It was Jim calling the shot

[CletusPyle]

The only thing about this that really bothers me...if Washington doesn't step up these three look like the biggest fools in the NFL. The way they trashed Wentz I am surprised any team was willing to take a chance on him again. It worked out great, and I am happy about that, but I refuse to give any of these three too much credit, they screwed up big time and simply got away with it!

[rm1369]

Originally Posted by CletusPyle

The only thing about this that really bothers me...if Washington doesn't step up these three look like the biggest fools in the NFL. The way they trashed Wentz I am surprised any team was willing to take a chance on him again. It worked out great, and I am happy about that, but I refuse to give any of these three too much credit, they screwed up big time and simply got away with it!

You aren’t going to find a team that doesn’t make mistakes on personnel decisions. Especially at QB where there simply aren’t enough to go around and the costs to acquire one (through any scenario) are highly inflated. Wentz wasn’t my desired QB target but he was a reasonable acquisition with upside. And for all the Reich blaming, he did milk more out of Wentz than the Eagles did. Just not enough.

I think media statements are largely overblown when it comes to front offices (not players opinions). You can’t trade Wentz without making it known he isn’t the solution. You don’t trade for a QB and then be willing to trade him the next off season (after missing the playoffs in that fashion) without it being well know in league circles he didn’t fulfill expectations. Irsay’s comments affected the fans (and maybe Wentz), but I doubt it affected Washington much at all.

I can find some fault with all three for different things, but the way the QB position has played out makes me thankful that the team has the owner, GM, and coach it does. It could possibly be slightly better, but god damn it could easily be a whole lot worse.

[CletusPyle]

Originally Posted by rm1369

You aren’t going to find a team that doesn’t make mistakes on personnel decisions. Especially at QB where there simply aren’t enough to go around and the costs to acquire one (through any scenario) are highly inflated. Wentz wasn’t my desired QB target but he was a reasonable acquisition with upside. And for all the Reich blaming, he did milk more out of Wentz than the Eagles did. Just not enough.

I think media statements are largely overblown when it comes to front offices (not players opinions). You can’t trade Wentz without making it known he isn’t the solution. You don’t trade for a QB and then be willing to trade him the next off season (after missing the playoffs in that fashion) without it being well know in league circles he didn’t fulfill expectations. Irsay’s comments affected the fans (and maybe Wentz), but I doubt it affected Washington much at all.

I can find some fault with all three for different things, but the way the QB position has played out makes me thankful that the team has the owner, GM, and coach it does. It could possibly be slightly better, but god damn it could easily be a whole lot worse.

You make valid points, I just have a problem with the "Ballard is a genius" crowd...I'm not saying he is inept, just saying that in this case, in my opinion, he was lucky as hell that Washington bailed him out. I doubt the Colts could have gotten Matt Ryan otherwise and I'm not sure he and Reich could have survived a losing season in 2022. Irsay really wants to win, I love that about him....for me, the jury is still out on Reich as a head coach, but as a person he seems to be one of the good guys!

[MeSayDayo]

Originally Posted by CletusPyle

You make valid points, I just have a problem with the "Ballard is a genius" crowd...I'm not saying he is inept, just saying that in this case, in my opinion, he was lucky as hell that Washington bailed him out. I doubt the Colts could have gotten Matt Ryan otherwise and I'm not sure he and Reich could have survived a losing season in 2022. Irsay really wants to win, I love that about him....for me, the jury is still out on Reich as a head coach, but as a person he seems to be one of the good guys!

I agree. But in the NFL, any GM has to get a little lucky to bring a Lombardi to their franchise. You either have to shit the bed enough to land a Manning, Luck or Burrow- and the difference between the worst team in the league every year and 3rd or 4th worst team in the league is very minimal.
The other option, which also requires a perfect storm, is landing a savvy veteran whose team is ready to rebuild ala Manning, Brady, Ryan, Rivers, Wilson, etc. Your team has to have the roster AND cap room to bring in a guy like this or it isn't worth the effort. In our case, we may be close to having both so making the move for Ryan made sense. I also agree that if we didn't, Ballard and Reich's seat might both be very warm next offseason.

Of all the top guys, I think Reich's seat is unquestionably the warmest and if he doesn't have a good season- he's gone. I like him, I think he motivates decently- but also has shown BIG flags in this regard and how our team showed up to the most important 2 games of the season last year.
Reich coached some great games but for the most part had all of us scratching our head about personnel utilization and gameflow/aggression decisions. If he wants to cool his seat, he should have someone else calling his plays so he can blame them if it doesn't go well.
Most importantly, Reich became the poster boy for the Wentz' debacle. This alone was enough to make his seat hot (how could Reich's love for Jesus completely overshadow the red flags regarding Wentz' leadership inability to be coached?)
Reich and Ryan will have a good season together and I think that will settle this narrative down plenty anyway.

