No hometown headaches for Mannings

Written by Ken Trahan, President--NewOrleans.Com/Sports | Tuesday, 13 October 2009 23:11 | Saints News

Growing up in New Orleans, Eli Manning was at the Superdome countless times--never to see his father play or to play himself but to watch the New Orleans Saints play when Archie Manning was the team's radio color analyst from 1986-1997.

"(Eli) was too young to see me when I played for the Saints. Remember--I left here in 1982. Eli was a year old," said Archie. "He went to a billion games when I was doing the Saints broadcasts. Those were fun times."

In fact, Eli, Peyton and Cooper Manning all used to come to Saints games when Archie was performing his radio duties for the Saints. Despite playing college football at Newman and Ole Miss, Eli never played a game in the Superdome--until now.

"He's excited. It's his first time here. We've got some family coming. Eli does a Children's Hospital fundraiser in Mississippi. He paid for tickets and a lot of them are coming. His wife is coming. Not as many Ole Miss people are coming because it is homecoming there in Oxford," said Archie. "That would have made it tough with tickets."

As quarterback of the Giants, Eli has faced the Saints twice. In 2005, the Saints played a "home" game at Giants Stadium after being displaced by Katrina. After starting the season with an emotional, last-second win at Carolina (23-20), the travel and difficulties of being displaced caught up with the Saints in New Jersey. The Giants prevailed 27-10 on Monday night football in the "Hurricane Relief" game with former President George H.W. Bush on-hand to toss the coin.

In that game, the Giants scored 17 points off of New Orleans turnovers. In all, the Saints had six turnovers, giving the game away with three Aaron Brooks' interceptions. The Saints lost three fumbles. Eli Manning tossed a six-yard touchdown pass to Tiki Barber. Manning set up another Giants score on a nice 20-yard completion to Jeremy Shockey, now a member of the Saints.

The following year, with first-year coach Sean Payton at the helm, the Saints were 9-5 heading into a Christmas Eve battle against the 7-7 Giants at the Meadowlands. The Saints handed Eli and the Giants their sixth loss in seven games, blasting the Giants 30-7.

The Saints defense was dominant and the Giants offense was inept. In fact, Eli and the New York offense did not have a snap in Saints' territory all game though Manning did throw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress on the opening series of the game.

Eli started fast, hitting his first six passes before completing just three of his final 19 passes and had just 74 yards passing on the windy day. John Carney, who later kicked for the Giants before returning to the Saints in 2009, kicked field goals of 32, 26 and 38 yards for New Orleans. The Saints outgained Eli's Giants 359-142. Reggie Bush had one of his best games as a Saint, rushing for a career-best 126 yards and a score while Deuce McAlister had 108 yards rushing and one touchdown.

As a result, the score is Eli Manning one, New Orleans Saints one in the battles between Eli's Giants and the Saints. Call this one the rubber match. While it won't be the most comfortable thing for Archie and the Manning clan to pull against the Saints in this one, that decision was an easy one to make.

"It's always a little different when this happens. Some people really do think that I'm torn. I'm fine. They think it's hard to decide who to pull for. It's not hard. I've been gone from the Saints for 27 years. My son plays for the Giants. That's enough. Who would not pull for their son?

I pull for the Saints every week, otherwise. They are the third game I key on every week. Remember, after I stopped doing radio to see Peyton play for the Colts, I continued to do the Saints preseason games on television through 2007."

When Archie makes his way into the Superdome Sunday, it will be hard to do so without getting stopped for autographs and conversation, perhaps even some light-hearted heckling. "It's kind of hard in the Superdome, even when you are in a box suite. People see you. I'm not an emotional guy. I do get nervous during games and like to walk around. I can't do that here. I can pace around Giants Stadium incognito with my cap and glasses on. Here, I just have to sit there and take it," laughed Archie.

While Eli has not played in the Superdome, big brother Peyton has done so--with success. Peyton is 2-2 against the Saints, including 1-1 in the Superdome. In Peyton's rookie year, Peyton threw an interception, setting up a game-winning touchdown pass from Danny Wuerffel to Cam Cleeland at the Hoosier Dome as Mike Ditka's Saints prevailed over the Colts 19-13 in overtime.

In 2001, Aaron Brooks had a good game and the Saints ran the football well as New Orleans won 34-20 over Peyton's Colts in the Superdome. Ricky Williams carried 28 times for 120 yards while Brooks was 19 of 22 for 249 yards and two touchdowns. The Colts actually led 14-0 with Manning connecting with Marcus Pollard on a long touchdown pass to get it started but the Saints would eventually dominate the line-of-scrimmage. Peyton finished 18 of 28 for 262 yards. Joe Horn had a big game for the Saints with eight catches for 148 yards.

In 2003, Peyton extracted revenge in a big way, becoming the first NFL quarterback in more than a decade to throw six touchdown passes as the Colts routed the Saints 55-21 in the Superdome. With the win, Indianapolis improved to 4-0 while the Saints fell to 1-3. Marvin Harrison was on the receiving end of three of the touchdown tosses. Manning finished 20 of 25 for 314 yards. Brooks suffered a pair of interceptions. Archie remembers it vividly.

"The night Peyton through six touchdown passes here in '03, I did not gloat. He was just ripping the defense apart that night. I had to watch my excitement level. He played great, made it look easy."

In 2007, the Saints were coming off of an NFC championship game appearance while the Colts were the defending Super Bowl champions. The two teams played in the NFL season-opener on a Thursday night at Indianapolis. The pre-game hype centered on Manning and Bush. The whole country watched. Manning sizzled. The Saints fizzled. Peyton was 18 of 30 for 288 yards and three touchdown passes, victimizing former Colts teammate Jason David. Bush was a non-factor, carrying 12 times for 38 yards and catching four passes for just seven yards. Indianapolis won 41-10.

