By Tom James
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — Frank Reich and Pete Metzelaars know plenty about playing in the Super Bowl.
Reich and Metzelaars — both assistant coaches for the Indianapolis Colts — were key members of the Buffalo Bills roster when the team played in four consecutive Super Bowl games (1991, Super Bowl XXV; 1992, Super Bowl XXVI; 1993, Super Bowl XXVII; and 1994, Super Bowl XXVIII).
The Bills dropped all four games, losing to the New York Giants, Washington Redskins, and the Dallas Cowboys (in back-to-back seasons).
With their experience in the National Football League’s ultimate game, some may assume they’ve become go-to guys in the Colts’ locker room if anybody had a question to ask about being in a Super Bowl game. But that assumption would be incorrect.
Reich, who is in his first full season as Indianapolis’ quarterbacks coach, has found himself answering more questions from the media about Peyton Manning and head coach Jim Caldwell. The former Bills backup quarterback has been able to take a long look at both, since he was Caldwell’s assistant quarterback coach in 2007 and 2008.
“Peyton has this knack just when the other team’s about to score and think they’re going win, he’s just better when he has to be. Look at the New England game this year. He has this insatiable will to win and then is able to execute under the pressure of it that few, if any, have ever had,” he said Tuesday.
“It’s not just one guy, but he is certainly the leader amongst them. The New England game this year, the Miami game, the seven fourth-quarter comebacks this year. Unlike anybody I’ve been around, he knows everything that’s going on, on the field. Everything. It’s impressive.”
And then there’s learning the Colts’ offensive system under Caldwell.
“He’s incredibly poised and he is incredibly dialed-in to every aspect of a game. He is incredibly smart and I think he’s a very poised leader, a lot like coach [Tony] Dungy was, but he’s got a different personality. I think he’s got a little bit different personality. There’s a lot of common things, like how calm they are. But he’s a very excellent, excellent communicator,” Reich said.
“He’s very passionate. He’s quiet, but he’s got a deep passion for what he does, that is very evident. Because he’s so dialed-in, not only to the plan and the people – it just oozes out of him. And that’s what people know and respect about him. There is sincerity and authenticity to him at the highest level of confidence, which makes him a great leader.”
• Irsay speaks to media — Colts owner Jim Irsay said Tuesday that winning a second Super Bowl championship could place the franchise among the league’s elite.
“From that aspect, there’s no question the importance of what this means to us. The legacy in terms of getting a second one and being able to be a two-time world champion and separate yourself form some other franchises that have won one. It’s a big thing, and also in terms of even some of your players that are going to be considered for the Hall of Fame when their careers are done,” Irsay explained.
“When you’re a two-time [Super Bowl] winner, it’s something that means a lot. This is something that’s really big for us. At the same time — I can definitely say this form a personal point of view — is that having won one, you’re somewhat playing with the house’s money because you know that you have that world championship. No one can ever take that away from you. Winning the world championship is what it’s about. It’s something for us that means a lot to get the second world championship, no doubt about it. Having that first one in the bank, that takes some pressure off, I guarantee you that.”
• Media Day follies — Tuesday’s Media Day session at Sun Life Stadium took on a life of its own when the event was moved inside one of the facility’s press box lounge areas.
Media Day is usually conducted outside, but recent rainstorms forced NFL officials to have a change of plans. The turf at Sun Life Stadium is covered just in case of more inclement weather, although it was sunny and muggy on Tuesday.
The usual rush of NFL and entertainment media — VH1 personalities and former “American Idol” contestants — were among those squeezed into the press box, which caused more than a few anxious moments.
Colts outside linebacker Tyjuan Hagler, who is on the team’s injured reserve list after suffering a torn bicep at midseason, stood back and shook his head as he watched the crush of media try to move from one potential interview to another.
“It was crazy,” Hagler laughed. “I thought what we went through [in 2006] was wild. But this beats that. There was hardly any room to move around.”
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber and ESPN’s Chris Berman were among those trying to track down interviews from the Colts and Saints. That included one enterprising reporter who donned wings and a halo prior to the start of New Orleans’ availability.
• Saturday no connection to Foxworthy — Contrary to published reports, Indianapolis center Jeff Saturday has no connection to comedian Jeff Foxworthy and has not invested in Foxworthy’s production company.
The story made the rounds Tuesday, but the Colts’ Pro Bowl center quickly put a stop to the speculation.
“That is not true. Totally false. That I was an investor? I wish,” Saturday said. “If they want to throw me in early, I’m in. I wish I had that [much money] but I do not.”
