EMERGENCY POD - BALLARD FIRED!

speaker-0: Hello. Welcome in to our first ever emergency pod of Who's Your Beef? Along with the general, I'm Slick, and Ding Dong the Witch is dead. We did cut off the head of the snake. I told you on Sunday to listen in as all of Colts Nation does, and certainly Carly Irsay Gordon listened in, and she did cut off the head of the snake. What do you think about that, General?

speaker-1: He's gone. I really can't believe it. She actually did it. Middle of the season. It's not something that the Colts normally do. But he's gone. Shane and the rest of the coaching staff is reporting directly to her. And we've got Ed Dodds in as the interim GM. So we shall see what happens.

speaker-0: Yes, sir. The tenure nightmare has finally come to a close as the Indianapolis Colts have fired GM Chris Ballard. He is gone. And we have a special guest today who has season tickets. He's on the the grounds wearing the boots. Brian in Whitestown is here. He was there Sunday, hopefully booing and forcing the issue. Brian, welcome to Who's Your Beef?

speaker-2: Thanks guys for having me. It was quite the atmosphere. So basically after the punt was blocked in the fourth quarter, I told the wife, I said, We're out of here. this product is just a joke. And as we were walking out, the section to the left of us started the fire ballard chants. And I've heard that you could pretty much hear those throughout the whole stadium. I have not watched the replay of the game or anything yet, but Yeah, the the the punt return for the touchdown pretty much and the the block punt, it's like I mean, I think you guys said it on Sunday, we we outgained him like crazy and still got beat. It's unreal.

speaker-0: Yeah, a hundred and eighty six yards for Tennessee. They beat us. And how was how was the atmosphere before that block punt? Were there any booze going around before then?

speaker-2: There was a little bit of boos. I mean, I can't remember the exact part of the game, but there was a fourth down that Shane didn't go for it. They started booing a little bit on. And I mean, honestly, for being an O and five team coming in, this the stands are pretty sold out. I'd say close to ninety percent. And, you know, people were amped up for the Vinny induction at halftime. It was good to see a lot of those former players, you know. quite a bummer for sure.

speaker-0: Yeah, we talked on Sunday that it was a real kick in the groin how you have that lovely ceremony with all those legends in there and it gets ruined by that historical loss. General, what do you want to go to first? Do you wanna talk about what the national media is hinting at, what Dan Patrick said as we heard in the opening audio?

speaker-1: Yeah, so Dan Patrick claims he has a source inside the Colts organization or someone close to the organization, saying that their first call will be to the sheriff, Peyton Manning, to offer him the GM role and part ownership in the team. I think that's what was reported. definitely mixed emotions on it. I love Peyton Manning. If I'm him, I'm taking the call and I'm telling him to go kick rocks. But as a fan and lover of the Peyton Manning era, I would absolutely love to see it. Now I I think if he came in and maybe got the quarterback of the future and maybe did a few things, then handed it off to, you know, whoever he wants to get with with Carly on and and choose as the hand picked GM, then you know, maybe going to, you know, president of football operations and and being a partial owner, kind of like a Brady situation. something like that. But yeah, overall GM, while I would love it, I also just not sure if it's gonna work.

speaker-0: So I've got a strong opinion on this. I think it would be a horrible idea. And I I don't get this historically why do we need to connect the past with the future in our hearts like that? You know, every franchise is the same in doing that. It'd be great if he was a great GM. But the dude has never done it before. Who knows if any good at it? Certainly he's not going to do it because it's such a risk for his career at this point. The only time it's worked out for a former legend to come back and take over the reins and it worked, it does involve Peyton Manning, and that was John Elway back in 2012. And his free agent quarterback, Peyton Manning, came in and he was there just to sign him. Now he did do some great news after that, and they end up winning the Super Bowl in 15. But if you look at some of the greats that have tried this, it has historically not worked out. I mean, look at Michael Jordan. That did not work out well.

speaker-1: That is true. Hey, Brian, what are your thoughts on this?

