Today we’ll look at the Bears Good Rex/Bad Rex offense and how it stacks up to the Jekyll and Hyde Indianapolis Colts defense.

Indianapolis Colts defense

Defensive Line: Booger McFarland and Raheem Brock are the keys here. We know that Dwight Freeney is going to spin and stunt and speed rush the Bears offensive line, all day. While he’s doing that, McFarland and Brock will be having to make sure Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson are both dropping 100 yards on them. The Colts defense was porous against the run during the regular season. They really played well against the ground attack in the playoffs, holding Larry Johnson, Jamal Lewis, and Corey Dillon all under 60 yards. That needs to continue for this group.

Linebackers: Cato June sets the tone for this crew of linebackers. He’s tough, he’s fast, he can cover, and he went to Michigan. What more can you want in a linebacker? But seriously, June, along with Rob Morris and Gary Brackett will also be tasked with slowing down Chicago’s rushing attack. Also look for the Bears to test the coverage skill of June as well as the others with their Tight Ends.

Secondary: CB Nick Harper is “iffy” according to Tony Dungy. If he’s not able to go, that will put Marlin Jackson (another Michigan guy) into the starting lineup. That’s not a huge downgrade at CB, but it does weaken their nickel package (where Jackson normally plays). Bob Sanders is the guy the Colts have leaned on in the post-season to come up and stuff the run. As we’ve talked about, it’s been successful. I can’t believe what I’m about to write. The Bears are going to throw a lot of different things at the Colts. Inside running, reverses, short passes, long passes, screen passes. The secondary has more to worry about than just the run. If they come up and put 8 in the box against the Bears, they’ll get burned.

Chicago Bears offense

Offensive Line: Big and mean. These guys can and will wear you down. The only potential hole they have is that they get a little lazy in pass protection sometimes. The have shown that they’re capable. Can they consistently protect Rex against a really quick defensive line? I have to say that Olin Kruetz is my favorite Bear, and perennial Pro Bowler.

Wide Receivers: After Bernard Berrian, the drop-off is fairly sharp. Muhsin Muhammed is not the receiver he was even last year, and certainly not of 2 and 3 years ago. His skills are deteriorating and he’s lost a step. Mark Bradley, coming off an ankle injury should play in the Super Bowl. Berrian certainly provides the deep threat that the Bears like. Rashied Davies also brings some speed to the table. If the Colts focus on stopping the run, and force the Bears to the air these guys, especially Berrian will be called upon to get open, and catch the ball (Muhsin).

Running Backs: Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson give the Bears the best running back 1-2 punch in the NFL. Benson is the big, bruising back while Jones is a little more shifty. Of course, Jones isn’t afraid of a little contact either. The Bears will need to establish the run early to get all other aspects of their game on track. The Bears have been a running team all year, they will continue to be in the Super Bowl.

Quarterback: The much-maligned Rex Grossman. Will he play just well enough to win? Or will he throw 3 picks, and fumble twice? No one can ever know. Rex is such and enigma. He can look outstanding, and then really awful, all in the same play. As we’ve seen pretty much all year, Rex needs to get off to a good start. Not even a great start, just a good one. Ron Turner needs to give Rex some safe throws for him to make. The Colts know that if they get to him early they can rattle him. The Bears need to account for that, and keep it safe early on. That might get them in trouble if Indy puts points on the board early, but that’s what they have to do.

How do you think the battle between the Bears offense and the Colts defense will shake out?

Next we will look at how the Bears defense compares to the Colts offense.

I’m going to be doing a series this week that will compare the opposing sides of the ball in this weekend’s Super Bowl XLI in Miami.

Let’s start with what most people would see as the unimportant or boring matchup of this Super Bowl. The special teams.

Indianapolis Colts

Key Players: Adam Vinatieri. He has a ton of big game experience. His foot has won 2 Super Bowls. He’s also been on the losing side of a Super Bowl. This game is precisely why the Colts got Vinatieri from the Patriots. They want his leg to be counted on at the end of the game.

The kick-off coverage team. This team had trouble stopping Ellis Hobbs of New England. Just imagine what Devin Hester, special teams Pro-Bowler, will do to them. They have to limit Hester to a kick-off return average of less than 25 yards to give the Colts any chance of winning the field position battle.

Chicago Bears

Key Players: Devin Hester. It has to be Hester. He’s explosive when he catches the ball. And that’s the key. He has had some trouble this year with handling kicks. Everyone knows he can take it to the house every time he returns a kick. But Chicago fans also know that every time the ball is kicked to him, it’s a Maalox moment. The Chicago coaching staff needs to make sure this young man’s head is in the game. He went to “the U” so he’s a hometown guy, and a rookie. Could be a disaster waiting to happen. He’s kept his feet on the ground and his ego in check pretty much all year. We’ll see if he can concentrate for this game.

