{"id":90448,"date":"2020-06-24T14:46:35","date_gmt":"2020-06-24T18:46:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=90448"},"modified":"2020-06-24T14:46:35","modified_gmt":"2020-06-24T18:46:35","slug":"chris-ballard-vs-ryan-grigson-part-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/06\/24\/chris-ballard-vs-ryan-grigson-part-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"Chris Ballard vs Ryan Grigson: Part II"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to Part II of the Chris Ballard<\/strong> vs Ryan Grigson<\/strong> series.\u00a0 To read Part I of the series, check it out right here<\/a>. In part I, we saw how Ballard and Grigson added a handful of playmakers on offense and defense. Although both general managers had masterful off-seasons in their first year, Grigson was able to get the nod by finding difference-makers compared to Ballard finding solid starters.\u00a0 As the series continues, you will see trends emerge in the differing draft strategies. Grigson started to focus more on free agency and veterans whereas Ballard focused on the draft and building a culture.<\/p>\n

Chris Ballard vs Ryan Grigson: Part II<\/h2>\n

After going 11-5, Grigson went into win-now mode by hitting free agency hard and trading away future draft picks.\u00a0 Andrew Luck<\/a><\/strong> was better than anyone anticipated so the Colts tried taking advantage of his cheap contract. In 2018, Ballard was dipping into free agency with specific targets in mind but focused on accumulating young talent.\u00a0 Luck came back healthy in 2018 so there was an expected improvement by the team overall.\u00a0 Today, we will go over their second seasons: Grigson in 2013<\/a> and Ballard in 2018<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ryan Grigson 2013 Season: A Disaster<\/h2>\n

Signings<\/h3>\n

Guard Donald Thomas<\/a>: four years, $14,000,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Thomas was a spot starter for the New England Patriots<\/a> before coming to the Colts.\u00a0 He was considered an underrated signing at the time.\u00a0 However, his time with the Colts lasted only two games due to injuries.\u00a0 This signing was a setback for the Colts offensive line.\u00a0 Thomas was cut after two years. NEGATIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck<\/a>: two years, $8,000,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Hasselbeck did not start a game during his two-year contract with the Colts, but the knowledge and experience as a backup tutoring Andrew Luck were priceless.\u00a0 POSITIVE SIGNING\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Cornerback Greg Toler<\/a>: three years, $15,000,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Toler was another spot starter that was given starter money. This is a trend you will continue seeing with Ryan Grigson. Toler was a below-average cornerback for the Colts who was consistently getting beat down the field.\u00a0 NEGATIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Cornerback Darius Butler<\/a>: two years, $4,000,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Butler was signed to be a depth cornerback but found a home working in the slot. He was one of the best nickel cornerbacks in the league. During his two-year contract, he was able to rack up 22 pass breakups and eight interceptions with three of them returned for TDs. POSITIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Strong safety Laron Landry: four years, $24,000,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Landry broke out on a one-year contract with the New York Jets<\/a> the prior year and cashed in with the Colts. At 6’1″ and 220 pounds, the Colts wanted Landry to be the next Bob Sanders<\/a><\/strong>. Landry was a liability in pass coverage and consistently took bad angles and missed tackles in the box. After two years, he was cut. NEGATIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tackle Gosder Cherilus<\/a>: five years, $35,000,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Cherilus played in 75 out of 80 games for the Detroit Lions<\/a>. The best thing about Cherilus was his availability and consistency. However, his consistency did not meet his contract. Cherilus was one of the highest-paid right tackles in the NFL. NEGATIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois<\/a>: four years, $22,000,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n

RJF was another spot starter that was signed to a major contract. In four years, he accumulated only three sacks.\u00a0 He was a late-round draft pick that fits perfectly as a depth player. However, on the Colts, he was paid to be a difference-maker. Even during his time with the Colts, he only generated five and a half sacks. RJF was cut after two years. NEGATIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Edge rusher Erik Walden<\/a>: four years, $16,000,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n

At the beginning of the 2013 free agency period, Walden received a big contract for an EDGE player who did not rush the passer effectively. However, Walden was a solid secondary pass rusher behind Robert Mathis<\/a><\/strong> for the majority of his time with the Colts. In four years, Walden racked up 23 sacks and 110 tackles. Another positive to Walden’s game is his ability to set the edge against the run. POSITIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw<\/a>: one year, $2,000,000<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Unfortunately, Bradshaw suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3. He was on a good start to the season averaging four and a half YPC on 41 carries. He would soon sign another contract with the Colts to continue his tenure. NEUTRAL SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

*Colts claimed TE Jack Doyle<\/a> off waivers*<\/em><\/p>\n

Draft<\/h3>\n

#24 Overall Pick: Edge rusher Bj\u00f6rn Werner<\/strong>
\n#86 Overall Pick: Guard Hugh Thorton<\/strong>
\n#121 Overall Pick: Center Khaled Holmes<\/a><\/strong>
\n#139 Overall Pick: Defensive tackle Montori Hughes<\/a> (Traded 2014 Fourth Round)<\/em><\/strong>
\n#192 Overall Pick: Free safety John Boyett<\/a><\/strong>
\n#230 Overall Pick: Running back Kerwynn Williams<\/a><\/strong>
\n#254 Overall Pick: Tight end Justice Cunningham<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Draft Summary<\/h4>\n

Honestly, this is a terrible draft class.\u00a0 It is very difficult to choose the best or noticeable player that contributed to the Colts. Other than the first three picks, all of the players were irrelevant. Thorton and Holmes were drafted to take over for Samson Satele<\/a><\/strong> and Mike McGlynn<\/a><\/strong>. Similarly, Werner was drafted to eventually take over for Erik Walden. However, none of the replacements worked out. This caused the Colts to suffer in the long-term due to an inability to replace aging veterans. NEGATIVE DRAFT<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Trades<\/h3>\n

