Ballard is polarizing, but I think you guys did a really nice job of assessing his work. It's hard for people to remove themselves from their fandom, and objectively evaluate. You gave him a fair assessment, there are things to be excited about, but there are also some real head smacking moments in the course of Ballards tenure. For better or worse we have our rookie QB, and I think his fate is tied to Anthony Richardson. Hoping we found our guy, but it's a roller coaster having a raw talent like him.
I don’t dislike Ballard as much a lot of fans but his main issue that frustrates Colts fans is his free agency approach, he refuses to bring in veterans to raise the floor of some units or to fill gaps. For example, CB was really young to start this year and once Brents got hurt if we didn’t get Womack off of waivers we would have been in a lot of trouble which could have been avoided by a cheap vet. On offense, I don’t think we will bring Ryan Kelly back as he has missed a lot of games the last couple of years and bortolini has been just as good when he has played and should only get better. TE is a must early in the draft as I don’t think there is a worse TE room in the league so I could see Warren/Loveland after a classic Ballard trade down. Defensively we need some playmakers either at LB or the secondary. There is a bunch of decent players on the defense but no one that really scares you outside of Latu and Buckner so I would love the Holland signing. Not sure how far you think Jihaad Campbell falls but he is my dream in the second round to replace EJ Speed next year. Also heard that we called dips on Josh Downs brother in the 2026 draft 👀. Loved the breakdown and agree with most of what you guys said
As a colts fan, and I feel like I can speak for a lot of them, a big reason why we want Ballard out is because of his inability to look elsewhere to improve the team. Every year we are top 10 in cap space but he refuses to spend any of it. This year for instance we could have had Danielle Hunter or Ljarius sneed but he didn’t do it and instead signed Joe Flacco and Raekwon Davis. He hasn’t had a big signing since the Buckner trade. Now he is a fantastic drafter I can’t deny it but no way is Ballard signing holland he just won’t do it
Good thing they missed out on Sneed. My biggest issue with the off season has actually been safety. This was an epic free agent class at safety position and Ballard ignored it.
29:07 I don't like the Trevor's point about "Where are the stars gonna come from?" saying the Colts only picked in the top 6 twice. The Packers have had 2 top 10 picks in the last 20+ seasons, teams can find stars without drafting in the top 6.
The Packers don’t have a lot of stars and they sat on Jordan Love for 3+ years because he wasn’t ready. Who are these star players on the Packers that the Packers drafted?
@@asdfjkl5713Zach Tom in the 5th, Elgton Jenkins, Evan Williams in the 4th, Rasheed Walker in the 7th, Aaron Jones was a late pick. they hit on day 2&3 picks consistently
@@sportsfanforever4good point on Aaron jones, beyond that none of these players are the types of star players they’re talking about, especially not for the colts who have a top o line
I think Ballard is like a B , B+ gm. Hits more mid round picks than normal gms but doesn't make the moves or high end picks to put a roster from good to great. Edit: Draft 2 was the much better pick. LOVED that one.
@ViktorVonDoom723 Eh. B-. He got Pittman, Pierce, Taylor, Leonard, Buckner, Stewart, Downs. All great. He doesn't spend in free agency. That's the biggest issue
The biggest issue with Ballard is that he has some big hits like Nelson, Shaq Leonard. But a lot of his picks are solid role players but nothing more. We lack true top end talent and since he never goes big in free agency he’s relies solely on the draft and it places a bigger emphasis on this problem. I think a change is necessary just from a sheer time he’s had and lack of production standpoint.
That was truly a Sex Addicts intro. Regarding the Colts from a fan's perspective: Don't forget that in 2020 Ballard traded the 13th pick for DeForest Buckner -- STUD. There's no doubt that Ballard drafts well when it comes to depth, however there are points were he is too comfortable running position groups back we were concerned about and then they cost us games the following season. CB, TE, in the past WR, in the past OL depth, and K. All in all, Chris Ballard is a GOOD GM who is too patient at times. When you invest a bunch of mid to late draft picks and moneyball free agency signings into certain position groups, you can't expect a Kenny Moore, a Jaylon Jones, a Zaire Franklin to blossom every time. In the aforementioned position groups, Ballard needs to learn that if the value approach doesn't work for a year or two, he needs to rip the band-aid off and spend a premium pick or premium money on the position that is struggling. (He did try for Danielle Hunter, though so I'll give him credit there.) This is why Colts fans are pissed, because as good as he is, he can be better.
As a Colts fan, I've never both wanted and not wanted a video so much in my life. Watching the Colts get dissected is awesome, but if there's a FYF that means we stink :(
It's refreshing to hear well researched, unbiased takes these days, especially opinions related to the Colts. Love the content guys, keep up the good work👌👌
Yes! Thank you for doing this one guys! 🙏 The Colts under Ballard have been the epitomy of mediocracy in my opinion and it's mainly been down to how Ballard runs the team. Very draft centric when it comes to building the team, which is fine, but when Ballard insists on playing rookies at positions of need there will always be down years. It sort of looks like a sine curve with the Colts. Every time you get the feeling one position group is trending up and the Colts are on the rise Ballard plays rookies at another position group and it nose dives again. He refuses to bring in quality FAs at positions of need (at a sufficient rate) to secure a solid floor. He's a former scout and naturally he's going to heavily favor the draft. I think all teams should favor the draft. But if you want to do it the way Ballard does you have to have VERY few misses coupled with hits at premium positions. There's more to being a GM than managing college scouts and I think he's failing in the pro scouting department.
What you think as the rest of us is opinion these guys do research we can also do research but they have more access to other sources of information access. As I've said as a fan who isn't bias vs reality Ballard isn't the problem because he does not grab free agents you all want does not make him bad. Also to your point that he has to hit more then he doesn't, facts are he has he's drafted multiple league starters, colts starters who would also start for all other franchises and he's hit in the draft on 65% to 67% he's also smart at being wise in handling money. Not just throwing it at 5, 10, or 20 not really for sure FAs.. he's also went after guys like Danielle Hunter who decided instead to go to Houston, Xavier Makkiniy went to GB instead, and several more.. Ladrious Snead also had a conversation here but went else where and hasn't done much. You can't predict injuries or slumps, Ballard builds continuity which is what all franchises need. If you go TE you need a Top Blocker who can also run routes and catch then you can replace the overstock in the TE room. Upgrade LB find another mid round Darius Leonard unless you can get a for sure early, Grab a DT to back up grove or Buck or both and a corner and safety. And maybe a DE just in case Ebukam has further injuries.
@@Coltsfan421 He's drafted a lot of starters, but not enough difference makers. There's little to no starpower behind the Dline. I think the offense is where we are best, we need a TE and some better RB depth, but I think the offense is good. Regarding FAs: You're assuming I'm only talking about the top$ guys and I'm not. There are plenty of solid, quality FAs who go to new teams each season and have success. I know a lot of Colts fans wanted the Sneeds, McKinneys, Hunters and so on and those are top$ guys. But how about guys like Frankie Luvu and Quandre Diggs who got picked up for less than top dollar and who both could've brought a solid floor and maybe a higher ceiling to this team. You can't predict injuries, but you can choose not to start the season with three active Safeties on the roster none of which are strong deep safeties. You can choose not to start the season starting two 2nd year CBs that haven't really locked down their positions. You can choose to upgrade at LB instead of re-signing a guy you know isn't good enough. And that's just this past offseason. You can go back every year and find discussions on why Ballard makes some stupid decision that ends up biting the Colts in the butt - it's not hindsight. Every year people point out flaws that end up biting the Colts. That's on Ballard.
