Teams on Tokyo time

TOKYO - Peyton Manning and Michael Vick will share the spotlight when they take the field Saturday at the American Bowl in Japan.

But until then, both plan on soaking up the atmosphere in the world's biggest city.

Manning and Vick, two of the NFL's marquee quarterbacks, took part in practice Thursday in preparation for Saturday's NFL preseason opener between the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons at Tokyo Dome, the 13th American Bowl to be played in Japan.

"I'm thrilled and honored to be here," said Vick, who led the Falcons to an 11-5 record and the NFC Championship game last season.

While the teams will be on a tight schedule, both players said they hope they can experience some of the Japanese culture while in Tokyo.

"I'm going to try to get some electronics," Vick said. "I'm a big gadget guy, so I'd like to get something I can take back to the States and brag about."

Two-time MVP Manning said he was already impressed with the Japanese fans.

"I get a lot of fan mail and I can tell you the Japanese fans are very knowledgeable about the NFL," said Manning, who broke Dan Marino's single-season record for touchdown passes with 49 last year. "I'm looking forward to walking around and seeing some of this great city."

The NFL's series of international games began in 1986, in response to growing interest in American football around the world. Since then, 39 games have been played in 12 cities outside the United States.

Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy likened Saturday's quarterback matchup to the 1994 American Bowl between Minnesota and Kansas City.

"Like '94 with Warren Moon and Joe Montana, you'll see two future Hall-of-Famers in Saturday's game," said Dungy, who is in Japan for his third American Bowl.

Even reluctant traveler Edgerrin James of the Colts was getting with the program.

James, a two-time NFL rushing champion and three-time Pro Bowler, said before leaving the U.S. that the closest he intended to get to Tokyo was a visit to the Benihana restaurant chain. But Dungy convinced James to make the 14-hour flight.

The Colts have never played in Japan, while the Falcons made the trip in 2000 when they beat the Dallas Cowboys, 20-9.

Of the 13 winners in Japan, none have won a Super Bowl. The only teams to lift the Lombardi Trophy after making the trans-Pacific flight were the 1989 San Francisco 49ers and 1992 Dallas Cowboys, both preseason losers in Japan.

"We'll be playing in the NFL's first game this season, and hopefully we'll both be in the last as well," Falcons coach Jim Mora said.