To put the running game in context

[Oldcolt]

We have been trying to find a fix for this offensive line for what, 10 12 years. Even when we had a running game it was never like this. When Edge was at his peak he would make moves and plays that left me wondering how he possibly could do that. Now I wonder how we could possibly open up such huge holes. Considering all of the money and draft capital we have invested without anything to show for it fixing it, and fixing it like this, with (in addition to incredible coaching) a number 6 and number 37 draft pick is a steal for this particular club.

[Pez]

Originally Posted by Oldcolt

We have been trying to find a fix for this offensive line for what, 10 12 years. Even when we had a running game it was never like this. When Edge was at his peak he would make moves and plays that left me wondering how he possibly could do that. Now I wonder how we could possibly open up such huge holes. Considering all of the money and draft capital we have invested without anything to show for it fixing it, and fixing it like this, with (in addition to incredible coaching) a number 6 and number 37 draft pick is a steal for this particular club.

I know it's more complicated than this, but Ballard fixing the OL in two drafts really suggests to me that we were talking about fixing the OL for the last decade more than we were actually fixing it. Luck got his ass kicked for a 5 year span that nearly ended his career. Ballard fixes that in two years.

I guess Kelly was really a Grigson pick, but Grigs was pretty much toast at that point. And I have heard it argued that the Hooker / Mack / Walker draft was more of a Grigson team draft even thought Ballard was GM.

Then 2018 with three picks Ballard completely changed the landscape of this team .... Nelson, Leonard, Smith.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Pez

I know it's more complicated than this, but Ballard fixing the OL in two drafts really suggests to me that we were talking about fixing the OL for the last decade more than we were actually fixing it. Luck got his ass kicked for a 5 year span that nearly ended his career. Ballard fixes that in two years.

I guess Kelly was really a Grigson pick, but Grigs was pretty much toast at that point. And I have heard it argued that the Hooker / Mack / Walker draft was more of a Grigson team draft even thought Ballard was GM.

Then 2018 with three picks Ballard completely changed the landscape of this team .... Nelson, Leonard, Smith.

It's not just those three. Turay has contributed some on defense, and Hines and Wilkins have contributed quite a bit as well. I'm also excited to see what Lewis and Cain can offer when they return from injury.

[omahacolt]

Originally Posted by Pez

I know it's more complicated than this, but Ballard fixing the OL in two drafts really suggests to me that we were talking about fixing the OL for the last decade more than we were actually fixing it. Luck got his ass kicked for a 5 year span that nearly ended his career. Ballard fixes that in two years.

I guess Kelly was really a Grigson pick, but Grigs was pretty much toast at that point. And I have heard it argued that the Hooker / Mack / Walker draft was more of a Grigson team draft even thought Ballard was GM.

Then 2018 with three picks Ballard completely changed the landscape of this team .... Nelson, Leonard, Smith.

Anyone arguing last years draft was a grigson team draft is either dishonest or an idiot. What gm gets hired after the season and shit cans the scouting department immediately? Maybe it happens but I don’t recall ever hearing it. Ballard dealt with what everyone deals with.

[Pez]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

Anyone arguing last years draft was a grigson team draft is either dishonest or an idiot. What gm gets hired after the season and shit cans the scouting department immediately? Maybe it happens but I don’t recall ever hearing it. Ballard dealt with what everyone deals with.

Yea, I agree, that was what I was trying to say. A Ballard draft with grigsons scouting team.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

Anyone arguing last years draft was a grigson team draft is either dishonest or an idiot. What gm gets hired after the season and shit cans the scouting department immediately? Maybe it happens but I don’t recall ever hearing it. Ballard dealt with what everyone deals with.

Two points in response:

1) Whether Ballard’s situation was unusual or not isn’t really the point. The fact remains that he had to utilize Grigson’s scouting staff to prepare for the 2017 draft, instead of his own preferred staff (which he put in place after the draft). While I’d agree that it’s not fair to totally excuse Ballard for any mistakes in the 2017 draft – obviously he was heavily involved in the player choices – but at least those mistakes deserve an asterisk.

2) Setting all of this aside, the 2017 draft was still pretty decent. We picked mid-round, and obtained several starters from that draft (Hooker, Mack and Walker), and several backups (Wilson, Hairston, Stewart). True, there have been a couple of flame-outs (Basham and Banner), but is that really all that unusual in any draft? Yes, they were gone quickly, but I personally think that’s a function of Ballard’s approach. Other teams may have kept those guys on their roster for another season or two to avoid admitting their mistakes.

[omahacolt]

Originally Posted by Chaka

Two points in response:

1) Whether Ballard’s situation was unusual or not isn’t really the point. The fact remains that he had to utilize Grigson’s scouting staff to prepare for the 2017 draft, instead of his own preferred staff (which he put in place after the draft). While I’d agree that it’s not fair to totally excuse Ballard for any mistakes in the 2017 draft – obviously he was heavily involved in the player choices – but at least those mistakes deserve an asterisk.

2) Setting all of this aside, the 2017 draft was still pretty decent. We picked mid-round, and obtained several starters from that draft (Hooker, Mack and Walker), and several backups (Wilson, Hairston, Stewart). True, there have been a couple of flame-outs (Basham and Banner), but is that really all that unusual in any draft? Yes, they were gone quickly, but I personally think that’s a function of Ballard’s approach. Other teams may have kept those guys on their roster for another season or two to avoid admitting their mistakes.

No. It doesn’t get an asterisk. That is just how things work. Sure it is somewhat of a handicap but it is his draft.

[Pez]

I think Ballard he would agree with you also

Compare:
2017 top 3 (Hooker, Wilson, Basham)
to
2018 top 3 (Nelson, Leonard, Smith)

There is reason for optimism.

In 2017, Ballard was able to get a solid starter in Hooker, a depth player in Wilson and well, kinda missed on Basham. I was pretty high on Basham though and thought he would have a break out preseason. This is a pretty good showing under conditions that might be less than ideal.

Under conditions he was in control of, he transforms the team in three picks. This is the kind of vision we need in a GM... at least until he proves otherwise.

[Pez]

Looking around at some of this draft stuff and I came across this SI article that was an initial "draft grade" for each pick. This was from April 2018.

Quentin Nelson = D+
Darius Leonard = B
Braden Smith = D-


https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/04/26/in...ections-grades