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To Be In Archie’s Shoes
(1st February, 2010)
Two very similar, yet distinct, teams comprise Super Bowl XLIV. The Indianapolis Colts, once 14-0, represent the AFC. The New Orleans Saints, once 13-0, are the NFC’s best. So, it certainly seems like the best team in each conference is worthy.
With a week to go, the Colts are favored between four and five points, depending on which line is more advantageous for the bettor. Essentially, the oddsmakers are saying that one big play will determine the champion.
In that respect, Archie Manning -much like Parker Lewis- can’t lose.
Indianapolis -with Peyton Manning at QB- has a piece of Archie’s bloodline.
New Orleans -where the elder Manning once took snaps and where he and his wife, Olivia, still live- has a piece of his heart.
“We don’t have royalty in America, but the Mannings of New Orleans are kind of like the Kennedys of Massachusetts,” Bobby Hebert, another former Saints quarterback told the NY Daily News. “But, come Sunday, there’s going to be a revolution. There will be anarchy. There will be hatin’ on Peyton.”
Archie, who experienced 10 losing seasons in the Crescent City, and is arguably the most beloved player in team history, has already watched his sons, Peyton [with the 2007 Colts] and Eli [with the 2008 Giants], win the MVP trophy of their respectable Super Bowls.
But, this will be different.
Peyton is, hands down, the most prolific NFL player born and raised in New Orleans. He is also the one man who stands between the Saints’ brush with greatness after four decades of failure.
“I’m going to be pulling for my son,” Manning told Hebert on Sports Radio WWL AM870/FM105.3 in the Bayou. “[Head coach] Sean Payton knows that; he’s a great friend of mine. [Current QB] Drew Brees knows that. That’s just the way it is. Anyone who thinks it’s different must not have children.”
Still, it could be worse.
“Archie’s worst nightmare would be Peyton versus Eli [for all the marbles],” Hebert relayed. “He said he’d have to root for both offenses.”
Go Saints.