FanPost

Vick Ballard: Can he be Colts' Answer at Running Back?



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If one thing can be said of Vick Ballard Sunday in the Colts vs Titans game, it's that he was exciting, at least on one play. This, of course, in reference to his reception out of the backfield in overtime in which he scored by flipping backwards over a Titan defender and hit the pylon before going out of bounds. There is no question that the play was exhilarating, but having one exhilarating play can't be the sole reason for deciding on a starting running back.

Ballard had 12 attempts for 55 yards, averaging out to 4.6 YPC, with a long run of 17 yards. He didn't score the teams' lone rushing touchdown; that was by Delone Carter. He also didn't get the bulk of the carries; that would be Donald Brown, who had 2 more carries than Ballard (Brown had 14). Brown finished with 80 yards, and a 5.7 YPC average. It's only fair to mention that along with the touchdown, Delone Carter had two runs for 8 yards, and a 4 YPC average.

Donald Brown had a really good day, as nearly 6 Yards per attempt is very respectable. But, the Tennessee Titans are 28th in the league in yards given up per game on the ground. 28th. So while the Colts had success, they were supposed to. To me, this game did NOT show any answer as to a definitive running back for Indianapolis for now and the future. I truly believe that we must look externally this offseason, or even now, before the trade deadline. DeAngelo Williams is on Carolina's trade block, and is a viable option as long as Colts front office would be willing to pay the large price tag that is Williams' contract. The upcoming RB class from college isn't extremely talented, with only one in Scouts Inc's top 32, that being Marcus Lattimore who likely won't play next year.

So the draft isn't great, DeAngelo Williams' contract isn't great, but there is something that is pretty great: the upcoming class of free agent running backs. Reggie Bush, Rashard Mendenhall, Peyton Hillis, and Shonn Green are only some of the free agents this summer. This is certainly an option worth exploring for the Colts.

Indianapolis has certainly surprised many people this season, and is in playoff contention. But the running back position is certainly not great, and an upgrade may be needed before the Colts take the next step to being a perennially contending football team.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.