Dispelling Bears Myths Before the Super Bowl

The past two weeks have been downright insufferable. Here are some 2006-07 Bears myths I HAVE to Snopesify right here and now.

1) Benson and Jones are a "thunder and lightning" combo unit. - Wrong. Jones has had an amazing two playoff games, but people still don't have a clue about his actual skills. Jones might be shiftier than Benson, but Benson is faster. They can, and should, be used together like they have been, but can we please stop talking about "Thomas Jones' speed"? If he had any, he would've had a touchdown two weeks ago instead of a 33 yard gain.

2) Peanut is the weak link of the Bears secondary. - Wrong. He's the best defensive back the team has (or has had for a long time). He tied for the team lead in interceptions, didn't get beat deep, plays the most physical, and was one of the team leaders in tackles. It's accurate to say that he might have some trouble with Marvin Harrison, but here's the truth: teams attack Vasher/Danieal Manning with regularity. Vasher never shuts down a receiver. Tillman does. Peanut is a darkhorse MVP candidate today (or Harrison could eat him alive).

3) Bernard Berrian is the best receiver on the Bears/Muhsin Muhammed is not that good. - Wrong. I like Berrian and he's a tremendous deep threat, but Muhammed brings so much to the Bears. Aside from being a clutch third-down receiver, he draws the attention. It's because of Muhammed that Clark can get open over the middle and Berrian has single coverage. And another thing that people don't realize: on a lot of Rex's interceptions this year, the receivers were to blame. And only once (Seattle) was that receiver Muhammed. Muhammed is a great route runner and more importantly, he is able to adjust to a pass that isn't quite where it should be. This is no knock on Berrian, but the Bears wouldn't be where they are without Moose.

4) The Bears special teams is better because of Devin Hester, Robbie Gould, and Brad Maynard. - Wrong, kind of. These guys give the Bears a distinct advantage, but they're not the real heroes of the Bears special teams unit. Let me introduce you to #94 Brendan Ayanbadejo, #29 Adrian Peterson, and #44 Cameron Worrell. These guys will be involved in plays today. These guys will change the game. They will open holes for Hester, they'll cover the kicks and punts, and they'll probably slap someone upside the head and say, "Gimmie dat ball."

5) The Bears could be in trouble with Peyton Manning's no huddle offense. - Wrong. Manning could burn them, sure, but it won't be because personel can't get off the field. Anybody who has watched the Bears knows they don't run a dime package. They almost exclusively run the 4-3 base package and a nickel package where Ricky Manning, Jr. replaces Hunter Hillenmeyer. But they do something else unique - they FREQUENTLY interchange the defensive line. Not only does it keep them very fresh (and that is the one area where the no huddle could hurt later in the game), but it means that all the guys, even backups like Anderson, Idonije, and Boone are familiar with being in the game in all situations. There won't be a time where Manning hurries up and the Bears are confused. He won't catch them off guard.

None of this menas the Bears are going to win, but I think they will. I'm not predicting a score because that's for people who like to be wrong.

This entry also appears on The Sports Blog