@jacob5700 Ballard if your never listened to him or the personnel office isn't the dictator of the organization he allows his staff to suggest who fits for them so again it's not all on him no matter how you want to scape goat and point the finger at the top. The young backend has exceeded beginning of season expectation anyone you ask said going into the season that this secondary would be the worst and Ballard was right they haven't been and had Brent's not gotten injured it may even be better. In order to build continuity you must resign key players and the guys you are complaining about although missing some coverage things and missing tackles still lead the whole NFL in tackling lol your not upgrading at LB in free agency unless they fit what Gus does and when your running two to 3 max with Stewert and other rookies who were in that role like Carlie's and macrone what time would the FA get. There were also more then 3 safety's on the roster going into the season if you didn't know but again key ones got injured and others moved around an they went another FA route we would possibly never have seen Cross grow the way he has as a in the box safety tackling machine who can get interceptions while at the same time being built like Bob Sanders and having more tackles then Bob in only his second year. Facts are young players need to play to get better in live action staying on the bench behind a vet safety only slows that growth. Does LB need an upgrade yes now after the Darius Leonard injury fall But your never going to find perfection in this life with the fact that injuries or other things won't effect it just not how life or the game of football works. As for your view on free agents your right they don't have to be big money guys however your assumption that many FA succeed isn't completely true since I could show just as many FA who don't fit or fail where they are signed FYI that's why they are mostly no longer desired by the franchise who drafted them either they didn't meet some standard they were to much drama or they simply hit the cap to hard, or even worse they got greedy. If you want to build a team and consistency you must first build continuity in house and by adding rookies in the draft who aren't worn or puffed up by the business of money at this level of play and they are clearly cheaper even compared to the low end of free agents. Big name free agents that haven't worked I can list but I'll name ours and they did great for there former teams even last season Flacco and Reakwon Davis. Not sure the issue but just hasn't worked. And what every colts fan seems to overlook they former players on our team that we resigned were free agents or set to be so to say he doesn't sign them is ignorant he signs those who know the system and there role to as I said build consistency and hopefully continuity. A continued revolving door never has a locker room happy or clicking where they should.. then it just takes more time to build up again that same goal in time they don't have.... You also don't spend all your cap in a season you told everyone would be a developmental season for your young team expecially when you know most of your roster will be FA come the 2025 offseason. You need cap to resign whom you will and to cover the holes in the spots that people will leave clearly some of the Colts FA Wont Be back then you have to think who's popping up on the 2026 FA list. When you run a fortune 500 franchise business you need to look big picture not oh what do fans whine for or demand right now for this season. And in reality of you go all in like some say Houston and other teams did and you fail and then you can't pay those guys to stay what happens revolving door and money gone and to boot a wasted season that's a true failure having a losing season as a young and growing team isn't a failure it's a common accurace that every young player and team goes through until everything clicks. I can assure you if we came back made the playoffs and won and then sucked for the next five seasons or more many of the leftist posting and comment section fans still wouldn't be happy and someone would still complain about something because they simply don't know what it takes and the effects of what they does. They would just be high horsing spoiled and over expectant as they are now. Funny thing is Ballard has had currently more winning seasons even with QB carousels and key Injuries then he has losing seasons here no matter the win loss record, Grigson trashed the franchise not Ballard he's had to try and restructure and rebuild it with huge pot holes in the way along the way this season can still be salvaged but I think he deserves until the end of his contract which I believe is after the 2026 season to fix what he with his staff can control and the players need to get better at avoiding freak Injuries and or key issues in general.
My 59th year as a Colts fan. I've seen a lot of football in that time. I KNOW what patience is. I'm happy with Ballard. I agree with most of your comments. The draft stuff doesn't interest me until draft day. I can't change what happens so I just wait, then watch. AR, barring any Luck type injury concerns, I feel great about. As a previous professional racer, I am very familiar with raising talent in that world. It's much like football. Sometimes you have to snatch a driver or crew guy before they are ready or someone else will. Think Jeff Gordan. We don't have "back up drivers" So we can't sit them while they develop. There are lower series, but you have to have a program in a lower series for that to happen. Very few can afford that, so you take them early, practice a LOT and see what develops in the races. Being fast in practice doesn't always translate right away in traffic at speed. So you crash some cars until he is more consistent at finishing races. Kind of like adjusting to the "speed of the game" in the NFL Kind of like e saw the last 2 weeks with AR. With that said, as long as the Colts have the process of, what did you learn from the mistake, & what are you going to do to improve, in other words, is coaching going to bring results or have you reached your ceiling. We all see what we see from AR, I can't imagine that he will not do what it takes to realize his dream to be in the Hall of Fame.
On the Steichen point, his play calling has regressed significantly this year. We are dialing up an offense with an unsustainably high average depth of target despite having a young inexperienced qb and banged up OLine. He did a good job last year but this year he’s been hanging his qb out to dry on and off the field. This is coming from a colts fan
To be fair, he has a less talented offense roster not saying it terrible it’s good but it not the eagles. Plus AR. AR drawbacks was is inexperience and inconsistencies
Pro tip Trevor (something I do when I’m doing mock for work) you can right click on your mock and hit “open image in new tab” and then after you guys do two mocks you can have both handy! PS: Always do two mocks please and thank you!
Ballard is great at drafting "B" talent in rounds 1-4. His major failure has been finding that "A" talent. Only stud he drafted outside of the top 6 picks has been JT and Shaq Leonard and Shaq's gone now. He's had years to build up the roster and the Colts sit here in 2024 with probably... zero(?) players that you would rank in the top 50 of the NFL. Multiple position groups you would rank in the bottom 10 of the NFL (TE, DBs, LBs, WR, QB). That's too many weak areas and zero top end studs on the roster. Ballard refuses to bring in studs in free agency or via trade. Only time he did this was getting Buckner, hasn't really dabbled with big moves since. Colts had like 25M in cap space this summer before even needing to move things around and he didn't bring in anyone. Our DB group was projected to be bottom in the league and we just did... nothing. We went 0-2 against Houston this year and we lost by a combined 5 points. If Ballard brought in a couple difference makers, maybe we flip those games and win the division this year. Ballard has also whiffed at key positions over and over. He's good at evaluating OL, that can't be denied. He's been awful at drafting WR, CB, DL, TE.... he has drafted so many busts and we are sitting here 8 years into his tenure and we don't have a single CB, WR, or Edge that you look at as a top 20 guy at his position. Not to mention he's terrible at evaluating QB. Ballard is a fine GM, but he has flaws. Ultimately, he hasn't built a winner and he's had time. Its time for a change.
Love keeping Ballard. Bcuz you guys are right. If he's available. More than half the league will try to get him. Love the addition of a Bob Saleh to coach the defense. I could see Colts drafting a TE early. I love Warren as a prospect but I see Ballard and Colts going more of Fannin from BGSU, a receiving TE to really help out those WRs. Great video gentlemen!
I think for the second mock I would take Treyveyon Henderson instead of Darien porter, I dont think Porter would make as big of a difference especially if JuJu Brents is healthy and Jaylon Jones takes another step/gets more consistent, womack has also shown he can fill in and play well, you could also sign a decent vet corner to be able to fill in for injuries and mentor the young starters (maybe bring gilmore back). Jonathon Taylor has been pretty bad when it comes to pass protection this year to the point that if the colts are down he sometimes doesn't even get any snaps in the like 4th quarter passing only situations (Trey sermon gets them, who's a better pass protector and a free agent this offseason) which obviously is something Henderson can do at a high level. Also JT's ankle is causing him problems again this season, same ankle he's missed time with in the past, has missed multiple games this season due to it and even since he's been back hes had to take plays off and re-tape it, just cant trust him to be healthy all season. Both Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson are free agents, you probably bring back Goodson but he's been a liability in the passing game, dropped multiple passes this season + a touchdown in the infamous tap out game vs houston.
Fantastick episode you guys! As a Colts fan I agree with all of your takes actually. Love the Draft pick with taking TE in the first round more than the other though. More Colts content!
I wonder how much bringing in a bob saleh would impact the choice at the top of the draft. Not a corner reliant system historically but we saw what sauce did for that jets defence. You would think the latu pick last year gives them to defensive flexibility to take corner top 100 regardless but interesting if it'll affect them in the first round with the TE dilemma. 2 FYF in 1 week in nasty work lads so hats off.
I am not as low as others are on Ballard, but I'm not in love with him either. The only reason I am adamant on keeping him is bc of shane/AR. It was be peek stupidity to move on from them and I would be afraid a new gm would. I love the idea of Saleh as DC though
With all due respect gents. I am the most loyal colts fan in these comments. It’s not that Ballard can’t evaluate talent, but as yall said. We have a team that is ready to compete and compete now. As a die hard fan and having a legit football background, we have had gleaming needs at DB, OL depth, and even Receiving options. And more times than not, we as colts fans get the same answer every time and it’s like a hamster wheel. I’d love to chat and discuss more in detail of why those needs are essential for US to take the next step. And y’all were right, 24-6 vs the lions doesn’t tell all. Let’s chat ball?
Love the second draft! Tyler Warren been mocked a lot to colts by our beat reporters. They liked bowers a lot from reports and colts fans are tired of our hodge podge of TE’s. Also heavily confident colts move on from Kelly and bortoloni is starting next year. Some interviews with Kelly have shown the colts to be iffy w Kelly. He’s wanted to resign but the colts told him not atm. I think linebacker, safety, corner, and tight end are biggest needs!
Really appreciate this. Colts have been stuck in mediocrity for such a long time, & without a real crises (beside they year they luckily picked A.Richardson), the team tends to not play bad enough for high draft picks. The biggest problem with Ballard is doing nothing in free agency, & when you can’t draft stars, you get a team of depth that can beat bad teams, but never can stand up to power houses. He needs to buy superstars if he can’t draft them. And yes, this TE corps has been embarrassing.
