Insider: Old-school Moore behind Colts' new-age offense
"I don't think I'm jumping on them," Moore said. "I want them to do it right. That's my job. I like to call it constructive criticism."
Whatever it is, it works. The Colts lead the league in scoring at 33.1 points per game, a pace that will give them 530 for the season. If they improve that some in the final seven games, they have a chance to take down the record, 556 by the 1998 Minnesota Vikings.
Manning has thrown 31 touchdown passes, putting him on pace to shatter Dan Marino's season record of 48. Manning has thrown 25 or more touchdown passes in six consecutive seasons, the first man to accomplish that. He has also thrown for 4,000 or more yards in each of the past five years and is on pace to do so again, which would be another league record.
"Tom tells me if I don't get 4,000 yards, it's a bad season," Manning said.
Just blunt and to the point, which is the Moore way.
Moore credits the players and his assistants for his success. He's not one of those to stand up and bask in the numbers his offense is putting up, not at the expense of others. There is no politicking to get a head-coaching job.
He is a reluctant interview subject, but once he sits down he changes. Talking football apparently coming quite easy, the coach in him seeping through at all times. Maybe that's because he says football is all he knows.
"I need to get a life," Moore said. "This is my life, always has been since I was a kid."
Walking away won't be easy. Not after all the years, all the success, all the memories. But it's bound to happen, sooner rather than later.
"When I can't fulfill my responsibility, then I'll retire," Moore said. "As long as I enjoy it. As long as I have the get up and go and as long as I have the energy do to my job, I'll be coaching. I'm not going to hang on, though, I'll tell you that. And I think I will know when that time has come."
Then, and only then, will the man behind the curtain walk away from the game he so loves.
It will be a shame if it happens without getting the recognition he truly deserves.
