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Oldcolt 11-06-2025 10:25 AM
Ballard
 
I supported Ballard for the first 7 years he was gm. I finally got sick of mediocre QB play and holes in the team he was unwilling to fill because he would only use the draft to build a team. He has blown me out of the water this last year and has done everything I was pissed he never did before. Starting with actually fixing the backfield with of all things free agency and a trade for the ages. He has been a genius drafting offensive lineman, absolutely incredible what he has done there. When Luck retired I remember Ballard saying you don't need a franchise QB to win if you have a good well rounded team. Well I thought that made sense then and now we are about to put it to a real test. He took a swing with AR (unlike most of you I think that story hasn't fully played out yet-i believe that sitting behind a well run and functioning team is exactly what this young man needs) then finally found an adequate QB (again in my mind the fact that Jones and Steichen are on the same page is huge). This is such a radical change I have to give huge props to our new owners, no way they didn't have s huge hand in doing this. First time in many years I actually believe we are in the hunt. Loving this as we are finally using everything available to build. Ballard will be here a long time and I couldn't be more happy about it.

albany ed 11-06-2025 11:04 AM
When ranking GMs in the NFL, I don't think Ballard is in the top 10 or even the top 20. But, that may change if the Colts can go deep in the playoffs. If they somehow got to the Show, his ranking would go way up.

Hoopsdoc 11-06-2025 11:48 AM
Jones is the only starter on offense who wasn’t drafted by Ballard. I’m not sure how common that is, but i suspect it’s pretty rare.

The defense is a different story but that’s where Ballard has grown. Understanding that outside help isn’t always a bad thing.

I think he either had to adjust or get fired.

Colts And Orioles 11-06-2025 02:19 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoopsdoc (Post 333209)



Jones is the only starter on offense who wasn’t drafted by Ballard. I’m not sure how common that is, but I suspect it’s pretty rare.

The defense is a different story, but that’s where Ballard has grown. Understanding that outside help isn’t always a bad thing.

I think he either had to adjust, or get fired.



o


Also, Jones was acquired by Ballard, even though he wasn't drafted by him. And prior to the Sauce Gardner trade, the overwhelming majority of this 2025 team was put together by Ballard, under the late Jim Irsay's watch.

o

omahacolt 11-06-2025 02:42 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles (Post 333219)
o


Also, Jones was acquired by Ballard, even though he wasn't drafted by him. And prior to the Sauce Gardner trade, the overwhelming majority of this 2025 team was put together by Ballard, under the late Jim Irsay's watch.

o
we all know this

why the fuck would you waste your time posting this

Colts And Orioles 11-06-2025 02:49 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles (Post 333219)
o


Also, Jones was acquired by Ballard, even though he wasn't drafted by him. And prior to the Sauce Gardner trade, the overwhelming majority of this 2025 team was put together by Ballard, under the late Jim Irsay's watch.

o

Quote:
Originally Posted by omahacolt (Post 333226)



We all know this.

Why the fuck would you waste your time posting this ???



o


Because many posters here on ColtFreaks have stated numerous times how much different things are with Carlie as the new owner ...... and to me, that is revisionist history that I think needs to be rebutted in Jim's defense.

So everybody here on ColtFreaks "may know this", but they don't always act like they know it ...... if Jim were still alive today, the Colts would be right where they are now atop the AFC South with a record of 7-2.

o

rm1369 11-06-2025 04:38 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles (Post 333228)
o


Because many posters here on ColtFreaks have stated numerous times how much different things are with Carlie as the new owner ...... and to me, that is revisionist history that I think needs to be rebutted in Jim's defense.

