Quick thoughts on Dolphins-Colts

[rm1369]

Omaha, man it’s a lost cause. When the team is 1-5 it’s evidence of how far away the team is and proof a few vet free agents wouldn’t have helped. When the team is 6-5 and Ballard is surprised at where the team is it’s proof that his methods worked - even better than expected. You can’t win.

It’s amazing to me how well the mantra has stuck. I reread the off-season free agency thread a month or so ago and I couldn’t find one person saying the team should shun free agency because you had to build a core first, etc. Not one. But now it’s so ingrained that even suggesting that a few vet free agents would have amplified the good work Ballard has already done is basically blasphemy. It’s amazing that the team found 3 throw away free agents that have significantly helped when apparently no other vets could. Lucky I guess.

I’m amazed at some of the arguments. If Wilson turns in to a pro bowler would he have got there with a vet in front of him? That’s crazy to me considering Wilson fell on the depth chart because of his poor play after being basically gifted a spot. And that he attributes his recent better performance to things he’s learned from Mitchel! The exact type of vet that I believed the team needed more of. If Wilson had pro bowl corner potential and wasn’t unlocking it because a mediocre vet was in fromt of him then you have the wrong damn coaches or a player with a shitty mindset. Players learn a lot from being able to pick vets brains and see the work ethic, film study, and how they take care of their bodies. I find it amazing that that’s now seen as a negative. All because the mantra that’s been preached: build a culture thru the draft. I didn’t see one of you preaching it prior to free agency though.

[Oldcolt]

Originally Posted by rm1369

Omaha, man it’s a lost cause. When the team is 1-5 it’s evidence of how far away the team is and proof a few vet free agents wouldn’t have helped. When the team is 6-5 and Ballard is surprised at where the team is it’s proof that his methods worked - even better than expected. You can’t win.

It’s amazing to me how well the mantra has stuck. I reread the off-season free agency thread a month or so ago and I couldn’t find one person saying the team should shun free agency because you had to build a core first, etc. Not one. But now it’s so ingrained that even suggesting that a few vet free agents would have amplified the good work Ballard has already done is basically blasphemy. It’s amazing that the team found 3 throw away free agents that have significantly helped when apparently no other vets could. Lucky I guess.

I’m amazed at some of the arguments. If Wilson turns in to a pro bowler would he have got there with a vet in front of him? That’s crazy to me considering Wilson fell on the depth chart because of his poor play after being basically gifted a spot. And that he attributes his recent better performance to things he’s learned from Mitchel! The exact type of vet that I believed the team needed more of. If Wilson had pro bowl corner potential and wasn’t unlocking it because a mediocre vet was in fromt of him then you have the wrong damn coaches or a player with a shitty mindset. Players learn a lot from being able to pick vets brains and see the work ethic, film study, and how they take care of their bodies. I find it amazing that that’s now seen as a negative. All because the mantra that’s been preached: build a culture thru the draft. I didn’t see one of you preaching it prior to free agency though.

Please name those few free agent vets that would have amplified his work. And yes I wanted more free agents to be signed. I now believe that Ballard actually understood the situation better than me. I was wrong then (and yes I could be wrong now). I've changed my mind because the facts before me have changed. Ballard was correct when we were 1-5 and he is correct now.

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by rm1369

Omaha, man it’s a lost cause. When the team is 1-5 it’s evidence of how far away the team is and proof a few vet free agents wouldn’t have helped. When the team is 6-5 and Ballard is surprised at where the team is it’s proof that his methods worked - even better than expected. You can’t win.

It’s amazing to me how well the mantra has stuck. I reread the off-season free agency thread a month or so ago and I couldn’t find one person saying the team should shun free agency because you had to build a core first, etc. Not one. But now it’s so ingrained that even suggesting that a few vet free agents would have amplified the good work Ballard has already done is basically blasphemy. It’s amazing that the team found 3 throw away free agents that have significantly helped when apparently no other vets could. Lucky I guess.

I’m amazed at some of the arguments. If Wilson turns in to a pro bowler would he have got there with a vet in front of him? That’s crazy to me considering Wilson fell on the depth chart because of his poor play after being basically gifted a spot. And that he attributes his recent better performance to things he’s learned from Mitchel! The exact type of vet that I believed the team needed more of. If Wilson had pro bowl corner potential and wasn’t unlocking it because a mediocre vet was in fromt of him then you have the wrong damn coaches or a player with a shitty mindset. Players learn a lot from being able to pick vets brains and see the work ethic, film study, and how they take care of their bodies. I find it amazing that that’s now seen as a negative. All because the mantra that’s been preached: build a culture thru the draft. I didn’t see one of you preaching it prior to free agency though.

You sign two high caliber UFAs at corner last offseason and there's a good chance Wilson gets cut earlier this year.