Adrian Peterson. He’s the third string running back, but he’s also a monster on special teams. This guy knows that for his team to win he needs to contribute. Whether it’s spelling Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson, or making key tackles on special teams, he gets it done.

Robbie Gould. Pro Bowl kicker who has been money all year. Only question, and it’s a big one, is can he do it at the Super Bowl?

Who do you think will be the Key Players on special teams on Sunday at Super Bowl XLI?

Next we’ll look at the Bears offense vs. the Colts defense.

As I have been thinking about the Bears being in the Super Bowl, a question has popped into my head. Of all of my favorite teams (University of Michigan football, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears), which would I most want to win a championship. It has caused me great inner struggle. Which team would it be? Why? And what does that mean about my fandom? I’ll try and tackle those questions, and I’d like to hear from you.

If you had to choose one of your favorite teams to win a championship at the cost of the others not winning one in your lifetime, which would you chose?

After thinking about it. It would be the Cubs. Of course, I’d love to see the Bears win the Super Bowl on Sunday. And few things are better than a Michigan victory. But the Cubs winning the World Series… are you kidding me. That is… That is… I don’t know what that is. And neither does anyone else this side of Willard Scott and his friends. I’m still not sure if it’s just because of the length of time between championships. I think that’s definitely part of it though.

Michigan has won National Championships. It won one in 1997. They’re the winningest college football program ever. So I’m pretty used to them being good, if not great. So my heart doesn’t yearn for that.

And as far as the Bears go, 1985. That’s all you have to say. So many great memories from that football season, and the trip to the Super Bowl. Players from that team are so beloved in Chicago. It was arguably one of the best teams of all time. The Bears recent success, and pending Super Bowl visit also make this desire a lower priority.

Of course depending on past championships kind of skirts the question. There is the at the cost of the others not winning a championship part. Would it be ok if Michigan was actually more like Michigan State? Never really amounting to anything? Or if the Bears suddenly turned into the Lions? Which would I choose then? I think I would still go with the North-Siders. I love me some baseball. It’s so classic. And to see the Cubs win a World Series would be so wonderful, and so hard to get my head around. I am just enjoying the hope that Spring Training will be bringing in a couple of weeks.

Ok, the initial hype of the Super Bowl is waining, and the onslaught of Media Day, and all of the hoopla of Super Bowl week are knocking at the door. In our future is wall-to-wall coverage of “The Big Game”, interviews with people who are relevant to the game, and those whose relevance has long since past. It’s the Super Bowl. It’s what we’ve all come to expect.

I love media day as much as the next guy. It’s interesting to hear what these players think, and say. Sometimes we can get a great sound-bite or tidbit of information about the game. But for the most part, it’s a bunch of blowhards talking about and hyping themselves. In a game that features some really high profile players (Peyton Manning and Brian Urlacher), I think Media Day will reveal some other interesting characters. I’ve listened to radio interviews and shows with folks like Charles “Peanut” Tillman, Muhsin Muhammed, Desmond Clark, Adewale Ogunleye and a lot of other players. I wouldn’t be suprised if Peanut emerges from Media Day as one of the media’s favorite interviewees. It seems like he just likes to talk. He’s clever, and funny and never at a loss for words.

I’m sure that Peyton Manning, and Brian Urlacher are going to say the right things. They always do. Hey guys, we already know that the Bears defense is really tough, and that Peyton Manning respects them. We also know that Brian Urlacher and the Bears defense respects the Colts offense and thinks they’ll be hard to stop. Ok, I think I just fell asleep while writing that. BORING!!! As usual I tip-toe the line between wanting some interesting story lines and trash talk, and my desire for these guys to just play football and shut up already. What can I say, I’m a complex person. Of course Tank Johnson brings some interesting things to the table (a rifle and a house full of ammunition). Unfortunately that’s not what I’m looking for.

One thing that should definitely be interesting to watch is how Rex Grossman handles Media Day. He is the player under the most scrutiny in this Super Bowl. I think will not only handle the stress and pressure of Media Day well, I think he’ll play well on Sunday and be able to handle the stress and pressure of the biggest stage in professional sports. He, and his team, has had to field questions about whether or not he should be the Bears starting quarterback for the last 2 months. And they’ve made it to the Super Bowl. That might just prove to be Rex and the Bears’ saving grace. They have seen adversity. They have banded together, and they have made it to the Super Bowl. Credit has to be given to Lovie Smith and his coaching staff for keeping this team together. Brian Urlacher, who easily could have been super pissed that the defense had to be relied upon to win games… but he always said the right thing. He never pointed fingers, and he always publicly supported Grossman. So it looks like the defense will once again save the defense.

With one week left to go before the actual game, I’m bracing myself for all of the hype. I’m trying to weed through it. I will be putting together some posts to preview different parts of the game. The game itself really does provide some interesting matchups. I’m looking forward to digging deeper.

