It may not be as easy Sunday against the Colts. Peyton Manning is a master at calling plays at the line of scrimmage in the no-huddle offense, which often prevents defenses from substituting.
It no doubt will be a challenge for strongside linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer, who is replaced by nickel back Ricky Manning Jr. on passing down. Hillenmeyer, however, is not too concerned that the Bears defense will be gassed in those situations because of the warm weather.
?I?ve thought about that a lot, but especially since it?s a later game, it probably won?t be quite as hot and there?s a timeout for a commercial every 30 seconds anyway, so we should be able to keep our breath,? Hillenmeyer said.
?We?re a cold weather team, but I think we?ve done a great job keeping in shape over the course of the year. We?ve got about 10 Florida guys on our team, so they?re probably used to this weather.?
Life of Brian: Even his own teammates marvel at what Urlacher is able to accomplish on the field.
?When you play with him, you feel a little better about your chances,? said defensive end Adewale Ogunleye. ?You know that two seconds ago, he was right behind you. You look back, and he is 60 yards down the field.
?He has a lot of speed, and he is able to go sideline-to-sideline amazingly fast. To be 6-4, to weigh 260 pounds, and to be able to run like that is amazing.?
?Brian is unbelievable,? said cornerback Nathan Vasher. ?I think he?s probably one of the best defensive players I?ve ever been around. As a rookie going into that huddle for the first time with Brian Urlacher calling out the calls, it?s a great feeling.
?You know you have a standard to play up to. Losing is not an option for him, and I think that?s something that breeds throughout our whole defense.?
Health update: Wide receiver Mark Bradley (ankle) practiced for the second straight day Thursday and was removed from the injury report, leaving with no players on the list for Sunday?s Super Bowl.
For the second straight day, three Colts were questionable: cornerbacks Nick Harper (ankle) and Bob Sanders (knee) and linebacker Keith O? Neil (rib) with only Harper not practicing.
Who?s your Buddy: Defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, a linebacker with the Bears from 1984-92, will never forget the pre-game speeches that defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan delivered before the divisional playoff game, NFC championship and Super Bowl XX in 1985.
?It was one of those about what we do and doing what we do,? Rivera said, ?For the most part, he kind of told us he put together a great game-plan, and if we don?t screw it up, we?ll win.?
Rivera isn?t sure exactly what he will say before Sunday?s Super Bowl.
?I?m working on it,? he said. ?I?ve got some books that I read to look for ideas and thoughts. A lot of times, these guys don?t need anything. They challenge themselves a lot, but they also respond very well to the words.?
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