Colts owner Jim Irsay: Chris Ballard is a 'blue-chip general manager'
INDIANAPOLIS — From the sounds of it, Colts owner Jim Irsay has as much faith in general manager Chris Ballard as ever.
Ballard is headed into his eighth season in charge in Indianapolis, a run that has produced a 54-60-1 record, two playoff appearances and one playoff win.
The record has prompted plenty of criticism outside the building.
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But Irsay has remained steadfast in his defense of Ballard, who was unexpectedly thrust into a quarterback search by the shocking retirement of Andrew Luck, a decision that sent the Colts into a quarterback wilderness, eventually leading them to Anthony Richardson.
“Everyone knows Chris Ballard, that he’s a blue-chip general manager,” Irsay said in his time on the broadcast of the preseason game between the Colts and Cardinals Saturday night.
Irsay let that statement stand, using the rest of his time to sing the praises of second-year head coach Shane Steichen.
“Shane, I think, is an outstanding young coach in this league,” Irsay said. “I don’t know why, I’m not trying to put too much pressure on him, but Don Shula’s name rings a bell with him a little bit. He’s so intense, and attention to detail as well. I’m really lucky to have him.”
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That’s a lofty comparison for Steichen.
Shula is the NFL’s winningest head coach, compiling 347 wins with the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins from 1963 to 1995.
Irsay knows it’s a lofty comparison.
But he believes that deeply in Steichen after the coach led Indianapolis to a 9-8 record in his first season despite losing Richardson for the season.
“You’d expect me to say that about a new head coach,” Irsay said. “But I’m saying, I really think that we really hit the jackpot with him. He’s an outstanding football mind who demands excellence. … It’s going to be interesting as time unravels to see what he can do.”
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts owner Jim Irsay praises GM Chris Ballard, coach Shane Steichen
