Peyton Manning and his teammates are about to leave the building. For much of next weeks, two facilities the Indianapolis Colts call home will be off-limits to all of their players.
In preparation for Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, the NFL is taking over Lucas Oil Stadium. That includes covering the large banners adorning each end of the stadium. The north side features Manning and a Reggie Wayne/Dallas Clark montage. On the south side, it's Dwight Freeney.
The NFL had yet to cover up the three large banners Monday afternoon, but that's coming.
Next week, the New England Patriots, as AFC champions and the Colts' conference brethren, will take over the football side of the Colts' West 56th Street complex. The NFC champion New York Giants will practice at the University of Indianapolis.
The Patriots will have full use -- 24 hours a day -- of the locker room, meeting rooms, training room, equipment room, practice fields and other football-related areas from Feb. 1-4.
"It's part of being the host team," Colts chief operating officer Pete Ward said. "It's not a high-traffic time of year for us anyway."
Personal items that remain in lockers will be secured by the team's equipment personnel.
During that stretch, individuals on the personnel, marketing and operations side of the building will go about their normal routines. But players will be prohibited from working out at the complex. That includes Manning, who still is rehabilitating from Sept. 8 neck surgery.
There's nothing unusual about the working arrangement. When the Colts participated in Super Bowls XLI and XLIV in South Florida, they worked out at the Miami Dolphins complex.
It's just hard to envision the Colts opening their doors to the Patriots, their bitter rivals. That includes from New England's vantage point.
"It will be kind of weird," said Patriots running back/kick returner/cornerback Julian Edelman. "I hadn't really thought of that, but this is the only locker room I've really been in in my time as a pro. So we'll see."
Added safety James Ihedigbo: "As much as we have our rivalry with the Colts, it's about preparation for the Giants and getting ready for the game.
"It wouldn't matter if we were in a cabin in the woods; we're going to get ready for the (Giants)."
Call Star reporter Mike Chappell at (317) 444-6830.
Star reporter Phil Richards contributed to this story.
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