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INDIANAPOLIS – For the first time in more than 20 years, there’s legitimate and serious debate on how the Colts should handle the future at the quarterback position.
-Believe there’s a higher ceiling still attainable for Jacoby Brissett?
-Opt to pursue a free agent or trade route and find a more proven quarterback?
-Tap into the 2020 Draft to find the new franchise quarterback?
As we try and formulate a picture of what the ideal quarterback is to the Colts, we know specific traits that the most important decisions makers in the franchise seek in an elite QB.
Frank Reich most covets accuracy (something Chris Ballard agrees with), and the ability for quarterbacks to process things, pre and post-snap.
“I have always categorized one of the traits as being elite accuracy,” the former NFL quarterback says. “If you want to be an elite quarterback you have to have elite accuracy. I think elite accuracy is at the top.
“Also, elite cognitive ability and being able to process information really quick.”
Given how much Reich puts on a QB’s plate in regards to making run checks and handling pass protection responsibilities at the line of scrimmage, you can see why he covets that trait.
Offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni looks for similar traits when it comes to throwing the football, with the unscripted element of making plays off-script also on his mind.
“It always comes down to can he make good decisions with the football and can he make accurate throws?” Sirianni says. “Those are the two main things and then after that can he escape pressure and create on your own?
“I just think if you look at it over and over and over again those are the two main ones, and then it is can you escape? I think you are seeing a little bit more of guys that can escape now and create plays with their legs. I think that is where it has changed a little bit, but I still think it is the first two things I talked about – decision making, one, and accuracy, one-b, as the two main things.”
Of course, any evaluation for a potential Colts player also heavily weighs character.
To Chris Ballard, that means even more at quarterback.
“I think we all know, (character) is paramount,” the GM says. “Those are things we won’t bend on. There are certain things within the quarterback position that we will not bend on. They got to be smart, they got to be great teammates. I’m not saying they have to be rah-rah leader guys, but they have to be a leader in some way, whether it’s their presence, their actions, in some way they got to lead.”
Reich added another element that can be hard to grade, but is necessary, under center.
“Really, the number one trait that I look for personally is toughness – mental and physical toughness,” the head coach says.
As the Colts begin to dive deeper into the quarterback class this offseason, they’ve stated there are QBs that have their attention in 2020.
At pick No. 13, with the extreme unlikelihood of trading up to No. 1 overall, the Colts know some development will be needed, if/when that quarterback selection comes in April.
“None of them are a finished product, and if they are, they’re the No 1 pick in the draft,” Ballard states. “We’ve got to be able to look for the attributes that we want, and figure out what we can make better. What we can improve the kid upon. And then you play to their strengths.
“There’s guys we like. We’ll go through it. Timing, they got to be available when you’re picking, all that stuff’s got to play into it.”
What should fans be looking for?
-High-level accuracy
-The ability to process things
-Strong leadership capabilities
-Some playmaking with their legs