So everybody here on ColtFreaks "may know this", but they don't always act like they know it ...... if Jim were still alive today, the Colts would be right where they are now atop the AFC South with a record of 7-2.

o
The knock for me has largely been Ballard’s willingness to push issues down the road to next year. We’ve seen it at multiple positions over multiple years. Enough for it to be a clear trend in my eyes. The way he has handled the secondary this year is completely different. This is not the same Ballard. His drafting has always been solid to good, but this is the first year IMO he has been in win now mode. You can argue it’s because of Jones and maybe for the Sauce trade that is true. But that is definitely not the case for Bynum and Ward. Hard for me to believe it’s not because he knew his job was on the line and the patience had ran out. It was asked in a thread early this season what it would take for Ballard haters to support him. My answer was basically a playoff birth wasn’t the end all for me, I wanted to see him be aggressive and attempt to win. Sauce could suck as a Colt and I won’t criticize Ballard for it. He’s doing what I wanted to see. He’s different than he’s been. I honestly believe it’s from ownership, but I don’t care. I can support this version of Ballard.

Racehorse 11-06-2025 06:17 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldcolt (Post 333201)
I supported Ballard for the first 7 years he was gm. I finally got sick of mediocre QB play and holes in the team he was unwilling to fill because he would only use the draft to build a team. He has blown me out of the water this last year and has done everything I was pissed he never did before. Starting with actually fixing the backfield with of all things free agency and a trade for the ages. He has been a genius drafting offensive lineman, absolutely incredible what he has done there. When Luck retired I remember Ballard saying you don't need a franchise QB to win if you have a good well rounded team. Well I thought that made sense then and now we are about to put it to a real test. He took a swing with AR (unlike most of you I think that story hasn't fully played out yet-i believe that sitting behind a well run and functioning team is exactly what this young man needs) then finally found an adequate QB (again in my mind the fact that Jones and Steichen are on the same page is huge). This is such a radical change I have to give huge props to our new owners, no way they didn't have s huge hand in doing this. First time in many years I actually believe we are in the hunt. Loving this as we are finally using everything available to build. Ballard will be here a long time and I couldn't be more happy about it.
I have a theory that his stance has changed with the passing of Jim. Carlie is selling the guitar collection. I think it is to free up funds to pay to improve the team so she can get a SB ring like her dad and her granddad. I don't think Jim wanted to spend as freely, and the guitar obsession caused it. Freeing the assets will lead to a more active free agency for the team in the future, IMO.

Dam8610 11-06-2025 06:53 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by albany ed (Post 333203)
When ranking GMs in the NFL, I don't think Ballard is in the top 10 or even the top 20. But, that may change if the Colts can go deep in the playoffs. If they somehow got to the Show, his ranking would go way up.
That doesn't make any sense. His job is not to win games, that's the coaching staff's job. His job is to put together the most talented roster possible for the coaching staff. In that respect, he's been top 5 in the league. This most recent move is very high risk, high reward. Basically, Gardner needs to be an All-Pro for this to be worth it. If he's not, Ballard may have made the team worse, which is poor job performance for a GM.

Kray007 11-06-2025 07:20 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by albany ed (Post 333203)
When ranking GMs in the NFL, I don't think Ballard is in the top 10 or even the top 20. But, that may change if the Colts can go deep in the playoffs. If they somehow got to the Show, his ranking would go way up.
NFL GM rankings usually come down to one thing, whether you have a Quarterback. If you do, you’re automatically a genius. If you don’t…

YDFL Commish 11-06-2025 07:37 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles (Post 333228)
o
if Jim were still alive today, the Colts would be right where they are now atop the AFC South with a record of 7-2.

o
This is absolute Bullshit and I think that you know it. Jim would've insisted, that AR retain his starting role, he would not have signed off on an AD Mitchell trade either. The vibe in the building would've also remained the same as it has been for the last 7 years, which is to say Jim would not have told the world, that we have a standard and Steichen and Ballard have not met that standard.

If Carlie is being that forthright to the world, imagine her demeanor behind closed doors.

CletusPyle 11-06-2025 09:00 PM
He is mediocre at best....but he is made of teflon!

