Quote:
Originally Posted by Kray007
With all due respect, after beating a lot of bushes, Chris Ballard found a Quarterback…Daniel Jones. He’s 7th in the league in QBR and 10th in the NFL’s system. He’s tough, he’s smart, he’s accurate, and he does a great job running Shane Steichen’s system. He’s also tough enough, dedicated enough to play through an injury that would have sidelined most other Quarterbacks. He’s the epitome of a high level Quarterback.
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With all due respect, 12 games (and not all of them terribly successful) does not a franchise QB make.
If DJ comes back and performs, either in 2026 or 2027 when he is healthy, then he will have found his guy. GREAT! I will be one of the most blue coated cheerleader of his success. However, right now which is when you asked your question, Ballard has not found a franchise QB in almost a decade of looking.
That was your question; talent evaluation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kray007
As far as pass rushers are concerned, you can’t seriously complain because a low level free agent or a non premium draft pick didn’t develop into Dwight Freeney. After you get past the first ten selections in the draft, picking a DE is a dice roll. Myles Garrett doesn’t slip far enough in the draft for the Colts to snag him, and there are ten Terrell Bashams for every Maxx Crosby.
At DE, Laiatu Latu has a ton of potential. Is he a finished product? No, but, he’s PFF’s 11th ranked edge player; they credit him with 10 sacks and 54 pressures. The team hopes he’s on the same trajectory as Maxx Crosby who went from 50’something pressures in year two to 100 plus in his third.
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Do you believe that a 10 sack season is unreasonable from your best pass rusher? Are you SERIOUSLY going to content that our edge defenders have been good at pass rush? He has swung and missed a ton in his time as GM. Perhaps Latu will develop into a great pass rusher...but he is not there yet.
In less than 10 minutes, I composed a list of 31 pass rushers not drafted in the first round that all had multiple double digit sack seasons. I could probably find more with more research. They don't grow on trees but they are out there and the good talent evaluators find them.
Offensive linemen? Ballard is great at that. Secondary? Sure, I will give him that nod as well. Linebackers? Heck yeah, he can find them!
Quarterbacks and pass rushers? Nope.
Again, you asked about where Ballard has failed in evaluating talent and stocking the Colts with quality players at that position. I pointed out two positions where that has happened.
You can decide if you agree or not but I think the evidence is pretty clear.