As expected, the Jets hired former Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore as a consultant, a league source confirmed Thursday.

Moore, 72, an NFL lifer best known as Peyton Manning's longtime guru in Indianapolis, was offered a job last month after visiting the Jets' facility for a speaking engagement. Early in the lockout, Rex Ryan decided to bring in guest speakers, and one of them was Moore, who spoke to Jets coaches on a variety of offensive topics, namely red-zone efficiency -- a problem last season for the Jets.

It was reported by ESPN.com last month that the Jets were interested in hiring Moore, and the hiring was reported Thursday by the New York Post. The Jets haven't made an official announcement; chances are, they will wait until the lockout is over.

No doubt, there will be conspiracy theorists that claim this is related to current offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, that Moore was hired to watch over Schottenheimer's shoulder and maybe inherit some authority.

That is not true. First of all, Moore is a consultant, not a coach, and will be working during the season from his home in South Carolina. If Moore were planning to work in the Jets' facility on a daily basis, it would be a different story. Then you'd have the potential for a "Big Brother Watching" situation. But Moore will be breaking down tape and offering suggestions from 1,000 miles away, although he may make a cameo in training camp.

This isn't unusual. For instance, the Jets employed retired offensive-line coach Jim McNally last season as a consultant. He worked from his home outside Buffalo and studied tape every day from practice, offering ideas to line coach Bill Callahan. AFC East blogger Tim Graham explained McNally's role in a piece last fall. Presumably, the role will be the same for Moore.

Moore is one of the most respected assistant coaches in the league. It can't hurt to have him on the payroll.