GM Chris Ballard will take methodical approach to improving Colts roster

INDIANAPOLIS -- Frugal may be a stretch in describing Colts general manager Chris Ballard's approach to free agency.

But be warned, the days of the Indianapolis Colts swinging and hoping to connect on the free-agent market will be reduced. Ballard, hired to replace Ryan Grigson, believes in developing his own players instead of spending top dollars on the outside market.

"You want to raise your own," Ballard said. "We want to be a great drafting team. We want to have a sound structure and foundation in place where we're producing players every year. You have to. You have to have at least three or four guys who are going to help you every year."

Ballard saw firsthand what it's like to "raise…