"He was the very large elephant in the very large room.

As Media Day for Super Bowl XLVI ran its unique course Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium, the aura of Peyton Manning seemed omnipresent.

Several fans watching from the stands wore No. 18 jerseys. Younger brother Eli, who will lead the New York Giants against the New England Patriots in four days, fielded one, two, a zillion questions regarding the Manning not playing in the NFL's grandest game."