Peter Kings hearts Clyde Christensen more than Tom Moore

by Brad Wells on Mar 22, 2010 11:00 AM EDT in Colts Analysis

Peter King makes a strong statement about the shift in offensive coordinator control in Indianapolis:

I think if I'm a Colts fan, I love Clyde Christensen taking over the offensive coordinator (and play-calling) duties from Tom Moore. Not that it's going to be any great overhaul of an already prolific offense. Peyton Manning likes and respects Christensen; I could see that watching three practices during the Super Bowl with the way they'd come together several times during practice and Christensen would make suggestions and Manning would nod. And I think Christensen, who has mentored all the receivers on the team (he's been huge in the development of Pierre Garçon and the quick ramping-up of Austin Collie), will have a better feel than Moore for the patterns each receiver can best run.

Well, as a Colts fan, I'm not unhappy that Christensen is taking over the play calling duties, but I'm also not doing back-flips over it. Tom Moore is proven. He is the gold standard. In fact, I could argue he is one of the best offensive coordinators in this league right now while also being one of the best of all time.

Christensen, on the other hand, is totally unproven.

His one stint as an offensive coordinator was in 2001 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was a mixed result. The Bucs offense was ranked 15th in the league in points but 26th in yards. They were also 28th in the league in passing TDs. The team went 9-7 that year and got destroyed in the playoffs by the Eagles in the first round. The Bucs went on to fire then-head coach Tony Dungy along with Christensen and the rest of the offensive staff. Dungy and Christensen came to Indy shortly after getting tossed from TB, and the rest is history.

Since Christensen arrived in 2002, he has done a tremendous job coaching the wide receivers. Whether developing a first rounder like Reggie Wayne or coaching up an unknown like Pierre Garçon, Christensen has rebuilt his reputation since the Glazer family ran him out of Tampa Bay. But to say that I would "love" him taking over for a legend like Tom Moore is a bit of a stretch.

Again, I'm happy Christensen now has more control. However, unlike Tom Moore, Christensen has an awful lot to prove. If the offense struggles in 2010, Christensen will likely shoulder much of the blame, fair or unfair.

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

fair and unfair

fair to say that if the team struggles on offense it will fall on his shoulders, but unfair to compare Tampa Bay’s offensive struggles in 2001, b/c he did not have a 1/4 of the talent on the Bucs that he currently has with the Colts.

THIS_IS_HIM

by J-ROC on Mar 22, 2010 11:23 AM EDT reply actions

Peyton will have the same rights about playcalling and changing plays...

And if the Colts don’t promote Christensen, he is gone next year. Moore is 71, Christensen is 54. How many sharp 71 year olds are there?

by Ty46 on Mar 22, 2010 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

Clyde had Shaun King in Tampa

The comparison is apples and oranges. I dont see anyway that our offense resembles the Tampa offense Clyde coached. The problems Tampa had were all talent related. The offensive concept would have work if Tampa would have had a talented QB. Clyde used the running game and short passing to pick apart the defense. In Indy, Peyton is no Shaun King(DUH). So, I believe Clyde was doing what he had to with the talent at hand. Let’s not forget, Brian Billick was an Offensive Genius in Minnesota, it’s fair to say this Genius landed him the Ravens job. Once in Baltimore, Billick struggled. It’s fair to say you are only as good as your players. With that said, Clyde will flourish in Indy.

by whardiek on Mar 22, 2010 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

Plus when has the Colts offense really struggled since 2003?

There have been certain stretches but have we ever seen the offense struggle for an entire season?

"Pressure is something you feel if you don't know what the hell you're doing."-Peyton Manning

by P0RKINS2 on Mar 22, 2010 12:23 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Its unfair to say hes unproven

To us it might seem that way, but to Caldwell, Moore, Polian and Peyton im sure they all know exactly how good of an OC he’ll be, and if hes good enough for those guys then its good enough for me.

Basically in polian we trust.

by ColtsUK on Mar 22, 2010 12:35 PM EDT reply actions

Exactly right.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Mar 22, 2010 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Good point.

"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Syracuse-Butler is going to be an epic game. Go Butler!

by Cassieper on Mar 23, 2010 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Christensen is coaching example of next man up

And that is not to say that anyone could take over for Tom Moore, who is an absolute legend, deserving future hall of famer, and better than his overrated former rival Charlie Weis. Yet, Christensen has been with the team a long while. He learned under Moore, he worked with Peyton, and we will not lose a beat. Hell, if we run the ball more and better, we gain a beat. Plus, with Moore still on staff, he will be there both for Clyde and Peyton. This should not even come up as an issue this offseason. We will remain as prolific as ever, if not more so. And let’s not forget, it really doesn’t matter who calls the plays as long as 18 is running them.

"A lot of times, Kenny, we have no idea what we're doing. But the DEFENSE doesn't know that we don't know what we're doing.....and that's next level." -Peyton Manning

by npb1985 on Mar 22, 2010 6:15 PM EDT reply actions

its all peyton period

okay i have cerebral palsy arthris and chronic fatigue as well i have a great life and loveing folks some days are better than other days i got a make-a-wish in 2001 and saw my favorite team the broncos it was the trip of a lifetime i wish everyone couild have gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that okay but i bleed organ and bule for my mnr fans but i bleed orange and blue denver will rise again resident broncos fan for every blog resident broncos for stampede bule thanks shvd98z24

by j-man on Mar 22, 2010 6:42 PM EDT reply actions