I’d say the biggest problems with Chiefs Ballard is the way he’s handled the QB situation and his inactivity in free agency. He should’ve taken a qb in the 2020 draft there was a plethora to choose from but instead traded his 1st. It would’ve been a perfect opportunity to draft a qb then bring in rivers so the qb can sit for a year watch a veteran qb take a team to the playoffs. I like AR but they should’ve drafted a qb 4 years ago. He barely makes free agency moves even with glaring needs. TE and CB have been a need for sometime and he isn’t addressed it even when he had chances in FA (I’ll give him Stephon Gilmore) he’s also has made the playoffs 2 times in 7 years and has never won a division, his teams have been incredibly mid his whole tenure
Drafted Jacob Eason 4th round of 2020 draft, he didn’t pan out, but I didn’t have a ton of positives to say about Frank reich, I think they should’ve given Eason a bit more time, to your point, volts could’ve went Jordan love but they decided to trade for Buckner and pick Pittman first. They also thought they would have rivers for two years, he brought the colts to the playoffs 2020
I appreciate the outside look in. I feel like when you only look at fanbases thoughts you get stuck in an echo chamber. However, you guys forgot to mention that a reason why the colts have had such a mediocre roster is that Ballard has refused to spend money in free agency. It’s like they’re only trying to find guys on the margins of the roster. You guys bring up how there’s no stars and how the defense lacks talent, and it’s because of that. It puts so much pressure on the drafts to all be hits when there’s no other reinforcements coming. They aim low and these are the results because of that. I’m not saying he should be fired because as you guys say the grass isn’t always greener, but it’s been 8 years of his team building strategies have not adjusted. We’re getting close to a point where if they still can’t find a way to win a weak division or have any bigger dreams than the 7th seed, they need to get a new voice in there
A big issue for Ballard is he gets praised for talent evaluation but most of his “hits” are at non-premium positions. S Hooker, OG Nelson, offball LB Leonard, S Blackmon lots of RBs. And when he does “hit” at those positions they’re nice players but not difference makers especially considering the draft capital: WR Pitman at #34, DE Paye in the 1st, OT Raimann. We’ll see on Downs, Latu and Richardson but hard to build a legit playoff contender that way, even in a bad division.
This is going to be a really long thought out post by the way. actually the drafting is why ballard still has a job in this league. i do think it depends what happens though in these last few games. Dont forget the Irsay daughters are actually being groomed to be Owners, GM and President of football operations. So its very likely that when or if Ballard gets fired that the colts will go from a GM hired by owner/s to owners actually taking a full on approach to the team themselves. The case for Ballard to stay has been a thing i have been saying for awhile but this yr maybe time to look at that in a different light. the success record is obviously less that Bill and Chris Polian.(yes Chris kinda took over after the SB victory against the Bears). Grigson while flawed in almost every aspect even though you could make the case his success was due to having Luck he still had more success than Ballard. Ballard has hit on draft picks after the first round and thats kept him his job put Ballard on any other team with the same results he would have been fired in 3 yrs. That being said being able to draft does have to come into consideration when you are talking about his job whether he should stay or go. However the lack of free agency moves he will not go after the big name player you are looking almost at going after in many terms about either undrafted free agents or CFL/XFL talent in the NFL hoping to hit it big. He doesnt like going to other leagues for talent either doesnt really like undrafteds that much. So you are looking at 2-5 yr players being cut from their teams from the practice squad or players being buried in the depth chart is what Ballard likes. As for coaching staff I like the retaining of Steichen for the fact of keeping things cohesive for AR. Cooter is a question mark if that is actually being of much help to him he does have a resume but the offensive side needs better playcalling and to stop using the regular season as a glorified preseason games trying to learn what they have in a plethora of riches so to speak with weapons of Downs, Pitt, JT, Pierce, Mitchell, AR, Dulin. There is a lot to be desired with the playcalling and its like they honestly were never in on this season from the way the playcalling has been. very schemed even before the ball is snapped you can see on about 60%+ of the snaps til 4th quarter has been predetermined where the ball is going to go and after the first drives teams have generally picked up on that until the 4th quarter. So playcalling certainly needs to get better on the offense. Defense is a different story start with Gus because he is here now he has called what 4 or 5 games total in the 3 yr stint with the Colts that has had some resemblence of an actual defense at times. That should not be a deciding factor in keeping him. He is changing right now because he knows his job is on the line at this point especially after the AR benching it was a message to the whole team and coaching staff probably more than it was to AR. I been going over DC coaching candidates and the biggest 1s are generally going to be Head Coaches in the next few yrs you want some1 like on offense that is going to be here for awhile if hired either out not wanting to be a head coach or failed and it didnt work out for them as a head coach but they were good coordinators. So from that standpoint Saleh had the 49ers and the Jets defenses in top shape. Dont forget with Buck here there is a tie to Saleh in Indy. if you want proof how far a defense has fallen without Saleh just look at the jets post firing they dont even look like the same top 5-10 unit the media and fans had them ranked. guess what indy had top 10 defense potential with eberflus as DC but they also had a system where Leonard actually fit so he was able to capitalize on what he did best and i think thats where Bradley has failed this defense is tailored to Eberflus and not to Bradley. Bradley has this weird thing going on where he doesnt adjust to the players he has and really shown favoritism for inferior play when players who play better are technically at his disposal. in addition he doesnt really like to adapt to how the game is going. Saleh is more aggressive at all times not so much the bend but dont break, more take what you want and dont give a inch if you have to bend at worst. So from that standpoint Saleh makes a lot of sense but I can also see him back with the 49ers as well. If Ballard wants to keep his job this is the 1 move he has to make. Tight end, another dominant pass rusher opposite to Latu because Paye could be on the move after this season, coverage linebacker though i think i might actually consider moving on from either E.J. Speed or Zaire Franklin. There is a reason for this because they are too comfortable and at times missing plays Stuard when he is on the field has been flying to the ball. I would trade Franklin actually i think Speed's contract is up after this season if i am not mistaken let him walk go out get another Linebacker of draft 1 or both actually. Ballard has been really good at linebackers in draft with Darius Leonard, Anthony Walker II, Zaire Franklin, EJ Speed and Grant Stuard. Jury is still out on the new 1 just yet but linebacker is actually more a liability than secondary to be tell the truth. at times the secondary play has not been great but far from the biggest issue on the defense. I am not sure i would bring back Blackmon to tell the truth he has been ok he has some injuries that are a bit of a concern has played really good or decent ball but if you are wanting to actually upgrade at Safety then Blackmon is actually the weaker of the 2 Safeties not Cross. Cross is more the thumper while Blackmon is suppose to be playing coverage and last line of defense. I would actually say there is a overlooked spot many have not even really addressed in any capacity that being Running back 2. JT is RB1 thats not changing, Goodsin probably running back 3 but there is no actually real running back to fill in for JT to give him a rest or take the load in case of injury so RB2 could be very in play for this offense. So thats TE, DE, LB, RB would be where i would say are the teams needs outside of DC.
In the first mock of the board fell like that colts would best dt available. They have no depth or future players at dt. When they get injuries, there run D goes to shit. If not dt they trade down.
Perspective from a neutral Seahawks fan who wants to see the best for Richardson. I think you guys were a tad bit easy on Ballard. The simple fact this entire debacle with Richardson occurred this year is pretty awful. Especially when you consider the compounding fact he has mishandled the QB position twice in a row prior to drafting Richardson. Ballard and Shane came out and said as soon as they drafted Richardson that they knew he needed time to develop. Ten starts across two seasons is not that. Regarding the drafts you guys did for them, Revel and Warren are two of my favorite draft prospects out of anyone and also happen two guys I'd love to see on the Seahawks. I do think with the idea of going Revel in the first, you could get LB like Stuntsman in the second and then get Fannin or Gadsden in the third round. Didn't hear you guys mention Fannin or Gadsden so wanted to hear opinions on that option. Great stuff as always guys and happy Thanksgiving!
Chris Ballard's biggest downfall of his time so far was not just taking the bad season for an elite QB. Plugging in vet after vet really wasted an amazing roster from Lucks Retirement through last year. I totally get that I'm saying that with hindsight and at the time it probably was the smart move. Shoot he's so good at being a GM that he made everyone think that Frank Reich was a good coach.
Colts are prime trade back candidates this year. Their needs (and position value) line up with trading back. I really like a double dip at TE to replace Allie-Cox and Granson. I'ld target Fannin (or Gadsden) for an H-back /F-TE role. For an attached Y-TE role, you can go after Bama's Robbie Outzs. I would also do a front loaded two year deal with Tommy Tremble to compete for a Y-TE role.
Ballard shouldn’t go. He can draft. Period. You need that stabilization. This ain’t Chris Polian or Grigson bad drafting here protected by Superman QB play. Once Ballard shows he can’t draft, he should go. 2021 and 2022 didn’t have QBs to draft. Reich was checked out in 2022. Ryan was set up to fail
@ Justin Houston, Eric Enron, Xavier Rhoades, Stephon Gilmore, Rodney McLeod, Glowinski, Chris Reed, Buckner (Via Trade), Ebukam, and others were strong FA signings. People like you don’t know what you’re talking about because you want these big name FAs that never amount to shit. Trey flowers, Golladay, JC Jackson, Landon Collins, LeVeon Bell. Did you even watch the video? Goddamn boy You people wanna be the offseason champs every year. Use your brain next time
The only thing Ballard did that truly had me bent was when he sat at 4 when Chicago wanted out of 1 and Houston was sitting at 2 needing a qb as well. Even if AR was truly their guy he risked losing out on him by remaining complacent and sitting on his hands.
