Get ready for more of the same.
Since we all know the definition of insanity, I will save you, but what we are seeing from the owner of the Indianapolis Colts is textbook. Jim Irsay wrote a message to Colts supporters, expressing his disappointment with how the season ended and emphasizing that the Colts have high expectations. He then repeated his mistake from the previous three to four seasons, retaining Chris Ballard as the team’s general manager. This choice will result in more of the same, not greater standards.
If you haven’t read it already, take a look. I will provide the highlights, or in my opinion, lowlights. Irsay states the following:
There’s a high standard in this city for our team and anyone who steps on the field wearing the Horseshoe. The expectation is to win our division and compete for championships. Just being on the doorstep of the playoffs is not the standard I expect, nor what you deserve.
More than anything, we want to reward you with division titles and playoff runs, and we’ve fallen short in the most painful ways possible.
…I believe in Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen…I know fans who want an immediate change in leadership will be disappointed. That means we all have a lot to prove,
How can he talk about high standards and winning the division when this team has failed to win the AFC South under Ballard’s leadership? How could that still be the expected standard? Furthermore, if the ultimate goal is to reward supporters with playoff appearances, and there have only been two under Ballard’s tenure, the team is clearly falling short. All of these things are mentioned in Irsay’s letter, but none of them have been demonstrated while Ballard is behind the wheel.
I still believe Shane Steichen deserves more time. I’m not a fan of constant and immediate adjustment when things don’t work out as planned. I believe another year or two is more than appropriate for the head coach. What I can’t support is more time for Ballard. Who can look at the results objectively? Honestly, can you? His “build in the trenches” strategy has failed. His refusal to spend cap space and sign free agents has not worked. His persistent pride and reluctance to grow and adapt have led this franchise to where it is today, which is absolutely nothing. The team is prepared for another middle-of-the-road season and draft pick. That’s sports purgatory.
Jim Irsay made the decision, therefore nothing I say will alter that. Nothing he has done will affect the course of this franchise either. When it comes to high-level sports, his inability to move on from Chris Ballard despite the fact that he has delivered almost nothing is astonishing. Ballard is reputed to be an excellent draft GM, but he is unable to acquire players who make a significant impact. At some point, that is insufficient to hang your hat on. I suppose, in the view of Irsay, it is for at least another year.
