NFL notebook: Colts GM "disappointed and surprised" by McDaniels' decision

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard told reporters on Wednesday that he was disappointed that New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels opted out of a deal to become the Colts' head coach. Ballard said McDaniels agreed to accept the position and that the Colts had planned a press conference to officially announce the move on Wednesday. Instead, that press conference was altered, with Ballard speaking in front of reporters. "With Josh backing out, we were disappointed, unquestionably: We were disappointed and surprised," Ballard said. "We'd agreed to contract terms. We had an agreement in place. We followed all the rules, did everything right. Two interviews, both of them went very well. Very confident we were going in the right direction, very confident Monday evening and into Tuesday morning." Ballard was asked about the conversation with McDaniels when he was informed that the latter wouldn't be accepting the position. "He said he had bad news for me," Ballard said. "I just said I just needed a yes-or-no answer. 'Are you in or out?' We went around for a minute and he said he's out, and I said, 'OK. We're going to move forward and I wish you the best of luck.'" Ballard said he wasn't interested in persuading McDaniels to change his mind. "There was no persuasion. Let me make this clear. I want, and we want as an organization, a head coach that wants to be all in," Ballard said. --After speaking at length about McDaniels' decision to reject the Colts' head coaching job and stay with New England, Ballard might have offered his most salient comment with his closing remark. "The rivalry is back on," said Ballard, who then left the podium. That rivalry began when the Patriots' Tom Brady and the Colts' Peyton Manning competed for personal and team supremacy in the AFC. However, the on-field competition took a turn when Ryan Grigson, the Colts general manager at the time, opened the door to the Deflategate saga that came after the Patriots' 45-7 victory over Indianapolis in the AFC Championship Game following the 2014 season. The lengthy Deflategate episode, which revolved around the air pressure being put in the footballs, ultimately cost the Patriots two draft picks, $1 million and a four-game suspension for Brady. Reportedly, Patriots owner Robert Kraft has not forgotten that effort by the Colts. A league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Kraft has been trying to get back at the Colts ever since. --Ballard told reporters that Andrew Luck's health wasn't a factor in McDaniels' decision to back out of his agreement to become the next head coach of the Colts. Ballard, in fact, went to great length to clear the air with an update on Luck, telling reporters that the quarterback doesn't need another surgery after missing the 2017 season because of shoulder issues. "And, at this point, we feel very strongly that Andrew's in a good place," Ballard said. "He doesn't need surgery. ... His strength is good. He's working on his throw motion and he's working on his arm speed right now. He has not picked up a football, but he's throwing balls, working on arm speed. He's not going to skip a step." --McDaniels' agent said his client made a huge mistake by spurning the Colts for their open head coaching position. Then, the agent reportedly fired McDaniels. NFL.com's Mike Garafolo reported on NFL Network's Good Morning Football that McDaniels' agent, Bob Lamonte, told the New England Patriots offensive coordinator that he's "making perhaps the biggest professional mistake of his career." Lamonte also represents Ballard. --After labeling McDaniels as an "offensive genius" last month, Tony Dungy offered a much harsher assessment of him after he recently spurned the Indianapolis Colts. "I can tell you there is NO excuse big enough to justify this," Dungy wrote on Twitter of McDaniels' decision. "It's one thing to go back on your word to an organization. But having assistant coaches leave jobs to go with you then leave them out to dry is indefensible. For COMFORT??" --Ballard told reporters that he didn't watch Super Bowl LII because he was more concerned about the news surrounding linebacker Edwin Jackson. Jackson and Uber driver Jeffrey Monroe were killed when a drunk driver hit them with his vehicle while they were standing on the side of Interstate 70 on Sunday morning. Ballard said that, in his mind, those circumstances meant that the team's coaching search was put on hold until he heard from McDaniels on Tuesday. "To be very honest with you, after Sunday's events with the passing of Edwin Jackson and Jeffrey Monroe, it was a very tough two days. We're not even close to this coaching search," Ballard said. "My thoughts were with Edwin and Jeffrey and their families and the tragic deaths that occurred on Sunday morning. Very difficult day, very difficult couple of days, talking with both families, talking with our players." --The Colts are expected to submit a request to interview New Orleans Saints assistant coach Dan Campbell and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich for their vacant head coaching position, multiple outlets reported. Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo also could be included in that mix. --Matt Patricia walked into his introductory press conference as the new Detroit Lions head coach with trimmed hair and beard, but he said little about his specific plans for the team. Patricia said only that the style would be tailored to fit the players. He acknowledged that Jim Bob Cooter would remain on the staff, but did not confirm whether Cooter would still be offensive coordinator, as had been reported. Patricia rejoins Bob Quinn, a former Patriots executive who became the Lions general manager in 2016. But Patricia did not say he would coach the Lions in the so-called Patriots Way. "I think it's hard to really categorize a 'Way,'" Patricia said. "I think in general, Bob and I have a lot of experience and history together, and we believe in a lot of the same things as far as when you look at and evaluate players, how a team should be run, how it should be coached. " ... Hopefully that product will show up on the field. And after, hopefully you have some success at that point. That's when you start calling it 'The Lions Way.' We've got a long way to go before we have any particular 'Way' in which we'll call our own." --The Lions named Paul Pasqualoni as their defensive coordinator among several other moves. Pasqualoni served as Boston College's defensive line coach for the last two years and has NFL coordinator experience with the Miami Dolphins (2008-09) and Dallas Cowboys (2010). The Lions also announced the hiring of Jeff Davidson (offensive line), Brian Stewart (defensive backs), Chris White (tight ends), and David Corrao (director of football research). The team also is moving tight ends coach Al Golden to linebackers, and defensive special projects assistant George Godsey to quarterbacks coach. --Russell Wilson has a primary job in the Pacific Northwest, but the Seattle Seahawks quarterback found himself involved in Major League Baseball transaction. The New York Yankees acquired Wilson from the Texas Rangers in exchange for future considerations, the teams announced. The four-time Pro Bowl selection is expected to appear at the Yankees' Grapefruit League camp in Tampa (Fla.), in March. Wilson's football career is not in jeopardy, but the 29-year-old hasn't kept his love of baseball a secret and has long expressed a desire to play for the Yankees. --Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier received a standing ovation from the crowd at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday as the NHL's Penguins faced off against the expansion Vegas Golden Knights. The cheers grew louder, however, once Shazier stood up to acknowledge the fans. Shazier, who was wearing a white Penguins winter hat, was helped to his feet by fiancee Michelle Rodriguez and another person before he raised his fist in the air and put his hand over his heart. --Steelers defensive backs coach Carnell Lake announced on that he is not returning to the team next season. Lake, who has served in that role since 2011, cited family as his reason for leaving. --Running back Le'Veon Bell, who is about to become a free agent, said last week that he would like to reach agreement on a long-term contract with the Steelers. Steelers President Art Rooney II told reporters that the team is thinking the same thing. "With every signing we do, we look at all the facts," Rooney said about Bell's deal. "The player on the other side is looking at the same things. The bottom line is, can you come together and have a meeting of the minds? That's what we've got to work on." --The San Francisco 49ers announced they re-signed defensive lineman Cassius Marsh to a two-year deal. The 25-year-old Marsh was claimed on waivers from the New England Patriots on Nov. 22. In six games, he had two sacks, which tied for third on a team that ranked 26th in the NFL in sacks with 30. He also forced two fumbles.