Idk if LB is as a pressing need as you guys say it is, idk. Like we got our starters in round 5,7, etc, and they’re serviceable. Tackle machines and I guess decent in coverage, not amazing. Idk, corner/safety, edge perhaps, maybe TE, although we’ve drafted a bunch of tight ends the past couple years lol
I think, picking at 13, if one or both of Cam Ward or Sanders were to drop to you then you have to look at a trade down. There are so many QB needy teams out there, someone in the back half of the first will jump up and then you go get your corner or tight end at a spot where they represent significantly better value.
Colts fans I think give Ballard grief for his free agency conservatism. My hot take is Ballard is basically holding off on that kind of thing until he knows his QB situation is solid. If you start next season/finish this season with a lot of confidence that AR is more likely than not to be the guy then I think you have the confidence to take some swings on big free agents and trades because you have basically saved up a bunch of dry powder/draft capital to make the “win now” moves. Look at franchises like the Jets and even like the Panthers who are big swings in free agency/traded for high draft picks and it blew up in your face. The colts, on the other hand, may have problems that need to be addressed, but they have their cap space and their draft picks so they have the resources to attack those problems when it becomes clear that they have the QB of the future and, as we have all observed, it’s not like this team is untalented. You know a team is doing something right in key positions when you’re doing a mock draft and picking corners, tight ends, and linebackers as your first 3 picks.
Although I have many thoughts on Ballard as a colts fan, I do want to point out that he had the chance to trade for Stafford in the same offseason that he traded for Wentz but chose not to because it cost more draft capital. That is THE mistake of Ballard’s tenure that does not get talked about.
@ the colts haven’t won a division title for 10 years meanwhile the rams won the sb in 2021, which would’ve been stafford’s first year in Indy. I would take being where the rams are now!
As a colts fan from the UK the Ballard hate is hilarious and ridiculous. The QB situation is a lot of bad luck, Frank Reich wanted Wentz badly and is v much to blame for that one and Matt Ryan was brought in the year that Kenny Pickett was the only QB drafted in the top 100. A lot of colts fans get mad that Ballard doesn’t make big splashes in free agency but they just don’t understand that Indiana is not an attractive destination for free agents.
I've been a ballard guy, but the one thing i dislike is that he tries to be the smartest person in the room and stubborn on his views. He needs to be more aggressive in making the team better rather rely on his players and sprinkling some free agents. My dream off season is getting daboll as oc to work with ar and Salah as our dc. My one trade is to either get pitts or njoku and free agent is holland. Then go best available or trade back
Chris Ballard build a pretty good roster. He is great at scouting. A knock would be spending in FA. Colts don’t really spend enough. To me Chris Ballard will get another GM job if he gets fire.
Low key, can we get a 49ers FYF episode soon? They probably won't be making the playoffs this year and have lots of interesting decisions to make after a half decade of success
Ballard does HALF of his job REALLY REALLY well... but he has NO CLUE how to use FA. Should you go forward in your job if you only do half of it? The Owner probably LOVES him though, he regularly has the most cap room in the league. I don't think he'll EVER get fired.
His Achilles heel is free agency he may very well be a good evaluater of talent but he is gm you need to get players you need from free agency he wants to develop all positions through the draft which rarely works time to move on
Ballard gets in his own way. He's gotta stop keeping players on their last year when he knows he's not resigning them, and he needs to use free agency better.
Frank Reich had alot to do with every Qb they had. frank said i want that guy, ballard went and got him. lol all the way to MATT RYAN! ballard gets the qb his guy wants, his guys the one thats gotta coach em
Brock Bowers could've been THE piece to help AR5 and the Colts' offense hum. Instead Colts O sputters. Bowers taken @ 13, Colts @ 15. Ballard just couldn't get it done. Sums him up.
I think your recap on Ballard was pretty spot-on - though I'd probably allow even more grace for the QB situation he inherited with Luck retiring. Finding franchise QBs is really tough under the best of circumstances, when you're picking late in the 1st round because your roster was too good to tank and your star QB retired at 29 for nothing? It's going to be way tougher. Fans like to pretend like it's a simple or wise thing to just trade way up for a QB, but historically that's the kind of move that destroys franchises.
The shitty QB picks were all Frank Reich guys (Jacoby aside), which wasnʻt an insignificant part of that whole carousel. Part of the reason he got the boot, too.
Here’s my ideal offseason for the colts: Willing to give Ballard another year but okay if we move on, same for Gus who has been switching it up recently and has the defense performing above expectations, keep Steichen. Re sign: Will Fries, Dayo & Ashton Dulin. Blackmon and Ryan Kelly depending on the price Free agency: Trade for Greg Newsome or sign him if the Browns release him (which I’ve seen frequently suggested on Browns twitter). With the youth they have at CB, I think they go the veteran route. Get a big 3Tech to rotate behind Grover and Buck Draft: 1st: Tyler Warren/ Loveland (ideally trade down and get one of those two) 2nd: Kevin Winston Jr/ Sebastian Castro or Deone Walker (depending the need you didn’t address in free agency) 3rd: Jeff Bassa 4th: Ollie Gordon II/Dylan Sampson Super Bowl year You’re welcome Jim.
Draft class is pretty weak outside the top 10. There’s a chance there would be no one to even trade down with & you just have to sit & pick BPA even if they aren’t worthy of a 1st-round grade.
@ yeah I don’t really expect someone to trade up especially to the middle of the first round unless a QB drops. Might have to reach a bit with our first pick or take BPA from the defensive side
I like how Trevor always seems suprised by the mock draft rankings for some players but he's the one doing the ranking lol
The lead draft analyst for PFF must be a bum! Such inconsistent grades & strange picks auto generated 🙄 /s
Ballard is polarizing, but I think you guys did a really nice job of assessing his work. It's hard for people to remove themselves from their fandom, and objectively evaluate. You gave him a fair assessment, there are things to be excited about, but there are also some real head smacking moments in the course of Ballards tenure. For better or worse we have our rookie QB, and I think his fate is tied to Anthony Richardson. Hoping we found our guy, but it's a roller coaster having a raw talent like him.
Don’t worry about the Jaguars anymore, there’s nothing to save now. They died in the hospital three hours ago.
Lmaoooo
If you don’t want the #1 pick, we’ll happily take it 🐻
First step is trading away the first overall pick
@@nick25034you won't get the Comp you'd normally get
I don’t dislike Ballard as much a lot of fans but his main issue that frustrates Colts fans is his free agency approach, he refuses to bring in veterans to raise the floor of some units or to fill gaps. For example, CB was really young to start this year and once Brents got hurt if we didn’t get Womack off of waivers we would have been in a lot of trouble which could have been avoided by a cheap vet.
On offense, I don’t think we will bring Ryan Kelly back as he has missed a lot of games the last couple of years and bortolini has been just as good when he has played and should only get better. TE is a must early in the draft as I don’t think there is a worse TE room in the league so I could see Warren/Loveland after a classic Ballard trade down.
Defensively we need some playmakers either at LB or the secondary. There is a bunch of decent players on the defense but no one that really scares you outside of Latu and Buckner so I would love the Holland signing. Not sure how far you think Jihaad Campbell falls but he is my dream in the second round to replace EJ Speed next year. Also heard that we called dips on Josh Downs brother in the 2026 draft 👀. Loved the breakdown and agree with most of what you guys said
Add in Grover Stewart to your D-line point and I couldn't say it any better than that.
not important but the trade-down is not a ballard “classic” he’s done it like twice in the first round lol
LBs for sure. Speed won't be, or should not be back, and Zaire is decent, but nothing special.
I bet you wanted snead
As a Panthers fan I'm glad you've held off the Panther's fix your franchise.
Would have been a very different episode 3-4 weeks ago.
Fix the defense, hope Bryce keeps improving.... End episode.
Multiple FYF in one week is insane and appreciated boys
As a colts fan, and I feel like I can speak for a lot of them, a big reason why we want Ballard out is because of his inability to look elsewhere to improve the team. Every year we are top 10 in cap space but he refuses to spend any of it. This year for instance we could have had Danielle Hunter or Ljarius sneed but he didn’t do it and instead signed Joe Flacco and Raekwon Davis. He hasn’t had a big signing since the Buckner trade. Now he is a fantastic drafter I can’t deny it but no way is Ballard signing holland he just won’t do it
I understand Sneed, but Hunter didn't want to sign with us. He wanted to sign with Houston to be closer to home.
Colts offered Hunter more money and he signed elsewhere.
Good thing they missed out on Sneed. My biggest issue with the off season has actually been safety. This was an epic free agent class at safety position and Ballard ignored it.
