The only team Ballard/Reich has been able to consistently beat is KC (playoffs aside)
I think Ballard‘s unwillingness to pull the trigger on a QB in the draft is going to be his undoing. I get having Luck retire on you was not something you were expecting but that was 3 years ago and you still aren’t any closer to having a long term solution at the QB spot. Bringing in the corpse of Matt Ryan never made any sense, anyone who watched him play the last few years in ATL knew he was shot
I’ve defended this guy in the past, but it’s hard to now. Ballard builds his rosters as if it’s the 1960s. A lot of the talent on this team are at less than impactful positions, and the personnel who are highly paid aren’t reflecting it with their lackluster play on the field. Giving 20mil to Quenton, a guard, is wild and there is no reason for this offensive line unit to be the most expensive in the league.
Yeah, I'm a fan of Ballard and I still am, but his approach to building a team in this day and age needs some refining. Its not his fault Luck retired(and make no mistake, things would look A LOT BETTER if he didn't), but it happened and he should of identified a young QB whether draft or trade to build around instead of Koch Records esq retreads. Nelson is great and I know they wanted to keep him, but at that price you have to consider the other linemen and not commit so much cash into it. Ideally, as soon as they knew they were going to keep Q, Kelly should have been traded/cut so you're not allocating so much money on positions that can be filled cheaper. IMO, I'd consider getting rid of Smith, too as he's not performing up to his contract either.
) and if not, draft a QB!
This move makes me feel like Irsay gave Ballard an ultimatum. Draft a franchise QB after the season or you can kick rocks. In regards to Frank, I think he’s a goner no matter what. Already lost the locker room.Yeah, I'm a fan of Ballard and I still am, but his approach to building a team in this day and age needs some refining. Its not his fault Luck retired(and make no mistake, things would look A LOT BETTER if he didn't), but it happened and he should of identified a young QB whether draft or trade to build around instead of Koch Records esq retreads. Nelson is great and I know they wanted to keep him, but at that price you have to consider the other linemen and not commit so much cash into it. Ideally, as soon as they knew they were going to keep Q, Kelly should have been traded/cut so you're not allocating so much money on positions that can be filled cheaper. IMO, I'd consider getting rid of Smith, too as he's not performing up to his contract either.
I'll give Ballard another chance with a new coaching staff to try to right the ship, but its got to start in the off season immediately. Get some fresh voices in there, new schemes, new play calls, etc. and get to it. Ballard absolutely has to identify a QB for the future, because I honestly don't want Ryan back next year at this point. I see that he's getting benched, which is good, so now we can see if Ehlinger has any potential(please be the next Tom Brady
I think a new coaching regime is very likely to happen still, but midseason firings have never been Irsay’s MO.
