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David won't admit to knowing Manning's secrets

9/4/2007, 5:50 p.m. CDT By BRETT MARTEL
The Associated Press
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — During his first three NFL training camps, Jason David won a starting job with the Indianapolis Colts based on his ability to defend passes from Peyton Manning to Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison.
So what exactly did the new Saints cornerback learn about the Colts offense before he left the reigning Super Bowl champs to play in New Orleans?
"If I knew, I'd tell ... but I don't think anybody has the real answer as to what's going on on that side of the ball," David said. "So like I say, you've just got to stay poised and play ball."
David expects to match up primarily against wide receiver Reggie Wayne during the NFL's Thursday night regular season curtain raiser between the Saints and Colts in Indianapolis.

That will be no easy task. Wayne, entering his seventh season in the NFL, had his best season in 2006, making 86 catches for 1,310 yards and nine touchdowns, earning him a spot on the AFC's Pro Bowl squad.
Of course, David's 2006 wasn't so bad. He was in on a career-best 53 tackles, recovered a fumble and intercepted two passes while helping the Colts finish second in the NFL in pass defense.
His reward was a four-year, $15.6 million offer sheet from the Saints last winter. David, then a restricted free agent, signed it and the Colts declined to match it, providing the Saints with what would seem to be not only a good pass defender, but a useful scouting tool for their season opener.
David said he has taken numerous questions from Saints defensive backs about facing the Colts' prolific passing attack, but won't admit to being able to share any major secrets.
"I don't have an edge. I don't know the secret codes. I don't know what Peyton Manning's doing up there," David said. "All I know is they're a great offense and they're going to have some big plays or try and attempt some big plays during the game."
David did have a warning of a more general nature for his teammates, saying they must guard against getting caught napping when Manning seemingly shows no interest in throwing the ball to part of the field they're defending.
"The one thing I tried to explain to them is: Playing against this offense, you try not to get lulled to sleep," David said. "Every play you've got to feel like you're under the gun whether you're a safety, corner or even a linebacker. Their offense is so explosive you never know who's going to get the ball or when a big play is going to come."
Saints coach Sean Payton said the benefit of having an opponent's former player help with scouting is "overrated."
"There's a lot of film on both teams, and both teams will have plenty of chances to study not only preseason but last year," Payton said. "What's most important is your own team and getting focused and ready to play. Certainly there are nuances within each defense and offense, but I think there's enough tape" to notice them.
David said it will be a little odd at first playing his first game with his new team against the only other NFL team he has played for. He's tried to remain focused on just the football part of it by keeping his cell phone off for much of the past few days, he said, and even avoiding the media until Tuesday.
"I would say I've been doing a lot of studying, so if that makes me more prepared than anybody, that will be it," David said. "I wouldn't say I'm more prepared because I played with the Colts three seasons or I practiced with those guys three seasons. My main thing is just getting a good week of preparation, getting a good week of practice and getting ready to play a normal game."
If one can call playing the defending Super Bowl champions, in their stadium, in prime time and on national television, a normal game.

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LongTimeFan

Good read..
Thanks