Rainman extended.

[ChaosTheory]

Originally Posted by Dam8610

If Pierce can be more than a deep threat, and become a true WR1, cutting Pittman and re-signing Pierce is an option. I'm actually far more interested in seeing how AD Mitchell develops this year, because IMO he has the highest ceiling of the group, and he and Downs would compliment each other perfectly, Downs as the shifty slot and Mitchell as the true X. If that happens, I don't care if the other receiver is Pittman, Pierce, a draft pick, or a free agent, because those two plus Warren would make a scary offense.

Agreed. I mentioned him in the other thread, but if things click with Mitchell, he'll blow the roof off. I forget who said it last year, but there was one other WR in the class on tier with Nabers as far as potential, and it was Mitchell.

Originally Posted by Dam8610

Also, picks like Bernhard Raimann are the reason that Ballard still has a job. I really hope Richardson excelling in camp isn't a mirage, because if Ballard can solve the QB position, he can put together an incredibly competitive team.

Look at the bulk of draft with no 1st-rounder: Alec Pierce (53), Jelani Woods (73), Bernhard Raimann (77), Nick Cross (96). And then he got Ogletree in the 6th and Thomas in the 7th.

This is the guy I want putting the team together when QB finally hits. I know the timer won't run forever, so I hope AR works out.

What I really don't want is to finally break a cold streak in the crapshoot that is finding a QB after we boot Ballard. Then bring in a new GM who makes worse decisions, but has the QB to compensate.

We've had a dozen years of having one or the other, QB or GM... ready to have both.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by ChaosTheory

Agreed. I mentioned him in the other thread, but if things click with Mitchell, he'll blow the roof off. I forget who said it last year, but there was one other WR in the class on tier with Nabers as far as potential, and it was Mitchell.

I didn't have Mitchell quite on that tier. For me, the Big 3 (MHJ, Odunze, Nabers) were ahead of everyone else. That said, as I recall, Mitchell was my WR5 (behind Brian Thomas Jr.). I still have high hopes for him, and he's one of four WRs that I think had true X potential in the class, that is the guy who is the true #1 WR on the outside, consistently beats the opposing team's best DBs, and generally has to be bracketed or doubled. Those 4 were MHJ, Odunze, Thomas Jr., and Mitchell.

Originally Posted by ChaosTheory

Look at the bulk of draft with no 1st-rounder: Alec Pierce (53), Jelani Woods (73), Bernhard Raimann (77), Nick Cross (96). And then he got Ogletree in the 6th and Thomas in the 7th.

This is the guy I want putting the team together when QB finally hits. I know the timer won't run forever, so I hope AR works out.

What I really don't want is to finally break a cold streak in the crapshoot that is finding a QB after we boot Ballard. Then bring in a new GM who makes worse decisions, but has the QB to compensate.

We've had a dozen years of having one or the other, QB or GM... ready to have both.

Oh, you don't have to tell me that Ballard is an excellent drafter. In that same draft, the Colts also got Drew Ogletree and Rodney Thomas II, both of whom have been at least quality backups, and have played at a starter level at times.

And the fear you expressed is EXACTLY why I've been so hesitant in jumping on the "Fire Ballard" bandwagon. If the Colts find the QB, there will be no one better to build around him than Chris Ballard. Getting a Grigson after getting a QB would be a disaster.