Colts General Manager Chris Ballard admits he is ‘failed,’ oddly equates NFL firings to being ‘canceled’
During a media session with reporters on Tuesday, Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard acknowledge that he “failed” the crew this season. The longtime crew govt talked about that his total strategy to the 2022 season was partially chargeable for his shortcomings.
Ballard additionally pointed to the group’s instability on the quarterback place as one of many causes for the disappointing seasons. The Colts have struggled for years to discover a long-term reply on the quarterback place ever since Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement previous to the beginning of the 2019 season.
Ballard appeared to trace he’s keen to execute a commerce within the draft if essential to land a younger quarterback within the draft. But, the 53-year-old mentioned he’s properly conscious of why many are vital of him.
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – SEPTEMBER 12: Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard is seen earlier than the sport towards the Seattle Seahawks at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
“I failed,” Ballard mentioned. “I’m not going to sit up here and make excuses. I failed a lot of people.”
At one level Ballard then started defending his job by evaluating being fired to being “canceled.”
“When you fail in this world, you get canceled and everybody wants your head,” he mentioned. “And rightfully so, in some cases. But if you’re able to go through it and learn from it, you can reach your greatest heights.”
The Colts face vital challenges as Ballard and his workers start the offseason work with the hopes of turning the franchise round. Team proprietor Jim Irsay determined to relive Frank Reich of his head teaching duties after a 3-5-1 begin to the season
Ballard mentioned Reich’s firing was largely as a result of poor quarterback play. Over the previous 5 years, the Colts have opened every season with 5 completely different beginning quarterbacks. In 2022, the crew trotted out three completely different signal-callers — Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger and Nick Foles.
“Looking back on it, when you’re changing quarterbacks every year, it’s tough,” Ballard mentioned. “It’s tough on everybody. It’s tough on the team. Not getting that position settled has a little something to do with [the team’s predicament].”
Chris Ballard, common supervisor of the Indianapolis Colts speaks to reporters in the course of the NFL Draft Combine on the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
The Colts completed this season with a 4-12-1 file which provides them the No. 4 choice in the NFL Draft. Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, and Will Levis are among the many prime quarterbacks who’re anticipated to be taken early within the first-round of the draft. When Ballard was requested about probably buying and selling as much as land one of many younger quarterbacks, he promised to take an aggressive strategy.
“I’ll do whatever it takes,” mentioned Ballard, who previously has expressed some reluctance to put money into a rookie quarterback. “If we thought there’s a player that we’re driven to get that makes the franchise and the team better, that’s what we would do.
“We perceive the significance of the place. To get one that you would be able to win with and to be proper is an important factor — not if we take one or not. It’s being proper.”
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The amount of power Ballard truly wields within the Colts football operations department has been called into question due to the Irsay’s outspoken nature and unorthodox decision-making.
“Mr. Irsay lets me do my job,” Ballard said. “He’s a great man and a great proprietor, and he has a number of expertise on this league, and we speak about every little thing.
“We don’t always agree. If we’re agreeing all the time, I’m not doing my job.”
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 24: Indianapolis Colts proprietor Jim Irsay and common supervisor Chris Ballard watch pregame warmups earlier than a preseason recreation towards the Chicago Bears at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Ballard additionally admitted he disagreed with Irsay’s determination to rent Jeff Saturday because the crew’s interim coach.
Saturday’s hiring despatched shock waves all through the league as a result of he lacked any teaching expertise on the NFL or collegiate ranges.
“This is unprecedented, and we’re putting him into a really tough situation here,” Ballard recalled telling Irsay.
Ballard did affirm that Saturday might be interviewed for the full-time job.
“If I get this job, there’s going to be significant change. . . . The way I do things is not the way it’s been done,” Saturday mentioned on Monday, by way of the Indianapolis Star.
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Ballard famous that though the 2022 was turbulent, there are causes to be hopefully going ahead.
“I do think there’s some building pieces here. They’ve got to play better. Our best players gotta play to their standard.”
