Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard met with the media on Wednesday following roster cuts. In case you missed anything, here’s what you need to know from the 20-plus minute conversation.
If you would like to see the entire interview, please click here.
– Ballard says the roster is very flexible, especially in the first month of the season. “How we start is not always how we end up.”
– The toughest decisions had to be made on the defensive line, as the Colts have a lot of talent there, as evidenced by the fact that Jonah Laulu and Eric Johnson were both claimed off the waivers list.
– “I’m not saying we haven’t tried to do some things,” Ballard said of strengthening the secondary. “Sometimes it just doesn’t work out.” He added that they have “good, young talent” at the back and a lot of confidence up front. “They have to play.”
– “Sam is a good football player,” Ballard said of Ehlinger, noting 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 has continued to improve.” Ballard adds that he played “really good football” in the preseason.
– “No,” Ballard said when asked if he was worried about Matt Gay. “He’s a good kicker. A really good kicker.” Ballard says there’s more to the story from last season, but declined to elaborate on what that means. He adds that not many can go to Baltimore and do what Gay did last season.
– Ballard on Josh Downs: “Hopeful. Making progress.” Ballard won’t say whether or not he can play in Week 1.
– The decision to bring Samson Ebukam back from the injury list: “It’s unlikely… but if you bet on anyone, you bet on Samson. It’s unlikely.”
– Ballard also mentioned the great progress linebacker Cameron McGrone has made over the last year. He is out with an elbow injury, but the Colts are excited to have him back.
– “No,” Ballard said when asked if bringing Jelani Woods back from the injured list would be an option. “Yeah, no.” Ballard adds that Woods is a really good kid, has worked his ass off and made good progress. “It makes it harder to evaluate just because he’s been injured the last two years.”
– “We have the feeling that we will be in the mix.” Ballard believes strongly in the leadership, he mentions Shane Steichen, and in the players, who are all very committed.
– Ballard was asked if he sees himself as being in the hot seat: “I think it’s like that every year. That’s just me, but no. No different than any other year.”
– “The more he plays, the more he sees, the better it gets,” Ballard said of Anthony Richardson. He added that he expects Richardson to protect himself better and he sees him really becoming more comfortable on offense.
– “Time will tell,” Ballard said when asked if this is the most complete roster he’s ever had. Ballard added that he really likes the offensive and defensive lines. “I think it’s a really good football team, but now we have to perform.”
– Ballard on Jason Bean: “I really like Jason and what we expect from him.” Mentioned that he was really impressed with his play against Oklahoma State and Cincinnati. Ballard believes he is a better shooter than people give him credit for.
– Ballard on the running backs: “I really like the group.” He adds that Tyler Goodson has shown a slightly more comprehensive skill set than Evan Hull.
– With three draft picks being released, Ballard notes that it’s part of the process because they’ve had so many draft picks in recent years. If the team philosophy is to accumulate draft picks, some will be cut and others will need to be developed.
– Ballard says he likes Blake Freeland’s position at right tackle in the offseason, but the move to left tackle brought technical issues that he needs to fix. Matt Goncalves has done some good things at both tackle positions and Ballard feels good about both players. “They’re going to continue to be competitive.”
– “We like Latu. He has a chance to do some very special things.” Ballard adds that all 10 players on offense will have different roles this season, depending on the game plan. “He has some pretty crazy instincts,” Ballard says of Latu.
– Ballard said Alec Pierce had his best training camp and is as good as anyone out there. Pierce has shown he can play both inside and outside. AD Mitchell is a talented young player who is still learning. “They’re both going to have really good years and help us.”
