Ballard season end press conference

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Comments from Ballard's season end press conference:

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...73333406146561

Ballard: The expectations are higher, and they should be because Frank and I have been together for 4 years.

We got our ass beat in Jacksonville.

Ultimately, that falls on me. Can’t point fingers.

https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1481675714403393548

"We embarrassed ourselves. Embarrassed our owner. Embarrassed our city." — Colts GM Chris Ballard

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...74021448130564

Ballard says it’s not just about the loss in Jacksonville, there were other games that the Colts let slip away, should have won those.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...83580657061890

Ballard stands firmly behind Frank Reich: “He’s a good head coach. Four years here, three winning seasons, and the losing season was my fault.”

Essentially says he doesn’t see how somebody would question Reich as a head coach. “We’re lucky to have him.”

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...76080096362502

Ballard, asked if he needs to make changes to the way he’s built the roster: “I still believe you have to be good up front. You have to be good on the o-line, d-line, and the QB has to play good football.”

https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1481676832428732425

Ballard on QB Carson Wentz: "At the time (of the trade), we felt it was the right decision. I’m not going to make a comment on who is going to be here next year and who isn't ... I thought Carson did some good things, and I thought there are some things he needs to do a lot better."

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...78062190317575

Ballard says one of his messages to Wentz was: “Let’s make the layups.”

Cites the Arizona throw as great, but he doesn’t need to make the big play all the time.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...78222127415296

Ballard, asked if Wentz can fix his tendency to always go for the big play, says that’s something the Colts have to work through in their evaluation.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...79132589277186

Ballard: “We’ve got a lot of good players and a lot of good pieces. You’ve got to have stability at the QB position, and he has to play up to his potential.” Says he’s not blaming everything on Wentz, but he has to acknowledge the importance of the position.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...84487113261063

Ballard downplaying the idea that Wentz’s cap hit would keep the Colts from doing whatever they want to do.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...80604500537344

Ballard: “Left tackle is what the left tackle is. We short-term fixed it, we need a long-term solution. We might have to short-term fix it again.”

Says tight end position group needs some work.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...88823847346184

Colts won’t move LG Quenton Nelson to left tackle. Says “Why would you move a Hall of Fame Guard?”

Does say it’s possible that OL Matt Pryor could be an answer at left tackle.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...85200086130692

Ballard says Colts want Quenton Nelson to be in Indy long-term.

“Quenton’s a Colt”

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...80425466609668

Word on WR TY Hilton and TE Jack Doyle is essentially what we knew already. It’s going to take some time.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...82367043493888

Ballard does say it’s fair to wonder how to maximize RB Jonathan Taylor’s longevity, given how special he is and the well-documented issue of too many carries leading to injury.

Says Colts will lean on RB Nyheim Hines as the No. 2.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...82709785235457

Ballard on CB Rock Ya-Sin’s injury: “I think he might have to undergo a procedure, but it’s not major.”

Says he doesn’t think Colts have any “major” injuries heading into offseason.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...85936182284289

Ballard says WR Mike Strachan is super-talented, but “he just wasn’t ready.”

Essentially says Strachan couldn’t make the adjustments, read defenses the way he needed to