New Colts G.M. Ryan Grigson Is A Good Hire
by Brad Wells on Jan 11, 2012 9:47 AM EST
in Colts News
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PrintAs many of you already know, ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that the Colts have hired Ryan Grigson as their new general manager. Grigson was the director of college scouting for the Philadelphia Eagles, and fits profile Jim Irsay was looking for in a young personnel executive who has never been a general manager before.
Grigson, who played in the NFL as an offensive linemen, is known for his passion and an eye for detail when scouting college talent. From the east coast-based NFL people I talk to, Grigson is a great football person. Jason Brewer of Bleeding Green Nation texted me about Grigson a week ago and told me he is highly valued within that organization.
Also, Grigson is from Highland, Indiana.
On the surface, this is a very strong hire. My personal bias was for Irsay to hire Marc Ross of the Giants, but within NFL circles Grigson is viewed as favorably as Ross. Unlike Chris Polian, who had little background in college scouting before being handed the Colts G.M. job, Grigson has paid his dues. He has lots of connections with schools in the Midwest and the East Coast.
So, for me, I'm very happy with this hire. Now, let's see if Grigson had bring the Colts into a successful new era.
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Seems like a winner to me.
A smart young guy that will be seen and not heard. I expect Irsay to be much more involved in the drafting and big decision making…I also wonder if this means they will go for a young hot coordinator…as a new 40 GM may want someone like himself to patrol the sidelines…
I’m hoping they get Mike Zimmer!
by (206)NightRidah on Jan 11, 2012 9:54 AM EST via mobile reply actions 2 recs
Count my vote for Zimmer!
Liberate MZ from the Cincinnati swamp. Great defensive mind, highest character you’re gonna find in today’s NFL.
I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game. It will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen, give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set. Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us. ~Walt Whitman
by Chopaholic on Jan 11, 2012 8:43 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Great point
about the college connections and “paying his dues”. That’s what irked me the most about the Christ Polian “Grandfathering”, the dude had such a slim resume outside of the franchise.
What direction do you think this takes the team scheme wise?
Or do you think that is more of a HC decision?
Good choice
Much like a draft pick, the next couple of years will show how good. If he is any good, his age and connection to Indiana make much sense. Irsay expressed that he wants a long term team in place and this should set the stage.
"If they want me to be a crazy, emotional, frenzied fan in section 603, then they can't expect me to be reasonable about the business of football"
On the fence
Things look good on paper, but let’s see how it goes. I’m pretty optimistic though!!
What do I really have left in life but this place? It ain't much of a home, but it's all I got. Well, g******it. I'll be damned if I let some foreign, graffiti writin', soul suckin', son of a bitch in an oversized cowboy hat and boots take my friend's souls and sh** 'em down the visitors toilet!
by Guy LeDouche on Jan 11, 2012 10:02 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Im with LeDouche.
Grigson doesnt have much experience. That could be both good and bad. The good thing is, he shouldnt be set in his ways. He should be willing to bring in quality staff, coaches and scouts. Grigson should be willing to work with Irsay. The flip side is. Grigson is green, this is a major jump in job scope. Can he handle the pressure? Is Grigson a puppet? Is Grigson gonna have any say? Or, is Irsay going to do a Jerry Jones? Using Grigson as the face. One othet point, other than McCoy, Jackson, Celek and Maclin, who stands out on the Eagle roster that wasnt brought in as a free agent. I believe what does,.or doesnt happen to Caldwell with make it clear which direction we go. Im officially on the fence.
If Russia attacked Turkey from the rear, Do you think Greece would help?
by whardiek on Jan 11, 2012 3:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
McCoy, Jackson, Celek, Maclin….That’s their whole offense…Except for Vick of course.
by Coltsfan1345 on Jan 11, 2012 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
YES YES YES YES YES YES
What do I really have left in life but this place? It ain't much of a home, but it's all I got. Well, g******it. I'll be damned if I let some foreign, graffiti writin', soul suckin', son of a bitch in an oversized cowboy hat and boots take my friend's souls and sh** 'em down the visitors toilet!
by Guy LeDouche on Jan 11, 2012 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
I wonder if there will be a Ryan Grigson Show?
"If they want me to be a crazy, emotional, frenzied fan in section 603, then they can't expect me to be reasonable about the business of football"
And will it be blacked out!
Us 3 or 4 Colts fans out here in Seattle would like to be kept in the loop too!
by (206)NightRidah on Jan 11, 2012 10:07 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
And the one here in ellensburg too
by splatoutofluck on Jan 11, 2012 10:20 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Other side of "the pass". Good stuff!
Nice to have some WA state representation on this blog! There are not many of us out here…
by (206)NightRidah on Jan 11, 2012 10:58 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
don't quite get the hire
the eagles have not had strong drafts the last 2 years….but I will trust Irsay and give this guy the benefit of the doubt.
