Colts 2024

[Bash Riprock]

1 hour ago, PHJIrish said:

I can only take McAfee in short spurts.  He's a bit too cute for my liking.  But I've agreed with his analysis on this from the beginning.  It doesn't take much intellect or football knowledge to figure out that the house needs to be cleaned on 56th St.

The sad part is it doesn't matter if they clean house, as long as Irsay continues his trend of hiring first time head GM's who hire first time head coaches.  Irsay has to get his hands out of trying to control people, write checks and get out of the way.  They were an incredible franchise with Polian and Dungy. But Polian would tell Jimmy what he could do with his thoughts and Jimmy doesn't like that.  

Until Irsay remembers what a winning formula looks like, it will never get much better.

[Sparty]

8 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

The sad part is it doesn't matter if they clean house, as long as Irsay continues his trend of hiring first time head GM's who hire first time head coaches.  Irsay has to get his hands out of trying to control people, write checks and get out of the way.  They were an incredible franchise with Polian and Dungy. But Polian would tell Jimmy what he could do with his thoughts and Jimmy doesn't like that.  

Until Irsay remembers what a winning formula looks like, it will never get much better.

I ask again, who is in control in Indy?

[Irishman]

43 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

The sad part is it doesn't matter if they clean house, as long as Irsay continues his trend of hiring first time head GM's who hire first time head coaches.  Irsay has to get his hands out of trying to control people, write checks and get out of the way.  They were an incredible franchise with Polian and Dungy. But Polian would tell Jimmy what he could do with his thoughts and Jimmy doesn't like that.  

Until Irsay remembers what a winning formula looks like, it will never get much better.

Even prior to his recent legal, health, and addiction issues, when he was the GM, or heavily involved in team decisions, he sucked at it. He even admitted the team got better when he fired himself. That is the only time period they have been good. 

[PHJIrish]

5 hours ago, Bash Riprock said:

The sad part is it doesn't matter if they clean house, as long as Irsay continues his trend of hiring first time head GM's who hire first time head coaches.  Irsay has to get his hands out of trying to control people, write checks and get out of the way.  They were an incredible franchise with Polian and Dungy. But Polian would tell Jimmy what he could do with his thoughts and Jimmy doesn't like that.  

Until Irsay remembers what a winning formula looks like, it will never get much better.

No, I agree, Jimmy would be a welcome addition to the house cleaning.  Maybe he's just too busy with all his antique guitars to care anymore.

5 hours ago, Sparty said:

I ask again, who is in control in Indy?

Well, it ain't the fans, that's for sure!

[PHJIrish]

The Colts/Jaguars game today should be chosen into the NFL mediocre hall of fame.  I read in the Indy Star that tickets went for $2 on the street before the game, and some of that might be from the massive snowstorm that's still going on.  I tried to stay awake, but I found myself dozing during this lackluster game.  I'm not too sure that the Jags were really playing for a higher draft choice in the OT.  It's time for house cleaning!  It was mentioned during the game that the Colts lead the league in missed tackles, by a large margin.  That was evident again today.   Not much pride on the defensive unit most of the game.

[Bash Riprock]

1 hour ago, PHJIrish said:

The Colts/Jaguars game today should be chosen into the NFL mediocre hall of fame.  I read in the Indy Star that tickets went for $2 on the street before the game, and some of that might be from the massive snowstorm that's still going on.  I tried to stay awake, but I found myself dozing during this lackluster game.  I'm not too sure that the Jags were really playing for a higher draft choice in the OT.  It's time for house cleaning!  It was mentioned during the game that the Colts lead the league in missed tackles, by a large margin.  That was evident again today.   Not much pride on the defensive unit most of the game.

I read on Twitter today, that some Colts fans brought in signs that said "Fire Ballard".  They were promptly removed from the stadium.

Colts ownership and leadership simply does not get it.............