speaker-2: I I'm kind of curious. I was I was really shocked that Ed Dodds was named the interim GM too, because this guy is interviewed all over the NFL, you know, for for GM jobs. Why hasn't the guy landed a job yet? And my question too is he comes from the John Schneider tree and the Seahawks, I'd say are a pretty good organization. I mean, who do you guys think that this guy even has a shot? Or do you think they gotta Cut ties as he's part of the Ballard tree.

speaker-1: personally, I I think I brought this up to Toby and Adam who joined us a couple weeks ago. Ed Dodds, in my opinion, goes in my book as Ballard Jr. I think he just takes after Chris and and does each thing, you know, kind of the same way. And I think you're right, he's interviewed for I don't know the exact number. I would say at least ten or twelve jobs over the last two or three off seasons and he's been turned down on all of them. So what exactly are we missing here? So if Ed Dodds happens to be the choice to replace Ballard, then yes, I will definitely be beside myself praying that doesn't happen.

speaker-0: He came in of year two, I believe, of Ballard. So he's Ballard's boy. If you're gonna clean house, clean house. And I understand they gotta keep a skeleton crew around. I want to go through this statement with you guys because I almost think it's contradicting. So as Carly put out yesterday through the Colts organization, she said, making this change. During the season was a deliberate decision, waiting would only delay the important work that needs to begin now. So do you guys, what does that mean when she's talking about the important work now? what it means to me is the trade deadline. That's what is imminent in a few weeks in mid November. And we've got to make some real hard decisions on some guys. And so you need someone that can facilitate these deals if needed. But then in the last paragraph, this is where it gets contradicted to me. I also want to be clear this decision does not change our goals for the season. We have a lot of football in front of us, and I expect us to compete, improve, and win football games. So my question to you guys is if we are supposed to do something at the trade deadline and trade DeForest Buckner, Quentin Nelson, Jonathan Taylor, how are we supposed to win these football games? Or is that a message just to Shane? Hey, you better not just throw in the towel, you better try and compete. Otherwise your ass is gone too.

speaker-2: I think the way I I read it the exact same way, Slick, I think they're thinking maybe fire sale here. I think with with Quentin on an expired contract, Buckner, I mean both those guys go a hundred and ten percent every snap. And in my opinion, those guys deserve to go to a winner. And and I know we're hearing all this talk about JT this, JT that. I mean We don't have a first round pick next year. So I guess if you can trade JT for two first rounders, I'd do it, but that's probably not gonna happen. but yeah, it's it's it's a mess. Whoever comes in and here it says for sure.

speaker-1: Yeah, I mean the the statement by her, you're right, it is massively contradicting and it really is a kind of a head scratcher. basically comes out saying we're gonna clean house, but yet we still wanna win football games. And obviously I know we are in the business of winning or they're in the business of winning football games and putting butts in seats, like we've talked about. However, if you want to Say bring in the quarterback of the future, then it's going to involve moving Buckner, Grover Stewart, Taylor, Quentin Nelson, whoever, you gotta get gather couple seconds and or thirds and try to be able to trade those to get back up into the first round.

speaker-0: So you're thinking we potentially could get a quarterback next year. You're not willing to sit out another year? 'Cause we're gonna stink next year. That's a given.

speaker-1: You know who I want to, right?

speaker-0: Well, I know who you want.

speaker-1: I there's no way we're ever gonna get him. But the the guy to have is is Chambliss Ole Miss. I I truly believe he is the best quarterback in college football right now.

speaker-0: I don't know you know this, general, but Brian in Whitestown is actually my college roommate at a place called Ferris State, where Chambler started his career and won the Bulldogs a national title.

speaker-1: I mean the the kid's just a proven winner, isn't he?

speaker-0: If I could have a Ferris Day Chambliss jersey and a Colt Chambliss jersey, I'd be a happy camper.

