Tweet
Mike Wells
ESPN Staff Writer
INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts general manager Chris Ballard is continuing his housecleaning.
Ballard has relieved vice president of football operations Jimmy Raye of his duties, a source told ESPN, confirming a report by The MMQB.
Raye was hired by former general manager Ryan Grigson in 2012 after he had spent the 17 years prior to that working with the San Diego Chargers. Raye was a scout with the Chargers from 1996 to 1999, director of college scouting from 2000 to 2007 and director of player personnel from 2008 to 2012. The Chargers won five AFC West titles while Raye had been part of the organization.
Raye played a pivotal role in the signing of undrafted free agents, including tight end Erik Swoope, who emerged last season after having never played organized football before signing with the Colts in May 2014.
Raye had interviewed for the Colts' general manager position after Grigson was fired in January. Raye also interviewed for the same role with the San Francisco 49ers earlier this year. He was held in very high regard by Colts owner Jim Irsay and is well respected around the NFL.
The parting of ways with Raye came a day after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday the Colts are parting ways with director of college scouting T.J. McCreight and "others from scouting department."
The changing of front-office staff when a new general manager is hired is not uncommon because that person often wants to bring in his own people. Most general managers routinely get through the draft before changing front-office personnel since that group is responsible for putting together the list of draft prospects.
Comment