[FatDT]

Except Ballard DIDN'T "avoid" big name players in FA. He just wouldn't pay them what they wanted, so they went elsewhere. This was not a rigid plan. He pursued multiple FAs (as many here have said previously in their defense of Ballard), but wasn't willing to pay top dollar.

This narrative isn't even Ballard's. It's something some fans push because they want to hold Ballard up as infallible. Which makes no sense.

Again. Criticism isn't hate. No one is saying "Ballard is the worst GM and should be fired" or even saying he's doing a bad job. No one is perfect or above criticism.

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by FatDT

Except Ballard DIDN'T "avoid" big name players in FA. He just wouldn't pay them what they wanted, so they went elsewhere. This was not a rigid plan. He pursued multiple FAs (as many here have said previously in their defense of Ballard), but wasn't willing to pay top dollar.

This narrative isn't even Ballard's. It's something some fans push because they want to hold Ballard up as infallible. Which makes no sense.

Again. Criticism isn't hate. No one is saying "Ballard is the worst GM and should be fired" or even saying he's doing a bad job. No one is perfect or above criticism.

Same goes the other way. Not everyone defending the few UFA additions last offseason are claiming Ballard is the best GM and should get a lifetime contract.

All I've been saying is that it doesn't matter that he didn't sign an Allen Robinson or an Andrew Norwell last year. The team would still be out of the playoffs in the first or second round. Now, Ballard can go into 2019 with a clearer picture of his roster and more cap space to help turn next year's (or 2020's) team into a real contender. 2018 is about development and evaluation. If they win in the process, then that's icing on the cake.

[Oldcolt]

Originally Posted by FatDT

Except Ballard DIDN'T "avoid" big name players in FA. He just wouldn't pay them what they wanted, so they went elsewhere. This was not a rigid plan. He pursued multiple FAs (as many here have said previously in their defense of Ballard), but wasn't willing to pay top dollar.

This narrative isn't even Ballard's. It's something some fans push because they want to hold Ballard up as infallible. Which makes no sense.

Again. Criticism isn't hate. No one is saying "Ballard is the worst GM and should be fired" or even saying he's doing a bad job. No one is perfect or above criticism.

I don't hold him up as infallible in the least. I do think he has done a better job than most would have. I would love to discuss his mistakes. The complaint seems to be he should have signed some really good players. OK Who?

[1965southpaw]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

Regarding the throw to Luck, I don't mind the play. I just hate using it in that situation. The stakes aren't nearly high enough to risk it there.

sorry to get in the way of the latest free agency pissing match...but I'm just getting caught up from traveling and wanted to clarify what was planned on that 4th down based on what we heard from Reich and Luck pressers after the game......

The plan was NOT for Brisset to throw to Luck. The plan was for Brisset to run for the first down. Luck was in as a decoy figuring that the Phins scouted that play from the prior week. When their defense didn't bite and lined up w/no body covering Luck Brisset and Luck changed the play.......pretty sure it was a player decision and not a coaching decision. Pretty sure they both heard about it later,

[omahacolt]

Originally Posted by VeveJones007

If Quincy Wilson is a Pro Bowl caliber corner in 2020 and is a major part of the Colts winning the Super Bowl that year, would he have gotten there if a veteran was taking his snaps in 2018?

Can't we just listen to Ballard and accept that 2018 was never about putting the absolute best team on the field? It was about development of the young talent on the roster to better set up the team for 2019-->. Some of you can complain about that approach, but compare this team to the likes of KC, NO, and LAR. No moves this offseason would have put the Colts in that class. The foundation of the team needed more time. Maybe they're in that realm in 2019 with more experience, another solid draft, and some key free agent acquisitions.

I accept that is what he is doing. I just think it is wrong.

[VeveJones007]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

I accept that is what he is doing. I just think it is wrong.

And I'm not claiming it's "right." I'm just saying you and rm are getting your panties in a twist for no good reason. Only championships matter and no big UFA signings last offseason would have made a material difference in this team's odds to win their next Super Bowl, this season or in the future.

The cap space has to be used at some point. Why not use it when it maximizes the team's chance to win a title?

[JAFF]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

Nobody gives a shit if you are “ok” with the criticism.

Some free agents are misses. Like Howard. Some are good. Like Inman and Mitchell. Like glowinski. Being on the outside of the playoffs with 60 million in the bank is valid criticism. Whether you like it or not.

Worst case, a healthy Luck is going to get you 8 wins. Every time. Give that man as much talent around him as you can. Anything else is dumb

They did that with Pagano and Grigson. Threw money and picks around and it didn't work well.

I like what Ballard is doing. He has HIS guys as a foundation. When there is a free agent he thinks will work here, he's going to go get him. He didn't flinch going after McDaniels as a coach. He didn't hesitate when McDaniels screwed us, (thank you Jesus) he was decisive and Reich was perfect.

And while hindsight is perfect, what top name, top of his game player was going to sign in Indy with Luck's health a major mystery. Luck's play is going to increase interest in this next off season.