Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard met with the media on Wednesday following roster cutdowns. In case you missed anything, here is what you need to know from the 20-plus-minute conversation.
If you would like to watch the entire interview, please click here.
– Ballard says that the roster is very flexible, especially during the first month of the season. “How we start is not always how we end up.”
– The most difficult decisions came on the defensive line because of the amount of talent the Colts have there, as evidenced by Jonah Laulu and Eric Johnson both being claimed off waivers.
– “I’m not saying we didn’t try to do some things,” said Ballard about adding to the secondary. “Sometimes it just doesn’t happen.” He adds that they have “good, young talent” on the back end and a lot of belief in their front. “They gotta play.”
– “Sam’s a good football player,” said Ballard about Ehlinger, mentioning that he brings a lot to the football team, both on the field and in the meeting rooms.
– Ballard on Nick Cross: “I think he’s consistently got better.” Ballard adds that he played “really good football” during the preseason.
– “No,” said Ballard when asked if he was concerned about Matt Gay. “He’s a good kicker. A really good kicker.” Ballard says there’s more to the story from last season, but wasn’t going to get into what that meant. He adds that not many can go into Baltimore and do what Gay did last season.
– Ballard on Josh Downs: “Hopeful. Making progress.” Ballard isn’t going to say whether or not he can play Week 1.
– The decision to designate Samson Ebukam to return from IR: “It’s a longshot…but if you’re going to bet on somebody, you bet on Samson. It is a longshot.”
– Ballard also mentions the major strides that linebacker Cameron McGrone has made over the last year. He is sidelined with an elbow injury but the Colts are looking forward to getting him back.
– “No,” said Ballard when asked if designating Jelani Woods to return off IR was an option. “Yeah, no.” Ballard adds that he’s a Woods is a really good kid, was working his tail off, and making good strides. “It does make the evaluation tougher just because he’s been hurt the last two years.”
– “We feel like we will be in the mix.” Ballard has a lot of belief in the leadership, mentioning Shane Steichen, and in the players, who are all very committed.
– Ballard was asked if he views himself as being on the hot seat: “I think every year you do. That’s kind of how I’m wired, but no. Not any different than any other year.”
– “The more he plays, the more he sees, the better it’s going to get,” said Ballard about Anthony Richardson. He adds that he expects Richardson to do a better job of protecting himself and he can see that his comfort in the offense has really grown.
– “Time will tell,” said Ballard when asked if this is the most complete roster he’s had. Ballard adds that he really likes the offensive and defensive fronts. “I think it’s a really good football team, but now we’ve got to go perform.”
– Ballard on Jason Bean: “I really like Jason and what we think he can become.” Mentions that he was really impressed with how he played against Oklahoma State and Cincinnati. Ballard thinks he’s a better thrower than what he’s been given credit for.
– Ballard on the running backs: “Really like the group.” He adds that Tyler Goodson showed a little bit more of a well-rounded skill set than Evan Hull.
– With three draft picks being released, Ballard notes that because they’ve had so many draft picks the last few years, that’s a part of the process. When it’s the team philosophy to accumulate draft picks, some will get cut and some will need development.
– Ballard says he likes what he saw from Blake Freeland at right tackle this offseason, but transitioning to left tackle came with technique issues he will have to fix. Matt Goncalves did some good things at both tackle spots and Ballard feels good about both players. “They’ll continue to compete.”
– “We like Latu. He’s got a chance to do some pretty special things.” Ballard adds that all 10 players along the front, depending on the game-plan, will have various roles this season. “He’s got pretty freaky instincts,” says Ballard about Latu.
– Ballard said Alec Pierce had his best camp and as good as anybody out there. Pierce showed that he can play both inside and out. AD Mitchell is a talented, young player who is still learning. “They’re both going to have really good years and help us.”
