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Originally Posted by Dam8610
The Colts were also two plays away from winning the AFC South (the Texans nearly upset the Titans in Week 17), and that doesn't even factor in the way that Buckner missed the most important game of the year and that the Titans basically got handed their win against the Colts by the NFL.
Every team has trying circumstances, but even current and former GMs acknowledge that the circumstances Ballard have had to deal with are far more challenging than what most GMs face. And I'd say Ballard has guided the franchise through to a place where they're still contenders, and will be for the foreseeable future. How many GMs could've pulled that off within 20 months of unexpectedly losing the franchise QB that was entering what was supposed to be the prime of his career and was in place when they were hired? Not many. Again, I agree with you that Ballard needs to loosen the pursestrings a bit in free agency, but that's pretty much the only criticism I would say is really justifiable based on his tenure to this point. |
Injuries happen, what if Turay had been healthy this year? That is why he wants to build depth. However, there is a reason you say you are what your record is. Again, squeaking in is exactly what they did. The year before, less bounces went their way and they missed. They are keeping their head above water. Mostly because they have good talent on the team. But still lacking in very influential areas, and now we have LT to deal with. We should be focused on LT and getting Wentz more weapons. Instead we are debating spending our first on another pass rusher in a mediocre, but deep, pass rusher draft.
Every team has those trying times articles. Does it suck? Sure, but other teams have lost their guy also, FA, injury. But Ballard has been shuffling QBs, a lot of teams have QB consistency issues. Hence the mad rush for the rookie QBs this year. I don’t hold Ballard responsible for Luck or the fallout. I do hold him responsible for the things he can control though.
You can’t have it both ways. You can’t say “we are rebuilding, this team isn’t ready.” Then turn around and say “this team is special, they have a shot, they can do it.” This mostly comes from the fanbase. If the team is a contender then you need to fill those gaps best you can. Pass rush and wide out have been understaffed for awhile. If the team comes up short, maybe it was because you didn’t do enough to get talent on the team. And with 30-60-90 million sitting there. Did your inaction cost the team a better shot? Because I keep coming back to the end of these seasons and wonder if it’s another wasted opportunity. I know I’m preaching to the choir, but it seems to others that Ballard can do no wrong and I don’t agree with that.