Colts knew back in March?

[Butter]

Originally Posted by ChoppedWood

I can get with this. Just posted in fact the irony of some of the comments made by our front office.

I think it was Ballard who made some comments about how the team can't just be about the QB, so it seems maybe he was a bit prepared for this?

[ChoppedWood]

Originally Posted by Butter

I think it was Ballard who made some comments about how the team can't just be about the QB, so it seems maybe he was a bit prepared for this?

Yeah now looking back, I think Ballard has been a bit of a skeptic. I am a bit worried about what then would appear to be a hell of a lot of faith in JB, and I actually think a bit more about him than probably most (I took a lot of shit in the Luck shoulder season for saying I thought JB could possibly do the job if given the reins... I am NOT a giant JB supporter at present and I really believe Kelly would prove to be a better QB over a comparable span if time).

So if that is the case, then we know Ballard is going to hitch this thing up to JB and see where it goes.

I will say that the "woe are we at 3-13" crowd, they might want to look at what this defense looks like. This is not your momma's "hey Peyton this whole roster is shit and if you get hurt we are done for" team- Ballard has compiled a hell of a lot of size and speed and I would fully expect us to be able to win 3-4 games this year without scoring more than 2 TDs.

[DrSpaceman]

I don't think this is a 3-13 team this year

I think its an 8-8 team.

[Butter]

Originally Posted by ChoppedWood

So if that is the case, then we know Ballard is going to hitch this thing up to JB and see where it goes.

.

I doubt it was an "I know Luck is going to not be here" thing and a more foccusing on having a team that can be competitive and still win if the starting QB goes down. Add Reich to the equation who helped coach a team to a SB win with a backup and we can assume Reich and Ballared are comunicating a team strategy, then being prepared to lose your franchise QB, who by the way recently lost a whole season, makes a lot of sense.

[VeveJones007]

Ballard said the Colts knew about the ankle/calf injury back in March, not that it would lead to this.

[Lov2fish]

I think a mediocre talent QB can run Reichs offense, and Frank will make a few minor adjustments to shadow Jacoby's strong assets. Are we going to win a Super-Bowl, or even make the playoffs? Doubtful, but I am a Colts fan and we can only cheer what is out there. 0-16, 8-8 or 3-13 doesn't matter. Jim, unlike Bob Irsay has proven he will spend money to win. He wants a dynasty more than he wants more money. Ballard has done a tremendous job building this roster to play with an elite QB, or a mediocre QB. Tampa won a SB with Brad fucking Johnson. They did it with a dominating team in every aspect but QB.

[ChoppedWood]

Originally Posted by Lov2fish

I think a mediocre talent QB can run Reichs offense, and Frank will make a few minor adjustments to shadow Jacoby's strong assets. Are we going to win a Super-Bowl, or even make the playoffs? Doubtful, but I am a Colts fan and we can only cheer what is out there. 0-16, 8-8 or 3-13 doesn't matter. Jim, unlike Bob Irsay has proven he will spend money to win. He wants a dynasty more than he wants more money. Ballard has done a tremendous job building this roster to play with an elite QB, or a mediocre QB. Tampa won a SB with Brad fucking Johnson. They did it with a dominating team in every aspect but QB.

Yeah more and more I believe Ballard and Reich are the exact guys you would want at the wheel right now. I don't think I have ever been this high on a Colts Defense. There are playmakers at every level of that D, and on a couple levels there might be 3/4 of them. If they can stay healthy I think this is a D where you don't have to force bad passes in 3/8 situations that go the other way, throw it OOB and let the D get it back.

Sadly because of some prior horrible decisions at the administrative and coaching levels we as a fan-base of become conditioned that you have to have a 1st ballot HOF QB to win in this league- your TB example is spot on and look at Baltimore with Flacco. Are we on that level yet, probably not but I am not sure we aren't real close now. Healthy, Darius Leonard may be a Lewis or Brooks type of iconic player that elevates the whole team to greatness.

[kitekrazy]

Originally Posted by ChoppedWood

Yeah more and more I believe Ballard and Reich are the exact guys you would want at the wheel right now. I don't think I have ever been this high on a Colts Defense. There are playmakers at every level of that D, and on a couple levels there might be 3/4 of them. If they can stay healthy I think this is a D where you don't have to force bad passes in 3/8 situations that go the other way, throw it OOB and let the D get it back.

Sadly because of some prior horrible decisions at the administrative and coaching levels we as a fan-base of become conditioned that you have to have a 1st ballot HOF QB to win in this league- your TB example is spot on and look at Baltimore with Flacco. Are we on that level yet, probably not but I am not sure we aren't real close now. Healthy, Darius Leonard may be a Lewis or Brooks type of iconic player that elevates the whole team to greatness.

It's not only the QB position but constantly drafting guys for them to throw to. The best weapon you can give a QB is an outstanding defense.

[ChoppedWood]

Originally Posted by kitekrazy

It's not only the QB position but constantly drafting guys for them to throw to. The best weapon you can give a QB is an outstanding defense.

Yes and I am thrilled to say that this D, while very very young and raw, looks like it could emerge as a unit that dominates the game. Tuary, man that guy has Mathis speed off the edge and if Houston can do what he's got a hell of a book of proof of in the past off the other edge, with DL just dominating the 2nd level and a nice array of speed and size on the back end (QW might make a few bonehead plays but that guy has range and can swallow a WR up)- we should be looking at TO's like a mofo this year.

I really hope we hear Jabal gets back this week, could use some additional depth on the edge. I finally saw a little bit from Banagu last night, showed a little strength with some push into the pocket. I think the interior is a bit underrated as well and that Autry has the potential to be talked about in the mold of Gnata or Sapp by the end of the season.

[Colts And Orioles]

Originally Posted by kitekrazy

It's not only the QB position but constantly drafting guys for them to throw to. The best weapon that you can give a QB is an outstanding defense.

o


The quintessential example of that would be probably Trent Dilfer, and the 2000 Ravens.






o