speaker-1: So let's let's go on that on that path. How realistic is it that we move? I just personally, this just me. Taylor's got two years left on his deal after this. And and people I've I've seen so many different opinions on this. I think Taylor is the one glue guy that still believes in the Colts and If you can get a quarterback in here not named Daniel Jones, because I read this as well, tell me if I'm wrong, but if the Colts decide to cut ties with him, I believe they can wait until June first of twenty seven. And if they cut ties, they're only on the books for eight mil next year, I believe, to hit the cap. So I mean, that's not a big deal in my eyes. Yeah, you're still gonna pay him, but you get them off the books, only hit eight mil. And then, you know, you figure something out. I don't know what that is right now. But Brian, what are your thoughts on guys we oughta move, guys we ought to not move?

speaker-2: we've we've pretty much given up on AR. And if we turn to him at this point, he's gonna tell the Colts just to go pound sand. But I I think he just hasn't been developed. I'd put it on the coaching staff here. I mean, my my I'm afraid that he's gonna get let go, you know, his contract's up the end of the year. Kevin O'Connell's gonna turn him into a stud, run the NFC North with him. But as far as guys, you know, I think we need to let go and What we can get for value. I mean, like I said before, I think you gotta let Q walk and Buckner walk. They got expiring contracts. JT loved the guy. He's a great running back, but he's really in the twilight of his career. It just depends on what you can get for him. and this whole A P deal now too. Who knows if he's even gonna play a down the rest of the season?

speaker-1: I read somewhere yesterday, I know the Colts haven't come out and publicly said this, but there's some people that believe he's done for the year. I think the Star may have said something along those lines. Slick, so who should we move, who should we not move? Are you in favor of moving J T?

speaker-0: I've got a list here. You guys tell me. So what we can't do is the guys that aren't expiring, we can't let walk next year for nothing.

speaker-1: Right.

speaker-0: That's just egregious to do. We see in baseball, free transfers and soccer drive us nuts. you just you can't let it happen. So those two main guys, Buckner and Nelson, I think you gotta entertain You but you gotta get something in return. You're not giving away for nothing. So I think Buckner's worth the third. Would you agree or disagree?

speaker-1: I would agree with that.

speaker-0: I've got I've got Nelson down who's a couple of years younger as a second.

speaker-1: Yes, that's

speaker-0: Maybe a package third and fourth.

speaker-1: And and my thing with Nelson is I think I spoke on this on Sunday. Nelson is while he's gonna be going into year ten next year, I mean, he's still one of the best guards, if not the best guard in the NFL, and he's gonna probably reset the market for offensive guards. So the Colts are not in a position to be paying an offensive guard the league's highest wage. There's no way, and especially in a rebuild fashion. So I I think the Colts are kind of pinholed here. And the fact that, you know, I got into it with somebody earlier on X about Derrick Henry and JT because the Titans were left high and dry on Derrick Henry and got nothing out of him. So kind of made me think, well, hey, maybe we do move him. I don't know if you keep him till next year, because he's still got two years on the deal. So but hey, look at McGowan. McGowan's been running tough. And in in my opinion, I know there's some great running backs in the NFL. But at at the same time, running backs anymore are dime a dozen.

speaker-0: JT is in almost the same situation that Christian McCaffrey was in when he got moved. And that was pretty much a whole draft. It wasn't a first round pick. It was a second through a fifth. So you either get one first round pick or you get multiple picks from the same draft or maybe two seconds, something like that for JT. We because he does have years left, and this one is pretty team friendly. at least on the front end. And then the other guys have got to move would be I think you get a fifth or sixth for Grover. You could get Ford would would get like a sixth. And then Josh Downs is in a contract year too.

speaker-1: That's right. That's right. I don't know how I feel. I I really think Downs it can be a contributor moving forward. He's still young. I think the Colts can bring him back at a team friendly deal. So I'm not sure I'm in favor of moving him. But if you get overwhelmed on deals for any of these guys, you gotta do it. if somebody comes to the Colts and offers a first round pick for Taylor, I mean, you better not hang out. You better where do we sign?

speaker-0: Now would you do that if you knew that pick was gonna be in the high twenties?

