To put the running game in context

[DrSpaceman]

Ballard trades back and gets a solid OL for probably the next decade, something sorely needed, plus more picks, gets another starting OL and a MLB who really is a difference maker for the D, another huge area of need for the team., in the second round.....

And people are complaining he didn't get more.

Tough crowd

Even if the Bills reported it, I still never know how real those stories are around draft picks. Polian made all sorts of claims about wanting this pick or that pick or just missing on someone or a trade offer, much of it I think was always him blowing smoke up our asses. Couldn't trust half of it

[Oldcolt]

We have been trying to find a fix for this offensive line for what, 10 12 years. Even when we had a running game it was never like this. When Edge was at his peak he would make moves and plays that left me wondering how he possibly could do that. Now I wonder how we could possibly open up such huge holes. Considering all of the money and draft capital we have invested without anything to show for it fixing it, and fixing it like this, with (in addition to incredible coaching) a number 6 and number 37 draft pick is a steal for this particular club.

[omahacolt]

Originally Posted by Puck

Oh absolutely, BUt I disagree and I dont see another what we would have gotten to this level of production so fast without Nelson for sure. But adding Smith was a super plus. Add that to Kelly who doesnt get enough credit IMO and finally getting AC back makes the whole vision that Ballard/Reich had in mind explode into view.
Glowinski and Slaussen were also very good additions. The oline is fixed We can move on to other areas.

Coaches can say they are gonna protect #12.... these guys pulled it off in their first draft together.

Ballard has already said that next yrs draft is about defense... and said it will be a very top heavy defensive draft. I assume he means as a league and as a team.

In this defense we are probably only about 3 high draft picks/FA's from being a top 5-7 defense.

3Tech Hopefully Lewis
SS need a Bob Sanders
and an edge rush to go along with Lewis when/if he moves outside on passing downs (Ballard already said he would do this) or one of the young guys already on the team. The rest of the D needs upgraded but not all have to be superstars in this defense and it doesnt have to be next yr.. Also need one really good zone/man corner.

Offense.... only thing I see right now is a need at WR. I'm not putting my bets on Caine. Not sure why everyone thinks he will be the for sure #2 behind TY.... Find someone who can move the chains like Reggie did in the 3rd or 4th round and keep feeding the TE's

but there were ways to improve the oline and get a good one without drafting nelson. it is really a pointless argument imo. we needed the oline fixed, and we seem to have it. with depth i might add. i like how Clark stepped up.

we need amost a whole dline. sheard is ok but very replaceable. the interior of the line needs almost completely redone. and turay has shown flashes but thats about it.

we have a huge need at cb. another safety is needed. also could use a replacement to walker. although i do like him.

we have a way to go before we get a top 5 d

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

but there were ways to improve the oline and get a good one without drafting nelson. it is really a pointless argument imo. we needed the oline fixed, and we seem to have it. with depth i might add. i like how Clark stepped up.

we need amost a whole dline. sheard is ok but very replaceable. the interior of the line needs almost completely redone. and turay has shown flashes but thats about it.

we have a huge need at cb. another safety is needed. also could use a replacement to walker. although i do like him.

we have a way to go before we get a top 5 d

Yep. The decision was made, so it's better just to look at the outcome. The offensive line is better, but the defense is still pretty terrible. Hopefully Ballard can do a similar overhaul of the defense in 2019 as he did for the OL in 2018.

[JAFF]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

but there were ways to improve the oline and get a good one without drafting nelson. it is really a pointless argument imo. we needed the oline fixed, and we seem to have it. with depth i might add. i like how Clark stepped up.

we need amost a whole dline. sheard is ok but very replaceable. the interior of the line needs almost completely redone. and turay has shown flashes but thats about it.

we have a huge need at cb. another safety is needed. also could use a replacement to walker. although i do like him.

we have a way to go before we get a top 5 d

The team needs more D. Absolutely

But there is 8 more games. A lot of young guys out there now, and the learning curve is brutal. At the end of the season, some of those guys will have grown, gotten better. It might not be that bad. 8 games is a lot of time in the NFL. You think Leonard is good now, wait until the last game. He's going to be scary

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

but there were ways to improve the oline and get a good one without drafting nelson. it is really a pointless argument imo. we needed the oline fixed, and we seem to have it. with depth i might add. i like how Clark stepped up.

we need amost a whole dline. sheard is ok but very replaceable. the interior of the line needs almost completely redone. and turay has shown flashes but thats about it.

we have a huge need at cb. another safety is needed. also could use a replacement to walker. although i do like him.

we have a way to go before we get a top 5 d

Agree with all of this, except Walker. We are getting virtually no production at SAM, where they have rotateing 3 players, Goode, Franklin and Adams. While Walker is playing pretty well at MIKE.

Now, if the plan is to replace Walker and move him to SAM, then I may be all for that.

[JAFF]

Originally Posted by Puck

Anyone that wants to argue that drafting high for 2 guards didnt equal difference makers are nuts.

"Time is a great thickener of things"

A. Lincoln

If those two guys are starters 8 years from now, Ballard will look like a genius.

[rcubed]

Originally Posted by JAFF

"Time is a great thickener of things"

A. Lincoln

If those two guys are starters 8 years from now, Ballard will look like a genius.

Didnt this basically happen in dallas a while back? Jerry's son convinced him to take a bunch of OL with high picks and they had a killer line for years

(and cue someone saying they didnt win anything with that...)

[Dam8610]

Wow, this sparked a lot of discussion. My only point here was if the Colts could've traded down for something like 12 and 22, that would've produced a more valuable group of players than Nelson by himself at 6. An example would be Derwin James and Isaiah Wynn. Yes, Wynn got injured, but he may not have here. Wynn was a very good guard, and James has been an impact defender thus far. In fact, Nelson hasn't been so good as to convince me that Wynn couldn't have been similarly productive if healthy.

That said, Ballard chose not to go that route, and thus far the 2018 draft class does look incredibly productive. Hopefully, he'll make good on his philosophy of building through the lines by drafting DL in this draft early and often.

[sherck]

Really interesting article on Stampede Blue about Hines running (located here).

Basic premise:

So what was that point that I was bashing over your head the entire article? The Colts are finally using Nyheim Hines the way that he should be used. Hines is not a traditional scat back with great agility and shiftiness to make a play. He is a strong, downhill runner despite what his size says. Once Coach Reich realized this, he schemed plays that allowed for Hines to have his best rushing game of his pro career.

Early in the season, Hines was excelling as a passing down back but putting up fairly poor numbers as a runner. Once the offensive line solidified with Braden Smith at RT and Mark Glowinski at RG, running lanes have opened up tremendously for the Colts running backs. Coach Reich realized the best way to utilize Hines and Mack is to not make them these runners with great vision. Rather, allow these two great athletes to use their athleticism to create big plays through the big holes that his offensive line is creating.

Am I saying that Hines is a bad player? Not at all, in fact he has played remarkably well this year. All I am saying is that he is not a complete back and he is not going to be this agile runner with great vision. Reich understands that and is putting a very good role player in a role where he can find the most success.

Cannot argue with the results of the past three weeks.

Walk Worthy,