Ballard

[CletusPyle]

This last game I saw some flashes from Pierce that make me think this guy could be very good if we could give our QB more time in the pocket. I liked that to get him more involved they had him running some shorter routes. He is quick and I think other teams know what a weapon he is and they have done a good job taking him out....Downs is the steal of the draft!

[Colts And Orioles]

Originally Posted by rm1369

Check the date on the article - it’s from September of 2022.

o


My bad for not pointing that out in my post.

o

[ukcolt]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

It's not a weak enough position to be called a hole. Pittman and Downs are better than just good (Downs looks like one of the steals of the 2023 draft class), and Pierce is more than a body. You could add talent there, sure, but DE needs talent more, and you could say the same thing about RB, TE, OL, CB, and DT.

What?????? We have 3 WR's of note and 2 RB's performing at a really high level, yet you think there is a greater need to upgrade the RB position? In fact you list just about every position as needing help.

Now I am not totally arguing against you in terms of depth. But how often is a 3rd RB used in a game in comparison to how often a 4th receiver is used? A 4th receiver will probably see 25% of the snaps at a guess, whereas the 3rd RB might see 5% if they are lucky.

Our starters on the DL i am reasonably comfortable with, Paye, Ebukam, Stewart and Buckner as starters and we have the rookie who's name i have yet to learn how to say, let alone spell....Dayo & Lewis often move across the line, that's 7 guys i have reasonably happy with. Could we add a superstar of course we can. Could we do with a run stuffing back up DT, yes, but is that really a priority we need to focus using resources on?

[ChaosTheory]

Originally Posted by ukcolt

What?????? We have 3 WR's of note and 2 RB's performing at a really high level, yet you think there is a greater need to upgrade the RB position? In fact you list just about every position as needing help.

I took it as him saying a DE pass-rusher is clearly a bigger need than WR. We aren't loaded at WR, but we have some good players and talent. So calling it a "hole" could be applied to several other positions by that definition.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by ukcolt

What?????? We have 3 WR's of note and 2 RB's performing at a really high level, yet you think there is a greater need to upgrade the RB position? In fact you list just about every position as needing help.

Now I am not totally arguing against you in terms of depth. But how often is a 3rd RB used in a game in comparison to how often a 4th receiver is used? A 4th receiver will probably see 25% of the snaps at a guess, whereas the 3rd RB might see 5% if they are lucky.

Our starters on the DL i am reasonably comfortable with, Paye, Ebukam, Stewart and Buckner as starters and we have the rookie who's name i have yet to learn how to say, let alone spell....Dayo & Lewis often move across the line, that's 7 guys i have reasonably happy with. Could we add a superstar of course we can. Could we do with a run stuffing back up DT, yes, but is that really a priority we need to focus using resources on?

I tend to take a 3-4 year view of each position. From that perspective, the Colts will need a new RB1 in that time, or at the very least an RB2 with an eye toward RB1, a premiere pass rusher and at least one rotational piece at DE, maybe two, a new NT and likely at least looking for the next starter at UT, at least one LB, maybe two, probably 4 DBs, and 2-3 IOL. The only positions that I could see being okay with only depth for the next 3-4 years are QB, WR, TE, and OT.

[IndyNorm]

Originally Posted by Racehorse

I think that was what he was waiting for. No sense wasting cap dollars when the QB is not going to be good enough to win against 660% of the teams in the league. Now if he doesn't push in a few more chips to the middle of the table, I will question his overall plan.

Not sure I follow what you're saying here. Other than last year we've definitely been better than bottom 1/3 of the league. Especially in '20 where if we would have had any sort of pass rush and a couple more weapons for Rivers then we're probably a top 1/3 team.

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

I tend to take a 3-4 year view of each position. From that perspective, the Colts will need a new RB1 in that time, or at the very least an RB2 with an eye toward RB1, a premiere pass rusher and at least one rotational piece at DE, maybe two, a new NT and likely at least looking for the next starter at UT, at least one LB, maybe two, probably 4 DBs, and 2-3 IOL. The only positions that I could see being okay with only depth for the next 3-4 years are QB, WR, TE, and OT.

RBs are instant impact, you can get that piece last. I wish there were better DEs and edge in the next draft. But there should be some good DTs. Given the development time DTs take, a couple years he should be ready to slide in as a starter. Unless they get a top five pick, I would try for MHj in that scenario. DT might be the best option. OT is a possibility as well, but I think we might be good in that area for awhile. Then I would go CB or WR, the BPA defense after that.

[Racehorse]

Originally Posted by IndyNorm

Not sure I follow what you're saying here. Other than last year we've definitely been better than bottom 1/3 of the league. Especially in '20 where if we would have had any sort of pass rush and a couple more weapons for Rivers then we're probably a top 1/3 team.

Fat fingers got me. I was trying to say 60%, not 660%. I was referring to playoff teams. This team will beat a playoff team from time to time, but not consistently. Minshew rarely does. AR gives us a chance, I think.

[HoosierinFL]

Originally Posted by ChaosTheory

I took it as him saying a DE pass-rusher is clearly a bigger need than WR. We aren't loaded at WR, but we have some good players and talent. So calling it a "hole" could be applied to several other positions by that definition.

The funny thing about our pass rush is that even though we don't have a dominant guy who is racking up big numbers, no Myles Garrett or Nick Bosa or Dwight Freeney, we are scheming sacks fairly well, tied for 12th in total team sacks, and there was a graphic in the last game suggesting we are leading the NFL in strip sacks this year but I can't find any stats offhand to support that claim - outside of being tied for 4th in forced fumbles.

So yea a great sack monster player would be nice, but right now it just doesn't look like a huge priority compared to the secondary which is currently a patchwork of backups and Kenny Moore.

[IndyNorm]

Originally Posted by Racehorse

Fat fingers got me. I was trying to say 60%, not 660%. I was referring to playoff teams. This team will beat a playoff team from time to time, but not consistently. Minshew rarely does. AR gives us a chance, I think.

Gotcha. Yeah, I don't blame him for not going all in w/ a rookie QB. Hopefully AR shows he can stay healthy next year and keeps progressing then Ballard is ready and willing to go all in in '25.