(09-08-2019, 10:13 PM)Bullseye Wrote:

(09-08-2019, 08:08 PM)I am Yoda Wrote: Better RB?  Marlon Mack today: 25 for 174 and 1 TD with a 7.0 average.  I don't think Fournette's clearly better.

Better DB?  Really?  After last year's debacle that continued today, I wouldn't say that.  Our safeties are terribad and the corners are over-hyped. They got schooled all day long.

2017 the Colts had a rookie qb that didn't know their system and did not yet have all the pieces on the OL.  AND our defense was playing better in 2017 than ever and it has not returned to that form.

Ballard has done a far better job of finding talent and assembling a team in the last three years.  Stack up the drafts and the free agent signings in those three years.

I know it's an inconvenient comparison with a hated divisional rival.  But it is what it is.

Yes the DBS are better.  They got schooled today, but held the same team to their lowest passing game output last season.  Our defense has been a top five defense statistically the last three seasons due in large part to that secondary.  There are two Pro Bowlers in the secondary=one of whom made 1st team All Pro.  None of the Colts DBs can make that claim.  That secondary shut out the Colts last year, and held them to 10 points or less in three of the last four games.  You still haven't explained those results if Ballard is better.


As for your explanation as to why Ballard has a 1-3 record against Coldwell, Brisset was NOT a rookie QB when he came to the Colts.  Brissett was in his second year when he came to the Colts.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/p...isJa00.htm

Furthermore, why didn't Ballard make the trade sooner so he would know the system sooner?  Presumably, Brissett knew the system later in the year when shut down by the Jaguars again.  What about Luck?  Did :uck NOT know the system when they were shut out last year?


Free agent signings?

Caldwell 2017:  Calais Campbell, A.J. Bouye, Barry Church
Ballard:  John Hankins, John Simon, Barkevious mingo, Jabaal Sheard, Al Woods, Margus Hunt, Kamar Aiken.

No combination of their guys beats those Caldwell's three.

Caldwell 2018:  

• Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE.
  
• Niles Paul, TE.
  
• Don Carey, ST.
  
• D.J. Hayden, CB.
  
• Donte Moncrief, WR.
  
• Andrew Norwell, G.
  

Ballard 2018:  

• Matt Slauson, OL.
  
• Ryan Grant, WR.
  
• Eric Ebron, TE.
  
• Denico Autry, DE.
  

Both teams got two starters out of the 2018 class.  You could give the edge to Ballard because of Ebron, but he did nothing today 1-8 yards)


2017
Caldwell led Jaguars:  10-6, AFC South Champions, 2-0 against the Colts; advanced to AFC Championship game.
Ballard led Colts:  4-12, last place in AFC South; 0-2 vs Jaguars.

2018

Caldwell led Jaguars: 5-11, last place in the AFC South, 1-1 against the Colts
Ballard led Colts:  10-6, 2nd place in the AFC South, 1-1 against Jaguars; advanced to divisional round of playoffs.

2019

Both teams 0-1

Totals: 

Caldwell 15-18, one divisional championship, one AFCCG appearance, 3-1 vs. the Colts
Ballard: 14-19, no divisional championships, no AFCCG appearances, 1-3 vs. the Jaguars

You have me on the 2017 FAs.  I forgot those three were 2017, not 2016.

As for the DBs, for all the hype and the stats this is the 2nd year in a row where they have games that they look like the Lions' defense.  Immature and over-hyped.  Inconsistent.  And cost us the game.

So even with your research as opposed to my memory and your stating the case in the way that sheds best light on us, Ballard has built a better roster in 3 seasons than Caldwell has in 7.

The best thing about this team is the D-line.  As good as exists in the NFL.  The back 7? Oooph.  Jack, Ramsey, and Bouye have talent. But everyone sees the lack of maturity, discipline, and commitment to preparation.  Allen and Williams are exciting rookies.  And I suppose they count Allen as a lineman anyway.  The defensive roster past the line isn't great.  AND it screams lack of effective coaching.

The offense shows hope at the skill positions.  Rookie QB is better than we had any right to expect.  He's going to be a good backup.  WRs are showing life!  RB stable is empty behind Leonard.  And the O-line is STILL a train wreck.  As I've said before, Caldwell needs to go to school on how Belichick scouts, develops, and coaches an O-line.  Pats manage to keep Brady clean just about every year.

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