[Sparty]

1 minute ago, Bash Riprock said:

I read on Twitter today, that some Colts fans brought in signs that said "Fire Ballard".  They were promptly removed from the stadium.

Colts ownership and leadership simply does not get it.............

As a Colts fan, if Jon Gruden is available, would you like that hire if they made the move?

[Coach Nowlin]

Irsay says pump the brakes 

No change 

[Muda69]

Mr. Doyel hinting in his latest column that this just completed season will be Ryan Kelly's last as a Colt: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2025/01/05/colts-offseason-steichen-ballard-richardson-bradley/77114671007/

Quote

...

With zero postseason stakes, an opponent with zero charisma – Mac Jones at quarterback, really? – and a storm-of-the-century brewing outside, Lucas Oil Stadium was maybe half-full at the outset and 90% empty when it ended. It was a tight contest for 60-plus minutes, and it went to overtime, and the biggest cheer all day happened when the Jags were stopped shot on fourth down in overtime and the referee announced:

“That’s the end of the game.”

It was the end of so much more than that. End of the season, for sure. End of Ryan Kelly’s time as a Colt? Seems that way. When he showed up here as a first-round pick out of Alabama in 2016 – “The last of Grigson’s guys,” Kelly said Sunday with a wan smile – he was barely shaving. Now, with that mustache, he’s … barely shaving. Kidding, Ryan. Love you!

Kelly’s been through a lot here, and not just all those quarterbacks. He and his wife, Emma, lost their stillborn daughter, Mary Kate, in 2021. They had twin sons in 2023. He has battled COVID and injuries and age (turns 32 in May) and too much incompetence around him. Ryan Kelly was always, always something you couldn’t have said for everyone in that locker room – not Carson Wentz, not A.D. Mitchell, not even podcasting dynamo Zaire Franklin at times:

Ryan Kelly was a pro, a role model, a leader.

“If I’m part of things here going forward,” he said, “good. If not, it’s been an honor to wear the horseshoe.”

The honor has been ours, Ryan Kelly.

Can’t say the same for some of the rest of you bums, though.

 

[PHJIrish]

More proof that maybe Jimmy should pink slip himself before things really get bad downtown.  It's just sad how poorly this team has been run in the last few years.  Chris Ballard has to take his share of the blame.  It's just a total 56th St. cluster bleep!

[Boilernation]

I don't watch a lot of Colts games and don't follow the local media. I mainly focus on the nightmare in Chicago. Two questions from an outsider. 

1. Would the Colts have made the playoffs with a better QB situation than AR / Flacco? 

2. Did Irsay force Ballard to draft AR? 

 

Edited January 6, 2025 by Boilernation

[PHJIrish]

Ballard, early on in this years as GM, chose Perris Campbell instead of Terry McLaurin.  It was a huge mistake, not because McLaurin was a Indy native, because he was vastly more talented than Campbell.  Yesterday, Terry McLaurin caught his 13th TD pass of the season, setting a Washington franchise record.  Of course I like Terry because I know him, and his dad, from his time at Cathedral, but that's just a side issue.  

Ballard has gone on to make many other blunders, and some really great moves, such as choosing Jonathon Taylor, but overall the team has suffered since Andrew Luck's late decision to retire, 3 weeks before the season began, and the team just tried for year's to plug  in old and inferior replacements.  Then the Anthony Richardson pick, someone with just one year of experience as a college QB.  That choice is still up in the air, mostly because AR, with all his size, seems to be very fragile.  It's just time for Ballard to be replaced by someone with a different view.  It's been enough time for Ballard to improve this team.  It really hasn't happened.

[Bash Riprock]

4 hours ago, Boilernation said:

I don't watch a lot of Colts games and don't follow the local media. I mainly focus on the nightmare in Chicago. Two questions from an outsider. 

1. Would the Colts have made the playoffs with a better QB situation than AR / Flacco? 

2. Did Irsay force Ballard to draft AR? 

 

Great question...but seems there are other cultural challenges with the team, if one prescribes to McAfee's view.

