Ballard speaks

[JAFF]

https://www.indystar.com/story/sport...an/7866298002/

If Colts GM Chris Ballard doesn’t have anything else, he has belief in his team.

Ballard was a guest on The Athletic Football Show with Robert Mays last Friday as part of the show’s off-season interview series. During the conversation Ballard shared his thoughts on free agency and showed some major love to the Colts receivers.

Ballard wants people to understand that just because the Colts are not the "biggest spending team" that doesn’t mean they are not active in free agency. Many winning teams across the league have found major success by combining their in-house talent with good free agent signings. Though there might not be a lot of big name free agents coming through Indy, that does not mean the Colts are not active in free agency.

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“We’ve got good players out of free agency, and we’ve been successful," Ballard said. "We’re just not the biggest fans of right out the gate free agency where you’re paying B players A-plus money, which is gonna affect down the line. … There’s a cost to that.”

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Zach Pascal (14) takes the field before an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020.
Ballard’s approach may sound conservative, but it ensures the Colts get the most bang for their buck. Plus, when you are among the best drafting GM’s in the league, it only makes sense for you to have some faith in the players you bring in.

“Our players know we want to keep them,” Ballard said. “We’ve done a pretty good job so far of keeping the players we wanted to keep in-house. We feel like we have a really good ... I know culture gets thrown around, but we do. I think we have a really good culture. It’s one of accountability. One where they care about each other, and one where they want to win and do special things.”


Which is what makes it so easy to not go out and feel like you have to make every big free agent signing. Just look at the receiving corps.

“I’m betting on Michael Pittman, who I think’s got a chance to be really good,” Ballard said. “I thought he ended the year strong. He had a big playoff game with over 100 yards. Everybody just ignores Zach Paschal, but all he’s done is catch (10) touchdowns over the last two years. And then getting Parris Campbell back is a big bonus and he’s looked great during the offseason. We think we’re a little better than other people do.”

Indianapolis Colts' Michael Pittman (11) stiff arms Buffalo Bills' Taron Johnson (24) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y.
As they should. Despite finishing No. 5 in the NFL in yards after catch (YAC), Pro Football Focus ranked the group at No. 24 in their positional rankings. While the Colts may not have the gamebreaker who terrifies defenses, Ballard made sure to put some respect on his receivers, especially T.Y. Hilton.

“They’re a talented group,” Ballard said emphatically. “Is there a guy that, you know, you just line up and go, ‘Holy crap man, how are we gonna stop this guy?’ Maybe not, but they are really damn good players, and T.Y. Hilton can still play. He can still play. T.Y. Hilton is as competitive and as good a teammate as I’ve ever been around.”

Indianapolis Colts' T.Y. Hilton (13) celebrates with Jack Doyle (84) after making a touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Indianapolis.
Ballard believes in the group he has on the field, and wants to give his young players every opportunity to improve and get better, which is nothing but beneficial for the Colts in the long run.

“There’s a lot of players on the roster and we can’t pay them all, unfortunately,” Ballard said. “So you can’t just have a team full of full out vets. You’ve gotta go through some growing pains with some of these young players, and still win going along the way, which we’ve been able to do.”