This trade gives him a fresh coating......:D

Colts And Orioles 11-06-2025 09:04 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by rm1369 (Post 333239)


The knock for me has largely been Ballard’s willingness to push issues down the road to next year. We’ve seen it at multiple positions over multiple years. Enough for it to be a clear trend in my eyes. The way he has handled the secondary this year is completely different. This is not the same Ballard. His drafting has always been solid to good, but this is the first year IMO he has been in win now mode. You can argue it’s because of Jones and maybe for the Sauce trade that is true. But that is definitely not the case for Bynum and Ward. Hard for me to believe it’s not because he knew his job was on the line and the patience had ran out. It was asked in a thread early this season what it would take for Ballard haters to support him. My answer was basically a playoff birth wasn’t the end all for me, I wanted to see him be aggressive and attempt to win. Sauce could suck as a Colt and I won’t criticize Ballard for it. He’s doing what I wanted to see. He’s different than he’s been. I honestly believe it’s from ownership, but I don’t care. I can support this version of Ballard.
o


The Colts would still be 7-2 and atop that AFC South, with or without Sauce. Daniel Jones was acquired under Jim's watch, and that has been the most significant change in the Colts this season. Like yourself, I won't come down on Ballard if Sauce plays badly or breaks his ankle 5 plays into his Colts career, but the addition of Jones was made while Jim was still the owner.

o

YDFL Commish 11-06-2025 09:14 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles (Post 333275)
o


The Colts would still be 7-2 and atop that AFC South, with or without Sauce. Daniel Jones was acquired under Jim's watch, and that has been the most significant change in the Colts this season. Like yourself, I won't come down on Ballard if Sauce plays badly or breaks his ankle 5 plays into his Colts career, but the addition of Jones was made while Jim was still the owner.

o
The owner in name only. How do we know how lucid he was, or whether or not he even capable of making day to day decisions?

Now you're just assuming things to fit your own narrative.

Indystu2 11-06-2025 09:16 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles (Post 333228)
o


So everybody here on ColtFreaks "may know this", but they don't always act like they know it ...... if Jim were still alive today, the Colts would be right where they are now atop the AFC South with a record of 7-2.

o
I disagree. I think the new ownership expects and demands winning at a level Jim didn't bring for many years. Jim was an amazing person, but the new ownership is all about the business of winning.

Oldcolt 11-06-2025 09:53 PM
I think what you say C&O stretches credulity. Yes, technically it was still Jims regime when Jones was signed. Two months before he died of a chronic illness. An illness that had kept him from speaking to the media for over a year. He had nothing to say about DJ publicly when he was signed. He was a very sick man. Reports have said that Carlie was making the decisions for the last year. You actually think it is totally coincidence that after years of doing things the exact same way, including two straight years of having AR starting (or more appropriately thrown to the wolves), Jim dies (when you are dead it doesn't matter one bit what you thought when you are alive for any of us) and all of a sudden the team sits AR, magically wins the first game of the year in a decade and makes a totally unBallard like deal for a CB but this would have happened under Jim? Maybe one is a coincidence but certainly not all. There is an almost complete change in direction. We will never know but we know that it has happened under Carlie.

rm1369 11-06-2025 09:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles (Post 333275)
o


The Colts would still be 7-2 and atop that AFC South, with or without Sauce. Daniel Jones was acquired under Jim's watch, and that has been the most significant change in the Colts this season. Like yourself, I won't come down on Ballard if Sauce plays badly or breaks his ankle 5 plays into his Colts career, but the addition of Jones was made while Jim was still the owner.

