Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was regularly approached this offseason by fans who spoke excitedly about the start of the regular season. Knowing that the opener was still months away, Flacco said his response would be, "OK, take it easy." Now, Flacco is swept up in the excitement as well.
"It is one of many to come, but no matter how you put it, it's exciting," he said. "We've waited a long time for this."
His counterpart Sunday didn't argue.
"Everybody is — around the league — excited," Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning said.