New Colts GM Chris Ballard during his introductory press conference yesterday said of his team-building philosophy, "You want to raise your own. We want to be a great drafting team. We want to have a sound structure and foundation in place where we’re producing players every year. You have to. You have to have at least three or four guys who are going to help you every year." In Indianapolis, Stephen Holder notes Ballard, who "received a five-year contract," is "thinking long term." Ballard: "We’ll get into free agency a little bit but, like I said, you can’t buy a locker room" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 1/31). Meanwhile, the STAR's Nat Newell offers six takeaways from Ballard's news conference.
ILL WILL: ESPN.com's Darren Rovell cited data from Public Policy Polling as showing that the Patriots are the "most disliked team in the NFL." In a poll of 378 NFL fans representative of the U.S. population, 21% "disliked the Patriots," once again "edging" the Cowboys, who were disliked by 19% of respondents. Patriots coach Bill Belichick was "viewed negatively" by 34% of those polled. Asked about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, 37% of respondents "thought of him unfavorably" and 42% "disapproved of the job he was doing" (ESPN.com, 1/30). In Ft. Worth, Vince Langford notes the Patriots and Cowboys were followed by the Bears at 12% and Packers at 8% (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 1/31).
PULLING RANK: In Philadelphia, Jeff McLane cited sources as saying that Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie "stepped in and rescinded the original consent" that the team gave the Jets to interview Eagles QB coach John DeFilippo for their offensive coordinator vacancy. Lurie's obstruction was first reported by ESPN. Lurie's blocking of DeFilippo "represents his passion -- some called it his 'obsession' -- with making sure" Eagles QB Carson Wentz has "all the tools necessary to thrive." Lurie's block "was not only extremely rare for an owner, but it potentially undermined" Eagles coach Doug Pederson. Lurie "attended Senior Bowl practices for the second straight year," but "wasn't made available to reporters" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 1/28).
DAN'S NEW PLAN? In Boston, Ben Volin noted Dolphins special adviser Dan Marino's appearance at the Senior Bowl was "interesting," as it was a trip there in '04 that "convinced him to quit" as the team's Senior VP/Football Operations after just three weeks on the job. He was "taken aback by the amount of work that was required." Now, however, Marino seems "fully on board" (BOSTON GLOBE, 1/29).
