{"id":85150,"date":"2020-06-23T10:36:40","date_gmt":"2020-06-23T14:36:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=85150"},"modified":"2021-05-24T07:05:50","modified_gmt":"2021-05-24T11:05:50","slug":"chris-ballard-vs-ryan-grigson-part-i","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/06\/23\/chris-ballard-vs-ryan-grigson-part-i\/","title":{"rendered":"Chris Ballard vs Ryan Grigson: Part I"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Chris Ballard<\/strong> enters his fourth year as the Indianapolis Colts General Manager, he has been praised as the next best executive in the league.\u00a0 This is despite making only one playoff appearance in three years. \u00a0Indianapolis Colts<\/a> fans have been clamoring how bad of a General Manager Ryan Grigson <\/strong>was despite Indy making the playoffs in three out of five years.\u00a0 In fact, many Colts fans blame Grigson for the early retirement of Andrew Luck<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 A notable divide has recently brewed in Indianapolis amongst fans in a debate between Ballard vs Grigson.\u00a0 To his credit, Colts fans forget Grigson found talent in unconventional ways including the waivers and CFL.<\/p>\n

Chris Ballard vs Ryan Grigson<\/h2>\n

The Colts hired Ballard after terminating Grigson in early 2017.\u00a0 In the eyes of Colts fans, Ballard could do no wrong whereas Grigson was blamed for all bad things in the state of Indiana.\u00a0 Comparisons between the two were inevitable considering their polarizing personalities and strategies.<\/p>\n

SPOILER ALERT: That is exactly what I am going to do.<\/em><\/p>\n

This will be a six-part series looking in-depth in the debate of Chris Ballard vs Ryan Grigson.\u00a0 We will evaluate draft picks, free agency, and trades completed by each General Manager.\u00a0 Each will be compared on a year-to-year basis.\u00a0 In the end, I will objectively decide who was better.\u00a0 Part I will look at the first year of each General Manager: Ryan Grigson in 2012 and Chris Ballard in 2017.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: Not every free agent signing will be shown.<\/em><\/p>\n

Grigson 2012 Off-Season: The Beginning to a New Era<\/h2>\n

Free Agency<\/h3>\n

MLB Jerrell Freeman<\/a>: 3-year, $1,460,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Signed from the CFL, many expected Freeman to be a backup player at best.\u00a0 After his first year, Freeman was a player worth building around.\u00a0 Freeman was able to rack up 478 tackles, 21 TFL, 12 sacks, and four INTs.\u00a0 Freeman was a leader and a stout LB that was good against the run and athletic enough to make any play on the field.\u00a0 It was shocking when Freeman didn’t receive a contract extension after 2015.\u00a0 POSITIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

DE Cory Redding<\/a>: three-year, $10,500,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A veteran at this stage of his career, Redding was expected to anchor a young defense on the defensive line.\u00a0 Although the numbers don’t usually jump off the stat sheet in a 3-4 defense for defensive linemen, Redding was a solid player.\u00a0\u00a0 POSITIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

C Samson Satele<\/a>: three-year $10,800,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Satele was a five-year starter for the Miami Dolphins<\/a> and the formerly known, Oakland Raiders<\/a>.\u00a0 However, Satele was a liability on the Colts constantly allowing pressure up the middle and made Andrew Luck’s life a living hell. N<\/strong>EGAT<\/em>IVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

OG Mike McGlynn<\/a>: two-year, $2,650,000\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Similar to Satele, McGlynn was a previous starter.\u00a0 Also similar to Satele, he was a liability on the line and did not last long in Indy. NEGATIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

WR Donnie Avery<\/a>: one-year, $665,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Avery played as the number two\/three receiver.\u00a0 He accumulated 60 receptions, 781 yards, and three touchdowns.\u00a0 Avery was a consistent player and even had a game-winning touchdown as time expired against the Lions. POSITIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

WR Reggie Wayne<\/a>: three-year, $17,500,000\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Reggie is a Colts legend.\u00a0 It was presumed that Wayne had already played his final game in Indy.\u00a0 In 2012, Wayne was one of the best receivers in the league finishing with 106 receptions, 1,355 yards, and five touchdowns.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Wayne tore his ACL in 2013 and was never the same.\u00a0 His leadership still helped the locker room filled with young players.\u00a0 \u00a0POSITIVE SIGNING<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Draft<\/h3>\n

