2026 Off-Season Thread

[Thorgrim]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

Chaos. Has there been a great player since Reggie White who has escaped their team in their prime? With the tools that modern GMs have at their disposal that is a rarity now. I really cannot give any serious props for that. We have been a middling team for 9 years. I fail to see how just keeping the same team intact gets us anywhere but middling. I actually think if we were having this conversation in person we would find a lot of common ground

We face no challenges that are unique. The measure of the front office is have they improved the roster by a measurable amount from the year before. I recognize this is quite a difficult task when you have a talented bunch that perform well and payoff in wins. Your players become more coveted and therefore more expensive. However, that can’t be said for a middle of the pack team that lacks talent. Every year a full quarter of the league will play in the divisional round. I’m not including the wild card round because some may argue that one and done does not qualify as success. How long has it been since we’ve played and won a divisional round game? I don’t care to even look because this team has been mired in mediocrity for so long that a wild card appearance would probably garner a ticker tape parade. The fact is teams build good rosters that are sustainable for reasonable lengths of time. We make bullshit excuses for this team and I have no idea why. Maybe since the Irsays don’t promote accountability we feel it’s illogical for anyone to. I don’t have much that would qualify me to do their job. But sometimes it’s what you don’t have that qualifies you. Those running the show on W 56th st. have a condition known as willful blindness. They seeming refuse to watch and learn what does and doesn’t work. The body of evidence speaks for itself. We’ve found success before and can do it again but it will require sound judgement and a willingness to adjust. My hope right now is that we somehow catch lightning in a bottle and we catch all the breaks for a year. I’d be happy to cheer for the blind squirrel at this point but I also hope that I never become satisfied with an inferior product.

[Racehorse]

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

We face no challenges that are unique. The measure of the front office is have they improved the roster by a measurable amount from the year before. I recognize this is quite a difficult task when you have a talented bunch that perform well and payoff in wins. Your players become more coveted and therefore more expensive. However, that can’t be said for a middle of the pack team that lacks talent. Every year a full quarter of the league will play in the divisional round. I’m not including the wild card round because some may argue that one and done does not qualify as success. How long has it been since we’ve played and won a divisional round game? I don’t care to even look because this team has been mired in mediocrity for so long that a wild card appearance would probably garner a ticker tape parade. The fact is teams build good rosters that are sustainable for reasonable lengths of time. We make bullshit excuses for this team and I have no idea why. Maybe since the Irsays don’t promote accountability we feel it’s illogical for anyone to. I don’t have much that would qualify me to do their job. But sometimes it’s what you don’t have that qualifies you. Those running the show on W 56th st. have a condition known as willful blindness. They seeming refuse to watch and learn what does and doesn’t work. The body of evidence speaks for itself. We’ve found success before and can do it again but it will require sound judgement and a willingness to adjust. My hope right now is that we somehow catch lightning in a bottle and we catch all the breaks for a year. I’d be happy to cheer for the blind squirrel at this point but I also hope that I never become satisfied with an inferior product.

To say that those who don't have torches and pitchforks out are happy with the records of the past few years. We are not. However, we do not see it as much of a doom and gloom situation like some do on here and other fan sites.

[Oldcolt]

Originally Posted by Racehorse

To say that those who don't have torches and pitchforks out are happy with the records of the past few years. We are not. However, we do not see it as much of a doom and gloom situation like some do on here and other fan sites.

This makes sense to me as one of those doom and gloom people. I’m sick of being on this carousel as I’m sure everyone is

[rm1369]

Originally Posted by Racehorse

To say that those who don't have torches and pitchforks out are happy with the records of the past few years. We are not. However, we do not see it as much of a doom and gloom situation like some do on here and other fan sites.

Honest question - you don’t see it as doom and gloom because you believe in what they have done and are doing? Or because you just always have a “this is our year” mentality and rarely criticize the team? I’m not saying that as a knock to that style of fandom. I’m just honestly trying to understand the continued Ballard support by some.

[Puck]

Originally Posted by rm1369

Honest question - you don’t see it as doom and gloom because you believe in what they have done and are doing? Or because you just always have a “this is our year” mentality and rarely criticize the team? I’m not saying that as a knock to that style of fandom. I’m just honestly trying to understand the continued Ballard support by some.

This is a great question and I will answer after Race. Since you directed it to him

[Thorgrim]

Originally Posted by Racehorse

To say that those who don't have torches and pitchforks out are happy with the records of the past few years. We are not. However, we do not see it as much of a doom and gloom situation like some do on here and other fan sites.

Fair enough. I didn’t mean to imply that they are happy. I was referring to those who every year refuse to acknowledge that things are going wrong. I don’t think you can paint the fans here with a wide brush. I was referring to a segment of our participants. Should’ve made that clear. In some years past I’d go whistling past the graveyard. I’m sure that’s true of many now. Im just past that. Others genuinely see the glass more full. We all have our own perspectives. I can respect that. I’ll be cheering for them.