So is that somewhere between 96 - 99 %.

colts reach 1 year deal with Rivers
 

Like I said, Ballard is like Polian, but with much bigger balls and an executive strength for finding linebacker talent. Whereas Polian didn’t seem to value that position nearly as much. They’re both masters of the salary cap.


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I think Ballard has someone targeted in the draft. That’s the only way a one year deal with Rivers makes sense.

They say they’re keeping Brissett to drive up his price tag. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he’s traded between now and the draft. I don’t think you can keep him as a backup with an eye for him being a contingency plan for next year, in case Rivers is done. I don’t think Jacoby would go for that.

Ballard has something else in the works I think.

Edit-if they release Hoyer or Kelly in the next few days, I’ll be more inclined to believe they’re actually keeping Brissett.

Still a bit surprised by this move, all things considered. This is basically an admission that the Brissett extension last year was a mistake, though i like that Ballard is willing to accept the mistake and move on without being stubborn. Sends a message to everyone that their job is not safe, regardless of how much they're being paid.

It wasn't a mistake. Their hands were tied because Luck unexpectedly quit right before the season. Luck torpedoed the season. Deep down, everybody knew that Jacoby couldn't replace Luck. Even if they lie and say otherwise...they knew. Most of the people on this board aren't dumb. If we were, we'd be over at dotcom. The Colts brass had to talk JB up and boost his confidence in order to even have a chance. Jacoby, ultimately, failed as was expected. Rivers is at least competent and can throw downfield. Has a quicker release. Luck, who is entirely to blame for last year and this whole situation, took $24M to walk away and quit. At least Phil (who I've always hated) is going to play and try for his salary. I just hope we get a good kid we can train to be a starting QB.

I'm not ripping your post or anything, Chaka. Just stating my opinion.

I think under the new CBA game day rosters will be increased by 2.

I seriously think Ballard has got to try to trade Jacoby Brissett for cap savings. Great team guy, but with Rivers signing I believe Ballard is in a win now mode and could use the $15,875,000 better elsewhere.

I just don't see the Colts carrying his $21,375,000 Cap hit along with Rivers $25,000,000
If he is released or traded Brissett will have following impact:

Released:
Dead Cap: $12,500,000 Cap Savings of $8,875,000

Traded:
Dead Cap: $5,500,000 Cap Savings of $15,875,000

:cool:

Well, most likely.

Too bad we released TRich years ago.

I understand your viewpoint, but I don’t know that the Brissett extension was consistent with Ballard’s general philosophy that you get the best out of your players through healthy competition and rewarding those who have performed. Up to the point of the extension, the Colts had certainly talked Brissett up a lot, but he hadn’t really proven himself on the field yet. He had a year to go before free agency, and as a third round pick he hadn’t earned the really big $$ yet, so he would have had a natural incentive to max out his performance. By giving him an extension and paying him a lot of money, you reduce that incentive. As far the need to boost his confidence, well, I hope that wasn't the case because if so it should have been a flaming red flag to the Colts.

Now, there’s no question the Luck retirement threw everything into disarray, and forced the Colts to scramble and make decisions they wouldn’t have made otherwise. Signing Brissett to a one-year extension was one of them, and if he had performed well this last season it would have been considered brilliant. Sort of a balance between capping their costs if Brissett plays well vs. limiting their downside if he doesn’t. So going back in time to the Luck retirement, I get the strategy and don’t fault the Colts or Ballard all that much – it was a difficult situation for sure, and at least they didn’t do a long term deal.

I guess my ultimate point is that even though the decision did not turn out as well as the Colts had hoped, I give credit to Ballard to recognize this fact and to be willing to move on even if it paints his decision on the Brissett extension in a bad light. If Brissett is not the guy for the job, then stubbornly forcing the issue would only destroy another season.

There was no need for the extension. If he outplayed it and wanted 30 mil, let someone else pay it. There are plenty of other stop-gap options.

Rivers just gives them a better chance over all. He is a better QB and is experienced (even though he is definitely on the decline). Also Rivers knows the offense already. He won’t have to learn anything new, maybe take a refresher. But he will also be able to hit the ground running as opposed to say a Carr. Remember, every thing is shut down. We may be looking at a season with no OTA’s, no mini camp, etc.

Rivers has been a turnover machine, but his line has sucked for years and he is constantly under pressure. He should be able to settle down under our line.

A thing about Jacoby. I think he looked a lot better in camp. The guy they gave that contract to was definetely not the guy we saw in the second half of the season. I think that second half of the season scared the coaching staff and front office. And is why they decided to go the FA vet route, plus Rivers familiarity with the system.

Peyton was on a decline the year the Broncos won the Superbowl. Rivers is nowhere near the QB that Peyton was but if he can play good enough when its needed and if Ballard can finish filling the holes around him... why couldn't the Colts win a SB with Rivers?

We know that Ballard isnt finished. Could he be finding a suitor to trade Brissett to
?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.ind...amp/2863610001

If it’s the Pats, the price should be about two firsts.

It was reported today that Ballard had a Plan B cooking at the same time. The Colts were also discussing a trade for Nick Foles. Checks many of the same boxes as Rivers - familiarity with Reich, knows the offense, etc. Apparently the talks between the Colts and Jacksonville had progressed to the point of discussing draft pick compensation. Shows how much Jacksonville wanted to get rid of Foles contract to be talking with a division rival.


Edit: the Bears just traded for Foles. They are sending Jacksonville a compensatory fourth-round pick. Foles is going to restructure his contract.


https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ut-nick-foles/

I'm starting to think that they really really believed he was the guy, and that by locking him up for modest money now, it would become a genius move to have a franchise QB at that price. But it wasn't a genius move. Its Ok, you win some, you lose some.

Yeah, when I said that deep down everybody knew that JB couldn't replace Luck, I should have said 'everybody on this forum'. It's possible Ballard and Reich thought he could.

i dont believe ballard/reich ever thought he could replace luck. i do believe they thought he would make a bigger leap than he did.

They certainly believed in him enough to pay him another $20 million or so in guaranteed money for an extra season, when he was only scheduled to make about $2 million otherwise, so I think you're right. If Jacoby had played well, then as you said Ballard would have been hailed as a genius, not only for the contract, but also for managing to pluck Brissett from New England in the first place.

They did him a solid by paying him _almost_ starting QB money. He's also taken a lot of heat and has gotten on the wrong side of the fanbase to the point the majority want him gone. He's earned his money. I'm not concerned about Irsay's money. He gave Luck $24 million for absolutely nothing when he quit. At least Jacoby tried. Luck didn't.

Wouldn't they still be there if they keep him?
:confused:

I'm sorry, I don't understand the question......in my defense, I'm down with the flu and not thinking clearly. :p

Covid-19 alert!!!


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lol, while I certainly can't rule it out (can't get tested cause I'm too young and too healthy :cool:)......I have been tested for flu and definitively have that. My fever has been so high (topped out at 104) that my brain has literally felt like it was boiling in my skull. I request special dispensation for posting anything that doesn't make sense. :p

Get well soon!

Get well and take care of yourself !!! :cool:

Thanks Smitty! CAn you delete my Ebron thread? I don't know how/or if I can. It seems it's a duplicate.

Yuck! Hope you get better soon! I had a 104 temp last year, i was delirious and felt like i was going to die.


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