Gregg Doyel

gregg.doyel@indystar.com

INDIANAPOLIS – One at a time, new Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard is ridding the roster of Ryan Grigson’s mistakes. Be patient with Ballard, because it’s a lengthy process.

Grigson made a lot of mistakes.

Ballard has no reason to keep around players who don’t belong, unlike his predecessor, who was notoriously slow to correct his mistakes for reasons that smacked of self-protection. Ballard has been pruning this roster since being hired Jan. 29, making hard decisions that Grigson's track record suggests he never would: Underachieving cornerback Patrick Robinson is released. Underachieving tight end Dwayne Allen is traded. Old linebacker D’Qwell Jackson and even older safety Mike Adams are let go.

Colts free agency: Pat Robinson released, big moves at LB

Hypotheticals are unfair – we don’t know what would’ve happened had Colts owner Jim Irsay retained Grigson – but do you really think Grigson would’ve released Robinson one year after making him the team’s marquee signing? Or traded injury-prone Dwayne Allen, whom Grigson chose over Coby Fleener in 2015 by giving him a four-year, $29 million contract, then watched as Allen got hurt again in a mostly forgettable 2016?

No chance.

Let’s remember how Grigson handled his business.

Running back Trent Richardson, acquired from Cleveland for a first-round pick two games into the 2013 season, was a bust from Day 1 here. He averaged 2.9 yards per carry in the final 14 games of 2013 with the Colts, but Grigson brought him back for 2014. Wasn’t about to concede defeat.

Grigson even doubled down on dumb, forcing coach Chuck Pagano to start Richardson. Remember when someone (OK, it was me) asked Pagano in December 2014 to explain why, with Trent Richardson contributing 27 carries for 54 yards over the previous three games, he was the Colts’ starter at running back? Pagano’s answer: “Because he’s our starter.”

Pagano couldn’t say the truth – “the GM is making me” – but he wasn’t about to lie and make publicly positive statements about such a negative running back.

Conservative Colts acquire punter and a long-shot pass rusher

Took Grigson two years to get rid of Richardson, which was a downright rush compared to his handling of linebacker Bjoern Werner. Grigson drafted Werner in the first round in 2013, which was bad, then kept him for a second season in 2014, which was worse. The coaching staff made Werner inactive for the 2014 AFC title game, which was embarrassing, and then Grigson did the inconceivable:

He brought back Werner for 2015.

And don’t get me started on Josh McNary. Or Lance Louis. Or Daniel Adongo. Grigson collected the useless and let them linger, like dust bunnies.

Chris Ballard came here from Kansas City, and he brought his broom.

Ballard is making hard decisions and making them fast, and doing it with no regard for loyalty. And listen, that’s how you have to do it in the NFL. In some ways — in Grigson’s self-protecting way — loyalty is a concept that will get you beat.

Who’s the best GM in the NFL? Bill Belichick. Whatever his title, he’s calling the shots in New England, and he cuts guys the moment they’re of no use to him. Remember receiver Tiquan Underwood? Belichick released him on Feb. 4, 2012.

Super Bowl 46 was Feb. 5, 2012.

That’s ruthless.

Doyel: Wabash wrestler is a poet who plays with his prey

Ballard hasn’t shown the ability to cut bait with his own mistakes — he hasn’t made one yet, but give him time — but man oh man has he shown the ability to be ruthless with his roster. Jackson and Adams, the Colts’ two most consistent defenders since 2014, weren’t getting better. They were getting older.

Ballard said goodbye to both.

You think Grigson pushes away Adams? For three years Adams was the heat shield Grigson held up in conversations with reporters whenever he was defending himself. Adams, who made two Pro Bowls after Grigson (to his credit) found him on the scrap heap before the 2014 season, didn’t have a contract. He had tenure.

And I love Mike Adams. Sensational teammate, great guy, bright future in whatever he wants to do. Frankly, I’m not sure letting Adams walk was the right move. Last season he wasn’t the Pro Bowler he’d been in 2014 and ’15, but he was serviceable. And again, a great teammate.

Even if Ballard was wrong on Adams, and we’ll have to see on that one, he has a job where perfection isn’t possible. Ideally a GM will get rid of veteran players at the exact right time. In reality, it’s easier to get rid of a guy a little too soon or a little too late. Grigson, unwilling to admit a mistake, was always too late. By the time he got rid of Richardson, Werner, Adongo and Louis, they were useless. None has played in the NFL since.

Ballard’s going to make his mistakes. That day is coming. But I like his style. The man speaks softly.

And carries a big broom.

Find IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel on Twitter:@GreggDoyelStar or atfacebook.com/gregg.doyel.