I’ve never once called for Ballard to be replaced. I think he’s a good GM - great talent evaluator, but I believe too conservative to win big in modern league. Maybe it’s a part of our current black and white society now days, but fuck it’s annoying that the only two options are fanboy or hater. I’m neither. Look at the comment I responded too. I’m sorry that’s fanboy BS.

As far as coach or GM for wins, I see a lot more nuance. The colts are definitely a talented team. The questions for me are 1) if the talent is in the right place, and 2) how big are the deficiencies. The colts have had issues at major positions I consider conducive to winning - besides QB. If you believe in what he did last year at DE, then well…..we just disagree. If you think he’s handled LT well after knowing AC was on the verge of retirement again, we disagree. If you’ve been happy at WR, we disagree. I absolutely see the talent, but where it is matters.

That leads to the second issue which is how big are the deficiencies. Football is the ultimate game of match ups and if you have extreme weaknesses they will be exploited. Ballard has rolled with what I view as unnecessarily large deficiencies while waiting for a permanent, great solution he can draft next year. It’s cost the team in both of the last two years, IMO.

There is plenty to question with Ballard while liking him. I just keep hoping he either finishes the damn rebuild eventually, comes to the conclusion his methods are antiquated, or Irsay has enough and tells him to fucking win.

Both good (sad) answers. Bjorn Werner always jumps out to me. The #1 we traded for Trent Richardson also makes me want to hurl.

Who has said anything about a game changer? And for the record I acknowledge there is more time to shore up holes on the roster. But let’s be honest - if Ballard does it will be a change from his MO. There is now enough history to see how Ballard operates. And he has left glaring holes on the roster because there wasn’t the game changer that fell to him for bargain basement prices. Is it smart to not slightly overpay a mid level guy? Sometimes I’m sure it is. But what he put on the field last year at DE doesn’t win games. At some point that’s got to be what matters. They have a two year window (maybe 3) with Ryan at QB. We’ll see what he puts together, but I have plenty of reasons to be skeptical that Ballard will maximize the opportunity.

I hope you get to have that drink

There are still players out there; the draft, players who have not signed and players who will get cut before the season starts.

QB and pass rush were significantly upgraded

We’re already better we’ve only lost role players or special teams depth guys none of the players that signed elsewhere are game changers

Agreed, I acknowledged that. If he aggressively fills out the roster and doesn’t depend on the idea several of his draft picks will be immediate contributers, it will be a welcome departure from his normal MO.

Stephen Holder
@HolderStephen
I will say this: There are a growing number of agents out there who have told me the Colts are being way too stingy on spending. I can't speak to why that is, though some have theories. But regardless of the why, it is what it is at this point.

https://twitter.com/HolderStephen/st...00710886367234

Agents are like lawyers, you can tell when they are lying, their lips are moving. Has an agent ever said to a reporter, “ we wanted 2 million but ballard made us take 3 million?

I think folks on this board are severely underestimating the quality effect of a top notch QB on an NFL team.

Guys like to toss out that Ballard = Grigson because of their similar record. The huge difference is that Grigson had Andrew Luck to cover his weak roster and Ballard has not.

Ballard has built a roster than is in the playoff hunt even though we have been weak at QB for the past 4 years. Yes, I know Phillip Rivers was one of those years and we got to the playoffs and I think that supports my point that having a top QB helps in all things in the NFL.

Boo hoo. Waaaaahhh! Ballard has not signed MY favorite free agents. Ballard does not play that game, has not played that game in any season he has been here but yet continues to put out rosters that are fiscally responsible (which, regardless of other people's opinions, still matters), is loyal to HIS players and now has a QB that, hopefully, can make the offense hum.

Do I have confidence in Pryor at left tackle? Nope, but apparently team management does and I am good with that.

Do I wish I knew who was WR2, CB1, Safety3, OG3 and OT3 (the 5 positions I am most concerned about)? Yes, I do but team management is being patient. I sort of hate patient but I have trust in them that by week 1, we will have a quality plan and roster in place.

The question is, since you are all Colts fans and have seen how Ballard operations, why are you not being patient?