This is the Colts defensive captain's antics following their "impressive" win over a 4 win team in OT.  Makes me question the overall leadership and maturity of this team.

https://www.outkick.com/sports/zaire-franklin-pat-mcafee-suite-video

 

[temptation]

20 hours ago, Sparty said:

As a Colts fan, if Jon Gruden is available, would you like that hire if they made the move?

Yes but that’s a pipe dream in my opinion.

[Bash Riprock]

4 hours ago, PHJIrish said:

Ballard, early on in this years as GM, chose Perris Campbell instead of Terry McLaurin.  It was a huge mistake, not because McLaurin was a Indy native, because he was vastly more talented than Campbell.  Yesterday, Terry McLaurin caught his 13th TD pass of the season, setting a Washington franchise record.  Of course I like Terry because I know him, and his dad, from his time at Cathedral, but that's just a side issue.  

Ballard has gone on to make many other blunders, and some really great moves, such as choosing Jonathon Taylor, but overall the team has suffered since Andrew Luck's late decision to retire, 3 weeks before the season began, and the team just tried for year's to plug  in old and inferior replacements.  Then the Anthony Richardson pick, someone with just one year of experience as a college QB.  That choice is still up in the air, mostly because AR, with all his size, seems to be very fragile.  It's just time for Ballard to be replaced by someone with a different view.  It's been enough time for Ballard to improve this team.  It really hasn't happened.

BTW. congrats to McLaurin for breaking this Washington single season TD record.  Years ago, was blessed to take in some games at the old RFK stadium in DC, watching such Redskin receiving stars as Art Monk and Gary Clark.  Quite an accomplishment by McLaurin to earn this record.  

[PHJIrish]

10 minutes ago, Bash Riprock said:

BTW. congrats to McLaurin for breaking this Washington single season TD record.  Years ago, was blessed to take in some games at the old RFK stadium in DC, watching such Redskin receiving stars as Art Monk and Gary Clark.  Quite an accomplishment by McLaurin to earn this record.  

That's very true, he didn't just break a record, he broke the record of some legendary receivers and a very old franchise.

[PHJIrish]

Well, the Colts finally canned Gus Bradley.  He should be one of many but it's a start.

It's also being reported that Colt receiver Michael Pittman Jr. played this season with a fractured back.  How about that Anthony Richardson?

[Boilernation]

On 1/6/2025 at 5:05 PM, Bash Riprock said:

Great question...but seems there are other cultural challenges with the team, if one prescribes to McAfee's view.

This is the Colts defensive captain's antics following their "impressive" win over a 4 win team in OT.  Makes me question the overall leadership and maturity of this team.

https://www.outkick.com/sports/zaire-franklin-pat-mcafee-suite-video

 

Thanks. I wasn't aware there was a feud between McAfee and the Colts. Which then leads to the question are there people inside the locker room who are fed up with the culture and are leaking info to McAfee? I wouldn't be surprised if that were true. I doubt Pat is just making stuff up for the sake of creating drama. 

[Bash Riprock]

15 minutes ago, Boilernation said:

Thanks. I wasn't aware there was a feud between McAfee and the Colts. Which then leads to the question are there people inside the locker room who are fed up with the culture and are leaking info to McAfee? I wouldn't be surprised if that were true. I doubt Pat is just making stuff up for the sake of creating drama. 

Yea....Pat went ballastic on social media after the Colts loss to the Giants.  In most people's opinion, he stated what needed to be stated.  McAfee made it clear he would not be reupping his season tickets and was not in his suite at the game against the Jags...which led to Franklin's childish response at the end of the game.  Sadly, this organization has pissed off McAfee and Manning....2 individuals that have such a history and could be major ambassadors of the team.

