Colts Have a Tough Road Ahead
The Indianapolis Colts have just lost one long time coach to retirement with another coach possibly right behind him. Now, the Colts have a long road ahead trying to replace them.
Long time offensive line coach Howard Mudd has retired. Also, there are strong indication that long time offensive coordinator Tom Moore may also retire.
The Colts will have a tough time replacing Moore as quality assistant coaches are hard to find. Especially, a coach that stays with the same team for a decade like Mudd and Moore.
Many people credit these two coaches for the success of Peyton Manning, and the Colts offense.
If Moore retires then I cannot see the Colts making the playoffs this year. The reason is that it takes a year to get down terminology and the timing of routes in a new offense.
The best example of this is former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly. After offensive coordinator Ted Marchibroda left the Bills offense was never the same.
When Moore leaves that will spell the beginning of the end for the Colts winning ways.
Update: The Indianapolis Star has reported that Colts owner Jim Irsay has confirmed that the two have retired, but could remain on as consultants depending on pension guidelines.
Still the two retiring will have an effect on Manning as the new offensive coordinator is not Tom Moore and will ultimately have a different style of play calling, and may take Peyton Manning’s audible control away at first, which Manning is famous for.