INDIANAPOLIS — All Peyton Manning wants from the Indianapolis Colts is a game plan. It may take the team a little longer to satisfy the three-time MVP.
The front office is trying determine how retired assistants Tom Moore and Howard Mudd will fit into this season’s coaching plans. Manning, who usually toes the company line, would like a better understanding of what to expect.
“Somebody says one thing, then somebody else says another thing,” he said Tuesday after a minicamp workout. “I’m not sure everybody’s on the same page in this building. I’m just trying to focus on playing quarterback well.”
The truth is, the Colts don’t know a whole lot, either.
Moore and Mudd retired two weeks ago to avoid losing money under the NFL’s revised pension plan. Last week, team owner Jim Irsay told The Indianapolis Star both would return as consultants.
Apparently, those details are still being worked out.
NFL Coaches Association executive director Larry Kennan said last week the two assistants would have to wait six months before returning. Moore is the only coordinator Manning has played for in 11 seasons; Mudd is the Colts’ longtime offensive line coach.
But the Colts don’t know if they’ll really have to wait that long, or what responsibilities Moore and Mudd will assume when they return.
“It’s still in negotiations and it’s a situation beyond our control,” new coach Jim Caldwell said. “At the same time, it will filter itself out at some point. I think what we have to do is focus in on what we can get done now.”
Manning is working on his job, but he would also like some answers.
“I can’t tell you what’s going on. I will say I don’t think it’ been the most properly communicated scenario around here,” he said. “But we have learned to deal with change and have to be prepared to adjust.”
The Colts already have announced assistant head coach Clyde Christensen will assume play-calling duties and assistant line coach Pete Metzelaars will have the word “assistant” dropped from his title.
Indy veterans are content with those choices.
Manning said Christensen helped call plays in third-down and red-zone situations last season, two categories in which the Colts had the league’s No. 1 conversion rate in 2008.
Three-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday also said his teammates along the line spoke with both Metzelaars and Mudd during games and practices last season, and because the focus this week is on strengthening and conditioning, Saturday hasn’t seen much change yet.
“We’ve not really done anything anyway,” he said. “We’d normally be meeting with Pete now, so it’s not really affected us. What will happen, or what it (the coaching staff) will look like, I don’t know. But I’m sure Jim will make it very clear at some point.”
The Colts are in the midst of perhaps their biggest transition since taking Manning with the No. 1 draft pick in 1998.
Besides losing Moore and Mudd, Caldwell has replaced the retired Tony Dungy and has hired new defensive and special teams coordinators. It’s the first time since Manning’s rookie season the Colts have switched head coaches and both coordinators in the same season.
Manning also lost Marvin Harrison, the franchise’s career receiving leader. He was released in a February salary-cap move.
But the most recent moves, losing Moore and Mudd, and the uncertainty of what’s going to happen next have the organization looking for solutions.
Polian did not respond to an interview request from The Associated Press but did speak later on a local radio show.
“I understand he’s somewhat confused because so are we,” he said. “It’s an extremely complex issue that is very hard to understand. It’s frustrating. I’m sure he’s frustrated. I’m frustrated.”
What Manning really wants, though, are answers.
And that’s something the Colts just don’t have yet.
“I wouldn’t say I totally like the way it is right now. It’s not normal not having a full coaching staff,” he said. “I know we hired a couple of guys to come in, but these guys are learning.
“I think the communication has been pretty poor in my opinion. But that’s what we’re dealing with. The hard work is what’s going on right now. That’s what will carry us through.”
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Comments » 41
bluetick writes:
Go get em Peyton. He'd be a great coach and probably better as an analyst.
GreenDevilVol writes:
BobbeaVol
STFU !!!!! I fyou can do any better then get your asses out there and DO IT !!! If not,which is probably the story,again STFU !!!!
BamaSuxFlaSwallows writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
BamaSuxFlaSwallows writes:
OK... KNS, stop deleting my post that aren't "off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy".
Also... In the second paragraph of this article the word "to" should go between the words trying and determine.
BamaSuxFlaSwallows writes:
Man who wrote this article?
"Manning, who usually toes the company line," Shouldn't that be "tows"?
BamaSuxFlaSwallows writes:
I stand corrected. My apologies to all. I'll start toeing the company line ASAP.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Is Manning the GM now?
I thought he was just an All-Pro QB, Super Bowl winner.
