Random thoughts while wondering what ever happened to Henry Waechter:

Game on Dept.: We are, at the time of this writing less than four hours to go before the Colts and Bears kick off Super Bowl XLI.  As you can imagine, folks in Chicago are geeked, and we are ready for game on this afternoon.

The weather in Miami may be a factor, but both teams say they are ready if need be.  What else would you expect them to say?  "Oh my God, this is going to screw up our entire game plan.  It CAN'T rain."  Yeah, you get it.

For the Bears, it is definitely showtime, and in addition to dispelling the "Peyton Manning is unbeatable" myth, they also want to exercise the demons of the 1985 Bears once and for all.

The majority of the national pundits make the Bears an underdog.  Former coaches think Peyton Manning is too strong.  Sitting coaches think the Bears have a shot.  Writers split down the middle on which team will be hoisting the trophy this afternoon. Some worry over Good Rex/Bad Rex.  Some think the Colts defense may revert back to Cinderella. And the announcers declare their loyalty to both teams (okay, not Boomer.)

So, in reality what does this game come down to?  Aside from the fact that no matter what the outcome, Chicago is a far superior city to Indianapolis in every way, it comes down to a matter of who do you trust.  If you trust the Bears can force turnovers and you trust that Rex Grossman will not shoot himself or his team in the foot and if you trust the Bears running game can keep the Colts back peddling, then pick the Bears.  If you trust that Peyton Manning can make a big play when he needs to and if you trust that Adam Vinatieri has ice water in his veins and if you trust that Rex Grossman will have a "Bad Rex" day, your choice would be the Colts.

This could be a fun game because there are so many variables with both of these teams.  The biggest factor in this game is the two quarterbacks, and on paper, or just out loud, I can't name anyone outside of Steve Spurrier that would want Rex Grossman over Peyton Manning.  One is a Yugo, the other a Lexus.

However, there is still the Peyton gets tight factor which may make him mortal this afternoon.  Beating New England to get to Miami was huge for Manning, but he still hasn't won a championship game of any kind in his life.  And if his performance the last time he played in a championship game in Miami is any indication of what may happen today, then the Bears have a good shot.  Manning gets tight.  He over thinks.  He tries way too hard.  And unless Tom Moore and Tony Dungy can keep him on an even keel this afternoon, you may see Peyton turn into "Bad Rex."

In the final analysis, the Colts offense is much too powerful for the Bears defense while although good, is not 1985 good.  The Bears have had difficulty getting to the quarterback the second half of the year and with the Colts line and Manning's quick release, they probably have a better chance of breaking into Fort Knox than knocking him down.   Manning's cast of receivers Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison and the unheralded Dallas Clark will be tough for a Bears defense with a depleted secondary to handle.  That rings especially true if they can hit the quick posts and crossing routes.

The Bears may be able to exploit the Colts run defense, but grinding it out takes time and sometimes yields little results.  You could have a sixty yard drive, but if it stalls because your quarterback can't hit an open receiver or throws an interception, it's a non-issue.  And that my friends is where I see this game going to.

Peyton will get to his receivers and Rex will stub his toe in front of sixty million people.  Peanut Tillman will be known as "Roasted Peanut Tillman" after the game because he will have been burned so much.  Manning and Moore will exploit, exploit, exploit the Bears weak secondary, forcing the linebackers into pass coverage and then running the ball to keep the Bears moving backwards all day.

The Bears will run the ball, take up yardage and clock, but not have any significant activity inside the 25 yard line except for Robbie Gould.

Final Colts 34 Bears 16.  Argh.

Say Cheese Dept.: Here in Wisconsin, the flags are still at half staff because the Bears are in the Super Bowl.  In fact, the Super Bowl isn't even the top story around here.  Give some credit to Ted Thompson for rebuilding the culture in Green Bay.  He may work slowly, but it will bear fruit in a couple of years.  No telling if Brett will be around for that.

Hall Pass Dept.: It has become blatantly obvious that the NFL Hall of fame voters do not take the honor nearly as seriously as their Major League Baseball Counterparts.  If the NFL guys voted for baseball players than Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire would get in on the first ballot. 

I'm sorry.  Michael Irvin is a punk.  At one point, this guy would have snorted the lines on the field.  You can't tell me Art Monk wasn't as deserving.  You just can't.  Must be nice to have a bunch of former teammates on TV, eh Mike?

Royal Flush Dept.: Perhaps you ought to wait until after the second half kickoff to work out that beer.  

Ornery Cuss Dept.: A Judge ruled this guy had the right to curse at a public meeting.  So, shut the (&*% up.