29:07 I don't like the Trevor's point about "Where are the stars gonna come from?" saying the Colts only picked in the top 6 twice. The Packers have had 2 top 10 picks in the last 20+ seasons, teams can find stars without drafting in the top 6.
What being a buccaneers fan does to a MF
The Packers don’t have a lot of stars and they sat on Jordan Love for 3+ years because he wasn’t ready.
Who are these star players on the Packers that the Packers drafted?
@@asdfjkl5713Zach Tom in the 5th, Elgton Jenkins, Evan Williams in the 4th, Rasheed Walker in the 7th, Aaron Jones was a late pick. they hit on day 2&3 picks consistently
@@sportsfanforever4good point on Aaron jones, beyond that none of these players are the types of star players they’re talking about, especially not for the colts who have a top o line
I think Ballard is like a B , B+ gm. Hits more mid round picks than normal gms but doesn't make the moves or high end picks to put a roster from good to great.
Edit: Draft 2 was the much better pick. LOVED that one.
Agreed. Really good GM but not like Howie Roseman or anything. Honestly its kinda wild how much the NFL drafts for need just thinking about it
He’s not. Ask any colts fan. He’s a C- GM
@ViktorVonDoom723 Eh. B-. He got Pittman, Pierce, Taylor, Leonard, Buckner, Stewart, Downs. All great. He doesn't spend in free agency. That's the biggest issue
The biggest issue with Ballard is that he has some big hits like Nelson, Shaq Leonard. But a lot of his picks are solid role players but nothing more. We lack true top end talent and since he never goes big in free agency he’s relies solely on the draft and it places a bigger emphasis on this problem. I think a change is necessary just from a sheer time he’s had and lack of production standpoint.
I’ve seen a lot of great cold opens but never one that made me audibly AYOOOO
That was truly a Sex Addicts intro.
Regarding the Colts from a fan's perspective:
Don't forget that in 2020 Ballard traded the 13th pick for DeForest Buckner -- STUD. There's no doubt that Ballard drafts well when it comes to depth, however there are points were he is too comfortable running position groups back we were concerned about and then they cost us games the following season. CB, TE, in the past WR, in the past OL depth, and K.
All in all, Chris Ballard is a GOOD GM who is too patient at times. When you invest a bunch of mid to late draft picks and moneyball free agency signings into certain position groups, you can't expect a Kenny Moore, a Jaylon Jones, a Zaire Franklin to blossom every time. In the aforementioned position groups, Ballard needs to learn that if the value approach doesn't work for a year or two, he needs to rip the band-aid off and spend a premium pick or premium money on the position that is struggling. (He did try for Danielle Hunter, though so I'll give him credit there.) This is why Colts fans are pissed, because as good as he is, he can be better.
As a Colts fan, I've never both wanted and not wanted a video so much in my life. Watching the Colts get dissected is awesome, but if there's a FYF that means we stink :(
This was my exact thought when I saw the notification
It's refreshing to hear well researched, unbiased takes these days, especially opinions related to the Colts. Love the content guys, keep up the good work👌👌
Honestly I was getting really frustrated with Ballard the past couple months but man this changed my mind.
Yes! Thank you for doing this one guys! 🙏
The Colts under Ballard have been the epitomy of mediocracy in my opinion and it's mainly been down to how Ballard runs the team. Very draft centric when it comes to building the team, which is fine, but when Ballard insists on playing rookies at positions of need there will always be down years. It sort of looks like a sine curve with the Colts. Every time you get the feeling one position group is trending up and the Colts are on the rise Ballard plays rookies at another position group and it nose dives again. He refuses to bring in quality FAs at positions of need (at a sufficient rate) to secure a solid floor.
He's a former scout and naturally he's going to heavily favor the draft. I think all teams should favor the draft. But if you want to do it the way Ballard does you have to have VERY few misses coupled with hits at premium positions.
There's more to being a GM than managing college scouts and I think he's failing in the pro scouting department.
What you think as the rest of us is opinion these guys do research we can also do research but they have more access to other sources of information access. As I've said as a fan who isn't bias vs reality Ballard isn't the problem because he does not grab free agents you all want does not make him bad. Also to your point that he has to hit more then he doesn't, facts are he has he's drafted multiple league starters, colts starters who would also start for all other franchises and he's hit in the draft on 65% to 67% he's also smart at being wise in handling money. Not just throwing it at 5, 10, or 20 not really for sure FAs.. he's also went after guys like Danielle Hunter who decided instead to go to Houston, Xavier Makkiniy went to GB instead, and several more.. Ladrious Snead also had a conversation here but went else where and hasn't done much. You can't predict injuries or slumps, Ballard builds continuity which is what all franchises need. If you go TE you need a Top Blocker who can also run routes and catch then you can replace the overstock in the TE room. Upgrade LB find another mid round Darius Leonard unless you can get a for sure early, Grab a DT to back up grove or Buck or both and a corner and safety. And maybe a DE just in case Ebukam has further injuries.
@@Coltsfan421 He's drafted a lot of starters, but not enough difference makers. There's little to no starpower behind the Dline. I think the offense is where we are best, we need a TE and some better RB depth, but I think the offense is good.
Regarding FAs: You're assuming I'm only talking about the top$ guys and I'm not.
There are plenty of solid, quality FAs who go to new teams each season and have success.
I know a lot of Colts fans wanted the Sneeds, McKinneys, Hunters and so on and those are top$ guys. But how about guys like Frankie Luvu and Quandre Diggs who got picked up for less than top dollar and who both could've brought a solid floor and maybe a higher ceiling to this team.
You can't predict injuries, but you can choose not to start the season with three active Safeties on the roster none of which are strong deep safeties. You can choose not to start the season starting two 2nd year CBs that haven't really locked down their positions. You can choose to upgrade at LB instead of re-signing a guy you know isn't good enough.
And that's just this past offseason. You can go back every year and find discussions on why Ballard makes some stupid decision that ends up biting the Colts in the butt - it's not hindsight. Every year people point out flaws that end up biting the Colts. That's on Ballard.
@jacob5700 Ballard if your never listened to him or the personnel office isn't the dictator of the organization he allows his staff to suggest who fits for them so again it's not all on him no matter how you want to scape goat and point the finger at the top. The young backend has exceeded beginning of season expectation anyone you ask said going into the season that this secondary would be the worst and Ballard was right they haven't been and had Brent's not gotten injured it may even be better. In order to build continuity you must resign key players and the guys you are complaining about although missing some coverage things and missing tackles still lead the whole NFL in tackling lol your not upgrading at LB in free agency unless they fit what Gus does and when your running two to 3 max with Stewert and other rookies who were in that role like Carlie's and macrone what time would the FA get. There were also more then 3 safety's on the roster going into the season if you didn't know but again key ones got injured and others moved around an they went another FA route we would possibly never have seen Cross grow the way he has as a in the box safety tackling machine who can get interceptions while at the same time being built like Bob Sanders and having more tackles then Bob in only his second year. Facts are young players need to play to get better in live action staying on the bench behind a vet safety only slows that growth. Does LB need an upgrade yes now after the Darius Leonard injury fall But your never going to find perfection in this life with the fact that injuries or other things won't effect it just not how life or the game of football works. As for your view on free agents your right they don't have to be big money guys however your assumption that many FA succeed isn't completely true since I could show just as many FA who don't fit or fail where they are signed FYI that's why they are mostly no longer desired by the franchise who drafted them either they didn't meet some standard they were to much drama or they simply hit the cap to hard, or even worse they got greedy. If you want to build a team and consistency you must first build continuity in house and by adding rookies in the draft who aren't worn or puffed up by the business of money at this level of play and they are clearly cheaper even compared to the low end of free agents. Big name free agents that haven't worked I can list but I'll name ours and they did great for there former teams even last season Flacco and Reakwon Davis. Not sure the issue but just hasn't worked. And what every colts fan seems to overlook they former players on our team that we resigned were free agents or set to be so to say he doesn't sign them is ignorant he signs those who know the system and there role to as I said build consistency and hopefully continuity. A continued revolving door never has a locker room happy or clicking where they should.. then it just takes more time to build up again that same goal in time they don't have.... You also don't spend all your cap in a season you told everyone would be a developmental season for your young team expecially when you know most of your roster will be FA come the 2025 offseason. You need cap to resign whom you will and to cover the holes in the spots that people will leave clearly some of the Colts FA Wont Be back then you have to think who's popping up on the 2026 FA list. When you run a fortune 500 franchise business you need to look big picture not oh what do fans whine for or demand right now for this season. And in reality of you go all in like some say Houston and other teams did and you fail and then you can't pay those guys to stay what happens revolving door and money gone and to boot a wasted season that's a true failure having a losing season as a young and growing team isn't a failure it's a common accurace that every young player and team goes through until everything clicks. I can assure you if we came back made the playoffs and won and then sucked for the next five seasons or more many of the leftist posting and comment section fans still wouldn't be happy and someone would still complain about something because they simply don't know what it takes and the effects of what they does. They would just be high horsing spoiled and over expectant as they are now. Funny thing is Ballard has had currently more winning seasons even with QB carousels and key Injuries then he has losing seasons here no matter the win loss record, Grigson trashed the franchise not Ballard he's had to try and restructure and rebuild it with huge pot holes in the way along the way this season can still be salvaged but I think he deserves until the end of his contract which I believe is after the 2026 season to fix what he with his staff can control and the players need to get better at avoiding freak Injuries and or key issues in general.