speaker-1: Absolutely. Anything in the first round for JT, you do it in a heartbeat.

speaker-0: I think it's in our best interest, to lose this year because we still have a second round pick next year. And that's where we did find JT was early in the second. You know, you get to the end of day one in the draft, they immediately those top five picks, there's all kinds of trades at the top of day two.

speaker-1: Yeah. You you make a good point there because right now I believe the Colts pick going over the Jets would be number ten. So just think if we had ten. You know, you're you're looking at being able to bring in Trinidad Chambliss right now. But unfortunately that's going to I mean the d the Jets I mean if the Jets you know, they're they're not the the best team in the world, but they've got some talent on that team. They drafted a couple of my boys from down in Bloomington. Gino's obviously not the quarterback of the future, so they need that. But they've got some pieces in there. David Bailey on the defensive side. So I know we're getting off track here on the Jets, but I mean, shoot, looking at three first rounders, they're they're kind of set up.

speaker-0: Here is going to be the difference in the rebuild that we're doing now versus the past. We've seen in our lifetime two big rebuilds for the Colts. One in 98, Bill Poleon had the first round pick, the number one overall pick, and took our savior, Peyton Manning. Then Peyton gets hurt. We had that terrible season with Curtis Painter. We get the first overall pick once again. Grixon comes in. And guess who's sitting there at number one? Andrew Luck, right? Two slam dunks, didn't have to think about them that hard. This time you do not have number one overall. It's gonna have to be a different kind of rebuild. Now I'm hearing this quarterback class that's gonna be coming out in 2028 is gonna be pretty special. And I'm wondering if we are willing to wait a year and be pretty bad next year. Hold on to some of these players and picks.

speaker-1: Yeah, I guess, you know, it just kind of depends how you look at it. I would imagine Carly is going to be brought in on any of these potential trades that that could go down. Dodds will have to get the the sign off from her, I would think. but like I said, if anybody calls and offers a a first for JT or even like two seconds for JT, I love the guy so much. I mean, he's my Obviously favorite player on the Colts, but you gotta move the guy, unfortunately. Q, if you get a a second and a third, or anybody offers a first. Yes, slam dunk. Buckner, second or third, bye. Sorry. and like you said before, those guys deserve a chance to go win. Especially Buckner. I mean, that guy, well, Buckner and JT and Q, they all bust their asses for this organization. And, you know, they've what? Got. A couple playoff appearances and one playoff win, they've never tasted a division title? That's sickening.

speaker-0: No division titles for Chris Ballard. Unbelievable. The only other GM since nineteen eighty to keep their job for ten plus seasons. Well, earning fewer than three playoff appearances was Rod Graves with the Cardinals in the early two thousands, three to two thousand twelve. But he did make a Super Bowl was Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald, which kept him there. I have no clue what kept Chris Ballard around all these years. Even the number one fan, Seth DeFlow, tweeted out reset the shoe. reset the shoe for Seth? my god, things are bleak

speaker-1: And he made he made another video post after Ballard was fired and kind of rejoiced in the fact. So yeah, I mean if Seth DeFlow is going there, then you know things are bad. But yeah, it's it'll be interesting. you know, I I know the Colts will not go without turning over every last stone in this GM search. I know there's a lot of candidates out there. Ed Dodds obviously is going to get the first interview, but if they even entertain keeping him, they they gotta start fresh. You just gotta start fresh. And I do think Carly and the girls, obviously headed by Carly, has got a good head on her shoulders. She knows the ins and outs of the organization. I just somebody told me her dad's rolling over in his grave right now. But I still I still say this and Brian, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. I still say Chris Ballard has dirt on Jim Ursay andor the Ursay family, and that's why he was allowed to keep his job for so long.

speaker-0: Well, it wouldn't be the family, otherwise he'd still be around, right? I think it was just Jim.

speaker-1: Yeah, I mean, there's gotta be something going on there, doesn't there?

