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INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 5, 1998) -- There's no overstating the interest in the moment, or the tantalizing potential of what may follow. This afternoon in the RCA Dome, the first sellout for a regular-season home opener in nine years will be on hand when the Indianapolis Colts embark on their latest new beginning with their most recent rallying point against an old nemesis. "It's going to be a special day," Colts owner Jim Irsay said. Special because today officially marks the beginning of the Peyton Manning era. Manning was handed the reins to Irsay's offense on April 18 when he was made the first pick in the draft. His charge: Be the central figure in the Colts' bid to replace their volatile past with a competitive present and a championship-caliber future. Special because Manning will join Jeff George (1990), Mike Pagel ('82), Bert Jones ('73) and George Shaw ('55) as the only rookie quarterbacks in team history to start on opening day. Special because on hand to help make this truly a Kodak moment will be Miami's Dan Marino, the standard by which all quarterbacks, young and old, are measured. "It's certainly storybook to have Marino and Manning on the field together to open the season," Irsay said. "Being at home, being sold out, the beginning of a new era with so much change, a quarterback who may be the best of all time against a quarterback who we think is going to be very special." Manning isn't the type to get caught up in the pre-game hype but admitted it's a "unique situation ... to play against a guy like Marino who has played at such a high level for so many years. He has had some unbelievably big years. "It's an honor," Manning added, "but you still have to stay focused on the task at hand." That task is doing his part as the Colts attempt to recover from last year's dreadful 3-13 record that led to Manning's arrival and the departure of so many coaches and players. During a 2-2 preseason, Manning flashed his promise (four touchdown passes to wide receiver Marvin Harrison, an irrefutable pocket presence) but also gave proof that he's still a rookie (three interceptions, too many errant throws). "I feel I'm as prepared as I can possibly be," said Manning. The Colts are intent on making Manning's transition from University of Tennessee All-American to NFL starter as smooth as possible. They will emphasize the running game behind Marshall Faulk and frequently utilize two-tight end formations that allow for better protection. Despite all of the preparations that have been made and precautions taken, Manning's task will be formidable. Defenses, beginning with Miami's, will do whatever possible to hurry, harass and confuse Manning. Marino didn't start until the sixth game of his rookie season in 1983, and then was playing on a team that had reached the Super Bowl the previous season. He indicated that, ready or not, Manning will see a whole different ballgame shortly after today's 3:15 kickoff. "He's going to be a great quarterback in this league," Marino said, "but it can be difficult breaking in." History agrees. Of the four Colts rookies who have started on opening day, only Shaw guided a winner. And research by the NFL determined that since 1970, just three rookies have started and won on opening day. One was Manning's father, Archie, who led New Orleans to an upset of the Los Angeles Rams in 1971. The others: Denver's John Elway in 1983 and New England's Jim Plunkett in 1971. Colts coach Jim Mora, who's heading into his second sideline stint in the NFL, isn't oblivious to the mine field his rookie quarterback is entering. But he believes Manning, who will be the seventh-youngest rookie quarterback since 1970 to start a season opener, can handle the journey. "There are no rules that say a rookie quarterback can't win in this league," Mora said. "We're not planning on losing. We're planning on winning." |