Manning out to spoil New Orleans dreams

MIAMI – Quarterback Peyton Manning and his Indianapolis Colts are favorites to spoil the ending of New Orleans’ NFL renaissance when they take on the Saints in Sunday’s Super Bowl.

The odd twist to this story is that Manning, who grew up in the Big Easy supporting his dad as quarterback for the then awful Saints, may end up breaking New Orleans’ heart as the team contests its first Super Bowl.

New Orleans always has been a football town, even when the Saints were the Aints – back in the days Archie Manning led the team and fans wore paper bags on their heads to prevent being identified as supporters. But that four-decade love affair morphed into something more meaningful in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“It’s important for not only the people in New Orleans, but the people around the country because you do understand how much it means to that community and what they’ve been through,” Saints quarterback Drew Brees says. “Our success as a team over the last four years, but especially this year, has been tremendous just in regards to giving so many of the members of that community hope and lifting their spirits.

“There are still a lot of people in some pretty dire straits. For us to be able to have the success we’re having, it just does so much for that community as far as bringing everyone together. There’s a bond that we have with our fans – between our organization and our fans – that’s truly special.”

The Saints (15-3) led the league in scoring with 510 points. If Colts All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney and his 13-1/2 season sacks aren’t available due to an ankle injury, then Brees, along with Reggie Bush, Marques Colston and company might light up the Miami night with touchdowns.         (AP)