When it comes to playoff games

[albany ed]

against the Patriots

CJ Stroud is the new Peyton Manning

[Lov2fish]

He had 4 picks before ya could even catch your breath. He has regressed since his first year. Glad we didn't hock the farm to get him.

[Brylok]

Patriots had a dynasty, tore down completely, and have rebuilt. With the Bo Nix injury, they're probably going back to the Superbowl. And they're a very young team. Meanwhile, the Colts will finish 6-11 or 7-10 next year. With Daniel Jones on $40+M/year.
We are a poorly ran organization. Bill Polian should get a statue next to Peyton's.

[DragonTails]

Originally Posted by Brylok

Patriots had a dynasty, tore down completely, and have rebuilt. With the Bo Nix injury, they're probably going back to the Superbowl. And they're a very young team. Meanwhile, the Colts will finish 6-11 or 7-10 next year. With Daniel Jones on $40+M/year.
We are a poorly ran organization. Bill Polian should get a statue next to Peyton's.

This is sad and frustrating, but true.

We need a new GM among other new things.

[apballin]

Originally Posted by albany ed

against the Patriots

CJ Stroud is the new Peyton Manning

No how about against the Patriots CJ Stroud played like Anthony Richardson

[ChoppedWood]

How many of us have PSTD from turning on the TV, seeing the snow, and knowing the Patriots were going to win the Super Bowl?

[Brylok]

I'm just irritated, y'all. The Bears are better than us. The Bears. Smh

[sherck]

Originally Posted by ChoppedWood

How many of us have PSTD from turning on the TV, seeing the snow, and knowing the Patriots were going to win the Super Bowl?

My son made an observation....

The Patriots got a good young QB from their top 5 pick....

The Colts got....not a good QB from their top 5 pick....

What would the Colts record be this season if they had Drake Maye instead of whom we had (even when Daniel Jones was killing it)?

What would the Colts fans outlook be if our top five young QB looked like Drake Maye instead of Anthony Richardson?

My guess is that virtually no one would be wanted Ballard's head.

2025:

4,394 yards / 72.0% completion / 31 TD / 08 INT - Maye

4,085 yards / 65.8% completion / 25 TD / 14 INT - Jones/Rivers/Leonard

Ballard has drafted and signed a lot of really, really good players.

He just cannot evaluate, draft or sign a QB or a dominate Pass Rusher.

[ChoppedWood]

Originally Posted by sherck

My son made an observation....

The Patriots got a good young QB from their top 5 pick....

The Colts got....not a good QB from their top 5 pick....

What would the Colts record be this season if they had Drake Maye instead of whom we had (even when Daniel Jones was killing it)?

What would the Colts fans outlook be if our top five young QB looked like Drake Maye instead of Anthony Richardson?

My guess is that virtually no one would be wanted Ballard's head.

2025:

4,394 yards / 72.0% completion / 31 TD / 08 INT - Maye

4,085 yards / 65.8% completion / 25 TD / 14 INT - Jones/Rivers/Leonard

Ballard has drafted and signed a lot of really, really good players.

He just cannot evaluate, draft or sign a QB or a dominate Pass Rusher.

Drake Maye sets them up for another ~15 years of being in the hunt which is terrifying. He is a phenom who will win multiple MVP's. He personifies the modern QB.

But also keep in mind the importance of the Vrabel hire. He represented a full culture change that was required. They are back to being a violent beat you up defense- that defense is already on par with the dynasty teams, they don't have any "name" guys other than Gonzalez right now but there are stars emerging all over the field, guys who are going to become the Brusci, Vrabel, Harrison, Law's of this era- we will ALL know their names in the next couple years and they will be some of the best at their positions. Offensively, two hard running one gap thumpers who are fine lowering the pads and getting 3 as long as you feel that shit.

To me, that's not just a reflection of great talent being acquired, it's a reflection of Vrabel being in charge, he is a football guy who has built a culture of intensity and family. When you hear the excerpts of guys talking about him, man that is EVERYTHING that team is built on- him setting the tone as the leader for the whole fucking thing. When you watch him on the sidelines, he might as well have his pads and helmet on because he is that plugged in. His interviews are steeped in the power of the football family. You've seen footage of him crying with his guys, standing in the tunnel hugging every single one of them after losses, etc...

I think we are very much a reflection of our coach as well. A very very very finesse, very mechanical, very do everything by some kind of script precision vehicle. If everything is just perfect- if all the blocks are made, if the routes are 100% perfectly executed, it is beautiful, but if there's a slight misfire, things go to shit in a minute! It has it's moments, there are going to be times when it is glorious in form and i capable of leaving you breathless, but those are going to be moments, not seasons, not generations. We aren't built for that sadly. There is nothing about this team in its current form that feels like we are "tough", that we can withstand our QB constantly having the ball stripped from him, that we can line up and just tell you were are going to beat your fucking ass. Nope, that's not how we are constructed and that's not how I see our leadership at all.

[Oldcolt]

New England also prioritizes QB. They used a first on Mac Jones saw he wasn't the one and used another first on Maye three years later and developed the dude. Ballard gives the impression he can build this Super Bowl team (well now playoff contending team) and just plug in any old average QB and win. At least he seems to talk and act that way. It has been a fatal flaw as a GM. We have spent so much draft capital on defensive lineman and have nothing to show for it. Ballard has been excellent producing an offensive line but other than that I don't see great players (drafted) or decent depth anywhere on this roster.