I am also concerned. The Eagles have relied heavily on vet FAs to little success
compared to the draft-heavy focus of such teams as the Pack, Pittsburgh, Balt, & the Colts
Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy
by zherebyonki on Jan 11, 2012 12:27 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
they have generally relied on the draft
and i doubt it was grigson who decided to pick all the free agent this past season….i would presume that was on the gm, andy reid, and the owner.
by BLOODontheTRACKS on Jan 11, 2012 3:53 PM EST up reply actions
i dunno... the guy was only their #2 since 2010... whereas the other parties you mention
have been constants, no? Grigson seems to be the variable that would explain the shift in philosophy last year for the FA-mad eagles
Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy
by zherebyonki on Jan 11, 2012 10:39 PM EST up reply actions
that would defy logic
you really think a long time coach and gm are going walk to the beat of the director of player personnel? and from everything i have heard, grigson’s focus for the eagles was the draft.
by BLOODontheTRACKS on Jan 12, 2012 5:39 PM EST up reply actions
I don't claim to know who did what inside the Eagles. But I wasn't totally illogical.
If, as you say, they are normally draft-reliant, then one of those long-time institutional presences decided to shift the S.O.P. last year and snatch up a bunch of vet FAs. Then they failed to have a winning record, let alone make the playoffs. I just figured the likeliest explanation was the newly-empowered guy.
Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy
He was my 2nd choice but I'm pleased.
I had Marc Ross at the top of my list but I’m not hating this move either.
First up on the Ryan Grigson “TO DO” list………FIRE CALDWELL!!!
by Blue Report on Jan 11, 2012 10:19 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Its a great hire!!
I’ve read alot of shit talking on pro football talk and other sites where people keep mentioning the Eagles’ draft picks. According to every Eagles fan I’ve talked to, Reid did most of the draft picks, not Grigson. What this means to the Colts organization is that they will finally start incorporating free agents into the team to augment the draft picks. I remember how we were all pretty envious of the Eagles at the beginning of the season after they went out and signed all the new players. Hopefully we can be a part of that this year! Ohhhh, and he better fire his pal Curtis Painter!!!
eagles have had solid drafts
…with the exception of Kevin Kolb, but they were smart enough to trade him and get some value back in return. Grigson wont have to wait until the 2nd rd to try to find a gem at QB in Indy, he can just use that #1 pick! He’ll do a fine job here
i think kolb was a good draft pick
at the time Kolb was an A+ draft pick and only reason he is not playing in Philly is cause Vick has one hot year. Other then that he is a solid QB -that with the right system he could be great. Either way, they hyped him up as much as they could and then cut thier losses by trading him. was a good move all around.
by 67ChevILL on Jan 11, 2012 11:53 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I like it.
There are a handful of top coaches, handful of top GM’s and handful of great QBs. As long as we are in the top of those groups, we’ll compete for the prize. I think we have done that with the GM, from what sources say. QB should be good….I guess HC is next.
Boiler up!
And hammer down – as in finding a new head coach.
I'm on the fence
But only because I don’t know who he is and I haven’t seen his work. I’m obviously not in the said “football circles,” but instead I’m a regular fan, so there’s little chance I would have heard of anybody unless they were already a GM, a former GM, or somebody who I’ve seen in other GM searches for other teams before.
I’m confident that whomever Irsay picked was a good hire though, simply because he’s doen a good job in the past.
I am a college student that sleeps with a St. Louis Cardinals Fredbird Pillow Pet, and I am proud of it.
Good move. I hope.
I am optimistic. Irsay made the tough decision to fire the Polians, and did some serious rock-turning by interviewing 7 candidates.
The guy is a former tackle in the NFL so hopefully the OL and DL will get some attention in drafts.
He also was with the Eagles when Jim Johnson was the DC so hopefully our defense will move in that direction.
The new HC will be interesting. Assuming they fire Caldwell (seems like a foregone conclusion), will they go with an experienced guy? If so, how will he handle answering to a GM almost as young as his kids? Will the HC and GM positions be about equal in power? Or will they go younger at HC too?
I can’t imagine Irsay will give Grigson the same level of power that he gave Polian.
I always though on the org chart...
A Coach and GM should report to the owner…Not Coach to GM. Decisions should be made together. Both jobs are equally important. I want my coach to X-O scheme it up and to be the mouthpiece. IMO a GM should not have a show the coach should! I want my GM to make sure the front office is well staffed with marketing and scout experts and of course to be an excellent talent evaluator for the draft.
I was a supporter of Polian in spite of many of his flaws until it began to seem as if he was telling Caldwell who can play or who should dress on Sundays…that just can’t happen
by (206)NightRidah on Jan 11, 2012 12:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I tend to agree
that they should be about equal, with separate and clearly-defined responsibilities.
he was a tackle, sure, but it was a short career
Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy
by zherebyonki on Jan 11, 2012 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
well, he kept playing in the CFL for a year after washing out of the NFL
not that I think a GM has to have had some kind of standout career or anything
Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy
by zherebyonki on Jan 11, 2012 10:40 PM EST up reply actions
Did Grigson handle free agency this past season, or was that Reid?