o
I’m not arguing that it occurred because Jim passed. I’m saying Ballard is finally operating differently. I believe the pressure and the belief this was Ballard’s last shot is what has changed his approach. We heard that he was on the hot seat constantly throughout the offseason. It’s not just the Sauce trade, prior to that they made the change a DC and signed Ward and Bynum. Go back to Bradley and throw out some collection of undrafted FAs and a couple 7th round picks and this team is not 7-2 IMO. Simply add Jones to last years team and I don’t think they see 7-2. Yes Jones himself was mostly a continuation of Ballards QB philosophy, but he’s also the first one that has been supported by Ballard with the completion of the rest of the roster. And that’s not hindsight, several of us have said this was the most complete roster Ballard has assembled. Coincidentally it happens to be the best team. Jones is a huge part of that, but pretending everything is the same and Ballard just finally has a QB is BS. I don’t care why it occurred, but it’s pretty damn obvious a change has occurred. My fear was that if they had a good season and his job was saved he’d revert back to his previous philosophy of “next year”. The Sauce trade relieves a lot of that concern for me because he’s already done enough to save his job this year (baring a complete collapse) and he still was aggressive in improving the roster now.

Colts And Orioles 11-06-2025 09:58 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by YDFL Commish (Post 333266)


This is absolute Bullshit and I think that you know it. Jim would've insisted, that AR retain his starting role, he would not have signed off on an AD Mitchell trade either. The vibe in the building would've also remained the same as it has been for the last 7 years, which is to say Jim would not have told the world, that we have a standard and Steichen and Ballard have not met that standard.

If Carlie is being that forthright to the world, imagine her demeanor behind closed doors.
o

The facts say otherwise.

Richardson was benched last year, under Jim's watch. Not only that, but he was only reinserted as the starter after Joe Flacco was literally the lowest-rated quarterback in the NFL in the game against the Vikings. If Flacco had played well and the Colts had beaten the Vikings, Richardson may have been benched even longer.

Also, unlike Gardner Minshew or Joe Flacco, Daniel Jones was given a $14 Million contract for the 2025 season......under Jim's watch. Jones's ceiling was clearly higher than either a 39 year-old Joe Flacco or Gardner Minshew, so he was brought here clearly with the intent of competing with Anthony Richardson for the starting job.

Regarding Jim's lucidity, you are presuming that he was not lucid enough to oversee the Daniel Jones contract, but that he necessarily would have been lucid enough to insist that Anthony Richardson be the starting quarterback for the upcoming season? It's nice to know how much of an insider you are in regard to the Irsay family.

You can claim whatever you want to claim, but the facts say otherwise.

o

Oldcolt 11-06-2025 10:24 PM
There is plenty of credit to go around. Jim oversaw the building of the base of this team. The finishing touches have come under Carlies administration. That one has built on the other doesn't take anything away from either. This team wasn't totally built in the last year but to deny credit to the current ownership seems wrong. Saying Carlie probably oversaw this last year (when AR was first sat) doesn't take away from Jim in my opinion. He certainly isn't running this now. When Carlie took over we will probably never know for sure but she clearly is in charge now.

Colts And Orioles 11-06-2025 10:46 PM
⁷
Quote:
Originally Posted by rm1369 (Post 333280)



I’m not arguing that it occurred because Jim passed. I’m saying Ballard is finally operating differently. I believe the pressure and the belief this was Ballard’s last shot is what has changed his approach. We heard that he was on the hot seat constantly throughout the offseason. It’s not just the Sauce trade, prior to that they made the change a DC and signed Ward and Bynum. Go back to Bradley and throw out some collection of undrafted FAs and a couple 7th round picks and this team is not 7-2 IMO. Simply add Jones to last years team and I don’t think they see 7-2. Yes Jones himself was mostly a continuation of Ballards QB philosophy, but he’s also the first one that has been supported by Ballard with the completion of the rest of the roster. And that’s not hindsight, several of us have said this was the most complete roster Ballard has assembled. Coincidentally it happens to be the best team. Jones is a huge part of that, but pretending everything is the same and Ballard just finally has a QB is BS. I don’t care why it occurred, but it’s pretty damn obvious a change has occurred. My fear was that if they had a good season and his job was saved he’d revert back to his previous philosophy of “next year”. The Sauce trade relieves a lot of that concern for me because he’s already done enough to save his job this year (baring a complete collapse) and he still was aggressive in improving the roster now.
o