BamaVol writes:
What are you a gator head, or just a beetle butt
allvol32 writes:
Ah yes - BobbeaVol - think of the sniveling young humiliated Urlacher in the Old Spice commercial with all of the other dungeons and dragons dweebs laughing at him and his "Sword of Urlacher" - only our esteemed BobbeaVol never grew out of it!!!
vol_chaz writes:
Manning has a right to know the direction of the team..
vol4gzus writes:
My,my,my what a life you must have! All ewe can do is hate WHITE folk apparently. Ewe must still be back in college days and won't let go. Peyton is in the pros and doing very well. Thot ewe might want to know.
If you died 2nite where would you spend eternity? I'm afraid based on the hatred that apparently resides in your heart that the definition,"wailing and nashing of teeth" might apply.
GO VOLS and Peyton!
newtonrail writes:
Mr. Ellison, have you had a lot of fun with your racist taunts on this one? You really need help Naffy ole boy.
BigOrangeVol writes:
Navslob nobody cares what YOU think!
But congrats on being the most insignificant and inconsequential person on this site; nobody is more deserving of that distinction than you.
BillVol writes:
Screw the NFL. Why is this phooey news on this site?
gnm53108 writes:
Interesting....Very interesting.
GreenDevilVol writes:
Oh yea, the great Tom Brady,the one that plays on that CHEATING team!!!!
We know who you are Bobbea,the GREAT BLACK HOPE;or at least you think you are.
Remember,Peyton didnt play a single DOWN of DEFENSE,but you black BOYS sure did.
10volunteers98 writes:
WAAAAAAHHHHHHHH WAAAAAAHHHH.The man tells it like it is.Like it or not.
10volunteers98 writes:
Maybe they could also print an arcticle on how the Pats spied on other teams and had tapes of the Rams` Super Bowl practices!!!Wonder how much this helped 'The great Tom Brady'in the Super Bowl game?
GreenDevilVol writes:
We all know how much it helped,the should take away the trophy and give it to a real q.b. that wins outright and does not CHEAT !!! Does Peyton ring as bell bobbea !!! Should, he is the WINNINEST q.b in UT history,shame he couldnt of played defense too,we could of won more games !!!!
10volunteers98 writes:
Right on,GreenDevilVol.And,I dare say that if Manning had of had a little better supporting cast at U.T.,the Vols would have beaten the Gay-Turds at least twice.And,about the `97 Hiesman Trophy,that was a joke.Manning should have won it.I believe what hurt him was that he made the comment that he didn`t need the Hiesman.
givehim6 writes:
Hay, here's a good one. Maybe if Manning gets upset up in Indy, he will come back to Tennessee and QB for the Titans, Collins is good, but I'm not sure how many years he can last as the starter. And i'm not sure if Young will ever be the QB he was suppose to be. Titans need a good QB to help Collins.
give_him_6 writes:
You're an idot
johnlg00#206211 writes:
No, it's "toes", as in, steps right up every time to the line the "company" establishes. The "line" in question is more like a "line in the sand"--or more abstractly, a line of policy--than a tow line.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Sorry, I didn't mean to pile on. It's an honest mistake that anyone could have made.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
NO ONE is apologizing to you, racist loser!
10volunteers98 writes:
You don`t know feces from apple butter.
10volunteers98 writes:
T Martin was a very good QB.In college.He was a very big reason why the Vols won the championship in `98.But where is he now?Manning has been in the pros for 11 years,and owns most of the records.I,along with every other true Vols fan pulled for T when he was drafted by the Steelers.I don`t know if you are a racist or not,but we pull for ALL present and former Vols.Don`t care what color their skin happens to be.One of the very best Q.B.`s I`ve ever seen play for Tennessee was Tony Robinson.He was unreal.His running ability was what set him apart from ALL other QB`s who played for the Vols.He no doubt would have made it in the pros.But he couldn`t leave the cocaine alone.He served time in prison after he was kicked off the Vols` team.But true Vols fans don`t care that he was black.We wish him well.He is a Vol.
CynicalCitizen writes:
I would say after Caldwell gets finished working his magic on the Colts, the assistants will be the least of anyone's worries. That ship is sinking fast in Indianapolis.
10volunteers98 writes:
I am a Peyton Manning fan,but I have to admit that one big reason I like him is he plays for my all-time favorite NFL team,the Colts.He will be one of the best who ever played the game when he retires.But,I also have to admit that Tony Robinson could very well have been the best QB to ever wear the orange.Vol fans who never had the opportunity to see him play don`t realise just how good he was.Opposing defenses never knew if he was going to take off and run,or throw a pass down-field.In his short playing time,I would have to say that he was the best.Man,it was a BIG dissapoinment when he got the leg injury playing against Alabama.One of the best Tennessee games I`ve ever watched was when Robinson killed Auburn in the 1985 game.
