pays the first day "hyper" contracts to big name stars, you should switch your loyalty to JAX or WAS. He has said that successful NFL teams:
Build the top 1/3 of your roster (i.e. your superstars) through the draft.
Build your middle 1/3 of your roster (solid starters) through free agency.
Build your bottom 1/3 of your roster via UDFA/low round draft/street free agent (depth).
Thinking that Ballard is going to sign "big" free agents to "big" contracts in the next year or three will probably leave you disappointed.
I think we are going to see a whole lot more of what happened this year. Signing guys who have played a lot of NFL games but have not compiled "elite" stats coming off their rookie contracts in their mid-20s whom Ballard believes has more in the tank than they have shown so far (Sheard, Simon, Aiken, Schwenke, Spence) or just completely underperformed their rookie draft position and can be redeemed (Hunt, Mingo). Give them solid contracts, give them opportunities, give them competition and he think he will get some diamonds in the rough out of that pressure cooker.
As long as he can nail some early drafts and get 1 or 2 superstars from each draft class (along with 1 or 2 solid starters), that strat will work just fine. Reserve your big contract money for players whom you have developed and know extensively and deserve it.
But, thinking that we are going to "heavy invest" in free agency by signing one of those way, way overpriced "stars" on day one is probably going to disappoint you.
Cheers,