Colts: Former NFL Scout Speaks Out Against GM Ryan Grigson

Prior to joining the Indianapolis Colts, general manager Ryan Grigson worked his way up the front office ranks of the Philadelphia Eagles. Well, one of Grigson’s colleagues has spoken put and had some harsh criticism for him.

John Middlekauff was a scout with the Eagles around the same time Grigson was a regional scout for them. He is now a radio broadcaster in the San Francisco area and shared his comments about Grigson in a recent podcast.

The San Francisco 49ers are looking for a general manager and ESPN Analyst Louis Riddick recently interviewed for the job. Riddick was also a scout with the Eagles at the same time as Middlekauff and Grigson.

So, Middlekauff and co-host Guy Haberman were discussing Riddick’s qualifications for the job. During their discussion, he brought up Grigson to help people comprehend how smart Riddick was. However, he also threw the current Colts’ GM under the bus.

"“I mean (Riddick) was clearly our most talented/dynamic guy,” Middlekauff said. “Like I was around Ryan Grigson. He never worked in the office, but he’d come in the office periodically. And you saw his reports. The difference between Louis Riddick and Ryan Grigson, if I was an owner and had to choose between the two of them is like the difference between Steph and like a D-league point guard. They weren’t even in the same f—ing realm. I mean they were in different universes."

These are some unflattering remarks about Grigson as a general manager. Based on Middlekauff’s analysis, the Colts should have hired Riddick instead of Grigson. In fact, he did not even think Grigson was qualified to be a general manager in the NFL, and still thinks though today.

"“But, Ryan Grigson became a GM. I saw first-hand, everyone I was around said, ‘Ryan Grigson became a GM for the Colts?’ Like it was jaw-dropping. It was jaw dropping when he got the interview, Guy, let alone he got the job. I mean, like, my god, he’s gonna get Andrew Luck, he’s gonna have a job for life. And clearly his resume speaks for itself. If he wasn’t BFF’s with the owner, how does he keep a job?”"

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It is pretty obvious Middlekauff did not think Grigson had what it took to be a NFL general manager. It also makes one wonder what owner Jim Irsay was thinking when he hired him. But then again, the last part of this quote is really telling.

“Clearly his resume speaks for itself. If he wasn’t BFF’s with the owner, how does he keep a job?”

At this point, everyone, from former NFL employees to fans, has seen what Grigson has done to the Indianapolis Colts. He has drafted an elite talent in Andrew Luck, but has surround him with only a minimal amount of talent.

He has a long laundry list of draft day and free agency failures; that would typically get most NFL general managers fired within two years. Yet, Grigson will begin his sixth year with the franchise this offseason.

Being “BFF’s” with Irsay must really be helping Grigson keep his job because theire is no logical explanation for why he is still in control of player personnel for the Colts.

In total, Middlekauff is just another person criticizing Grigson’s flaws. There have always been former front office employees, and scouts who have criticized Grigson every since he was hired. Those comments did not spark any change, and Middlekauff’s comments likely will not either.

Next: Colts: Should a RB be their First Pick in 2017 NFL Draft?

As of now, nothing has come from Grigson’s “BFF” Jim Irsay to suggest things will not remain the same at the top next season.

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