What has gotten into Chris Ballard? Did he have an epiphany or…? The GM for the Indianapolis Colts doesn’t make mid-season trades. Ballard doesn’t give up two first round picks for anyone. Heck, he doesn’t make many moves at all. Ballard moves around the game board in a systematic way and almost never deviates. Getting Sauce Gardner from the Jets was a big boy move. It was so big it might even get the Colts to the Super Bowl.
Fans begged Ballard to do something at the trade deadline. We witnessed him finally pull the trigger in free agency and when healthy, his main prizes in the secondary look good. Now, he addressed a weakness on the defense by shoring up the backfield with a lockdown corner. Everyone else has covered the statistics, so let’s cover the feel because this one feels good. Was it a lot to give up? Sure. Two first rounders is steep along with Adonai Mitchell, but can you be sure either first rounder would pan out? Do most at the level of Gardner? The Colts know what they are getting in Gardner. He has real life NFL experience and has been top-notch. Getting high level production out of two first rounders is no guarantee.
Some fans complain about the contract and what that means for the future. Forget the future for a minute and focus on the here and now. Championship windows are short, but one just opened. The AFC is wide open and the Colts are breaking down the door. A 7-2 team just got better. It is a fact that some players will have to be let go. Finances become tight with big moves like this. Ok, but what is the alternative? Never go for it? I would rather see a team roll the dice and risk it all for a legitimate shot at a championship than never take the plunge. Look no further than the Pacers who traded for Pascal Siakam. They got within one half of winning a title. The Colts are capturing lightning in a bottle, and I’m here for it.
Too expensive. Too restrictive on the future. Chris Ballard needed to do more. Some fans will never be satisfied. I am not team Ballard, but this is the type of aggressiveness most have wanted for years. This is as close as the Colts have come to contention in a long time. The window has been opened. Ballard is taking full advantage now because it won’t be open forever.
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