Colts GM Chris Ballard offers insight into team’s evaluation of Rock Ya-Sin
By Seth Steere
Colt’s general manager Chris Ballard filled in for Peter King in this week’s Football Morning in America, and he offered some insight on Indianapolis’ scouting report of second-round pick, Rock Ya-Sin.
Every Monday morning, NBC Sports football writer Peter King publishes his column, Football Morning in America. In this week’s edition, the byline was a bit different. Instead of King penning the article, it was Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard.
In the column — Scouting and The Power of Sundays — Ballard provided a look behind the scenes of the Colts’ draft process and offered fans a glimpse into life as a general manager and scout.
One of the biggest takeaways from the article was his scouting report of Temple cornerback Rock Ya-Sin who the Colts selected in the second round.
Ballard gave what he described as the key traits for a cornerback to fit in the Colts’ system. Size was a big one. Ball skills were ranked high, too. And background/character matters to Indianapolis.
"“When he transferred to Temple, he was awarded a single-digit jersey within a few weeks and our Northeast Area Scout Mike Derice took notice. (A single digit jersey at Temple signifies a player as one of the toughest on the team.)”"
He goes on to add that single-digit numbers are voted on by teammates, making the achievement even more impressive. The Colts began following Ya-Sin from his transer to Temple all the way to the Senior Bowl.
"“Ed Dodds, our assistant general manager, said we should go “A-Z” on him during the Senior Bowl. Ya-Sin had a standout performance. He was getting better every day, and Derice developed a strong conviction about his belonging on the Colts.”"
Throughout the column, Ballard, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and others among the staff raved about Ya-Sin’s physicality and toughness. Ballard also put emphasis on getting to know players.
"“We made sure to interview Ya-Sin at length because we put a big emphasis on knowing a player’s character and story. The story leads us to the answers that we’re trying to find out about each guy.”"
At the end of the process, Ya-Sin fits into just about every category Ballard looks for in a player, according to his report. He fit so much that he was awarded a blue card, which is given by the Colts when “a player meets our strict criteria in terms of his football character.”
Ballard only gives out 10-12 blue cards a year, one going to Ya-Sin. As a result, he as a guy the Colts simply had to have.