Truth be told. I haven’t posted about this because I’m scared. I’m in an awkward position of having one of “my teams” playing for a championship. It’s weird, and very nerve wrecking.  In this week leading up to the game, I hope to get that under control and write some posts.

The Chicago Cubs signed free agent Cliff Floyd to a one-year contract. Floyd will backup Matt Murton and Jacque Jones at the corner outfield positions. Floyd has had an injury-plagued career. While healthy, Floyd is a solid pro hitter.

Some have talked that his signing opens the door for the Cubs to trade Murton or Jones, but with his health history I think that would be foolish. I think his best role will be as a left-handed bat either off the bench, or in a platoon in left field with Matt Murton.

I think it’s a great signing. An insurance policy, extra outfielder, good clubhouse guy, and he’s left-handed. Another piece to what will be a World Series team in 2007.

As we prepare for the big game on February 4, we finally know the two teams that will meet each other. The AFC will send the Indianapolis Colts to face the Chicago Bears of the NFC. This game already has some interesting story lines that we will look into in much more depth in the coming weeks.

• Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy are the first African-American coaches to bring their teams to a Super Bowl. They’re also very close friends. Both men are classy professionals so I don’t anticipate any trash talking or bulletin board material. But will be fun to monitor what they say about each other.
• Peyton Manning gets over the hump. But now we get to talk about if can win the REALLY big game.
• Rex Grossman. Can he handle the pressure?
• A fantastic offense vs. a fantastic defense. An age old question, can a great offense beat a great defense? and vice versa.

Congrats to the Bears and the Colts. Let the work begin for them, and the fun begin for their fans.

As I write this, I can hardly believe it. The Bears have knocked off the New Orleans Saints to earn a trip to Miami to play in Super Bowl XLI. All week, and throughout the playoffs, the national media has been quick to jump on the New Orleans Saints’ bandwagon. And understandably so, they were a great story this year. They came out of nowhere to have the league’s best offense. They’re definitely a feel good story, but the Bears are obviously a better team.

The Bears defense was able to overwhelm Drew Brees and the Saints offense. Going into the game coach Lovie Smith said that the Saints would not be able to run the ball. That they would need to rely on the pass. That’s a pretty bold statement to make about the league’s best offensive attack. But that’s precisely what the Bears did to the Saints on Sunday. They took away the run and forced them to the passing game. They actually gave up a lot of yards through the air, but it only led to 14 points. Brees aired it out 49 times on Sunday, connecting on 27 of those for 354 yards, 2 TDs and one pick. So looking at those numbers your might think that Brees had a good game. Hardly. Brees fumbled twice, losing one to defensive end Adewale Ogunleye. He was sacked 3 times, and called for intentional grounding in the end zone, which resulted in a safety for the Bears.

I have to give credit to an unsung hero in Sunday’s game. Brad Maynard. It was his punt that secured the great field position that allowed the Bears to force Brees into the intentional grounding saefty. Great job by Maynard and the special Teams unit.

The Bears defense gave Brees all that he could handle today. The Saints offense had a great year, and with Reggie Bush, Marques Colston, Drew Brees and coach of the year Sean Payton, this team will be an offensive force for years to come. But they were just over-matched today.

Now onto the offense. While the definitely played well, I still have some bones to pick with them. Muhsin Muhammed, catch a ball, please. If you want to be, and think you are a leader on this team, and an elite wide receiver, you’re gonna have to start catching the routine throws. Rex Grossman needs his “best” wideout to make the plays that he’s supposed to. Bernard Berrian has out-performed Muhammed recently and throughout this entire season (save for the time Berrian was hurt).

Speaking of Berrian, he was Rex Grossman’s go to guy when they needed it most. Perhaps it was because he was going up against Fred Thomas (who is really, really bad), and perhaps it was because Berrian is the most dependable receiver th Bears have, I don’t know. But suffice it to say, when the Saints came within 4 points of the Bears, the Bears needed to take a stand on offense, move the ball, and score some points. For me, this was the ball game. On the drive, Grossman went 4 for 4 for 78 yards and a touchdown. That’s what I want from my quarterback. Consistency, and composure. On that drive, he was great. He didn’t need to be great the rest of the game, and he wasn’t. But he did throw the ball away when he needed to. Grossman’s stats weren’t gaudy. In fact, they’re downright average. But he didn’t turn the ball over. He managed the game.

Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones looked like they could run behind that big and mean offensive line against anyone. Sure, there were times when the Saints bottled them up, but the Bears gained 196 yards on the ground. If they do that in the Super Bowl (I can’t believe I just wrote that), they will win. Period.

As I look back to my keys to the game, the weather wasn’t a factor, but as I mentioned earlier, Rex Grossman certainly was. And turnovers turned out to really be the biggest key for the Bears. They had a turnover ratio of +4 in the NFC Championship game. That is getting it done.

