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6 Takeaways from Colts GM Chris Ballard’s Press Conference

By Luke Schultheis

Aug 13, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; A general view of the helmet of Indianapolis Colts tackle Anthony Castonzo (74) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; A general view of the helmet of Indianapolis Colts tackle Anthony Castonzo (74) during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) high fives center Ryan Kelly (78) during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) high fives center Ryan Kelly (78) during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Homegrown for the Horseshoe

While free agency can certainly help fill a select number of holes, it can’t be the primary source for building a competitive NFL roster.

In recent seasons, the Colts have heavily relied on veteran free agent signings to fill their roster, and it simply hasn’t worked out in their favor more often than not.

From that stance, the Colts drastically need to improve ‘their farm system’ by making better selections consistently in the NFL Draft.

With a strong scouting background, Ballard appears to know his stuff as it relates to the draft process–having been credited with helping find a number of stars with both the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs.

It appears that the Colts under Ballard may pick-and-choose their battles in free agency regarding certain players, but for the most part, the new general manager wants to make this Indianapolis roster younger and much more ‘homegrown’:

"“You want to raise your own,” said Ballard. “We want to be a great drafting team. We want to have a sound structure and foundation in place where we’re producing players every year for the Colts. You have to. You have to produce 3-4 guys that are going to help you every single year.” “Now saying that, between street free agents, between waiver claims, we’ll get into free agency a little bit, but you can’t buy a locker room. You have to be very careful when you enter into free agency, but we’re going to try to acquire as many young players that we can to field a competitive roster. We want the most competitive roster we can get. That’s how you get great.” “That’s how you get to be special as a team, when daily they have to go out there and compete to get better.”"

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