Peyton, Eli not totally thrilled by prospect of Manning Bowl

Peyton, Eli not totally thrilled by prospect of Manning Bowl: "ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- It would be the perfect dream ending to a remarkable comeback story: Peyton Manning, coming off a year away from football following cervical spinal fusion surgery, leading his new Denver Broncos teammates to a Super Bowl showdown against the defending champion New York Giants and younger brother Eli.

And guess were that potential "brother vs. brother" Super Bowl XLVII will be staged? In New Orleans, where the Manning boys were born and raised by former Saints legend Archie Manningand his wife, Olivia.

"Coach (John) Fox and (VP of Football Operations) John Elway talk about it every day with the team, working hard and our goal is to be world champions,'' Peyton Manning told USA TODAY Sports after Denver's Thursday's practice.

"It's hard to think about at this point. All you think about is your team and doing what you have to do. ... (Playing Eli and the Giants) would be tough on a lot of people.

"I pull hard for Eli. Obviously, if the Broncos can't win it, I'd like the Giants to win it. ... Myself and the Broncos are working hard to try and make that happen here.''

In the quiet shadow of the Tim Tebow-hyped New York Jets, the Giants are working to become the first team to repeat since the 2004 New England Patriots.

"Obviously, it's my goal to get back to the Super Bowl and win, and it's Peyton's goal as well,'' Eli Manning told USA TODAY Sports. "It would be good and bad playing against your brother in a Super Bowl. ... I know my parents would hate it.

"But if Peyton and I do meet in the Super Bowl, it would be good for the game of football, be exciting for fans and be a great story.''

Elway thinks Peyton Manning has recaptured his pre-injury form.

Younger brother concurs.

"He looks like the same Peyton,'' Eli Manning said. "He's throwing it well, the ball is coming out well. I'm excited to see him back.

"It should be a good year for Peyton.''

One thing the league's only four-time league MVP can't guarantee is whether or not the nerve in the triceps region of his throwing arm will ever completely regenerate.

"The answer is I'm not sure if I'll ever know if it comes all the way back,'' he said. "I'm never going to stop trying for that nerve to come back. ... I have made progress, but I'm reminded every day that I have rehab work to.''

Manning lightened the mood when asked if he wants to get that first hard hit out of the way in Saturday night's preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks.

"It's not hanging over me,'' Manning said. "I had a lady the other day who said, 'Everybody just can't wait to see you get hit.' Thank you.

"I have played football for a long time. And when it happens, I plan on getting up and hopefully completing a pass on the next play and moving the chains.''

Even if Manning only operates at 90% of his previous level, he's still a huge passing upgrade over last year's run-option sensation, Tebow, who led the Broncos to an 8-8 finish, good enough for the AFC West title, and a memorable wild-card win against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I feel better this time of year than I did a year ago about this team,'' Fox said. "That's not bashing or slighting anybody.''

Manning is the reason for sky-high expectations in the Mile High City.

"That's a long ways off, but everybody's got a dream,'' Fox says of a potential Super Bowl trip next February."Hey, I wish Peyton nothing but the best with that. ... We're happy as heck he's with us.'' "

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