Congratulations to Lovie Smith, and the entire Bears organization. Stay tuned to http://sports.vigilanteweb.com for your full Super Bowl coverage. I plan on breaking down all aspects of the game over the next 2 weeks preceding Super Bowl XLI in Miami.

So here we are. The Bears are on the verge of the Super Bowl. The only thing that stands in their way is Drew Brees and the number 1 offense in the NFL this year. If it were week 4, I wouldn’t be worried. I’d say the Bears can get their gear ready for Miami. However, the Bears defense has been less than spectacular as of late. Of course last week, they were pretty stout on third downs. That needs to continue.

Here are my keys to the game.

1. Weather. If the weather is bad, the Bears will win. Forecast for Sunday is light snow and cold (a high of 28 degrees). That should neutralize the speed that New Orleans offense brings to the table.
2. Turnovers. Whoever wins the battle for the ball, will win. The Bears have faultered in taking the ball away from teams. They have six takeaways in their last five games versus a whopping 39 in their previous 12 games. That’s the difference in a great defense early in the year compared to an average defense as of late.
3. Rex Grossman. Of course. As Rex goes, so goes the offense. If he’s able to put up numbers similar to last week, the Bears should be in good shape.

What do you think the keys to the game are going to be? My prediction. Bears are going to the Super Bowl on the backfoot of Robbie Gould. Bears win 17-10.

Whoa! The Bears did it. An absolutely gut-wrenching game to watch. I was so excited when Robbie Gould’s (pronounced Gold for the dopes on TV who don’t know) split the uprights and the game was over. The fact that I’m a long suffering Cubs fan has conditioned me to always be scared of losing at the end. I definitely had that going on.

The Bears actually looked good against the Seahawks. Their defense played pretty well, and it was a good day for Rex Grossman. In an interview after the game, Rex was asked if he was relieved. He said that he wasn’t, he was just excited. Umm, Rex, I’m gonna have to call bullshit on you there pal. The story that everyone was talking about, be it talk radio, pregames shows, everyone was talking about which Rex Grossman would show up on Sunday. So he had to have been relieved after the game.

He definitely showed on Sunday that he can win the big game. He showed his toughness and fearlessness all through the game by making tough long throws and not being shaken by mistakes by his hard-handed wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad. Of course, everything wasn’t roses for Grossman, he made some bad throws, and lost a fumble, but what I was impressed with was that he was able to avoid the huge mistake. His bad throws didn’t result in a turnover, they were just incomplete passes. The one pick he did throw wasn’t a great throw, but it was picked off because Muhammad couldn’t make the grab (note to Jerry Angelo: need to upgrade at the WR position). Rex held onto the ball too long and took sacks that he shouldn’t have, but he also threw the ball away a lot of times when the defense had his receivers bottled up. That’s progress.

On the defensive side, I need to see more of a pass rush. I felt like the D played well, but if they want to slow down the Saints next weekend they’re gonna have to put some pressure on Drew Brees (more on that later this week). It was good to have Peanut Tillman back in the lineup, and I felt that Lance Briggs played outstanding (another note to Jerry Angelo: don’t let this guy get away). Shaun Alexander seemed to hit his stride late in the game. He looked like the running back he was last year. I was scared that the Bears defense would fold, and give up the game. They didn’t. They stepped up and stopped them when they needed to. Chicago’s defense on third down is what won the game for them. If Seattle would have been able to convert on even half of their failed attempts the Bears would have been so worn out, Shaun Alexander and the Seahawks’ running game would have taken over.

Now onto the special teams. Devin, Devin, Devin. Flashes of brilliance followed by flashes of stupidity. Catch the damn ball. Then worry about taking it to the house. He is definitely a talent, but his hands cause a guy to worry.

A good win, against and improved team. Next is the NFC Championship game to face the New Orleans Saints. This is why you play so hard to get home field advantage. Nice game Bears, who should I send the bill for the case of Prilosec OTC to?

Here are my picks for this weekends Divisional playoff games

• Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens
  I like the Colts in an upset. Their defense stepped up last week, and their offense is always great. This will be the closest game of the weekend.
• New England Patriots vs. San Diego Chargers
  San Diego takes this one. I think the Patriots are overrated, and not as good as they’ve been in the recent past. The Chargers should dominate this game.
• Philadelphia Eagles vs. New Orleans Saints
  I’m not sure how to feel about this game. I’m not sure I trust either of these teams. The NFC is really weak this year. Of course there is the “sentimental” pick, the Saints, but I think that the Eagles will probably take this one. Their defense is really tough. They definitely have the playoff experience. Kudos to Sean Payton and the Saints for an inspired season.
• Seattle Seahawks vs. Chicago Bears
  I’ve already previewed this game. My pick is the Bears.

Who do you think will win this weekend?