@@Coltsfan421 No offense, but I'm not reading that wall of text, lol.
We can agree to disagree.
@jacob5700 lol noone ever wants to listen to actual points that detract from there opinion so I get it..
Zaire Franklin was a 7th round pick in the 2018 draft as well.
he's regressed and has proven nothing, other than he's figured out how to use OBS
My 59th year as a Colts fan. I've seen a lot of football in that time. I KNOW what patience is. I'm happy with Ballard. I agree with most of your comments. The draft stuff doesn't interest me until draft day. I can't change what happens so I just wait, then watch.
AR, barring any Luck type injury concerns, I feel great about. As a previous professional racer, I am very familiar with raising talent in that world. It's much like football. Sometimes you have to snatch a driver or crew guy before they are ready or someone else will. Think Jeff Gordan.
We don't have "back up drivers" So we can't sit them while they develop. There are lower series, but you have to have a program in a lower series for that to happen. Very few can afford that, so you take them early, practice a LOT and see what develops in the races. Being fast in practice doesn't always translate right away in traffic at speed. So you crash some cars until he is more consistent at finishing races. Kind of like adjusting to the "speed of the game" in the NFL Kind of like e saw the last 2 weeks with AR.
With that said, as long as the Colts have the process of, what did you learn from the mistake, & what are you going to do to improve, in other words, is coaching going to bring results or have you reached your ceiling. We all see what we see from AR, I can't imagine that he will not do what it takes to realize his dream to be in the Hall of Fame.
On the Steichen point, his play calling has regressed significantly this year. We are dialing up an offense with an unsustainably high average depth of target despite having a young inexperienced qb and banged up OLine. He did a good job last year but this year he’s been hanging his qb out to dry on and off the field. This is coming from a colts fan
That's what Richardson does.
To be fair, he has a less talented offense roster not saying it terrible it’s good but it not the eagles. Plus AR. AR drawbacks was is inexperience and inconsistencies
Pro tip Trevor (something I do when I’m doing mock for work) you can right click on your mock and hit “open image in new tab” and then after you guys do two mocks you can have both handy!
PS: Always do two mocks please and thank you!
Ballard is great at drafting "B" talent in rounds 1-4. His major failure has been finding that "A" talent. Only stud he drafted outside of the top 6 picks has been JT and Shaq Leonard and Shaq's gone now. He's had years to build up the roster and the Colts sit here in 2024 with probably... zero(?) players that you would rank in the top 50 of the NFL. Multiple position groups you would rank in the bottom 10 of the NFL (TE, DBs, LBs, WR, QB). That's too many weak areas and zero top end studs on the roster.
Ballard refuses to bring in studs in free agency or via trade. Only time he did this was getting Buckner, hasn't really dabbled with big moves since. Colts had like 25M in cap space this summer before even needing to move things around and he didn't bring in anyone. Our DB group was projected to be bottom in the league and we just did... nothing. We went 0-2 against Houston this year and we lost by a combined 5 points. If Ballard brought in a couple difference makers, maybe we flip those games and win the division this year.
Ballard has also whiffed at key positions over and over. He's good at evaluating OL, that can't be denied. He's been awful at drafting WR, CB, DL, TE.... he has drafted so many busts and we are sitting here 8 years into his tenure and we don't have a single CB, WR, or Edge that you look at as a top 20 guy at his position. Not to mention he's terrible at evaluating QB.
Ballard is a fine GM, but he has flaws. Ultimately, he hasn't built a winner and he's had time. Its time for a change.
Breaking my heart with every passing day that I don’t see “Fix Your Franchise: Tennessee Titans” hit my feed
Happy Thanksgiving, boys. Thank you so much for all the work you put in for all of us!
Colts hardliner , YES 👐 THIS WAS A GREAT EPISODE
Love keeping Ballard. Bcuz you guys are right. If he's available. More than half the league will try to get him. Love the addition of a Bob Saleh to coach the defense. I could see Colts drafting a TE early. I love Warren as a prospect but I see Ballard and Colts going more of Fannin from BGSU, a receiving TE to really help out those WRs. Great video gentlemen!
Ballard is a SURVIVOR. He seems to make safe decisions instead of calculated risks decisions.
A TUESDAY episode? What an unexpected treat!
Definitely suggest staying in the AFC South and doing either the Jaguars or Titans next! Love this series!
Love the content! I do need a Bears FYF soon tho
Mock draft 1 is what I think the colts will do, mock draft 2 is what the colts should do.
I think for the second mock I would take Treyveyon Henderson instead of Darien porter, I dont think Porter would make as big of a difference especially if JuJu Brents is healthy and Jaylon Jones takes another step/gets more consistent, womack has also shown he can fill in and play well, you could also sign a decent vet corner to be able to fill in for injuries and mentor the young starters (maybe bring gilmore back). Jonathon Taylor has been pretty bad when it comes to pass protection this year to the point that if the colts are down he sometimes doesn't even get any snaps in the like 4th quarter passing only situations (Trey sermon gets them, who's a better pass protector and a free agent this offseason) which obviously is something Henderson can do at a high level. Also JT's ankle is causing him problems again this season, same ankle he's missed time with in the past, has missed multiple games this season due to it and even since he's been back hes had to take plays off and re-tape it, just cant trust him to be healthy all season. Both Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson are free agents, you probably bring back Goodson but he's been a liability in the passing game, dropped multiple passes this season + a touchdown in the infamous tap out game vs houston.
Fantastick episode you guys! As a Colts fan I agree with all of your takes actually. Love the Draft pick with taking TE in the first round more than the other though. More Colts content!
I wonder how much bringing in a bob saleh would impact the choice at the top of the draft. Not a corner reliant system historically but we saw what sauce did for that jets defence. You would think the latu pick last year gives them to defensive flexibility to take corner top 100 regardless but interesting if it'll affect them in the first round with the TE dilemma. 2 FYF in 1 week in nasty work lads so hats off.
I am not as low as others are on Ballard, but I'm not in love with him either. The only reason I am adamant on keeping him is bc of shane/AR. It was be peek stupidity to move on from them and I would be afraid a new gm would. I love the idea of Saleh as DC though
Can we get a Titans episode? We need help!😂
Could do a few episodes called “Putting teams over the top” fringe playoff teams adding remaining pieces to become contenders. I.e Seattle etc
Don’t feel like we quite qualify for FYF, but I’ll take it all damn day brothers 🙏🙏🙏🙏
With all due respect gents. I am the most loyal colts fan in these comments. It’s not that Ballard can’t evaluate talent, but as yall said. We have a team that is ready to compete and compete now. As a die hard fan and having a legit football background, we have had gleaming needs at DB, OL depth, and even Receiving options.
And more times than not, we as colts fans get the same answer every time and it’s like a hamster wheel. I’d love to chat and discuss more in detail of why those needs are essential for US to take the next step. And y’all were right, 24-6 vs the lions doesn’t tell all. Let’s chat ball?
Love the second draft! Tyler Warren been mocked a lot to colts by our beat reporters. They liked bowers a lot from reports and colts fans are tired of our hodge podge of TE’s. Also heavily confident colts move on from Kelly and bortoloni is starting next year. Some interviews with Kelly have shown the colts to be iffy w Kelly. He’s wanted to resign but the colts told him not atm. I think linebacker, safety, corner, and tight end are biggest needs!
what kind of protection do yall wear? man or zone?
Really appreciate this. Colts have been stuck in mediocrity for such a long time, & without a real crises (beside they year they luckily picked A.Richardson), the team tends to not play bad enough for high draft picks. The biggest problem with Ballard is doing nothing in free agency, & when you can’t draft stars, you get a team of depth that can beat bad teams, but never can stand up to power houses. He needs to buy superstars if he can’t draft them.
And yes, this TE corps has been embarrassing.
he also traded an 11th for Buckner. i consider that a top 15 pick. and that was a beast trade
I’d say the biggest problems with Chiefs Ballard is the way he’s handled the QB situation and his inactivity in free agency. He should’ve taken a qb in the 2020 draft there was a plethora to choose from but instead traded his 1st. It would’ve been a perfect opportunity to draft a qb then bring in rivers so the qb can sit for a year watch a veteran qb take a team to the playoffs. I like AR but they should’ve drafted a qb 4 years ago. He barely makes free agency moves even with glaring needs. TE and CB have been a need for sometime and he isn’t addressed it even when he had chances in FA (I’ll give him Stephon Gilmore) he’s also has made the playoffs 2 times in 7 years and has never won a division, his teams have been incredibly mid his whole tenure
Drafted Jacob Eason 4th round of 2020 draft, he didn’t pan out, but I didn’t have a ton of positives to say about Frank reich, I think they should’ve given Eason a bit more time, to your point, volts could’ve went Jordan love but they decided to trade for Buckner and pick Pittman first. They also thought they would have rivers for two years, he brought the colts to the playoffs 2020
Thank you gentlemen. Absolute gems!
