Roster improvements 2022

[njcoltfan]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

Going to have to sign someone. Can’t just go year in year out without a passrush. He also looked into signing several top FA’s until someone else stepped in and overpaid. And I don’t know if Reddick qualifies as top tier FA. He is only 230 lbs.

FA is not Ballards thing, every year Colts fans go into FA with a little hope, and each year the Colts sign “bargain “players while being outbid by other teams because Ballard has put a dollar amount on players, which he won’t go over. Expecting him to change is, dare I say foolish? He builds thru the draft, and next year the Colts will be in year 6, I think, of his rebuild of the Colts

[Chromeburn]

Originally Posted by njcoltfan

FA is not Ballards thing, every year Colts fans go into FA with a little hope, and each year the Colts sign “bargain “players while being outbid by other teams because Ballard has put a dollar amount on players, which he won’t go over. Expecting him to change is, dare I say foolish? He builds thru the draft, and next year the Colts will be in year 6, I think, of his rebuild of the Colts

Thanks for the update. He is going to have to eventually. Can’t be in a constant state of rebuild.

[IndyNorm]

Originally Posted by jasperhobbs

Ben Banogu was drafted way too early for a developmental prospect. However he may blossom on another team similar to Jerry Hughes although not that good.

Eh. It's year 3 for Banogu and he still doesn't see the field. Could be wrong, but seems like if he was going to turn into something he would be getting at least a few snaps here and there.

[IndyNorm]

Originally Posted by rm1369

It’s pretty obvious where the weaknesses on the team are - pass rush, secondary, and WR are the glaring needs. TE becomes a question mark and LT depends on how they handle Fisher. The key to me is what you see the rest of the year from Paye and Dayo. If there is reason for optimism then next year is the start of a realistic window and Ballard needs to actually fill holes with guys who can compete - not just rookies. He actually needs to use FA to get COMPETENT level guys at WR and in the secondary. I’m not suggesting breaking the bank on the top guys. I’m saying not having to rely on 2nd - 4th round drafts picks to immediately cover glaring holes. Then use the draft to take BPA at anything other than RB or QB. Preferably CB or WR but I don’t want to see that be the only option for filling the glaring holes. Ballard has acquired a decent amount of high quality talent. He needs to now assemble a team capable of truly competing. Those are different things.

If Paye and Dayo don’t show reason for optimism then the only thing that matters is finding a pass rush somewhere. That may require drastic steps. But you aren’t winning anything without one.

Well put. Until we can get at least a decent pass rush then adding players at other positions (at least on D) is like pissing in the wind. Would be great if Paye and Dayo pan out, but I'm not going to hold my breath on that. I have a feeling that Ballard will be spending more 2nd and 3rd rounders on players like Turray and Banogu for the next several years until he finally hits on one.

[Oldcolt]

Originally Posted by IndyNorm

Eh. It's year 3 for Banogu and he still doesn't see the field. Could be wrong, but seems like if he was going to turn into something he would be getting at least a few snaps here and there.

Unless the coaches are totally blowing it, which is a distinct possibility. I know that unless you practice like a demon they won't play you. I wonder if Banogu is one of those players that play better than they practice. I would like to see Banogu play and fail before we cut the guy.

[rcubed]

Originally Posted by Chromeburn

Going to have to sign someone. Can’t just go year in year out without a passrush. He also looked into signing several top FA’s until someone else stepped in and overpaid. And I don’t know if Reddick qualifies as top tier FA. He is only 230 lbs, they have him below Harold Landry who is nothing special.

Seems like we a constantly hearing this though. For top players, someone will always overpay. So "looking into" them doesnt mean much to me. I am happy that ballard hasnt gone wild with our cap money, but if you really want some of these guys, difference makers, you will probably need to overpay according to your binder.

We have a pretty solid core. One or two difference makers could really propel this team.

[rm1369]

Originally Posted by rcubed

Seems like we a constantly hearing this though. For top players, someone will always overpay. So "looking into" them doesnt mean much to me. I am happy that ballard hasnt gone wild with our cap money, but if you really want some of these guys, difference makers, you will probably need to overpay according to your binder.

We have a pretty solid core. One or two difference makers could really propel this team.

I don’t think they necessarily need to be difference makers - assuming Paye and Dayo develop to give the team at least an average outside rush. The top level talent on the team is pretty good. They need guys to help fill the glaring holes with league average production.

[jasperhobbs]

Originally Posted by IndyNorm

Eh. It's year 3 for Banogu and he still doesn't see the field. Could be wrong, but seems like if he was going to turn into something he would be getting at least a few snaps here and there.

Jerry Hughes did nothing with Colts and turned into a beast with the Bills. Sometimes a new scheme changes everything

[rcubed]

Originally Posted by rm1369

I don’t think they necessarily need to be difference makers - assuming Paye and Dayo develop to give the team at least an average outside rush. The top level talent on the team is pretty good. They need guys to help fill the glaring holes with league average production.

I wasnt specifically referring to pass rush, but was talking about any free agents.

[rm1369]

Originally Posted by rcubed

I wasnt specifically referring to pass rush, but was talking about any free agents.

Neither was I, although I see it looks confusing. Here is what I meant to say: If Paye and Dayo fix the pass rush then I don’t think the Colts need difference makers as free agents. The top end talent on the team will be good enough to be true contenders - as long as you don’t have major, easily exploitable holes in other areas. Mainly CB and WR. That is where Ballard could and should effectively use free agency. Bringing glaring weaknesses up to at least league average. That costs but it wouldn’t break the bank.

If Paye and Dayo don’t fix the pass rush then I doubt free agency really matters. The Colts will continue the perpetual rebuild. Ballard won’t spend the money to get a difference maker in free agency and you aren’t going to be a contender without a pass rush.