speaker-0: I mean, we can play conspiracy theorists all day. It is a it is a bit odd though, I I would say, for someone to keep their job that long and doing it really bad. Right. You you have one good draft early in the year. I mean, the two thousand eighteen draft is the only thing he can hang his hat on. And that was eight years ago. Come on. What are we doing? Right.

speaker-1: And we we all know that professional sports is a what have you done for me lately business. There's plenty of GMs and coaches. They'll teams will give them a three or four year deal and a lot of times they don't even survive year two if if they're bad.

speaker-0: Brian and Whitestown, I got a two parter for ya. What is in Carly Ursay Gordon's notebook and how much would a media source like ESPN pay for that at the end of the year? Do you think there's just drawings of like tridents going into Chris Ballard's head? What do what are we what are we seeing in that book exactly? Are we seeing play diagrams? Are we seeing curse words? I want to know. People demand to know.

speaker-2: my gosh, your guess is as good as mine. I love that with the tridents going into Chris Ballard's head. man. I think you guys said it a week or so ago that she should just fire him right from the headset on the sideline. That was just spot on. Just perfect.

speaker-0: Well at least he didn't have to fire himself like the general suggested. He saved him that embarrassment. I think he cut out on us there for a for a minute, Brian. Did did you happen to catch cause I know he's your boy, like he's our boy. Seth the flow, reset the shoe. He's pretty pissed out there on Instagram.

speaker-2: Did see that post the other day. Yeah. He's he's ready for a

speaker-0: Nice guy. He's apologizing after post in the past and he did not issue an apol video for this one.

speaker-2: Yep, he's he's fan of the year for a reason, right?

speaker-0: They should make him GM. What do you think about that?

speaker-2: that's great.

speaker-0: All right, guys. I think we're gonna get in the candidates down the road here. We're gonna let the dust settle. I will say that the two things that we've got to get better at, and I think you both would agree, what are the two most important positions on the field? Because you have to name two positions, quarterback, right, and probably defensive in. Those are at least the two highest paid positions. quarterback and a defensive N.

speaker-1: Once ninety eight walked out the door, we are out of defensive ends. this La Tu guy, he pretends to be a a good defensive end some games,

speaker-0: Yeah, he was over again on Sunday. Nothing. Yeah.

speaker-1: Third year. Okay, so he's he's got one more. You know what really you know what really bugs me is seeing Zaire Franklin balling out for the freaking Packers. Everyone wanted him out of town so bad, and look what he's doing up there. And then what other game was I watching? Nick Cross. Playing last night for the commanders. I'm like, I I know they they paid him a shit ton of money, but good lord, it invest in the positions that are important. This is a passing league. It has been a passing league for many years now. So if you don't have a quarterback that can throw the ball, if you can't rush the passer, and if you can't defend the pass, then you're not gonna win. Plain and simple.

speaker-0: So Brian in in Whitestown, give you a little background. He's a Michigan man, and I don't mean that as in go blue, but he grew up in Michigan. He's historically a Lions fan, so he's been through a lot of heartbreak in his life. But now we've converted him. His wife's a a big Colts fan. He has season tickets he has some jerseys. I've seen What should we expect as far as misery? going forward through this rebuild.

speaker-2: Well, I think Mike Chappell said it yesterday. you know, it's g the it's gonna get a lot worse before it gets better. And yes, as a Lions fancy, I remember going to college and you guys had the Peyton days and and you know, saw all the good times. When I moved to Indy, my first Colts game I ever went to was the Kerry Collins game. I think he was hit on the first play and was back retired again. So it's It's I I haven't seen the good days for the Colts, but I'll tell you, you guys said it a couple weeks ago too about the ticket prices going up. And and honestly, the Colts have been good about that. This is the second time I think since COVID. I'm actually excited because now we got a whole new regime in. I mean, I know they're gonna win maybe three to five games next year, but anything's better than what we've had. I'm sick of going seven and ten, eight and nine. middle first round picks. You can't build a team that way.