Happy to see more mid tier teams. Would be cool to see some of even the higher end teams if you have time
I appreciate the outside look in. I feel like when you only look at fanbases thoughts you get stuck in an echo chamber. However, you guys forgot to mention that a reason why the colts have had such a mediocre roster is that Ballard has refused to spend money in free agency. It’s like they’re only trying to find guys on the margins of the roster. You guys bring up how there’s no stars and how the defense lacks talent, and it’s because of that. It puts so much pressure on the drafts to all be hits when there’s no other reinforcements coming. They aim low and these are the results because of that. I’m not saying he should be fired because as you guys say the grass isn’t always greener, but it’s been 8 years of his team building strategies have not adjusted. We’re getting close to a point where if they still can’t find a way to win a weak division or have any bigger dreams than the 7th seed, they need to get a new voice in there
I like the multiple mocks for different scenarios
A big issue for Ballard is he gets praised for talent evaluation but most of his “hits” are at non-premium positions. S Hooker, OG Nelson, offball LB Leonard, S Blackmon lots of RBs. And when he does “hit” at those positions they’re nice players but not difference makers especially considering the draft capital: WR Pitman at #34, DE Paye in the 1st, OT Raimann. We’ll see on Downs, Latu and Richardson but hard to build a legit playoff contender that way, even in a bad division.
This is going to be a really long thought out post by the way. actually the drafting is why ballard still has a job in this league. i do think it depends what happens though in these last few games. Dont forget the Irsay daughters are actually being groomed to be Owners, GM and President of football operations. So its very likely that when or if Ballard gets fired that the colts will go from a GM hired by owner/s to owners actually taking a full on approach to the team themselves. The case for Ballard to stay has been a thing i have been saying for awhile but this yr maybe time to look at that in a different light. the success record is obviously less that Bill and Chris Polian.(yes Chris kinda took over after the SB victory against the Bears). Grigson while flawed in almost every aspect even though you could make the case his success was due to having Luck he still had more success than Ballard. Ballard has hit on draft picks after the first round and thats kept him his job put Ballard on any other team with the same results he would have been fired in 3 yrs. That being said being able to draft does have to come into consideration when you are talking about his job whether he should stay or go. However the lack of free agency moves he will not go after the big name player you are looking almost at going after in many terms about either undrafted free agents or CFL/XFL talent in the NFL hoping to hit it big. He doesnt like going to other leagues for talent either doesnt really like undrafteds that much. So you are looking at 2-5 yr players being cut from their teams from the practice squad or players being buried in the depth chart is what Ballard likes.
As for coaching staff I like the retaining of Steichen for the fact of keeping things cohesive for AR. Cooter is a question mark if that is actually being of much help to him he does have a resume but the offensive side needs better playcalling and to stop using the regular season as a glorified preseason games trying to learn what they have in a plethora of riches so to speak with weapons of Downs, Pitt, JT, Pierce, Mitchell, AR, Dulin. There is a lot to be desired with the playcalling and its like they honestly were never in on this season from the way the playcalling has been. very schemed even before the ball is snapped you can see on about 60%+ of the snaps til 4th quarter has been predetermined where the ball is going to go and after the first drives teams have generally picked up on that until the 4th quarter. So playcalling certainly needs to get better on the offense.
Defense is a different story start with Gus because he is here now he has called what 4 or 5 games total in the 3 yr stint with the Colts that has had some resemblence of an actual defense at times. That should not be a deciding factor in keeping him. He is changing right now because he knows his job is on the line at this point especially after the AR benching it was a message to the whole team and coaching staff probably more than it was to AR. I been going over DC coaching candidates and the biggest 1s are generally going to be Head Coaches in the next few yrs you want some1 like on offense that is going to be here for awhile if hired either out not wanting to be a head coach or failed and it didnt work out for them as a head coach but they were good coordinators. So from that standpoint Saleh had the 49ers and the Jets defenses in top shape. Dont forget with Buck here there is a tie to Saleh in Indy. if you want proof how far a defense has fallen without Saleh just look at the jets post firing they dont even look like the same top 5-10 unit the media and fans had them ranked. guess what indy had top 10 defense potential with eberflus as DC but they also had a system where Leonard actually fit so he was able to capitalize on what he did best and i think thats where Bradley has failed this defense is tailored to Eberflus and not to Bradley. Bradley has this weird thing going on where he doesnt adjust to the players he has and really shown favoritism for inferior play when players who play better are technically at his disposal. in addition he doesnt really like to adapt to how the game is going. Saleh is more aggressive at all times not so much the bend but dont break, more take what you want and dont give a inch if you have to bend at worst. So from that standpoint Saleh makes a lot of sense but I can also see him back with the 49ers as well. If Ballard wants to keep his job this is the 1 move he has to make.
Tight end, another dominant pass rusher opposite to Latu because Paye could be on the move after this season, coverage linebacker though i think i might actually consider moving on from either E.J. Speed or Zaire Franklin. There is a reason for this because they are too comfortable and at times missing plays Stuard when he is on the field has been flying to the ball. I would trade Franklin actually i think Speed's contract is up after this season if i am not mistaken let him walk go out get another Linebacker of draft 1 or both actually. Ballard has been really good at linebackers in draft with Darius Leonard, Anthony Walker II, Zaire Franklin, EJ Speed and Grant Stuard. Jury is still out on the new 1 just yet but linebacker is actually more a liability than secondary to be tell the truth. at times the secondary play has not been great but far from the biggest issue on the defense. I am not sure i would bring back Blackmon to tell the truth he has been ok he has some injuries that are a bit of a concern has played really good or decent ball but if you are wanting to actually upgrade at Safety then Blackmon is actually the weaker of the 2 Safeties not Cross. Cross is more the thumper while Blackmon is suppose to be playing coverage and last line of defense. I would actually say there is a overlooked spot many have not even really addressed in any capacity that being Running back 2. JT is RB1 thats not changing, Goodsin probably running back 3 but there is no actually real running back to fill in for JT to give him a rest or take the load in case of injury so RB2 could be very in play for this offense. So thats TE, DE, LB, RB would be where i would say are the teams needs outside of DC.
In the first mock of the board fell like that colts would best dt available. They have no depth or future players at dt. When they get injuries, there run D goes to shit. If not dt they trade down.
Perspective from a neutral Seahawks fan who wants to see the best for Richardson. I think you guys were a tad bit easy on Ballard. The simple fact this entire debacle with Richardson occurred this year is pretty awful. Especially when you consider the compounding fact he has mishandled the QB position twice in a row prior to drafting Richardson. Ballard and Shane came out and said as soon as they drafted Richardson that they knew he needed time to develop. Ten starts across two seasons is not that.
Regarding the drafts you guys did for them, Revel and Warren are two of my favorite draft prospects out of anyone and also happen two guys I'd love to see on the Seahawks. I do think with the idea of going Revel in the first, you could get LB like Stuntsman in the second and then get Fannin or Gadsden in the third round. Didn't hear you guys mention Fannin or Gadsden so wanted to hear opinions on that option. Great stuff as always guys and happy Thanksgiving!
Would be very interested to hear why Malachi Moore is so low on the Big Board. Good size, solid grades, Big SEC program.
Every time I listen to a FYF, I get the urge to go into madden and fix some franchises
Chris Ballard's biggest downfall of his time so far was not just taking the bad season for an elite QB. Plugging in vet after vet really wasted an amazing roster from Lucks Retirement through last year. I totally get that I'm saying that with hindsight and at the time it probably was the smart move.
Shoot he's so good at being a GM that he made everyone think that Frank Reich was a good coach.
best football pod by far 🐐
You really missed the smoothest add transition for Meet Fabric around the 20:00 mark. Shame!
Colts are prime trade back candidates this year. Their needs (and position value) line up with trading back.
I really like a double dip at TE to replace Allie-Cox and Granson. I'ld target Fannin (or Gadsden) for an H-back /F-TE role. For an attached Y-TE role, you can go after Bama's Robbie Outzs. I would also do a front loaded two year deal with Tommy Tremble to compete for a Y-TE role.
Ballard shouldn’t go. He can draft. Period. You need that stabilization. This ain’t Chris Polian or Grigson bad drafting here protected by Superman QB play. Once Ballard shows he can’t draft, he should go.
