THIBODAUX – NBC had its eye on it.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning marked it on his calendar after the 2007 football schedule was released.
The Colts and the New Orleans Saints will open the NFL season Sept. 6 in Indianapolis.
Former Saints quarterback Archie Manning is preparing for his second emotional season opener in as many years.
In 2006, Archie Manning was sitting in the stands in East Rutherford, N.J., watching his two sons battle it out in what many referred to as “The Manning Bowl.” Peyton Manning and the Colts got the upper hand, winning the game 26-21.
And come Sept. 6, Archie Manning will once again be forced with a decision he has met before – “which team do I pull for?”
“It’s a tricky situation,” Archie Manning said. “It’s not like it’s a game between just any two teams. On one hand I want Peyton to do well and see the Colts win, but on the other hand, I want the Saints to come out on top. It’s good to be able to say the Saints are a really talented team and it will be a heck of a football game.”
This season opener may be just another reason for Colts fans to paint their faces blue and white and put on their favorite players’ jerseys, but for Peyton and Archie Manning, this date may be the most anticipated season opener in years. After falling one game shy of facing Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLI, the Saints will have a chance to see what could have been if they had beaten the Chicago Bears in the conference championship game.
Having the chance to play the team he grew up watching, especially in the season opener, is something Peyton Manning said he is looking forward to.
“I think anyone gets excited when they play their hometown team,” he said. “I think it will be special just because of the timing of the game; it’s the season opener and it’s a primetime game that everyone is watching. I think the team will be excited about the moment. I don’t think anyone looks forward to playing against Reggie Bush or Deuce McAllister – at least I know our defense won’t – but it’s going to be fun.”
Because the game is in Indianapolis, it will begin with dropping of the banners, which is the ceremony that is performed at every Super Bowl champion’s home opener.
Although he said winning the big game was his greatest career moment thus far, Peyton Manning said the Super Bowl would have been more emotional if his team had played the Saints.
“I remembered being in the locker room watching that Bears game and really kind of expecting and hoping the Saints to be there,” he said. “I had a pretty good idea when our season came out that this would be the game NBC would target as the opener … and it will be exciting for not only the fans but the players to get the season started.”