Running back Trent Richardson<\/a>: 2014 First Round pick to Browns<\/a><\/h4>\n

This is arguably the worst trade in Colts history. Richardson averaged barely over three yards per carry in 29 games.\u00a0 Players like Donald Brown<\/a><\/strong>, Ahmad Bradshaw<\/strong>, and Daniel “Boom” Herron<\/strong><\/a> consistently outplayed Richardson during his tenure with the Colts. Richardson’s lack of vision and inability to make something out of nothing was limiting the offense. After the 2014 season, the Colts cut their loss with Richardson.<\/p>\n

Ballard 2013 Season: A Generational Shift<\/h2>\n

Signings<\/h3>\n

Defensive tackle Denico Autry<\/a>: three years, $17,800,000<\/h4>\n

As a spot-starter with the Raiders<\/a>, Autry was a versatile piece on the defensive line. He is a three-tech, gap penetrator that is athletic enough to bat down passes. Autry has started 25 games with the Colts adding in 12.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and 22 quarterback hits.\u00a0 POSITIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tight end Eric Ebron<\/a>: two years, $13,000,000<\/h4>\n

After busting in Detroit, Ebron broke out in Indy totaling 750 yards and 13 touchdowns. Surpassing all expectations in year one, his second year did not go as well due to injuries. Because of his first year, Ebron was definitely worth it. POSITIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Guard Matt Slauson: one year, $2,000,000<\/h4>\n

Slauson was supposed to lead a young offensive line, but after an injury early in the year, he was forced to retire.\u00a0 However, he stayed around to help coach up the young players which helped tremendously. POSITIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Wide receiver Ryan Grant<\/a>: one year, $5,000,000<\/h4>\n

It seems as if since Reggie Wayne<\/a><\/strong> retired, the Colts had been searching for a number two receiver. Ryan Grant was not the answer. NEGATIVE SIGNING<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Cornerback Pierre Desir<\/a>: one year, $1,750,000<\/h4>\n

After playing for half the season in 2017 with the Colts, Indy brought back Desir on a cheap one-year, “prove-it” contract. He became the team’s number one corner and had eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and an interception. POSITIVE SIGNING<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

*Claimed wide receiver Zach Pascal<\/a><\/strong> and defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad<\/a><\/strong> off waivers*<\/em><\/p>\n

Draft<\/h4>\n

#6 Overall Pick: Guard Quenton Nelson<\/a> (#3 to Jets<\/a> for #6, #37, #49, and 2019 Second Rounder)<\/em><\/strong>
\n#36 Overall Pick: Linebacker Darius Leonard<\/a><\/strong>
\n#37 Overall Pick: Guard Braden Smith<\/a><\/strong>
\n#52 Overall Pick: Defensive end Kemoko Turay<\/a> (#49 to Eagles<\/a> for #52 and #169)<\/em><\/strong>
\n#64 Overall Pick: Tyquan Lewis<\/a> (#67 and #178 to Browns)<\/em><\/strong>
\n#104 Overall Pick: Nyheim Hines<\/a><\/strong>
\n#159 Overall Pick: Daurice Fountain<\/a> (#140 to Raiders for #159 and #185)<\/em><\/strong>
\n#169 Overall Pick: Jordan Wilkins<\/a><\/strong>
\n#185 Overall Pick: Deon Cain<\/a><\/strong>
\n#221 Overall Pick: Matthew Adams<\/a><\/strong>
\n#235 Overall Pick: Zaire Franklin<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Best Player in Draft: Quenton Nelson<\/h4>\n

It was picking hairs to choose the best player in the draft, but Nelson wins the tie-breaker because of how he transformed the outlook on this team. The Colts went from the worst offensive line in the league to one of the best in one off-season. The biggest change on the line was Quenton Nelson.\u00a0 He is a difference-maker on the line and is already the best guard in the league shown by his All-Pro nomination in his first and second seasons. As a nasty player with a mean streak, there is not a thing Nelson does that isn’t elite.<\/p>\n

Notable Player in Draft: Darius Leonard<\/h4>\n

A popular sports website ranked Leonard as “the worst pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.” One year and an All-Pro nomination later, it is obvious they did not know what they were talking about. Leading the league in tackles in his rookie year with 163 tackles and adding in 12 tackles for loss, seven sacks, eight pass breakups, and four forced fumbles, Leonard was a complete linebacker. Leonard is an athletic freak and one of the leaders on this defense. His playstyle is perfect for today’s NFL and is one of the best off-the-ball linebackers in the game.<\/p>\n

Rest of Draft<\/h4>\n

Even without Nelson and Leonard, this is still an impressive draft. Braden Smith became the team’s starting right tackle halfway through his rookie season. This helped the Colts offensive line improve to one of the best in the league. He is projected to be a starting tackle for the next 10 years. Kemoko Turay has not played to his full potential because of injuries, but he has shown to be a solid third-down pass rusher. Nyehim Hines ended up with 63 receptions, over 700 total yards, and four total TDs in his rookie season. Matthew Adams and Zaire Franklin are special team aces.\u00a0 In total, this is one of the best draft classes of all-time and changed the outlook of this team immensely.\u00a0 POSITIVE DRAFT<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Trades<\/h3>\n

The Colts did not have any trades worth mentioning involving players.\u00a0 Their most noteworthy trade was trading Pick #3 for #6, and three Second Rounders.\u00a0 POSITIVE TRADE<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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

Grigson Quality Starters<\/h4>\n