Before we discard Kelly and Smith, consider…

[Kray007]

The state of the roster.

Resigning Fries is a priority, but it’s no slam dunk. If he walks and we cut ties with Smith and Kelly, we are staring into an abyss if injury strikes. Depth would consist of Glowinski, Freeland, Pinter, Tucker, French, and Coll. Pinter, French, Coll, and Glowinski are all free agents, but…

Even if they weren’t, there isn’t a single player among the backups that I’d trust to play OL in a Saturday afternoon flag football league.

Two years ago, Ballard was virtually crucified because he left the cupboard bare of quality backups on the line. He can’t make the same mistake again. It’s that simple.

Do we really want to go into free agency needing to spend half of our cap space on the line? Do we want to spend 2nd and 3rd round draft picks filling holes we ourselves dug?

When morning breaks on free agency, do we want to face a choice between signing a cover Corner or a Right Tackle, a Linebacker who can cover or a guy who can snap the ball?

On Monday morning, after the draft, do we really want to listen while bozos like Kevin Bowen take to the airwaves complaining about how Ballard passed on an “impact” player in order to take a Guard?

Don’t get me wrong. I recognize that Kelly and Smith are nearing the end. I just think that it makes sense to wring out whatever is left of their ability for another year while we address other needs.

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by Kray007

The state of the roster.

Resigning Fries is a priority, but it’s no slam dunk. If he walks and we cut ties with Smith and Kelly, we are staring into an abyss if injury strikes. Depth would consist of Glowinski, Freeland, Pinter, Tucker, French, and Coll. Pinter, French, Coll, and Glowinski are all free agents, but…

Even if they weren’t, there isn’t a single player among the backups that I’d trust to play OL in a Saturday afternoon flag football league.

Two years ago, Ballard was virtually crucified because he left the cupboard bare of quality backups on the line. He can’t make the same mistake again. It’s that simple.

Do we really want to go into free agency needing to spend half of our cap space on the line? Do we want to spend 2nd and 3rd round draft picks filling holes we ourselves dug?

When morning breaks on free agency, do we want to face a choice between signing a cover Corner or a Right Tackle, a Linebacker who can cover or a guy who can snap the ball?

On Monday morning, after the draft, do we really want to listen while bozos like Kevin Bowen take to the airwaves complaining about how Ballard passed on an “impact” player in order to take a Guard?

Don’t get me wrong. I recognize that Kelly and Smith are nearing the end. I just think that it makes sense to wring out whatever is left of their ability for another year while we address other needs.

There's a reasonable deal to be had between the Colts and Fries, and if he absolutely won't resign for some reason, the Colts have tags available. I don't think it will get to that point, though, I would think they will work out a deal. As for Smith, is he even reliable at this point? He missed a good portion of the end of the regular season due to an undisclosed personal matter. Since we don't know what that personal matter is, it could be something that could cause him to retire. Stranger things have happened. As for Kelly, he’s on the decline and Bortolini showed enough as a rookie to think he'll be a solid replacement going forward. I think retaining Fries (who was a 7th round pick, by the way), retaining Glowinski, and drafting a couple OL for depth on Day 3 is the smart play. Having a starting OL of Raimann, Nelson, Bortolini, Fries, Goncalves with Glowinski, Freeland, and French as depth is better than most of the league. If Smith is also part of that mix, even better, but I would cut him if he doesn't agree to a pretty large pay cut.

[HoosierinFL]

I'd keep Kelly but Smith is very expensive and just not very good, I think he can be replaced easily.

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by HoosierinFL

I'd keep Kelly but Smith is very expensive and just not very good, I think he can be replaced easily.

I agree with this assessment.

[ChoppedWood]

This is basically the Ballard approach. Convince yourself that those already in your keep are inherently better than anything you could get from another roster, simply based on the fact you are familiar with them.

This is the team run-it-back approach, it is a huge driver in why we can't fucking get over the hump- the players are just "good enough" to keep from being a bottom feeder but they aren't nearly to the level it takes to win on an elite NFL level. Fuck that, it is time to start trimming the fat and sending a message that the floor is now higher and if you can't meet that minimum floor expectation, you can't be a Colt.

That said, this is Ballard, his floor for anyone that has worn the blue and white, is absurdly low, so they will both be Colts, and probably starters, next year.

FUCK CHRIS BALLARD!

[Dam8610]

Originally Posted by ChoppedWood

This is basically the Ballard approach. Convince yourself that those already in your keep are inherently better than anything you could get from another roster, simply based on the fact you are familiar with them.

This is the team run-it-back approach, it is a huge driver in why we can't fucking get over the hump- the players are just "good enough" to keep from being a bottom feeder but they aren't nearly to the level it takes to win on an elite NFL level. Fuck that, it is time to start trimming the fat and sending a message that the floor is now higher and if you can't meet that minimum floor expectation, you can't be a Colt.

That said, this is Ballard, his floor for anyone that has worn the blue and white, is absurdly low, so they will both be Colts, and probably starters, next year.

FUCK CHRIS BALLARD!

You always have a criticism, but how about for once you talk about what you would like to see happen as an alternative instead of just incessantly bitching, whining, moaning, and desperately wishing that Chris Ballard will finally come to your bedroom tonight?