Irsay – Flyover Wire

Link to Chris Ballard’s press conference from the Senior Bowl

While saying absolutely nothing, Chris Ballard was able to almost perfectly express his own frustration over the Carson Wentz situation. How much must this guy hate having to answer that question with a restrained and controlled, hollow answer day after day?

TY. I love you. Personally, your in my 5 favorite Colts of all time. I say favorite because I know he isn’t the best, but boy has he been a pleasure for a large portion of my life watching sports religiously. But his lack of production as well as the injuries across the board tells us the Indianapolis Colts need an overhaul in the wide receiver room (apart from Pittman Jr.). We have to go get some options to throw the ball deep if we really want a qb who CAN throw the ball deep!

I’m starting to spiral on the fear of this season. Indianapolis has pigeon holed themselves by building a roster that is quite arguable to most well rounded in the league. Absolute Dawgs on both sides of the ball. Can handle their own in a dude off against any squad in the league. But the apparent talent at each position only sheds light on just how poor the situation at Quarterback is. You can’t win in this league without production under center. And while Carson had his moments, the guy seemed to be lacking a sniff of a clutch gene. With more and more coming out detailing how the Quarterback off season may not be a quarter as hectic as everyone had thought it might be I am becoming more and more resigned to having to run it back with Wentz.

And listen, there are ffffaaarrrr too many Colts fans that say “it’s been a year! give him some time.” To them I say, that is the dumbest thing I have heard in a minute! This is years of bad play. He got more than enough time to prove himself in Philly and got ran out of town. Also, newsflash if you don’t understand how the salary cap and drafting goes in the NFL, good teams can’t keep all their guys. The Colts are in their window of opportunity to get a Super Bowl. It feels like we are in a Ferrari driving for greatness, only problem is we are missing the steering wheel to steer the whole thing!

As each day passes I grow more weary on the reality of the Colts QB situation. I also grow more convinced we need to go get Jameis to eat some “W”s in Indianapolis.

I keep convincing myself that our defense will be able to negate his own Turnover rate (which to Winston’s credit is ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDING) to a certain extent and while also giving us a QB who racks up yards. I mean his stats are pretty hilarious considering how often he’s been at or near the top in total yards in the NFL while also leading the league in turnovers at points. If we have to have a sub par option, may as well be a fun one to watch!

I WANT TO TRUST YOU GUYS, I DO!!! But come on!

The entire offseason has been centered around our search for a Quarterback. While questions regarding Frank Reich and Chris Ballard especially are present, but much fewer and farther between. Why is it that Chris Ballard is gifted so much… let’s say “benefit of the doubt”. In the six years since Chris Ballard has taken over as general manager the Colts have 1 playoff win. Any other fan base would be calling for the man’s head. I’m more perplexed because honestly I still believe Ballard’s a good GM.

But why is that?

He’s been able to build out one of the deepest rosters in the entire National Football League. A team that can contend at each and every position is a dangerous one, only problem is the most neglected position was quarterback. Of course, Chris Ballard thought he was inheriting a sure fire Hall of Famer in Andrew Luck. But the moment that was not the case, that had to become our main priority. End of story. You can’t win in the NFL without a QB. The Bengals almost just proved that sometimes you may be able to win with OONNLLYY a QB (and Chase of course). But QB must be addressed, and I really think that he was looking to build a powerhouse roster then draft a competent QB on a rookie contract to lead the team. That is a great plan, so long as that QB is coming down the line.

I would say the single biggest reason for Chris Ballard’s slack as GM is the 2018 draft. Drafting Quenton Nelson and then finding Darius Leonard in the second. I say finding because looking back now I would believe these guys to go top 3 overall from that class. Still granting that #1 spot to Josh Allen from the 2018 draft class. What a draft for the Colts. We picked up the two tone setters for our team in that same year. Great draft. So what have you done for me lately?

I genuinely believe that we as Indianapolis Colts fans have been conditioned to accept terrible choices through our tenure with Ryan Grigson. Ryan Grigson, his stench still resonates. What a terrible NFL GM. Terrible. Trash. Garbage. Trent RICHARDSON!!!! How about an offensive line to protect our franchises most valuable asset? “NAH LET’S GET GRANDPA ANDRE JOHNSON ON THE SQUAD!” Decisions like these are what made Andrew Luck hate football enough to quit.

It honestly feels like Chris Ballard may have overcorrected on the situation, seems like we’ve spent years addressing everything but the most essential piece to a franchise’s success. We need to learn from the past, but come on. We need a freaking quarterback!!!

Listen, before you think I’m being overreactive or quick to can a General Manager, I’d like to express that I truly believe the current state of the NFL hiring process is absolutely detrimental to a team’s success. Teams like the Dolphins, so quick to fire a coach, are absolute idiots to me. How is anyone supposed to change a program into a winner when they aren’t given the time to do so? Just can’t be done. I’m all for stability, but I’d like for that stability to land on a Super Bowl contender, not a team consistently finding themselves in the last seed or as the last one out of the playoffs.

-Burke

Tag: Irsay

Chris Ballard says a whole lot of nothing, while actually saying all he needs to regarding Wentz.

Chris Ballard deserves to be on the hot seat. Why do Colts fans we give him so much slack?