Colts Release Leonard

[Racehorse]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

Also, random aside in part thanks to thread necromancer C & O, but I'm starting to think Ballard's conservatism will be his downfall. This is a perfect example. Last offseason, Shaq Leonard likely had some trade value, especially with the Bears. But in a situation that required Ballard to swing for the fences and creatively use his assets, he sat on his hands and let other teams decide his fate. If you think Jonathan Taylor wouldn't have had as much or more value than D.J. Moore, you're crazy. The Colts likely could've gotten the #1 pick without giving up 2 1st round picks by trading Leonard and Taylor, and could've had the QB that looks like he's going to haunt the AFC South for the next decade. The Colts then could've resigned Okereke for the same contract he got with the Giants, and the Colts could be back on top of the AFC South for the next decade. Now, the Colts got nothing for Leonard, and Taylor is great, but I'd trade him and a lot more for Stroud right now.

Nobody was going to trade for Leonard. If they were likely to have done so back then, they would have claimed him off waivers.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Racehorse

Nobody was going to trade for Leonard. If they were likely to have done so back then, they would have claimed him off waivers.

You don't think he's lost value in the last eight months?

[apballin]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

You don't think he's lost value in the last eight months?

It’s not about value with the Colts… it’s simple really…. They want guys that wanna be here and wanna play for the shoe

Leonard sealed his fate by going to the media and complaining about coaching and playing time

And I’m sure more was said in that meeting with Bradley when he told him he’d be inactive. That was probably the final straw

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

AR will have a better career than that POS Stroud.

My heart is with you, but my head says a glass cannon only fires once and the best ability is availability.

Originally Posted by apballin

It’s not about value with the Colts… it’s simple really…. They want guys that wanna be here and wanna play for the shoe

Leonard sealed his fate by going to the media and complaining about coaching and playing time

And I’m sure more was said in that meeting with Bradley when he told him he’d be inactive. That was probably the final straw

What does this have to do with my post? Not trying to be a smartass, I just honestly don't know how to respond to this in a way that furthers the discussion. The Colts are building a good culture, great. They should. What does that have to do with Leonard's value decreasing (or not) between the end of last season and now?

[apballin]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

My heart is with you, but my head says a glass cannon only fires once and the best ability is availability.



What does this have to do with my post? Not trying to be a smartass, I just honestly don't know how to respond to this in a way that furthers the discussion. The Colts are building a good culture, great. They should. What does that have to do with Leonard's value decreasing (or not) between the end of last season and now?

They weren’t trading him that was my point, he forced his way out.

As far as value they should’ve let him walk when he was a free agent because after the back injury he’s played like shit

[Oldcolt]

We will have to see how much glass AR is made of. Injuries happen. When they happen early in a career the pall of 'is this a view of the future' runs over it. Most of the time that is not the case. You liked Stroud better than AR but if my memory serves me I don't remember you ever, not even once, say that it was because AR was injury prone. To me AR wasn't injury prone then nor is he now. He has been unlucky and still has the mental and physical tools that seem perfect for a modern NFL QB. One last advantage AR has, and it is huge, is Steichen. I'll couch this in nobody really knows what will happen as we go forward. Fun to speculate though.

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

You don't think he's lost value in the last eight months?

What trade value do you think he had? A sixth?

[Racehorse]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

What trade value do you think he had? A sixth?

Dam thinks we could have packaged him and Taylor to move up and get Stroud. He thinks the NFL is just like Madden.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Racehorse

Dam thinks we could have packaged him and Taylor to move up and get Stroud. He thinks the NFL is just like Madden.

I think they are pieces that could've been moved as part of a deal that could have lowered the draft capital cost of the trade. 4, 36, Taylor, and Leonard for 1 isn't exactly a Madden trade, but IMO would've beaten the Panthers offer.

[IndyNorm]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

I think they are pieces that could've been moved as part of a deal that could have lowered the draft capital cost of the trade. 4, 36, Taylor, and Leonard for 1 isn't exactly a Madden trade, but IMO would've beaten the Panthers offer.

You're WAY overestimating Leonard's trade value last year. He was completely ineffective coming off a major back surgery, so he had to have a 2nd major back surgery. With his contract he likely would have garnered a conditional late round pick, not the 2nd/3rd you seem to think he was worth.

Also, you seem to be forgetting that Ballard priorities physical traits over everything else w/ his draft picks. So it's pretty likely that he had AR rated higher than Stroud on his draft board to begin with.