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/pat-mcafee-harshly-calls-out-colts-fans-organization-after-feeling-mistreated

https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/pat-mcafee-colts-berates-social-media-tirade

"I’ve said what I believed to be the truth about the team... & a bunch of 'Colts fans' on the internet were trying to get me booed out of the city... Current players, who have won nothing during their entire tenures, started using me and my face to try and paint me as the enemy in the city I’ve committed my life to," McAfee said.

"A blind person could see the red flags on this team... Work ethic questions, NEVER happens on good teams... Preparation commitment questions, NEVER happens on good teams... Late to meetings, NEVER happens on good teams... Late to/skipping treatment, NEVER happens on good teams... The franchise QB tapped out of a game... on 3rd down... in the red zone... because he was tired... NEVER HAPPENED in the history of the NFL."

"As a multiple-year season ticket holder (not renewing)... and someone who has actively, daily, attempted to be an additive to this beautiful city. I hope they become a good franchise again... this city deserves it... the OGs in the Colts building deserve it (equipment managers, trainers, ticketing, PR, sales)... and on the flip side, the players/coaches in that building deserve whatever happens to them.

"Your unwarranted arrogance, laziness, and lack of professionalism have led you to ANOTHER early vacation... which is probably what most of you entitled bums have been hoping for. I don’t speak for the city... and I don’t speak for all ex-Colts players because I was only a punter... nominated for the HOF 3 times now but nonetheless... I speak from my own perspective... I’ve never seen a group waste opportunities/talent/money more than this group."

[Bash Riprock]

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2025/01/10/colts-chris-ballard-anonymous-comment-chicken-expletive/77596283007/#
 

Well, if anyone knows losing football, it’s this 🤡

[PHJIrish]

1 hour ago, Bash Riprock said:

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2025/01/10/colts-chris-ballard-anonymous-comment-chicken-expletive/77596283007/#
 

Well, if anyone knows losing football, it’s this 🤡

IMO, Ballard doesn't have a clue how to turn things around.  He's lucky Jimmy likes him for some reason.  It ain't for his football knowledge, that's been proven.

[Coach Nowlin]

I watched his entire 50 mins presser to see how it compared to the one Poles just gave.  

I thought Ballard was on point on indentifying issues and put it all on him because he allowed non competition complencey to set in as the major issue.   Gave praise to DBuck on being man enough to opening challenge the locker room and his comments in the media.   

For some reason Ballard must have a thing about trying to draft and resign his owns and thinks its a failure when they have to go into FA,  thats why he called himself stubborn....

Use of the world grateful to have a 9th year was a theme too.   No Playoffs in 2025, no 10th year is the indication I got after it all was said and done.   

[Sparty]

On 12/31/2024 at 5:00 PM, Sparty said:

I ask again, who is in control in Indy?

Obviously not Irsay. He’s in some new show on Netflix 

[Alduflux]

On 1/6/2025 at 12:33 PM, Boilernation said:

1. Would the Colts have made the playoffs with a better QB situation than AR / Flacco?

 Yes. 

I'm one of the few Colt fans that feels like burning down the house is not necessary. (Although it wouldn't bother me if they did.)  The Colts played .500 football the last two years without stability at the single most important position in sports.  Give them average qb performance in each of their losses and they make the playoffs.  Give them a top 5 qb and they are a top 5 team in the NFL.

Whose responsible for the lack of QB stability?  I don't really care.  The question is how do you fix the problem.  AR could be a Josh Allen/Lamar Jackson in this league but is clearly not there yet.  Can he get there?  Is Steichen the guy to develop him? (Every qb not named Drake Maye is older then AR.)

Personally, I like Steichen and want him to stay but I'm guessing AR will probably be more Jamarcus Russell then Lamar Jackson.

The Colts won't be relevant without fixing the QB position.

[PHJIrish]

IMHO, it's the GM who hires/picks the players, including the QB.  He's to blame and he even admits it.  He hasn't had a clue since Andrew left the team abruptly before the 2019 season.  Bad time to "retire!"