Manning, Brees visit Super Bowl stadium

Super Bowl rivals Peyton Manning and Drew Brees chatted with each other during a relaxed stroll along the field at the Pro Bowl on Sunday, a week before they battle on the same grass for gridiron supremacy. Manning will guide the Indianapolis Colts in quest of a second National Football League crown in four seasons against fellow superstar quarterback Brees and the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl 44 here next Sunday. Both were spectators in Sunday's Pro Bowl, where the American Conference beat the National Conference 41-34, along with six others from each team who were named to all-star teams but unable to play due to being in the Super Bowl. "You think you know the stadium and then you see it in this environment.

It is special," Manning said. "You know how much more special it's going to be next week. It truly has a different atmosphere and it gets you excited to be in the moment." The remainder of each team will arrive on Monday to begin final pre-game preparations.

"We will be the welcoming committee," Colts center Jeff Saturday said. "I'll hold my camera, signs, all sorts of stuff." The Saints, in the first Super Bowl of their 43-season history, will try to be the first debutantes to win it since Tampa Bay in 2002. Three others have lost since but none played for a city like New Orleans, still reeling from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

"It has been crazy. It has been nuts," Brees said, adding that a victory would bring "euphoria" to New Orleans. "We've got a huge task and challenge ahead of us." Manning knows how much the Saints mean for New Orleans, where he grew up as the son of former Saints star quarterback Archie Manning.

"I am excited for New Orleans. It's a special place to me," Manning said. "My family lives down there but I also have a great appreciation for what Drew and his teammates and coaches have done for that city. "I enjoyed watching the game last week, seeing the French Quarter empty in the third quarter and then seeing it (celebrating) after the game.

I surely felt that emotion so it's a very exciting time." The elder Manning has made it clear he is cheering for his son over the Saints. "The New Orleans Saints are special to my dad. He knows how special this is.

He's extremely proud of Drew and the Saints," Manning said. "But he's pulling for his son this week." While the Colts won a title in 2006 in the same stadium where they will play Sunday, the Saints are newcomers to the hoopla and hype of Super Bowl week as well as the tension of the title game. "A lot of our success is determined by our preparation this week and the fact this is all a new experience for all of us," Brees said.

Saints coach Sean Payton served as offensive coordinator for the New York Giants in a Super Bowl a decade ago and has tried to prepare his players for the challenges to come before the game. "He's trying to prepare us for the distractions, the hoopla, and just find a way to focus and concentrate - keep your preparation pretty much the same so when it comes to game time we're here and we're ready," Brees said. By the same token, Manning doesn't see experience as a huge edge for the Colts. "I don't think just because you are staying at the same hotel it's going to help you stop Drew Brees and the passing attack," Manning said.

"You are focused on trying to deal with their defense but you also know Drew and his offense are going to make good plays and score their points. You've got to keep it close. You can't fall too far behind because they are so explosive." A sub-plot for the week will be the health of Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney, who has an injured right ankle.

ESPN reported he has a torn ankle ligament. The Indianapolis Star reported that he will at least try to play. "All season long we have had guys not able to go, not 100 percent, and our team doesn't make excuses that way," Manning said. "Coach (Jim) Caldwell talked about somebody picking up the bayonet, go pick it up and do their job.

That has been our theme all year. If that happens to be the case this Sunday, I think somebody will step up and do their job."