The whole Simon thing is a head scratcher from the start of the offseason. True he's a much better fit as a 3-4 LB than a 4-3, but we have such little talent at LB that he probably was the best SAM LB on the team. Still he was moved to DE, outperformed his competition at DE and was still cut. Just doesn't make much sense on such a talent ridden D.

A different topic, but does anyone have any idea why Tyquan Lewis wasn't put on IR to return? Since he's out for half the season seems like stashing him there to open up a roster spot for now would have been a good idea.

I am not 100% on this, but I think for him to return during the season he has to be on the final preseason 53 man list. I expect he will be moved to IR shortly after that.

It’s funny that when I point out that Ballard’s “plan” seems to be a 4 yr rebuild in the prime of his franchise QBs career no one ever says that’s it the best thing for the franchise and Luck just has to wait. No, they argue that it’s not going to be 4 years. It’s two. And last year doesn’t count. But look at that opening day roster and tell me that it’s one good draft away from seriously competing. Can you? I seriously doubt it. It sure is long on hope though. You get to see young guys running around making mistakes “growing”. The perfect thing to placate a fan base while you waste another year of your most important commodities career.

Couldn't agree more !!

Yeah; I'd say this roster is easily 2-3 years away from competing. And that may be generous.

I'm still stoked to watch Luck play, and there are players I'll be interested to watch in general. I don't feel nearly as burdened watching the 2018 Colts as the 2017 Colts, which were just a slog to get through 4 quarters watching.

But even the most homery homers have to look at this roster and realize how much it sucks. Probably the worst Colts roster since, what, 1997?

Tanking the season for a shot at Ed Oliver.

I guess I'm so homey that I don't think anyone has any idea whatsoever how good or how bad this roster is right now. Maybe these guys are just athletes that don't ever get how to play together or maybe they are the building blocks of a dynasty. Probably more of the former if you were a betting person but that is what is so great about sports, nobody knows. Record be damned, I learned thru many many years as a Colt fan, before Peyton rescued me, how to enjoy watching a not so great team. If it comes to that, will still be here rooting and enjoying at least some part of the season.

You are correct! We really don't know. All we can do is guess. I hope my guess is better than the guess of those who think we are a team in the running for the top pick.

You don’t have to have on blue colored glasses to enjoy the season. Just because I don’t agree with Ballard’s vision doesn’t mean I’m not looking forward to the season or that I won’t cheer like crazy for these young guys. I hated the Nelson pick, still do, but you can bet I love watching him drive D linemen into the ground. I’m just not going to lie to myself about what’s going on. What I see is a piss poor roster.

As pessimistic as I am about the methods I don’t think they will be in the running for a top pick. Luck is worth 6-8 wins. That’s the frustrating part - Ballard is wasting the advantage he’s been given.

They'll be in the top 10 of the next draft, possibly the top 5 again. Supposedly this is a deep draft for defensive players, so Ballard better take advantage of it and stop taking project players.