#1 Overall Pick: QB Andrew Luck<\/strong>
\n #34 Overall Pick: TE Coby Fleener<\/a><\/strong>
\n #64 Overall Pick: TE Dwayne Allen<\/a><\/strong>
\n #92 Overall Pick: WR T.Y. Hilton<\/a> (Traded Pick #97 and 2013 Fifth to San Fransisco 49ers<\/a>)<\/em><\/strong>
\n #136 Overall Pick: NT Josh Chapman<\/a><\/strong>
\n#170th Overall Pick: RB Vick Ballard<\/a><\/strong>
\n#206th Overall Pick: WR LaVon Brazill<\/a><\/strong>
\n#208th Overall Pick: OL Justin Anderson<\/a><\/strong>
\n#214th Overall Pick: DE Tim Fugger<\/a><\/strong>
\n#253rd Overall Pick: QB Chandler Harnish<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Best Player in Draft: Andrew Luck<\/h4>\n

It was reported Colts Owner Jim Irsay<\/strong> informed all interviewees for the vacant General Manager position that joining the Colts staff included drafting Luck.\u00a0 Luck was regarded as the best quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 Luck lived up to all the hype with three playoff appearances in his first three years including an AFCCG appearance in 2014.\u00a0 With a .616 winning percentage, Andrew Luck was the epitome of a franchise quarterback.\u00a0 A TD-INT ratio of 2.06 puts Luck 15th on the list all-time.\u00a0 Eventually, injuries and loss of the love of the game were reasons why he retired in 2019.\u00a0 It’s hard to even include this pick for or against Grigson because this was an Irsay pick.<\/p>\n

Notable Player in Draft: T.Y. Hilton<\/h4>\n

The Colts made arguably the best pick during the Ryan Grigson era by selecting a speedy receiver out of Florida International.\u00a0 Hilton was projected as a slot receiver.\u00a0 Indy already had one of the best slot wide receivers in the league in Austin Collie<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 It did not take long for the league to take notice and realize Hilton was consistently one of the best receivers in the league.\u00a0 Averaging 70 catches, over 1,000 yards, and almost six touchdowns a year, Hilton is one of the most underrated receivers and embodies what it means to wear the Horseshoe.<\/p>\n

Rest of Draft<\/h4>\n

Even the rest of the draft class was a pretty solid group overall.\u00a0 Fleener and Allen were big red zone targets totaling over 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns.\u00a0 Chapman from Alabama was hyped by the Colts coaching staff but ended up being an average starter for two seasons.\u00a0 POSITIVE DRAFT<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Trades<\/h3>\n

OT Winston Justice<\/a>: Swapped Sixth Rounders with Philadelphia Eagles<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Winston Justice started at right tackle for the Colts for one season.\u00a0 He was the definition of an average starter.\u00a0 NEUTRAL TRADE<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

CB Vontae Davis<\/a>: 2013 Second Rounder to Miami Dolphins<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Davis is arguably the best cornerback in Colts history.\u00a0 He was a lockdown cornerback for five seasons with the Colts until his injury-riddled sixth season where he was cut.\u00a0 Davis racked up 210 tackles, 13 interceptions, and 65 pass breakups in 76 games with Indy.\u00a0 Davis earned a bad reputation for retiring with the Buffalo Bills<\/a> mid-game during Week 1.\u00a0 However, people should not forget how great of a player he was.\u00a0 POSITIVE TRADE<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Ballard 2017 Season: A Reset with Veteran Leadership<\/h2>\n

Free Agency<\/h3>\n

LB John Simon<\/a>: 3-year, $13,500,000<\/h4>\n

Simon was signed to be a reliable veteran on a team that was in desperate need of reconstruction.\u00a0 Every season Simon had been in the league, he had played more and improved on that play.\u00a0 In 2017, Simon had 43 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, three sacks, and a pass breakup in nine games.\u00a0 Considering how bad the team was and playing in limited time due to injury, Simon had a good season.\u00a0 Surprisingly, this was Simon’s lone season with the Colts as he was cut after the 2017 season. NEGATIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

EDGE Jabaal Sheard<\/a>: 3-year, $25,500,000<\/h4>\n

Sheard has been a force on the Colts defensive line.\u00a0 He was signed as a veteran presence on a team lacking leadership.\u00a0 In three years in Indy, he had 94 tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 36 QB hits, and 15.5 sacks.\u00a0 Sheard was never known to be an elite pass rusher, but he was a sound overall player that does many things well.\u00a0 POSITIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

NT\/DT Al Woods<\/a>: 2-year, $4,000,000<\/h4>\n

A prevalent theme that was constant during the 2017 off-season as another veteran was signed to help the locker room.\u00a0 Al Woods had never been a flashy player.\u00a0 However, Woods was a force in the middle of the defensive line by clogging up lanes and taking on multiple blockers.\u00a0 Consequently, this allowed linebackers to roam freely to make plays.\u00a0 POSITIVE SIGNING<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

