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Best of Dr. Z: Archie Manning Is Too Good for This Place

This week The MMQB is celebrating the life and career of Paul Zimmerman, who earned the nickname Dr. Z for his groundbreaking analytical approach to the coverage of pro football. For more from Dr. Z Week, click here.

This story originally appeared in the June 8, 1981, issue of Sports Illustrated.

Somehow the dream has never died, and that is surely the most incredible part of the story of Archie Manning.

Sometimes, when the dream burns brightest, the New Orleans Saints’ quarterback will shake his head and his face will light up in a little-boy grin, and he’ll say, “The Astrodome .