Ballard season end press conference

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Comments from Ballard's season end press conference:

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...73333406146561

Ballard: The expectations are higher, and they should be because Frank and I have been together for 4 years.

We got our ass beat in Jacksonville.

Ultimately, that falls on me. Can’t point fingers.

https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1481675714403393548

"We embarrassed ourselves. Embarrassed our owner. Embarrassed our city." — Colts GM Chris Ballard

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...74021448130564

Ballard says it’s not just about the loss in Jacksonville, there were other games that the Colts let slip away, should have won those.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...83580657061890

Ballard stands firmly behind Frank Reich: “He’s a good head coach. Four years here, three winning seasons, and the losing season was my fault.”

Essentially says he doesn’t see how somebody would question Reich as a head coach. “We’re lucky to have him.”

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...76080096362502

Ballard, asked if he needs to make changes to the way he’s built the roster: “I still believe you have to be good up front. You have to be good on the o-line, d-line, and the QB has to play good football.”

https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1481676832428732425

Ballard on QB Carson Wentz: "At the time (of the trade), we felt it was the right decision. I’m not going to make a comment on who is going to be here next year and who isn't ... I thought Carson did some good things, and I thought there are some things he needs to do a lot better."

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...78062190317575

Ballard says one of his messages to Wentz was: “Let’s make the layups.”

Cites the Arizona throw as great, but he doesn’t need to make the big play all the time.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...78222127415296

Ballard, asked if Wentz can fix his tendency to always go for the big play, says that’s something the Colts have to work through in their evaluation.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...79132589277186

Ballard: “We’ve got a lot of good players and a lot of good pieces. You’ve got to have stability at the QB position, and he has to play up to his potential.” Says he’s not blaming everything on Wentz, but he has to acknowledge the importance of the position.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...84487113261063

Ballard downplaying the idea that Wentz’s cap hit would keep the Colts from doing whatever they want to do.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...80604500537344

Ballard: “Left tackle is what the left tackle is. We short-term fixed it, we need a long-term solution. We might have to short-term fix it again.”

Says tight end position group needs some work.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...88823847346184

Colts won’t move LG Quenton Nelson to left tackle. Says “Why would you move a Hall of Fame Guard?”

Does say it’s possible that OL Matt Pryor could be an answer at left tackle.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...85200086130692

Ballard says Colts want Quenton Nelson to be in Indy long-term.

“Quenton’s a Colt”

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...80425466609668

Word on WR TY Hilton and TE Jack Doyle is essentially what we knew already. It’s going to take some time.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...82367043493888

Ballard does say it’s fair to wonder how to maximize RB Jonathan Taylor’s longevity, given how special he is and the well-documented issue of too many carries leading to injury.

Says Colts will lean on RB Nyheim Hines as the No. 2.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...82709785235457

Ballard on CB Rock Ya-Sin’s injury: “I think he might have to undergo a procedure, but it’s not major.”

Says he doesn’t think Colts have any “major” injuries heading into offseason.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/st...85936182284289

Ballard says WR Mike Strachan is super-talented, but “he just wasn’t ready.”

Essentially says Strachan couldn’t make the adjustments, read defenses the way he needed to

[Hoopsdoc]

That’s quite a bit less than a ringing endorsement of Wentz. Which is encouraging.

If they try starting Pryor at left tackle I’m going find Ballard and kick him in the balls.

[Oldcolt]

His tone when he discussed Wentz would not make me comfortable if I were Wentz. From Wentz' previous history of being so mentally fragile it will be interesting to see how the douche reacts. It sound like no decision on Wentz has been made (a good thing) but I would guess that Ballard is leaning towards cutting him (just my take) but how Wentz reacts will have a huge bearing on it. Ballard took a chance, knew it was a chance and it didn't work out as any of us wanted.

[Brylok]

I'm starting to get tired of Ballard. It's been five years and we haven't even won the division. We're turning into the Pacers.

[ChoppedWood]

Originally Posted by Brylok

I'm starting to get tired of Ballard. It's been five years and we haven't even won the division. We're turning into the Pacers.

Big Lots is still Big Lots no matter the nice couches and yard amenities you put in the front of the store.

Dude loves him some Big Lots furniture and isn't concerned that the table legs snap after 3 months of use.

He needs to go too.

[rcubed]

thanks for putting that together. I watched/listened and my takeaways were:

Ballard (and probably reich) are not happy with the wentz experiment. The "make the layups" comment was very telling imo. He mentioned asking the honest and hard questions, about stability at QB position and although its a team game that particular position is crucial. On the flip side, ballard also talked about our rush to cancel someone based on a failure and not to make emotional decisions. This makes me think they will take a hard look at replacing wentz but will most likely come down to what options are available to them.

He is scared of burning JT out. Mentioned that to win the QB will need to make passes, cant strictly rely on run game. Also specifically talked how hines needs more touches, even quoted numbers.

The comments on LT means to me they will not be handing fisher a long term contract.

I did not really like his comments on the receivers. He seems to think more highly of the non-pittman receivers than many of us.

I thought the moment he mentioned Luck, quickly realized the situation and joking said he wont field any questions, was pretty humorous.

Although he said there will not really be a FA philosophy change, I felt like he realizes he may need to dip into that well a bit more.

[ChaosTheory]

Haven't listened yet, but just reading the excerpts... I'm glad he seems firm on Reich and Nelson, acknowledges Wentz being an issue not worth committing to, and seems to acknowledge Fisher isn't the answer at LT.

[DragonTails]

Originally Posted by ChoppedWood

Big Lots is still Big Lots no matter the nice couches and yard amenities you put in the front of the store.

Dude loves him some Big Lots furniture and isn't concerned that the table legs snap after 3 months of use.

He needs to go too.

And they could afford better furniture but they keep carrying that surplus to the next year. I guess it makes them feel all warm and good inside. (That's what she said)

[ChoppedWood]

Originally Posted by DragonTails

And they could afford better furniture but they keep carrying that surplus to the next year. I guess it makes them feel all warm and good inside. (That's what she said)

Spot on

[CletusPyle]

I think Chris Ballard read Donnie Walsh's book entitled "Owners Love Winners, Even Without Championships"!