As is usually the case, Indianapolis Star Colts writer Mike Chappell has provided an interesting twist to a major story involving the Indianapolis Colts.

At issue:

Just when Howard Mudd and Tom Moore can return to the Colts.

Moore and Mudd, the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Colts since 1998, respectively, retired last week, but Colts Owner and Chief Executive Officer Jim Irsay told CBS Sports.com writer Clark Judge Tuesday that this week the two could return as consultants next season.

Chappell’s story in the star Thursday provides a wrinkle. Irsay told Chappell:

We don’t have any signed agreements, but I do believe all parties feel Tom and Howard would play significant roles for us moving forward and they would be consultants. They not only would be a major part of what we’re trying to do in ‘09, but they’d continue to mentor and tutor some of the other coaches.’

As Chappell reports, just when they will be allowed to return is uncertain:

According to Larry Kennan, executive director of the NFL coaches association, Mudd, 67, is under the impression a retired coach must wait six months from the time he files his retirement documents to assume a paid consultant’s role. That would make it mid-November before he and Moore, 70, could return. It might be possible for them to return earlier as unpaid consultants until they were allowed to be added to the team’s payroll. The Colts maintain Moore and Mudd can be rehired as paid consultants Aug. 1.

Irsay told Chappell:

The goal’s going to be to get these guys back in training camp and get them ready for the year and have them play a serious role.

When Irsay says such a thing on a story like this, it carries weight. I thought last week that if Irsay wanted Mudd and Moore back, that’s probably what would happen. And as far as the timetable, you just figure that’s true, too.

Bottom line:

Moore and Mudd are coming back. And they figure to have big roles, likely similar to their former roles.

And for the Colts, there’s little wrong about that.