DT\/DE Margus Hunt<\/a>: 2-year, $4,100,000<\/h4>\n

Hunt was a draft bust with the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a>.\u00a0 As a six-foot-eight, 300-pound behemoth, Hunt was signed with the Colts as a depth player.\u00a0 However, in his first year with the Colts, Hunt had just as many tackles and quarterback hits and more tackles for a loss than his four seasons with the Bengals.\u00a0 A move from defensive end to defensive tackle helped Hunt by having a career year with five sacks and 13 tackles for a loss in 2018.\u00a0 POSITIVE SIGNING<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

DT Jonathan Hankins<\/a>: 3-year, $27,000,000<\/h4>\n

As a run-stopper, Hankins was one of the best, young defensive tackles in the league.\u00a0 After playing as a full-time starter with the New York Giants<\/a>, Hankins was looking to cash in.\u00a0 In his first year, Hankins was worth the contract starting alongside Al Woods.\u00a0 Hankins commanded the middle of the line.\u00a0 After 2017, Indy transitioned from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3 defense.\u00a0 This meant the Colts were looking for smaller and more explosive players along the line which Hankins did not fit the mold.\u00a0 A positive was the first year on Hankins’s contract was fully guaranteed.\u00a0 This resulted in zero dead money on the cap.\u00a0 NEUTRAL SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Draft<\/h3>\n

#15 Overall Pick: FS Malik Hooker<\/a>
\n#46 Overall Pick: CB Quincy Wilson<\/a><\/strong>
\n#80 Overall Pick: EDGE Tarell Basham<\/a><\/strong>
\n#137 Overall Pick: OT Zach Banner<\/a><\/strong>
\n#143 Overall Pick: RB Marlon Mack<\/a> (Pick #143 and Pick #161 fr0m SF for Pick #121)<\/em><\/strong>
\n#144 Overall Pick: DT Grover Stewart<\/a><\/strong>
\n#158 Overall Pick: CB Nate Hairston<\/a><\/strong>
\n#161 Overall Pick: LB Anthony Walker<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Best Player in Draft: Anthony Walker<\/h4>\n

In his rookie season, Walker was relegated to backup and special team duties.\u00a0 Fast forward to 2020, and Walker is one of the leaders of the defense.\u00a0 However, in his second season, Walker was a starter for the Colts.\u00a0 In two seasons, Walker amassed 251 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, four sacks, and two interceptions.\u00a0 He is a linebacker who is stout against the run and has a high IQ.<\/p>\n

Notable Player in Draft: Marlon Mack<\/h4>\n

As a change of pace back, Mack served his role accumulating almost 600 total yards with four touchdowns.\u00a0 Since taking over as a starter, Mack racked up almost 2,200 total yards and 18 total touchdowns.\u00a0 Just like Walker, Mack enters a contract year competing for snaps with Nyheim Hines<\/a><\/strong> and Jonathan Taylor<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Rest of Draft<\/h4>\n

Ballard did a good job in his first draft with the Colts by finding three starters.\u00a0 Hooker has been a good player as a single-high safety.\u00a0 Stewart has been a solid player as a rotational player along the defensive line until he took over as the starter in 2019.\u00a0 Wilson was a depth player and never lived up to his hype.\u00a0 Ironically, the later picks were better than the early ones.\u00a0 POSITIVE DRAFT<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

*Fun fact: All the players from the Colts 2017 draft are either still on the Colts or the New York Jets.*<\/em><\/p>\n

Trades<\/h3>\n

Pick #137: Dwayne Allen and Pick #200 to New England Patriots<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

This move was essentially done to dump Allen’s contract.\u00a0 Jack Doyle<\/a><\/strong> was ready to take over as the new starter on the roster and has not looked back since.\u00a0 The Colts ended up drafting Zach Banner with the pick.\u00a0 He did not end up working out, but the Colts freed up salary space which was their primary objective. NEUTRAL TRADE<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

QB Jacoby Brissett<\/a>: Phillip Dorsett<\/a> to New England
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brissett is a competent player who can right the ship in an emergency situation which was the case with Indy.\u00a0 Dorsett was a bust for the Colts and ended up being an average player for the Patriots.\u00a0 This was a win-win for all parties.\u00a0 POSITIVE TRADE<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

*Pierre Desir<\/a><\/strong> and Kenny Moore<\/a><\/strong> were claimed off of waivers.\u00a0 Both players ended up starting for several years.*<\/em><\/p>\n

Chris Ballard vs Ryan Grigson: Year One Comparisons<\/h2>\n

Grigson Quality Starters<\/h4>\n