Chris Ballard, the Colts' general manager, expressed optimism about the team's future despite a disappointing end to the season. He emphasized the need for increased explosive plays and expects the defense to improve. Ballard praised Anthony Richardson's passing ability and plans to add players to enhance the team's explosiveness. He also highlighted the flexibility provided by Richardson's rookie contract and expressed a desire to retain key players like Michael Pittman Jr. and Rodrigo Blankenship. Ballard acknowledged the need for improvement in the secondary and the importance of consistency at free safety. Despite the disappointment, he remains confident about the team's direction and is determined to make the playoffs and compete for the division title in the upcoming season.
The one time Chris Ballard made a big, top-of-market deal for a non-quarterback (DeForest Buckner), it paid off handsomely. The Colts have plenty of cap space, a QB on a rookie deal and 'flexibility' moving forward. How will Ballard use it? https://t.co/ly2Gj93uY2
Not news: The Colts have plenty of cap space. Hot news: Chris Ballard making a splash in agency. What's it gonna be? Our insider @JoelAErickson takes a look. https://t.co/wAaB5chfv2
Anthony Richardson’s rookie contract gives Colts’ Chris Ballard 'flexibility' https://t.co/BN1v3fxmXo
Even though injuries cut short what had the makings of an exciting rookie season by @Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, he has no plans of changing his style of play. Why? Because it's what got him to the NFL in the first place. https://t.co/VRT41lcCGH
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson had the perfect two-word response when asked what his injury cost him this season https://t.co/xgQNsW2YaU
Ballard: Disappointed, but ‘confident where we’re going’ https://t.co/r2ju0ppVxq
Chris Ballard had his usual post-season presser Thursday. He knows the score: It's time for the Colts to get back to the playoffs. But are they really that close? https://t.co/DkAur3lKlM
Anthony Richardson had to be convinced surgery was the best option to put his AC joint injury behind him in October. #Colts https://t.co/MsDDQvtbWg
Ballard left no doubt today: Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will be back https://t.co/glxZLVKsIh
NEW: Anthony Richardson gave us a glimpse behind the curtain of what he’s had to go through these last 96 days. The Colts QB was honest and reflective, but showed excitement and confidence for whats to come. See what Richardson had to say @ColtsOnFN https://t.co/fZbDZXsNq3
Anthony Richardson: I'm going to keep being me after shoulder injury https://t.co/Jd9SD5ggMU
Anthony Richardson: I'm going to keep being me after shoulder injury. https://t.co/U9rr7qUDoz
Colts QB Anthony Richardson aiming to play "smarter," excited to rejoin "great" team https://t.co/azROhKjz3d https://t.co/D4DD04439b
SPORTS: @Colts General Manager: “I’m Tired of Not Being in the Playoffs” https://t.co/yDnlTwJ6Lk
Ballard asked why he seems to be in a good mood: "I fucking hate losing. I'm tired of not being in the playoffs. But I'm encouraged."
Ballard doesn't think Julian Blackmon will need offseason surgery, Braden Smith is 50/50. Will have further updates at the Combine. #Colts
Ballard: "I think a lot of Rigo. ... Once he got going, he was Rigo." Sanchez a FA, sounds like Colts want him back.
Ballard compares Richardson's mentality to Andrew Luck's. Says Luck knew the role and importance of a QB but wanted to be just "one of the 53." And "Anthony's kind of the same way." #Colts
Ballard "absolutely" feels pressure to make the playoffs and win a division title heading into Year 8. 2021 and 2022 "guts me," and he feels bad for the fans. #Colts
Ballard: "I thought Julian Blackmon played really good football this year. Sucked when he got hurt." Believes the #Colts need more consistency at free safety. Thomas and Cross both had their moments, "but we need more consistent moments from that position."
Ballard on Paye: Excellent vs. run. Has some stuff he needs to work on rushing the passer.
Ballard on franchise tag. It's a tool. Don't worry about possible ramifications.
Ballard on the offseason: "We do think there's gonna be some opportunities to add some players that can make us a little bit more explosive." #Colts
Ballard says the #Colts will "add fuel" to the CB room this offseason, but he likes the way the young guys responded this year.
Ballard on Pittman: We're going to work to get him back. Competitive, tough,. A good football player for us and hopefully he's a Colt.
Ballard on Michael Pittman Jr.: "We have a really good relationship. It's an honest one, almost too honest some times." Says the #Colts are gonna work to bring the WR back.
Ballard on Blake Freeland, says it's a little bit like Raimann, where Freeland got thrown into the fire and needs to get stronger. Colts like the way Freeland handled it mentally despite some of the struggles.
Ballard believes the defense will take a step next year as the team gets older
Ballard: "I would expect to see us take another jump (next) year on defense." Says explosive plays and points allowed must come down. Encouraged by pass rush and growth of new starters. #Colts
Ballard confirms Gus Bradley is under contract for 2024 season. Notes the DC has been a "hot topic for everybody" but also notes the #Colts decided to go young in the defensive secondary and took their lumps, but believes it will pay off in the future.
Gus Bradley is under contract for the coming season, Ballard says. "In a little bit of defense (of Bradley)... I just said look, we were going to go young in spots, and we went young in the secondary. There were some rough moments in the secondary."
I asked Chris Ballard what he learned about Anthony Richardson in his time around him this season. "This guy's a passer." He had that hope before, but he said this season provided some of the belief.
Ballard says the #Colts need to increase explosive plays on both sides of the ball. Offense was top 10 in that category when Richardson was healthy.
Ballard on Richardson: "This guy's a legitimate passer"
Ballard on AR: "We don't know yet, but we're encouraged by what we saw." Notes there's still a lot of work to do, but it's clear how optimistic the franchise is about the future because of this QB. #Colts
Ballard on next year's expectations: "We should legitimately be competing for the division and the playoffs."
Ballard says he believes the Colts have flexibility they haven't had the last few years, cites Richardson's rookie contract. "We'll be as aggressive as we need to be in free agency with players that we think can help us."
#Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that at some point after his team's 9-6 start in 2021, they became disconnected. Some his fault, some others, he says. But he said he felt them come together as a team again this season, which gets him hopeful for the future.
Ballard says this year "probably was one of the more satisfying, fun teams to be around" even with the way the season ended. Thanks the fans. Says they "deserve" to have the team still playing this week. "We're gonna make them proud and get where we need to go." #Colts
Ballard: "Even with the ending, probably was one of the more fun, satisfying teams to be around"
Chris Ballard: very encouraged where we’re going. https://t.co/aO6dTB3Esn
Chris Ballard: "Tough way to end. ... But I feel very good about where we're going"
Chris Ballard opens: "Of course not the way we wanted it to end. Tough, tough way to end. But encouraged." #Colts
Anthony Richardson has thought long and hard about the plays where he got injured, and although he thinks there's a few hits he needs to learn to avoid, he doesn't believe he needs to change his playing style https://t.co/4WsNKTH3OL
Anthony Richardson hopes to throw next month, doesn't think he must change playing style #Colts https://t.co/kYXpumENR5