By Tom James
CNHI News Service
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — With the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints arriving in South Florida on Monday, Super Bowl Week has officially begun.
The Saints’ chartered plane touched down around 11 a.m., while the Colts made it to town around six hours later.
Both teams were greeted by heavy rain showers that hit the Miami area early Monday morning. The steady downpour prompted flash flood warnings to be issued in the area around midday.
The weather forced some upheaval in New Orleans’ practice schedule, with the Saints being forced to move their first practice of the week from the University of Miami campus across town to Davie, Fla., where the Miami Dolphins have their headquarters. The Dolphins’ facility will be the practice site for Indianapolis the rest of the week.
Monday’s weather, though, brought back plenty of positive memories for the Colts after winning Super Bowl XLI — a 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears — in a steady rain three years ago.
“I heard a couple guys, as they’re getting off the plane, a couple of coaches saying, ‘Déjà vu’, just in terms of the rain,” Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell said jokingly Monday evening. “But, you know, during the course of the week, when we were here last time, it didn’t rain at all. But on game day, it sort of changed.”
Whatever the weather will be this week — rain showers are in the forecast — Caldwell doesn’t think it’s going to mean much when the Saints and Colts face off Sunday evening.
“I just think that whatever the conditions are, we’re certainly looking forward to the challenge,” he said.
Freeney’s status still up in the air — The Colts remain hopeful that Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney will be available in some form come game time Sunday.
Freeney suffered a right ankle injury late in the AFC Championship game win over the New York Jets two weeks ago. He has not practiced since incurring the injury, which is being called a third-degree ankle sprain.
There have been Internet reports, however, that Freeney suffered ligament damage to the ankle and may not be able to start against the Saints.
Caldwell and team president Bill Polian have both referred to the injury as a “basketball-type” sprain.
“He’s healing. I think probably the best way to describe it is as a third-degree sprain, a lower ankle sprain, and he’s day-to-day,” the Colts coach said.
Freeney made the trip to Miami on Friday, arriving ahead of the rest of the team’s Pro Bowl players. He has been undergoing treatment on the ankle all weekend. Caldwell and Polian continue to hope that Freeney will be able to see some playing time against New Orleans, even in a limited capacity.
“He’s a quick healer,” Caldwell said.
Should he not be able to start, Raheem Brock would be the expected starter opposite Robert Mathis.
“There have been guys, from time-to-time, that we’ve been forced to play without (this season). If (Freeney) can’t go, we have a mantra that we say time and time again. The next man’s up,” the Colts coach said.
On his weekly radio show, Polian said that Freeney’s chances of playing Sunday night is “50-50.”
First press conferences — The Saints had their first Super Bowl week meeting with the media Monday, although it had to be rescheduled a couple of times due to the inclement weather.
In addition to head coach Sean Payton, quarterback Drew Brees, running back Reggie Bush, middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma, offensive guard Jahri Evans, safety Darren Sharper and defensive end Will Smith were available for interviews at the Dolphins’ headquarters.
Early Monday evening, it was the Colts’ turn. Caldwell, quarterback Peyton Manning, offensive tackle Ryan Diem, cornerback Kelvin Hayden, defensive tackle Daniel Muir, middle linebacker Gary Brackett and running back Joseph Addai held court at the team hotel.
Media day today — Both teams will meet the press in a large-scale venue today in the annual Media Day activities at Sun Life Stadium (formerly Dolphins Stadium).
Indianapolis will in the morning round, beginning at 10 a.m., while the Saints’ session is slated to start at 1 p.m.
Media Day will be televised by the NFL Network.
Manning on Pro Bowl visit — The Colts’ signal caller was one of seven Indianapolis players who made the trip to South Florida a day early in order to make an appearance at Sunday’s Pro Bowl.
Manning was asked what it felt like coming to Miami in a smaller group rather than with the rest of the team. Polian was not happy that the NFL required the players to travel separately.
“All year long we had dealt with certain circumstances in a positive light. We were told what the expectations were in coming to the Pro Bowl. I got to fly on a private plane with six of my best friends and teammates,” he said.
“We had Ruth Chris’ steakhouse food (on the flight). We took a private (police) escort right into Miami. Shook a few hands. Had to wave. Did one interview and made (a Pro Bowl winner’s share of) $45,000. I can think of some worst things to put yourself through.”