10volunteers98 writes:
Yes,I`ll never forget when Condredge Holloway ran ALL OVER Joe Paterno and Penn State.Everyone thoght Penn State already had the game won even before the opening kick-off.I still have the Sports Illustrated arcticle about the game.And don`t forget Jimmy Streeter,the Sylva Streak!Well,nice talking,but I have to go put in eight hours at work.Later,man.GO,VOLS!!!
Fear_The_Kiffin writes:
Are you serious. Why such disdain for a successful black head coach that has done nothing more than assemble the tampa bay team that gruden won the championship with the next year, and then went to indy and won the ring while coaching payton. I don't think i remember payton winning a ring under any other coach in his career, not even fulmer if we are being truthful here. That being said race is the only motivation i see for you downing Tony Dungy and this site has no room for racist banter so please refrain from your ways biggestutfan. GO VOLS OF ALL COLORS!!!!!!!!
jmillran writes:
What did being black have to do with anything? I'm sick and tired of that card being pulled.
Blonde_Stranger writes:
Would you care to back up this accusation with some facts? Perhaps you could enlighten us all with some documented examples of PM's pomposity, which would sway us to agree with you.
Then again, perhaps you were just talking out of your rear end (a common occurrence for you) and can't enlighten us at all...
Colliervol writes:
Well, I see Naffy is up to his usual level of intelligence and you guys just keep biting. Jealousy is a horrible trait but I'm pretty sure he never learned that lesson. Peyton's record speaks for itself. One of the top 5 QB's to have ever laced them up. Holder of tons of records in college and the pros (by the time his career is over). Super Bowl champ. Hall of Fame. Philanthropist who puts his money where his mouth is. (Unlike Tom Brady who can't seem to keep from putting his....oops, we'll leave that one alone.)
Anybody that wants to tear down Peyton Manning is just envious and that's all you need to know. Thanks for playing Naffy. Too bad you continue to lose the argument.
Colliervol writes:
As far as the issue goes with losing his coaches, I don't see what the problem is. I thought Peyton was the offensive coordinator anyway and the old guy just stood around looking at a clipboard and nodding his head.
NOLAvol writes:
I think Peyton and Jeff Saturday need to hire Moore and Mudd to "personal contracts" for the next 6 months. Pay them to gameplan as personal assistants--heck, Peyton and Jeff can just call 'em part of their posse!
Do you think Tom Moore has ever been a member of anyone's posse before?
Well, actually... no, wait--I'm getting confused between Tom Mix and Clayton Moore.
Oenoboy writes:
So because KNS sucks, we all have to suffer you being a giant azz all the time? You call Manning a crybaby but it seems you are the one always whining and moaning. What's the obsession? You talk and comment more about Manning than anyone else on this site!
Why don't you give it a rest and try to communicate like you have a non-skin-biased thought every once in a while?
halloffamebowler writes:
you tow a car. You toe a line.
Fear_The_Kiffin writes:
Well JMillram its obvious that in a battle of the minds one of us would be unarmed. I see you don't even know what pulling the race card is. So i will explain. If i stole some money at work and got fired then said i only got fired because i'm black. That my friend is an invalid use of the race card. What i did was point out someones undertoned racial banter against Tony Dungy when he said Petyon was coaching himself after Dungy took over. As i pointed out earlier, not to down peyton cause i'm not in anyway, but i don't remember peyton ever winning a championship with any other coach and you couldn't dispute that or come up with a good reason to be downing tony dungy obviously other than the fact that he isn't of the same skin color. How sad people like you still exist in 2009. The president is half black and half white, just like myself. If you haven't noticed its time to move past racism. GO VOLS OF ALL COLORS!!!!!!!!!
Colliervol writes:
Nice try to change the subject after you get nailed with the FACTS that I hit you with earlier in this thread. Obviously you can't back up anything in this argument and you are wasting our time. Move along. You have been rendered even more irrelevant than you already were.
Rockytop98 writes:
That is why I consider it the HEITSman trophy, sponsored by ESPN and the ABP (Anybody But Peyton)goons. Even Jim Rome got it right when he apoligized to Peyton on his show! He was man enough to at least man up and tell him that he was wrong! Nuff said, first Johnny Majors them Peyton rooked out of a Hesitman!! They can have it BTW, where is Ryan Leaf? Just wondering....
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