Ultimately, I think Ballard has done so admirably with his damage control job this offseason, he is more than safe in his role. At least straight through the swing at a new young franchise QB- and if he fails, I suppose all bets are off- but that won't be until around 5 years down the road.

[Oldcolt]

I am going to call bullshit on Ballard being lucky. If many people here had had their way we would have signed someone immediately and not be there when Ryan came available. He signed Ryan and was able to do it because he continues to have a philosophy and doesn't move away from it even when things look hopeless. It isn't being a genius, but it is knowing who you are and what you believe in. Nobody is on any hot seat on this team, nor should they be. The team is headed in the right direction and will be a beast next year. Not because we will score a million points but because this will be a TEAM. Great on defense, good on offense and special teams. And it wont be a matter of luck that we are. It will be the organizational belief in a philosophy.

[Brylok]

Good. Fine. Wentz is gone and Ryan is here. What's done is done. Let's move on and get some more pieces in. Need WR, TE, CB, and S help.

[CletusPyle]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

I am going to call bullshit on Ballard being lucky. If many people here had had their way we would have signed someone immediately and not be there when Ryan came available. He signed Ryan and was able to do it because he continues to have a philosophy and doesn't move away from it even when things look hopeless. It isn't being a genius, but it is knowing who you are and what you believe in. Nobody is on any hot seat on this team, nor should they be. The team is headed in the right direction and will be a beast next year. Not because we will score a million points but because this will be a TEAM. Great on defense, good on offense and special teams. And it wont be a matter of luck that we are. It will be the organizational belief in a philosophy.

I didn't say he was lucky to get Ryan, I said he was lucky that Washington provided him the opportunity to get Ryan....big difference! I will give him credit for what he has done with the gift from the Commanders.

[ChaosTheory]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

Irsay may have made the call, but only after talking to a ton of people in the organization. He doesn’t make impulsive moves like Cowherd implied. Look at the process he went through to hire Ballard. He didn’t want to repeat his Grigson mistake. He fucking talked to everyone. To me, Wentz is a leadership vacuum. He got insecurity issues and I think it makes him aloof. That’s my read on the situation. Not even getting into his performance.

I agree about Irsay. I think it's trendy to make him out to be the rogue, unfiltered, reckless owner. I also agree with Wentz being aloof. I don't know about him being insecure and whatever... could be. But some people are (some combination of) laid back, less passionate, introverted, whatever. Qualities that don't lend themselves to being a top NFL QB.

I want our QB to have some fire and assertiveness...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odJL9FSla5Y

Originally Posted by CletusPyle

I didn't say he was lucky to get Ryan, I said he was lucky that Washington provided him the opportunity to get Ryan....big difference! I will give him credit for what he has done with the gift from the Commanders.

If anything, I'd kind of see that opposite. Matt Ryan wasn't on the table until a few days before he signed with us. That part was lucky. But having patience not to settle for a QB early and go out and spend all your fucking money and build a team and situation that would be appealing for him to join... I can't call that luck.

Same with Washington. I suppose you could say we were lucky that somebody needed a QB. But selling Wentz for a 2nd and a 3rd and his contract... Washington didn't come to the table with that price.

[rcubed]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

I am going to call bullshit on Ballard being lucky. If many people here had had their way we would have signed someone immediately and not be there when Ryan came available. He signed Ryan and was able to do it because he continues to have a philosophy and doesn't move away from it even when things look hopeless. It isn't being a genius, but it is knowing who you are and what you believe in. Nobody is on any hot seat on this team, nor should they be. The team is headed in the right direction and will be a beast next year. Not because we will score a million points but because this will be a TEAM. Great on defense, good on offense and special teams. And it wont be a matter of luck that we are. It will be the organizational belief in a philosophy.

I mostly agree. Ballard has his philosophy/process and sticks to it. But as in a lot of things in life, luck plays into it. If ATL doesnt inquire about watson, maybe ryan doesnt come available and we end up with jimmy g's bum shoulder, or baker, or who knows. Ryan fell into ballard's lap but as you said, his lap was open because he waited, bit of both I would say.

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

I am going to call bullshit on Ballard being lucky. If many people here had had their way we would have signed someone immediately and not be there when Ryan came available. He signed Ryan and was able to do it because he continues to have a philosophy and doesn't move away from it even when things look hopeless. It isn't being a genius, but it is knowing who you are and what you believe in. Nobody is on any hot seat on this team, nor should they be. The team is headed in the right direction and will be a beast next year. Not because we will score a million points but because this will be a TEAM. Great on defense, good on offense and special teams. And it wont be a matter of luck that we are. It will be the organizational belief in a philosophy.

League has been a turnstile of QB movement lately. Wentz became available last year and you could say that was lucky since he has franchise QB potential (but maybe too broken now). But every year QB's have been moving. I wouldn't be surprised to see Kyler Murray available next year, maybe Lamar. Its not like it used to be, when a franchise QB stays with his team forever.