speaker-0: I love a good rebuild. I've seen a couple of with my Cubs. Both of have come to fruition. And we recently the general and I saw one with Arsenal, maybe five years ago, and we just won a championship. So it can be done. It can be done. We did. Well, let's wrap this up of this emergency pod. We appreciate you letting us rant with you guys. thoughts for the road for Colts Nation?

speaker-1: let me ask you this. How many more games in a row do the Colts have to lose? If the Colts lose the next two or three, is Shane out the door? I'm gonna stand by my I I don't think it'll happen, but make eighty seven Reggie Wayne the coach. I mean, what what's it gonna hurt at this point?

speaker-0: not gonna put anyone in the seats. No one's gonna wake up and go, my god, Reggie's still on the sidelines. He's just wearing a different hat now. Like, what is that gonna do? It didn't work with Saturday. But come on, right? Got no experience. Come on, man.

speaker-1: I don't know. I I just think it it's just gonna be a a crowd pleaser.

speaker-0: you're such a Colts fan.

speaker-1: Love it. I honestly I think Lou and Arumo andor Jim Bob Cooter gone with the next two to three. Shano might make it a little longer. You'll see a coordinator gone, if not both, in the next two to three weeks is my prediction.

speaker-0: My only pushback on that is why wouldn't you just do it all at once? 'Cause then you almost get the impression like, I should have done it then, but we're gonna do it now. We're doing it in stages for some reason. I think you either wait till the bye week or you do it the end of the year, personally. Coach, when's staken going?

speaker-2: I just think that who you got that's any better right now? I mean, look at look at Lou, man. We thought he was gonna be the savior here. He keeps bringing in these thirty six year old linebackers. I mean, Jermaine Pratt and the other guy, Alan Gaither, whatever, all these Bengals rejects. when's CJ Allen gonna see the field?

speaker-1: Right? Hey, here's another one for ya. Aiden Fisher got released by the freaking Texans. The Colts don't even entertain it. Like the I I know it's college ball to NFL ball, but he looked like a freaking stud in the preseason for the Texans. I mean, can he be worse than what we have? I saw a list of the w well the Colts worked out three wide receivers today. I I honest to God, I I know we all three know football up and down. I didn't know a single one of these three guys, not heard of one of

speaker-0: Well, you gotta hit rock bottom and I think we've done it. it was almost a small win. We'll take small wins and yesterday was a small win, for the Colts.

speaker-1: We got Pacers basketball tomorrow night. Halliburton's back. Vibes are high.

speaker-0: He dropped a video, his new shoes coming out Friday. It was pretty good. I'm excited. One last question for the general. Explain this to me. In my county where I grew up, Putnam County, the South Putnam Eagles won class one A state championship in football last year. Okay. Also in the same conference when I was growing up, Cascade, who was one three A

speaker-1: I know where you're going with this. Somehow.

speaker-0: Now and this is where Greg Racraw is going Friday night, they are playing each other in two way in the first round of the sectional. First time that's happened in state history where two teams that won the title the year before have played in the first game of the sectional. Explain to me how that happens. Do you know?

speaker-1: Well, first of all, it's absolutely ridiculous. the sports information director at Hamill and Southeastern I, we had a conversation last week at the HSC sectional soccer game. He believes the state should be split in half, north and south, and we need to get seeds either one to eight, one to sixteen, whatever it is, and we gotta do it that way. But to answer your question, South Putt did win 1A, so they bumped up to 2A. Cascade won 2A last year, they bumped up to 3A. However, they had to cut it Cascade back down to 2A because of their enrollment declined. So that is the explanation why you are having two defending state champions facing off in the first round of sectionals. A first in Indiana football. I I mean, should be an unbelievable game. And you got arguably one of the greatest high school announcers in Rake Straw going to Cascade versus South Putt opening week. that tells you it's a big game.

speaker-0: Yeah, he doesn't make it out to my neck of the woods very often. I will tell you that. that'll wrap it up for Who's Your Beef? We want to thank Brian in Whitestown for joining us today. We will have him on again throughout the year as he attends Colts Games Till next week, make sure you subscribe and like. It'll help out our channel.

speaker-1: Go Pacers.