Ballard

[Oldcolt]

This guy is a great general manager. He said when he came here he would build from the trenches. Said he would build the core thru the draft. Everyone says that. He actually did it. He made 29 picks between 2017-2019. Every one of them remains in the NFL. Ten project to be starters on the Colts. Twenty three are still with this team (props to Zac Keefer of Atlantic for this info). As long as we keep this administration we are going to be a good fun team to root for year in and year out. That's good, cause good or not I'll be rooting for them.

[Maniac]

Ballard has done a great job.

If Luck hadn't retired, this team would be a strong superbowl contender. We'll see how Rivers can do at his age.

[rcubed]

Saw this on Reddit. Didnt fact check it but with all ballards trading its seems believable. He has done a great job, so glad we moved on from greaseball.

“Ballard turned three first round picks into Q Nelson, Braden Smith, Turay, J Wilkens, Ya Sin, Banogu, M Tell, Buckner, Pittman Jr.”


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[Chromeburn]

I think he has strengthen the team overall, and he got shafted when Luck retired. That would doom a lot of front offices.

But I still want to see a couple things.

Can they find a QB? Rivers is a stopgap, and Eason is a 4th round pick with some tools to work with. I bet they take a QB next year too. Draft till you find one.

We need more playmaking on offense. Is Pittman, Campbell, and the Wisky RB the solution? We will find out.

We need passrush and a young pass rusher. We have a vet picking up the slack. Time for one of these young guys to pick it up.

I think we are a more solid and deeper team. I’m looking for a little more playmaking. Turnovers, pressures, sacks in D. Chunk plays, big plays on O.

[1965southpaw]

My favorite Ballard quote from the draft (re: Easom) .................

“He was a fourth-round pick,” Ballard pleaded. “We didn’t move up to the first pick of the draft. Jacob’s got talent. He’s got to work and he’s got to earn it. … Let’s slow our roll a little bit in terms of tagging this guy as the next messiah walking into town.”

Instead of proclaiming him the next Ed Reed, he sends a clear message to a QB prospect with a questionable work ethic that he's currently competing for third place on this roster against Chad Kelly. He's doing exactly what he said he was going to do re: creating a culture of competition and accountability and I love it!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl...on/ar-BB13h0el

[Oldcolt]

I remember Polian saying (it may not have been in this exact context) that if you hit over 50% of your draft choices you were damn good.

[Ironshaft]

Originally Posted by rcubed

Saw this on Reddit. Didnt fact check it but with all ballards trading its seems believable. He has done a great job, so glad we moved on from greaseball.

“Ballard turned three first round picks into Q Nelson, Braden Smith, Turay, J Wilkens, Ya Sin, Banogu, M Tell, Buckner, Pittman Jr.”


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Expectation of a 1st round draft choice:
-- Be a Day One starter
-- Perform as a superior NFL talent

1st round talent equivalents:
-- Quenton Nelson
-- Braden Smith
-- DeForest Buckner (projecting but I think it is a safe bet)

Gained 2nd round picks that flash potential but are not yet reliable superior performers (may become one, may not):
-- Kamoko Turray
-- Ben Banogu
-- Rock Ya Sin
-- Michael Pittman Jr

Lower round guys who appear to be great depth pieces:
-- Jordan Wilkins
-- Marvell Tell

That is UNBELIEVABLE value for three 1st round picks.

He still got three guys who are day one superior contributors (again, projecting for Buckner), 4 more guys whom we hope will turn into mainstays on the team and then two guys who are quality depth.

I love watching Ballard work the draft. If he continues to do what he has done so far, we are in great hands for years/decades to come.

[Maniac]

Originally Posted by Ironshaft

Expectation of a 1st round draft choice:
-- Be a Day One starter
-- Perform as a superior NFL talent

1st round talent equivalents:
-- Quenton Nelson
-- Braden Smith
-- DeForest Buckner (projecting but I think it is a safe bet)

Gained 2nd round picks that flash potential but are not yet reliable superior performers (may become one, may not):
-- Kamoko Turray
-- Ben Banogu
-- Rock Ya Sin
-- Michael Pittman Jr

Lower round guys who appear to be great depth pieces:
-- Jordan Wilkins
-- Marvell Tell

That is UNBELIEVABLE value for three 1st round picks.

He still got three guys who are day one superior contributors (again, projecting for Buckner), 4 more guys whom we hope will turn into mainstays on the team and then two guys who are quality depth.

I love watching Ballard work the draft. If he continues to do what he has done so far, we are in great hands for years/decades to come.

How has Michael Pittman flashed potential in the NFL? He hasn't played a single down. What he did in college doesn't count anymore. I mean, I get that he HAS potential, but he hasn't shown any for us yet, so let's wait to start putting him on these lists until we see something.

[Brylok]

Originally Posted by Maniac

Ballard has done a great job.

If Luck hadn't retired, this team would be a strong superbowl contender. We'll see how Rivers can do at his age.

QUIT. He faked a cankle injury and QUIT. Then he stole $24M of Jim's money on the way home. Other than that your post is spot on.

[apballin]

Originally Posted by Brylok

QUIT. He faked a cankle injury and QUIT. Then he stole $24M of Jim's money on the way home. Other than that your post is spot on.

I can never question the toughness of a guy that stayed in a game and was pissing blood that night