Moore, Mudd Return in Former Roles, Caldwell
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INDIANAPOLIS – Two of the Colts' longtime offensive assistants are back.
And notably, they're back in their previous roles.
Tom Moore, the Colts' offensive coordinator from 1998-2008, and Howard Mudd – the offensive line coach during the same span – are back with the team and will perform the same duties, Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell said Friday. The two retired in May over concerns with the NFL's pension program.
"Howard and Tom are both returning, doing the same job they've been doing over the years," Caldwell said Friday as the Colts prepared to reSunday to 2009 training camp at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind.
Moore will hold the title of Senior Offensive Coordinator and Mudd will hold the title of Senior Offensive Line Coach.
"They'll be doing the same thing they've been doing," Caldwell said. "The 'senior' tag is added because of the fact it gives a little latitude in case they want to delegate a few responsibilities, which had been going on anyway throughout the years."
The Colts have been ranked among the NFL's best offenses throughout much of the tenures of Moore (70) and Mudd, (67) ranking in the Top 10 offensively from 1999-2007.
"We're excited about that," Caldwell said. "Obviously, adding our experience back to its fullest is great. We have a very, very experienced quality staff, which I think is certainly needed in this league. It's one that presents a lot of challenges. The guys we have have just an immense amount of experience in dealing with all different types of looks and fronts and different things that you have to deal with week in and week out in this very complex game.
"So, we're excited to have them back."
Caldwell said Christensen and Metzelaars will be in a similar situation to Caldwell's situation last season. That was when Caldwell spent the season as Associate Head Coach under Tony Dungy with the idea that he would become head coach if and when Dungy opted to retire.
Caldwell succeeded Dungy this past January.
"Clyde and Pete are kind of in a position much like I was, where he (Dungy) would give me a few duties here and there to maybe lighten his load somewhat, but also give me a little familiarity with the position," Caldwell said. "Tom and Howard will do such with Pete and Clyde."
Christensen and Metzelaars performed the duties of offensive coordinator and line coach, respectively, in the absence of Moore and Mudd in May and June.
"Clyde Christensen and Pete Metzelaars did an outstanding job stepping in when Howard and Tom were away," Caldwell said.
Also on Friday, Caldwell said the following players will begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform List:
WR-Sam Giguere (fractured fibula), CB-Marlin Jackson (knee), DT-Antonio Johnson (knee), OL-Charlie Johnson (shoulder), S-Bob Sanders and K-Adam Vinatieri (hip/knee).
Giguere sustained his injury during OTAS and "we really anticipate that he'll come along here in the next few weeks," Caldwell said.
Vinatieri underwent hip surgery in June and Caldwell said shortly thereafter he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.
"He's progressing nicely and it looks like he's coming along at a great clip," Caldwell said. "We feel good about all of the guys who are making great progress on our PUP list."
Caldwell also said five of the Colts' three 2009 NFL Draft selections have been signed:
CB-Jerraud Powers (third round), DT-Terrance Taylor (fourth round), QB-Curtis Painter (sixth round), P- Pat McAfee (seventh round) and G-Jaimie Thomas (seventh round). Unsigned are RB-Donald Brown (first round), DT-Fili Moala (second round) and WR-Austin Collie (fourth round).
Also this week, the Colts waived S-Brannon Condren, QB-Chris Crane, CB-Brandon Foster, CB-Brandon Harrison, DE-Pat Kuntz, G-Cornelius Lewis and LB-Tyrell Sales.
