| This Super Bowl should have been moved to the | | | | involvement has endeared himself to the citizens |
| Superdome, if only to highlight the epic | | | | of New Orleans, and Americans alike. This is a fan |
| Quarterback battle between Peyton Manning and | | | | base that has always supported its team, even |
| Drew Brees. New Orleans is the City of the 'Aints, | | | | through the difficult years. Brees has helped bring |
| the infamous paperbag fans, the years of Coach | | | | a sense of purpose back to the city, and has |
| Mora and the kinship of the Manning family. Then | | | | been aided by other prominent figures. Drew |
| followed Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. The | | | | Brees has been called "an athlete as adored and |
| City of New Orleans deserves the celebrity and | | | | appreciated as any in an American city today." |
| spectacle, never mind the revenue that a Super | | | | Peyton also has a history with the Saints |
| Bowl will bring. | | | | organization as well. While in high school, he would |
| Both Drew Brees and the Manning family have | | | | attend Saints training camp with Archie Manning, |
| been deeply involved in the storied history of | | | | who was a Saints sportscaster at the time. During |
| what is an epic American city, living a fairy tale | | | | one training camp interview, then coach Jim Mora, |
| story this year. | | | | Sr. told reporters that Peyton Manning had the |
| The highlight of this game is the legacy of the | | | | best arm of anyone in training camp. Of course at |
| Manning family, led by Archie, against the valor of | | | | the time, one of the Saints Quarterbacks was |
| Drew Brees. Archie Manning, former Quarterback | | | | sitting out due to a contract dispute. |
| of the New Orleans Saints, brought excitement to | | | | Nevertheless, Peyton Manning was viewed by |
| the city, where there was none. Archie Manning | | | | many as headed to NFL prominence. |
| drafted in 1971 by the New Orleans Saints, after | | | | This game comes down to Peyton Manning and |
| a stellar career at Ole Miss, became one of the | | | | Drew Brees, an endearing story, and a wonderful |
| favorite sons of the city of New Orleans. | | | | backdrop to this game. Both quarterbacks |
| Archie raised his family, among them Peyton and | | | | possess a cerebral nature that sometimes leave |
| Eli in New Orleans before sending them off to | | | | opponents and teammates alike befuddled at their |
| college and NFL stardom. Peyton and Eli have | | | | skill. Combined with their natural athleticism and |
| done what Archie was not able to do, win NFL | | | | desire to win, they provide the ability to have |
| Championships. In lieu of the success of the Saints | | | | teammates take their game to new heights. |
| franchise, the Manning family is one of the more | | | | My view of this game is to simply enjoy the |
| storied New Orleans sports families. | | | | thought and analytics that both quarterbacks will |
| In August of 2005 the City of New Orleans was | | | | show. While neither is flawless, and both can be |
| hit with one of the most devastating natural | | | | beaten, they are a pleasure to watch for the |
| disasters, when Hurricane Katrina nearly | | | | football purist. Peyton understands his team's |
| destroyed the city, with thousands being displaced | | | | offense to such a great extent, that his game |
| from their homes, and scores losing their lives. | | | | calling at the line of scrimmage is unsurpassed. |
| The Superdome was nearly destroyed. | | | | Drew Brees has the ability to put the ball in |
| In 2006, Drew Brees signed as a free agent with | | | | exactly the perfect spot, where only his receiver |
| the New Orleans Saints and thus started the | | | | can catch the ball. His attention to detail has finally |
| march to the playoffs under the leadership of | | | | brought him to the pinnacle of his game. A Super |
| Coach Sean Payton and Drew Brees. Since joining | | | | Bowl victory for him would be the culmination of |
| the Saints, Brees has brought credibility and | | | | all his years of hard work and studying the game. |
| became the missing piece in their desire to | | | | One can say that he deserves to win Super Bowl |
| become an elite NFL franchise. Other pieces were | | | | 44, not only for past struggles, but for the City |
| added before and after Brees' arrival, but his | | | | of New Orleans. |
| leadership and ability has been the key to their | | | | The countdown has begun, the wings have been |
| success. | | | | ordered, and the tables have been set. Let the |
| As much as his leadership on the field has been | | | | footballs fly and just have fun watching this game. |
| important to the Saints success, his off field | | | | It promises to be one of the best yet. |