MIAMI — When playing for the University at Buffalo, Drew Willy and Jamey Richard

could only dream of playing in the NFL. The Super Bowl? They couldn't even imagine it.

But here they are, living the dream as teammates with the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl

XLIV.

"It's incredible," Richard said. "In my second year I never thought I'd be here. You think

about it your whole life but you never know that you're going to make it to the NFL until you

actually get there. Playing for the Colts and being in the Super Bowl, I've just tried to take

it all in."

Richard, a backup guard, joined the team last year as a seventh-round draft pick. He made

the Pro Football Writers Association's all-rookie team after starting seven games in 15

appearances. He even scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery in a playoff win over Tennessee.

"It's been a great ride the last two years," he said.

Willy didn't arrive until the last two weeks of the regular season. The Colts lost veteran

backup quarterback Jim Sorgi to a shoulder injury and tried to sign former Bill J.P. Losman.

When Losman signed with Oakland, the Colts turned to Willy and he was overjoyed to come

aboard.

"It's really great to be part of an organization that has great leadership and everything

is done in a proper way," he said.

Willy is not expected to be activated for the game, but he has a big job this week, assuming

the role of Saints QB Drew Brees during the Colts' practices.

"Me and [rookie] Curtis Painter are kind of splitting reps," said Willy, who was signed to

the Colts' 53-man roster in Week 16 before being sent back to the practice squad. "They've got

a fun offense to run. Obviously we can't do everything quite as good as Drew Brees, but we

enjoy going out there and making the defense better. I'm just glad to be here and I'm willing

to do anything I can to help the team."

Willy said he's learned a lot studying Brees, but watching Peyton Manning work has been the

greatest teaching tool.

"It doesn't get any better," Willy said. "We're blessed to learn from him and it's

something we look forward to every practice."

Richard and Willy are the first UB players in a Super Bowl since defensive lineman Gerry

Philbin played in Super Bowl III with the New York Jets.