2021 and 2022 didn’t have QBs to draft. Reich was checked out in 2022. Ryan was set up to fail
@@fsm2333 zero division titles in 8 years
@ Who cares man. Winning the division is a worthless accomplishment without winning it all
@@superpony4865That's a lot of teams. Colts fans are spoiled. We had multiple seasons of Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck. That's not the the norm.
Then Ballard at least needs someone to put him in check when he is skipping free agency or always choosing to trade down.
@ Justin Houston, Eric Enron, Xavier Rhoades, Stephon Gilmore, Rodney McLeod, Glowinski, Chris Reed, Buckner (Via Trade), Ebukam, and others were strong FA signings.
People like you don’t know what you’re talking about because you want these big name FAs that never amount to shit. Trey flowers, Golladay, JC Jackson, Landon Collins, LeVeon Bell.
Did you even watch the video? Goddamn boy
You people wanna be the offseason champs every year. Use your brain next time
The only thing Ballard did that truly had me bent was when he sat at 4 when Chicago wanted out of 1 and Houston was sitting at 2 needing a qb as well. Even if AR was truly their guy he risked losing out on him by remaining complacent and sitting on his hands.
Idk if LB is as a pressing need as you guys say it is, idk. Like we got our starters in round 5,7, etc, and they’re serviceable. Tackle machines and I guess decent in coverage, not amazing. Idk, corner/safety, edge perhaps, maybe TE, although we’ve drafted a bunch of tight ends the past couple years lol
I like the Te in the first the best. I think they need to take a offence weapon in round 1
You should do a “Make your wild card team a super bowl contender” series
I think, picking at 13, if one or both of Cam Ward or Sanders were to drop to you then you have to look at a trade down. There are so many QB needy teams out there, someone in the back half of the first will jump up and then you go get your corner or tight end at a spot where they represent significantly better value.
Sanders sucks. Cam Ward is good. In the ACC.
Isn’t there a code for PFF+ that supports the channel?
the mental image of the colts locker room watching connor talking about viagra for motivation is great
Been waiting for this one!
Colts fans I think give Ballard grief for his free agency conservatism. My hot take is Ballard is basically holding off on that kind of thing until he knows his QB situation is solid. If you start next season/finish this season with a lot of confidence that AR is more likely than not to be the guy then I think you have the confidence to take some swings on big free agents and trades because you have basically saved up a bunch of dry powder/draft capital to make the “win now” moves.
Look at franchises like the Jets and even like the Panthers who are big swings in free agency/traded for high draft picks and it blew up in your face. The colts, on the other hand, may have problems that need to be addressed, but they have their cap space and their draft picks so they have the resources to attack those problems when it becomes clear that they have the QB of the future and, as we have all observed, it’s not like this team is untalented. You know a team is doing something right in key positions when you’re doing a mock draft and picking corners, tight ends, and linebackers as your first 3 picks.
The addicts are getting FED with all these FYF’s
Although I have many thoughts on Ballard as a colts fan, I do want to point out that he had the chance to trade for Stafford in the same offseason that he traded for Wentz but chose not to because it cost more draft capital. That is THE mistake of Ballard’s tenure that does not get talked about.
hasnt it been kinda reported that it was a heavily frank reich decision tho?
And the Lions killed it from the Stafford trade. You really wanna be the Rams right now? I don’t.
@ the colts haven’t won a division title for 10 years meanwhile the rams won the sb in 2021, which would’ve been stafford’s first year in Indy. I would take being where the rams are now!
@@asdfjkl5713huh? did we suddenly forget that the rams won the super bowl? really?
@@asdfjkl5713The Rams won it all with Stafford just a few years ago I think every team struggling to find a quarterback would trade for him.
Also I wonder what this team would’ve looked like if we went after Baker instead of Ryan since he wanted to come to Indy
I would tell Ballard to kick rocks because IMO an NFL GM can't be on the record saying he's scared to draft a QB. Brother, that's the job.
I get what he's saying. Drafting a QB is a huge gamble. It can make or break a career as a GM.
Could you guys fix the Steelers before you end the series for the year? We’ve been stuck with no playoff wins over the last 7+ years
As a colts fan I agree I like stability grass not greener keep Ballard
As a colts fan from the UK the Ballard hate is hilarious and ridiculous.
The QB situation is a lot of bad luck, Frank Reich wanted Wentz badly and is v much to blame for that one and Matt Ryan was brought in the year that Kenny Pickett was the only QB drafted in the top 100.
A lot of colts fans get mad that Ballard doesn’t make big splashes in free agency but they just don’t understand that Indiana is not an attractive destination for free agents.
I've been a ballard guy, but the one thing i dislike is that he tries to be the smartest person in the room and stubborn on his views. He needs to be more aggressive in making the team better rather rely on his players and sprinkling some free agents.
My dream off season is getting daboll as oc to work with ar and Salah as our dc. My one trade is to either get pitts or njoku and free agent is holland. Then go best available or trade back
this is a complex one because talent is there. they need to get a game changer
Chris Ballard build a pretty good roster. He is great at scouting. A knock would be spending in FA. Colts don’t really spend enough.
To me Chris Ballard will get another GM job if he gets fire.
Low key, can we get a 49ers FYF episode soon? They probably won't be making the playoffs this year and have lots of interesting decisions to make after a half decade of success
Please do a Steelers fix your franchise.we aren’t doing bad but we need to change .the current furmula isn’t working.
Frank Reich really advocated for wentz, since he spent time with him for the eagles
I think, personally, Wentz had a lot of potential. I am a firm believer he should have stayed an extra season.
Most clutch publish
Would love a Seahawks one
Ogletree good player for us?
Ballard does HALF of his job REALLY REALLY well... but he has NO CLUE how to use FA. Should you go forward in your job if you only do half of it? The Owner probably LOVES him though, he regularly has the most cap room in the league. I don't think he'll EVER get fired.
Off season idea let Ryan Kelly walk and bring in Teven Jenkins from the Bears
His Achilles heel is free agency he may very well be a good evaluater of talent but he is gm you need to get players you need from free agency he wants to develop all positions through the draft which rarely works time to move on
Still Want yall to do the Cleveland Browns!
Save Stefanski
Fire Berry
Cut Watson
Lol
He didn’t fire Reich. That was Irsay
Ballard gets in his own way. He's gotta stop keeping players on their last year when he knows he's not resigning them, and he needs to use free agency better.
As a Colts fan sign me up for Tyler Warren
It all starts with Andrew Luck. That changed everything
Assistant GM Pittsburgh Steelers Andy Weidl and Buffalo Bills Asst GM Brian Gaine are the first 2 people I would contract if I was Jim Irsay
Frank Reich had alot to do with every Qb they had. frank said i want that guy, ballard went and got him. lol all the way to MATT RYAN! ballard gets the qb his guy wants, his guys the one thats gotta coach em
Brock Bowers could've been THE piece to help AR5 and the Colts' offense hum. Instead Colts O sputters. Bowers taken @ 13, Colts @ 15. Ballard just couldn't get it done. Sums him up.
I propose a trade, photos of my Golden Retriever puppy and you give us a discord for me to post them
Josh Downs is "Down" again, an injury nightmare. (like Richardson & Taylor & Kelly & Paye & Lewis & JuJu Brents)
I think your recap on Ballard was pretty spot-on - though I'd probably allow even more grace for the QB situation he inherited with Luck retiring. Finding franchise QBs is really tough under the best of circumstances, when you're picking late in the 1st round because your roster was too good to tank and your star QB retired at 29 for nothing? It's going to be way tougher. Fans like to pretend like it's a simple or wise thing to just trade way up for a QB, but historically that's the kind of move that destroys franchises.
Next one needs to be the Bears. Pls.
The shitty QB picks were all Frank Reich guys (Jacoby aside), which wasnʻt an insignificant part of that whole carousel. Part of the reason he got the boot, too.
Here’s my ideal offseason for the colts:
Willing to give Ballard another year but okay if we move on, same for Gus who has been switching it up recently and has the defense performing above expectations, keep Steichen.
Re sign: Will Fries, Dayo & Ashton Dulin. Blackmon and Ryan Kelly depending on the price
Free agency:
Trade for Greg Newsome or sign him if the Browns release him (which I’ve seen frequently suggested on Browns twitter). With the youth they have at CB, I think they go the veteran route.
Get a big 3Tech to rotate behind Grover and Buck
Draft:
1st: Tyler Warren/ Loveland (ideally trade down and get one of those two)
2nd: Kevin Winston Jr/ Sebastian Castro or Deone Walker (depending the need you didn’t address in free agency)
3rd: Jeff Bassa
4th: Ollie Gordon II/Dylan Sampson
Super Bowl year
You’re welcome Jim.
Draft class is pretty weak outside the top 10. There’s a chance there would be no one to even trade down with & you just have to sit & pick BPA even if they aren’t worthy of a 1st-round grade.
@ yeah I don’t really expect someone to trade up especially to the middle of the first round unless a QB drops. Might have to reach a bit with our first pick or take BPA from the defensive side