Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning willing to be patient regarding assistant coaching situation

June 5, 3:35 PMIndianapolis Colts ExaminerJohn Oehser

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Colts QB Peyton Manning (AP Photo)

Not that the situation is ideal, but Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning said he's willing to be patient.

Manning, the Colts' three-time Pro Bowl quarterback, said on Friday's opening day of the team's 2009 mandatory minicamp that while this is a relatively uncertain time around the Colts, it's understandable considering the circumstances and he's comfortable with the team's approach to it.

That's a far different stance than Manning took late last month, when he expressed concern over what he called poor communication within the Colts regarding the pension-based retirements and potential return as consultants of offensive coordinator Tom Moore and offensive line coach Howard Mudd.

Manning on Friday said his understanding is the situation around the two is still fluid.

But now he said that's OK with him.

“In my talks with (Colts President) Bill Polian and (Head) Coach (Jim) Caldwell, it sounds like that's still somewhat to be determined what their potential role may be,” Manning said Friday, the first day of the Colts' 2009 mandatory minicap at the team's Indianapolis training facility.

“I know they (Polian and Caldwell) will handle it and we'll be in good shape.”

Manning's thoughts from late last month:

. . . I can’t tell you what’s going on. I will say I don’t think it’s been the most properly communicated scenario around here. . . .

. . . I wouldn’t say I totally like the way it is right now. It’s not normal not having a full coaching staff . . .

. . . Somebody says one thing, then somebody else says another thing. I’m not sure everybody’s on the same page in this building. I’m just trying to focus on playing quarterback well. . . .

That was two weeks ago, and this was Friday:

I have certainly spoken with (Colts President) Bill Polian and Coach Caldwell and feel I have a good grasp of what's ahead in terms of what we know right now as far as who's here. It was explained to me that there still is some unknown with Tom and Howard. We've dealt with changes in the past and I know we've won a lot of games around here. I feel we do know how to win games, so no matter how it all plays out I feel we will be in a good situation. Coach Caldwell will handle it and make the changes accordingly and all I can do is focus on my job and to try to be the best quarterback I can.  The work we've done so far this week and the work I expect to get done this weekend with the minicamp really got me feeling good about things.”

Manning said more than that Friday, but that was the gist -- that the situation has been communicated and that he feels comfortable Caldwell can handle the situation.

Which, really, was all the mini-uproar two weeks ago was about in the first place. While many interpreted Manning's comments as being "panicked" -- the word of former New England Patriots S Rodney Harrison -- or worried over the direction of the organization, if you listened to Manning it sounded more as if he was annoyed with not knowing immediately precisely the situation. And I wouldn't necessarily jump to the conclusion that the Colts somehow brought Manning "back in line." This sounds just Manning said in his above italicized quote from Friday -- that it was explained to him that this still is some unknown with Moore and Mudd and he's confident that whatever the scenario, Caldwell will handle it.

The bigger picture here is what many close to the team have believed all along -- that there is every likelihood that the headlines and handwringing over Moore and Mudd's retirement is in fact much ado about not so much. They in all likelihood will return, and even if they return as consultants it's hard to believe their influence on the offense will be much -- if any -- less than it was the past 11 seasons, when they were key to one of the most productive offenses in NFL history.

And in the end, that may be the biggest reason Manning is willing to be patient.

 Even if the situation is a bit more fluid than is ideal. 

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