OK, that may very well be true. Ballard could be operating differently this year. Prior to the Sauce Gardner trade, I stated that I would be very surprised if Ballard pulled the trigger on a trade that could potentially mortgage the Colts' future, because of the fact that he has been relatively conservative prior to 2025 ...... and then Ballard went ahead and traded away two 1st-round draft picks for a stud corner back. I do believe that this would still be a 7-2 team as it currently is if Jim were alive, primarily because of the vast improvement at quarterback.

o

Colts And Orioles 11-07-2025 02:23 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldcolt (Post 333201)



I supported Ballard for the first 7 years he was gm. I finally got sick of mediocre QB play and holes in the team he was unwilling to fill because he would only use the draft to build a team. He has blown me out of the water this last year and has done everything I was pissed he never did before. Starting with actually fixing the backfield with of all things free agency and a trade for the ages. He has been a genius drafting offensive lineman, absolutely incredible what he has done there. When Luck retired I remember Ballard saying you don't need a franchise QB to win if you have a good well rounded team. Well I thought that made sense then and now we are about to put it to a real test. He took a swing with AR (unlike most of you I think that story hasn't fully played out yet-i believe that sitting behind a well run and functioning team is exactly what this young man needs) then finally found an adequate QB (again in my mind the fact that Jones and Steichen are on the same page is huge). This is such a radical change I have to give huge props to our new owners, no way they didn't have s huge hand in doing this. First time in many years I actually believe we are in the hunt. Loving this as we are finally using everything available to build. Ballard will be here a long time and I couldn't be more happy about it.



o


I'm glad that you overcame pancreatic cancer ...... like yourself, I didn't know that there was a "good kind", I was only aware of the one in which is almost always a death-sentence for the patient (less than 10% of pancreatic cancer patients are still alive 5 years after being diagnosed.)

o

Oldcolt 11-07-2025 10:45 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colts And Orioles (Post 333300)
o


I'm glad that you overcame pancreatic cancer ...... like yourself, I didn't know that there was a "good kind", I was only aware of the one in which is almost always a death-sentence for the patient (less than 10% of pancreatic cancer patients are still alive 5 years after being diagnosed.)

o
I appreciate that. Everyone I know who is old has some sort of thing like this that they have dealt with. I got lucky for now, we all know how this turns out eventually.

Colts And Orioles 01-05-2026 09:22 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldcolt (Post 333201)



I supported Ballard for the first 7 years he was team's GM. I finally got sick of mediocre QB play and holes in the team he was unwilling to fill because he would only use the draft to build a team. He has blown me out of the water this last year and has done everything I was pissed he never did before. Starting with actually fixing the backfield with of all things free agency and a trade for the ages. He has been a genius drafting offensive lineman, absolutely incredible what he has done there. When Luck retired I remember Ballard saying you don't need a franchise QB to win if you have a good well rounded team. Well I thought that made sense then and now we are about to put it to a real test. He took a swing with AR (unlike most of you I think that story hasn't fully played out yet-i believe that sitting behind a well run and functioning team is exactly what this young man needs) then finally found an adequate QB (again in my mind the fact that Jones and Steichen are on the same page is huge.) This is such a radical change ...... I have to give huge props to our new owners, no way they didn't have a huge hand in doing this. First time in many years I actually believe we are in the hunt. I'm loving this, as we are finally using everything available to build. Ballard will be here for a long time, and I couldn't be more happy about it.



o


I may be one of the few that is glad that Ballard is coming back in 2026, also ...... the Colts have had 2 quarterbacks that worked well with the teams that he has assembled (Philip Rivers in 2020, and Daniel Jones in the first 10 games of the 2025 season), but only 1 season as a bona-fide contender in his 9 year tenure as the team's GM (2017 through 2025), but I'm still glad that he's coming back.

o

Oldcolt 01-05-2026 09:54 AM
I was premature in my initial assessment of Ballard this year. Am not happy he is back but hope I am wrong


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