Originally Posted by Chromeburn (Post 211178)

Going to have to sign someone. Can’t just go year in year out without a passrush. He also looked into signing several top FA’s until someone else stepped in and overpaid. And I don’t know if Reddick qualifies as top tier FA. He is only 230 lbs.

Originally Posted by njcoltfan (Post 211184)

FA is not Ballards thing, every year Colts fans go into FA with a little hope, and each year the Colts sign “bargain “players while being outbid by other teams because Ballard has put a dollar amount on players, which he won’t go over. Expecting him to change is, dare I say foolish? He builds thru the draft, and next year the Colts will be in year 6, I think, of his rebuild of the Colts

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs (Post 211048)

Ben Banogu was drafted way too early for a developmental prospect. However he may blossom on another team similar to Jerry Hughes although not that good.

Originally Posted by rm1369 (Post 211088)

It’s pretty obvious where the weaknesses on the team are - pass rush, secondary, and WR are the glaring needs. TE becomes a question mark and LT depends on how they handle Fisher. The key to me is what you see the rest of the year from Paye and Dayo. If there is reason for optimism then next year is the start of a realistic window and Ballard needs to actually fill holes with guys who can compete - not just rookies. He actually needs to use FA to get COMPETENT level guys at WR and in the secondary. I’m not suggesting breaking the bank on the top guys. I’m saying not having to rely on 2nd - 4th round drafts picks to immediately cover glaring holes. Then use the draft to take BPA at anything other than RB or QB. Preferably CB or WR but I don’t want to see that be the only option for filling the glaring holes. Ballard has acquired a decent amount of high quality talent. He needs to now assemble a team capable of truly competing. Those are different things.

If Paye and Dayo don’t show reason for optimism then the only thing that matters is finding a pass rush somewhere. That may require drastic steps. But you aren’t winning anything without one.

Originally Posted by IndyNorm (Post 211188)

Eh. It's year 3 for Banogu and he still doesn't see the field. Could be wrong, but seems like if he was going to turn into something he would be getting at least a few snaps here and there.

Originally Posted by Chromeburn (Post 211178)

Going to have to sign someone. Can’t just go year in year out without a passrush. He also looked into signing several top FA’s until someone else stepped in and overpaid. And I don’t know if Reddick qualifies as top tier FA. He is only 230 lbs, they have him below Harold Landry who is nothing special.

Originally Posted by rcubed (Post 211197)

Seems like we a constantly hearing this though. For top players, someone will always overpay. So "looking into" them doesnt mean much to me. I am happy that ballard hasnt gone wild with our cap money, but if you really want some of these guys, difference makers, you will probably need to overpay according to your binder.

We have a pretty solid core. One or two difference makers could really propel this team.

Originally Posted by IndyNorm (Post 211188)

Eh. It's year 3 for Banogu and he still doesn't see the field. Could be wrong, but seems like if he was going to turn into something he would be getting at least a few snaps here and there.

Originally Posted by rm1369 (Post 211203)

I don’t think they necessarily need to be difference makers - assuming Paye and Dayo develop to give the team at least an average outside rush. The top level talent on the team is pretty good. They need guys to help fill the glaring holes with league average production.

Originally Posted by rcubed (Post 211215)

I wasnt specifically referring to pass rush, but was talking about any free agents.