Let’s cut the crap about this being Ballard’s fault

[HoosierinFL]

I def am not in the camp to think Ballard has built a bad team. I think it was clear already this year that simply upgrading the QB and coach was enough to get this team back into being playoff-caliber.

The problem though, was that we then lose said QB, plus have to deal with a bunch of losses to defensive personnel.

I never really bought much into that "next man up" stuff. I mean of course the next guy has to step up, but 2nd and 3rd string players are 2nd and 3rd string for a reason. You're nearly *always* going to have a drop off in play quality when you're digging down in your depth chart.

I do agree though that Ballard's emphasis on "measureables" in his receivers is a problem. His big athletic guys just aren't panning out. Pittman is the best in that bunch and in the end Pittman is at best a #2 receiver, but is really a possession receiver across the middle, and that's it.

If it wasn't for Reggie identifying Downs and vouching for him, we would still be struggling for impact at the WR position - but Reggie picked a non-Ballard type player because he could recognize that Downs knows how to play the position.