As a result, the Manning brothers are 3-3 against their hometown Saints. Sunday's game will break the deadlock. Archie says that Eli is looking forward to it and wants to play well in his hometown.

"Certainly, it is important to him. This is his home. He has lots of friends here and lots of family that will be at the game. He is proud of where he is from," said Archie.

While Peyton was starring at Tennessee and Eli was starring at Ole Miss, the thought of one of his sons wearing the black and gold did cross his mind.

"When you hear that they have a chance to be a pro player while in college, you kind of wondered about whether they could end up with the Saints. Both were early first-round picks and the Saints were not in position to take them. I remember talking with Mike Ditka. The Saints interviewed him. He made a good impression on Mike. They were talking about how they could make a trade to get Peyton.

Mike Shanahan really wanted him in Denver. He said he spent an entire offseason trying to figure out how he could get the first pick that 1998 season He wanted Peyton. John Elway was up in years and near the end of his brilliant career," said Archie. Of course, the Colts chose Peyton over Ryan Leaf while the Chargers drafted Eli but dealt him to the Giants in an arranged trade.

While Archie endured many torturous, injury-plagued, terrible years with the Saints, he was part of a terrific offense in 1978 and 1979. Surrounded by the likes of Henry Childs, Wes Chandler, Ike Harris, Chuck Muncie and Tony Galbreath, Manning prospered. He was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He went to the Pro Bowl both seasons. The Saints were respectable. With any defense, they would have had winning seasons and went to the playoffs. How does Archie compare his Saints offense of those two years to those of Eli and Peyton today?

"We were still pretty basic in 1978 and 1979. Talent-wise, my receivers would stack up pretty good. Those five would stack up with any of the guys they have had. Some teams were already going to a third wide receiver but we never took out our running backs and tight ends. They were good players and good receivers. Mike Strachan was more of our touchdown guy and a good player as well. The game has changed a lot but our Saints players were very good."

The Giants come to New Orleans at 5-0 on the season. Archie says he kind of expected New York to have early success this season. "I'm not surprised that they have started this well. The schedule gets tough right now. They started with a bunch of injuries, especially on defense. Chris Canty and Aaron Ross have not been on the field yet. Michael Boley has played one game. They lost Jay Alford for the season. They thought they would have seven or eight defensive linemen but that has not worked out. You certainly want as many as you can against Drew (Brees) and the Saints."

Archie is not surprised by the Saints' 4-0 start. "Drew and Sean are so much in-sync. They made some very good moves to improve their defense. Thomas (Pierre) and Bell (Mike) have run the ball well. Their line has blocked well. They are a very good team," said Manning.

The only father of two Super Bowl winning quarterbacks, Archie is humbled though very pleased with the success of his sons. "I'm proud of Peyton and Eli. Peyton had 49 touchdowns one year (2004) to set a new NFL record. Under the circumstances this year, with Marvin Harrison retiring and losing Anthony Gonzalez, for the start they have had, it's about as good as he has played in the league. They are 5-0. I did not expect that.

Eli has played very well, the best he has played. He knows where he wants to go with the ball and is making good decisions. His young receivers are playing well. They run the ball well. He gets better every year," said Archie.

While the elder Manning is high on the play of his sons, he is an admirer of the quarterback of his former team. "Drew has been outstanding. I don't compare quarterbacks. I put them in a category--they either get it or don't get it. Drew gets it. Drew gets the ball out early. He goes through his progressions quickly. That's been the story of Peyton's career, too! Don't hold the football. Don't take sacks. Drew does not. Sean Payton and Drew work together very well together. I'm a huge fan of both."

While Archie remains friendly with the Saints and occasionally visits the Metairie training facility, that will not be the case this week. "I don't think I will be stopping out there this week," Manning deadpanned. "I don't think they want to see me. I do communicate with Sean and Drew regularly and I will this week. I send Sean and Drew texts each week. Sometimes, it's just a good luck text. I will probably have a little fun with it this week," Manning chuckled.

As for the game Sunday, Archie offers this assessment. "It will probably depend on the Saints defense. Their offense is good and will get some things done. If the Giants want to have any success on defense, they've got to get a rush, not necessarily sacks, but a rush. If not, Drew will pick them apart like he does everyone. It will be important for the Giants offense to try to do what they do best--run the ball and throw off of it with a good mix. Every week when I see the Colts, defenses try to do the same thing--try to keep the ball away from them. That's a good way to play the Saints, too!"

Many are pointing to the winner of the game as being the early favorite to win home field advantage and reach the Super Bowl. Archie understands the thought process, but is keeping things in perspective. "It could. It's a long season, though. Injuries play such a big part. This is one of those games that might come back to affect where a playoff game is played. It can make a huge difference. It's important.

One of these teams will have a "1" by their record when it's over but it won't mean a whole lot. They are both good teams who will still be two pretty dog-gone football teams. I think both teams have a chance to get better as the season goes on. I think the Saints are still developing and improving their defense. The Giants still have young players who can get better in the second half of the season," Manning said.

While Archie loves the Saints and smiles when he sees fans wearing number eight Saints retro jerseys (which are still sold at the Superdome on game days), he loves his sons more. He will be true blue, pulling hard for the Giants on Sunday. While he will not have a headache pulling against the Saints, Archie is hoping that he can avoid the headache of thunderous salvos of applause in the Superdome Sunday with the Saints pounding the Giants. Saints fans are eager to oblige, even willing to supply an Advil, Tylenol or Bayer Aspirin to cure the pounding pain in Archie's brain, at least for a day.