Because acquiring those free agents really helped the Eagles into the post season…
Oh, wait.
Was it the acquisition of the players
or was it the coaching/scheming that was the problem?
Jason Babin had 18 sacks so I’d call him a successful FA acquisition.
Asomugha and DRC are man-coverage corners that played a ton of zone for some reason, and then Aso got injured. I would put that more on Castillo not knowing how to use his players.
Bringing in VY was an inexcusably bad move so if Grigson was responsible for that he should be fired immediately. But I’m guessing that was Andy Reid thinking he could make him another pet QB project.
I'd assume someone acquiring personnel would know how his coaches would incorporate the FA's.
If it was Reid’s decision, fine, he’s a dummy. I’m still skeptical, since the official announcement goes out of its way to talk about his free agent acquisitions.
Maybe he is on the Jim Irsay “Unity/One Voice/Candy Canes and Rainbows for all the little children” mindset. Until we see success, I’m going to be extremely worried.
That is your choice
I am choosing to be excited and positive instead.
I believe it was both
Read my post below
They over upgraded in the secondary while their entire LB core was cut or left in FA, and they had scrubs and rookies in those positions…
The O-line was ignored so they could sign Babin and Jenkins to costly contracts
Go Blue!
Revenue - Expenses = Profit
by dezznutz1001 on Jan 11, 2012 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
is this the guy
who is responsible for the Eagles shitily built team? (yes it is, its LB corp was ignored for their secodnary, and theri O-line was ignored for position players and a couple D-lineman)
I hope not.
Does he have previous GM experience or is he just a Scout?
Go Blue!
Revenue - Expenses = Profit
I appluade everyones optimism here
But 633 people think hes a great hire. Of those 633, 632 havent heard of this guy before today!
LOL
Go Blue!
Revenue - Expenses = Profit
Anyone beats Chris Polian
Including me Fat DT, Deeznuts, Guy Le Douche, BBS and Stew!
by (206)NightRidah on Jan 11, 2012 2:04 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Reading comprehension seems to have gone the way of the typewritter
His title was director of college scouting for most of his time with the Eagles, not the general manager. I think the only thing you can pin on him is draft choices for the past 9 years as it would appear that he was a highly influential voice in those decisions.
In 2010, just last year, he became director of Player Personel. So he probably had some input into the free agent acquistions of the Eagles this season. Some of them were good some were bad. But I think the Eagles lack of success can largely be blamed on poor line backers and putting mantoman coverage corners in zone coverage scheems. Also Vick’s injury didn’t help either.
But since he has never been the “Head Guy” we can’t know for certain what decisons he agreed with or didn’t for the entire Eagles Organization.
I think the Eagles have had pretty good drafts in the past 10 years. They have been perenial contenders.
"Kristy Alley...Val Kilmer...global warming...." - Matt in Cleveland
by Bakuto on Jan 11, 2012 3:33 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Right
And no one should argue that the Eagles haven’t had good talent on the roster the past 10 years either.
I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
I am good with the choice
Just not overly excited. What I am happy about is the potential the Colts go after a few free agents. I was really wanting Ross to make this draft one for the ages. What are the chances the new GM nabs Ross to be the VP. I know very unlikely, but hey I can dream!!!!! I hope he goes around the league to hire another young up and comer to help him out!
I wonder if he
drafted Hank Baskett in Philly. If so, I am jumping off a bridge. Sweet, sweet, irony.
by conservativeCaldwell on Jan 11, 2012 6:26 PM EST reply actions
I'm new around these parts
But I live in the Philadelphia area. Unfortunately this means that I am forced to remain abreast of all things Eagles. With that out of the way, let me state that this hire scares the living crap out of me.
Take a gander at the Birds’ recent drafts and you’ll see why:
http://www.databasefootball.com/draft/draftteam.htm?tm=PHI&lg=nfl
They occasionally hit pay-dirt with their picks (D. Jackson, McCoy, Westbrook) but they miss far too often for my liking. Lots of undersized linebackers and D-linemen, with a smattering of failed “projects” thrown in for good measure. They also have a knack for drafting dudes that get injured—all . . . the . . . time. They’re adept at finding gems in the later rounds, but with few exceptions their early round drafting history is what I would consider sub-par. If I’m being honest I’d say that their drafts look eerily similar to Polian drafts. Comforting . . .
If this guy brings Morhinweig in as HC I’m going to puke all over myself . . .
I'm 100% sure Irsay would veto...
by (206)NightRidah on Jan 11, 2012 7:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I still would've liked Marc Ross
But the Eagles recent drafts have been pretty good. Just hopefully he doesn’t have the BP mind of “free agency” is useless.
Pat McAfee 2012 Pro Bowl bound!
Anthony Calvillo - 72,382 passing yards - pro football's all-time leader
Jon Stewart for President 2016
OCCUPY BILL POLIAN'S OFFICE
As long as...
… he doesn’t bring in any dog-killers.
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