Colts' Irsay: New hire Ballard is the best GM candidate this century

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay set the bar high - very high - at the introductory press conference for new general manager Chris Ballard.

"I really feel that Chris is the best candidate for GM that’s come about so far in the 21st century," Irsay told reporters, according to Gregg Doyerl of the Indy Star.

Ballard was hired to replace former Colts general manager Ryan Grigson after a search that included interviewing six executives from around the NFL.

Related: Report - Colts GM Ballard intends to keep Pagano as head coach for 2017

Ballard is well thought of among NFL types, and it's great that his new boss is particularly excited to have him as part of the Colts. But to suggest that no general manager hired by any team in the previous 16 years of this century can compare to him is perhaps a tad hyperbolic.