Peyton Manning talks Clyde Christensen
While we wait, and wait, and wait for the Tom Moore situation to clear itself up, for the time being Clyde Christensen is the offensive coordinator. Yes, I know he is not the coordinator officially (i.e., he doesn't have the flashy title, nor is he likely getting paid what an offensive coordinator is normally paid), but when one is doing the most of the duties of the offensive coordinator, one IS the offensive coordinator. If my job title is Senior Vice President but my duties consist of cleaning toilets, fixing sinks, and mopping floors it means I'm a friggin' janitor, not a Senior VP. And likely, I'm getting paid as a janitor, not as a Senior VP. The tasks define the job, not the title. This is especially true in the eyes of fans.
And right now, Clyde Christensen is the Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator.
That said, how does Peyton Manning feel about Clyde Christensen? When "P" voiced his frustration last week about the lack of communication from the Colts front office on the Tom Moore situation, it seems that his comments were not a shot at the two men filling in for Tom Moore and Howard Mudd (Christensen and Pete Metzelaars, respectively). In fact, when regarding Christensen, Peyton seems to think very highly of him:
But Clyde and I spent a lot of time together talking during the week. He gives me great insight on what the receivers like: ‘Hey, Reggie thinks he can get deep on an out-and-up. Marvin knows he can get beat on a post-corner. Gonzalez feels better about this route.’ And Clyde also for the most part for the last three years has basically been implementing our third-down package and our red-zone package and last year we were No. 1 in both categories. Tom has given him great flexibility and input.
On third down situations and in goal line situations, the Colts are a dominant football team. Not simply good or even great. DOMINANT. Even with a horrid running game last season, the Colts converted 50% of their third downs. That is an amazing level of efficiency. Also, when the Colts got in the red zone in 2008, even without a reliable running game, they scored TDs. They didn't settle for FGs or commit dumb turnovers. And since Christensen has implemented the Colts third down and red zone offensive packages, he deserves much credit for the Colts success in those departments.
So, regardless of what role Tom Moore plays in the 2009 team, it seems that Clyde Christensen could have a more involved role in how the offense is executed. And that is not necessarily a bad thing.
For more on Christensen, check out shake n bake's article from a few weeks ago on Christensen's one year tenure as Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator back in 2001.
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Comments
nice to know we're in good hands.
the offense really was great on 3rd down most of the year so we shouldn’t be too bad off.
As for Peyton’s comments last week, if he was disparaging anyone, it would be the 2 new coaching “interns”, right? All the national media kept talking about how his comments referred to Christenson and Metzelaars but it seemed clear to me that it wasn’t the case. Even some national guys I like and respect had his comments all wrong. Oh well, national media getting something wrong? nothing new…
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
by psvirsky on May 31, 2009 9:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I caught that as well.
He was clearly talking about the interns. It seemed to me as though the national media wasn’t even aware that they’d been added to the coaching staff at that point.
Thank goodness for this blog.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Jun 1, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Often overlooked
Are Christensen’s contributions at calling offensive plays and what he brings to the table. Change is not always bad. I don’t see these changes as anything negative at all. A new perspective could be exactly what the Colts O needs to be explosive again…..that and a running game.
by the_iowa_hawkeye on May 31, 2009 10:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed 100%
I actually think that the Colts would be better served if Moore and Mudd actually did not come back as consultants. It is better to cut the cord and move on…and I second the thought that this may be a great thing for the offense. I have a feeling that Christensen is going to be a fine OC!!
by TRDean on Jun 1, 2009 6:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
3rd Down Dominance
I know the stats show how great the Colts are on 3rd downs. So can anyone explain to me why we couldn’t convert on 3rd and 1 to finish off the Chargers in the playoff game, this past season? It seemed to happen a lot during the regular season.
by Indy Lori on May 31, 2009 9:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
When you convert 50% of your third downs
you failed to convert the other 50% of third downs.
Smooth Jimmy Apollo: “Well, folks, when you’re right 52% of the time, you’re wrong 48% of the time.”
Homer: “Why didn’t you say that before!”
by shake n bake on May 31, 2009 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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