In September 1998, Manning started his first game as an NFL rookie. Butler was 12 years old. Patrick Chung, another rookie on this year’s Patriots team, was 11.
Manning, at 33 and in his 12th season, has reached a privileged stage of his career. He is young enough to perform at the peak of his colossal talent, yet old enough to be one of the sport’s grand old men.
Against the Colts tonight, in a game that has been dissected in countless ways, the two first-year Patriot defensive backs will face a quarterback who is not only one of the greatest players in the league, but also an icon from their childhood.
“Him and Tom [Brady], [Brett] Favre, I remember all those guys growing up,’’ Chung said. “After a while, it’s like, ‘I’m going to be playing against him one day.’ It’s finally here now.’’
In recent seasons, several members of the Patriots secondary have experienced the thrill (or tension) of facing Manning for the first time. Safety Brandon Meriweather, now in his third season, was still forging a place in the defensive backfield rotation when the Patriots played the Colts in Week 9 in 2007.
“You want me to be honest?’’ Meriweather said. “I was scared as hell. I was nervous. The couple plays I did get, I was nervous. Even last year, I was nervous. This year, I’m hoping I won’t be as nervous. I’m more settled. I hope.’’
Meriweather said he did not feel so anxious because of Manning’s vast skill. Rather, he had watched Manning play so often and heard so much about him that it felt unreal to stand across the line from him.
Players who have been the attraction themselves, the hub of attention on their high school and college teams, carry into their first game against Manning what must be a peculiar feeling. They are star struck.
“A rookie would be lying if he said he didn’t,’’ second-year cornerback Jonathan Wilhite said. “It’s no different than showing up here in a locker room with Tom Brady and Randy Moss and guys like that. At the same time, you got a job to do. You got to get prepared the best you can.
