More Series News

Pasquarelli: Anderson rewards Bears for taking a chance
There were 158 names called before Chicago selected Mark Anderson in the 2006 draft. It proved to be a pretty good pick.

Theismann: Five key questions
Joe Theismann takes a look at five keys to Super Bowl XLI, including Brian Urlacher vs. Peyton Manning.

Clayton: Bears' OL grows together
It's not the conventional way to build a line, but four of the Bears' five starting offensive linemen were brought in through free agency.

Smith: Harrison takes one step, is he ready for another?
Marvin Harrison made one breakthrough by speaking to the media. Now he just needs to have a breakthrough in the Super Bowl, writes Michael Smith.

Clayton: Jones just running in the fast lane
It may be a two-back system in Chicago, but Thomas Jones is the one who keeps the offense running.

Scouts: Running back tandems on display
Both the Colts and Bears will look to establish a solid ground game to open up opportunities through the air.

Pasquarelli: Addai learns lessons from paralyzed friend
Colts running back Joseph Addai, who had an outstanding rookie season, looks to his paralyzed friend for inspiration, Len Pasquarelli writes.

Burning Questions: Talkin' about distractions and preparation
What's the biggest distraction? Who's better prepared? Our experts have the answers.

Super Bowl conversation: Dominic Rhodes
From media day to trying to enjoy Miami, Colts RB Dominic Rhodes talks about his experience so far at Super Bowl XLI.

Garber: 2-for-1 special at running back
The Bears and Colts feature two-headed running back attacks, a growing trend in the NFL, Greg Garber writes.

All-Pro Kreutz combines toughness, no-nonsense attitude
An old-fashioned upbringing and a steady diet of toughness are what sets Bears center Olin Kreutz apart, ESPN The Magazine's Dan Galvin writes.

For Manning, it took only one tango to learn pressure
Asked during his Wednesday morning media session to relate the most pressure-packed moment of his life, Peyton Manning dug all the way back to eighth grade.

Colts CB Harper sits out practice with sprained ankle
Cornerback Nick Harper missed the Indianapolis Colts' first Super Bowl practice in South Florida on Wednesday while rehabbing his sprained ankle.

Government readies no-fly stadium zone for Super Bowl
Pilots who stray into a no-fly zone around the Super Bowl on Sunday can count on an immediate, robust response from F-16 fighter planes, helicopters and lots of high-tech gadgetry aimed at countering any threat.


Pasquarelli: Brains meet brawn on Colts' offensive line
Are the Colts offensive linemen smarter than your average Bear? Probably not. But in the Colts' offense, it takes a different kind of lineman to excel.

Hoge: Five key players
Merrill Hoge takes a look at the five key players from the Colts and Bears, including running back Joseph Addai.

Clayton: Manning and Moore are Indy's odd couple
The relationship between Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore and Peyton Manning is as good as it gets.

Burning Questions: Talkin' running games and impact players
Which team will run better the ball better? And Brian Urlacher or Dwight Freeney? Our experts have the answers.

Scouts: Super Bowl teams rely heavily on underrated O-lines
They don't get the credit they deserve, but both Super Bowl offensive lines have gotten the job done this season.

Thompson: Manning takes his obsession to Miami
Peyton Manning is relaxed and confident as he heads to Miami, but don't be fooled. Wright Thompson says he is still as obsessed as ever.

Joyner: Breaking down the numbers
The outcome of Super Bowl XLI could be decided by a few key matchups, including Muhsin Muhammad vs. Jason David, writes KC Joyner.

Wojciechowski: Vasher's mom fights her own Super battle
Her bipolar disorder kept her from traveling to Miami and will force Monica Vasher to sleep the better part of two days to prepare, but nothing will keep her from watching her baby Nathan play in the Super Bowl, writes Gene Wojciechowski.

Bears' Tank Johnson says gun arrest 'opened my eyes'
Tank Johnson says he's thankful and being more careful.

Hard-headed: Bears helmet on lion statue cracks
An effort to honor the Bears hit a snag Tuesday morning when a huge football helmet broke as it was being placed on one of the lion statues that stands guard outside the Art Institute of Chicago.


Pasquarelli: Grossman could cash in
Rex Grossman, who has just one year left on his current contract, could cash in big-time with a Super Bowl win, writes Len Pasquarelli.

Burning Questions: How will the QBs play?
What should we expect from Peyton Manning and Rex Grossman? Our experts have the answers.

You want ugly? Check out these QB performances
There have been ugly performances by QBs in the Super Bowl, but none uglier than these 10.

Film room: Harrison must step up
After a week of watching Colts and Bears film and breaking down their plays, our Scouts Inc. team found these surprises.

Scouts: Bears' defense must tighten in red zone
The Bears don't tend to light up the scoreboard, so their ability to stop the Colts in the red zone will be key.

Colts finally arrive in Miami, say they're all business
Colts coach Tony Dungy said he was confident his team would avoid trouble as the team arrived in Miami.


Big Sandy Loves Lovie
Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith hasn't forgotten where he came from, and Big Sandy, Texas, hasn't forgotten about him either, writes Wayne Drehs.

Bears arrive in Miami for first Super Bowl in 21 years
Coach Lovie Smith bounded down the steps of the airplane sporting an orange tie and several players recorded the biggest event of their football careers on camcorders.


Colts' travel plans draw wrath of Pro Football Writers
Pro Football Writers Association president Dave Elfin filed a complaint with the NFL on Thursday regarding the Colts' arrival time for the Super Bowl.

Colts' Wayne, Dungy give QB Manning a thumbs-up
Reggie Wayne doesn't see any problem with Peyton Manning's bruised right thumb at practice on Thursday.


Manning won't tip his hand when discussing injury
Peyton Manning thumbed his way through questions about his injured throwing hand Wednesday.

Extension for Smith on hold
Bears president Ted Phillips said he's had preliminary talks with Lovie Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo on new deals, but talks are on hold until after the Super Bowl.

Dungy will consider future with Colts after Super Bowl
Colts coach Tony Dungy will wait until after Indianapolis plays in the Super Bowl against Chicago to consider his future with the team.

Jackson: Dungy-Smith matchup a 'feel-good moment'
The Rev. Jesse Jackson called the recent triumphs by coaches Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith "one of the great moments in American history."


Judge rules Bears DT Johnson can travel to Super Bowl
A Cook County judge said Tuesday that Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson can travel to play in the Super Bowl.


X-rays on Manning's thumb OK; QB set for Super Bowl
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was scheduled to have X-rays on his injured right thumb Monday, although Indianapolis doesn't believe it will affect his status for the Super Bowl against Chicago on Feb. 4.

Pasquarelli: Here's how Bears, Colts can win Super Bowl XLI
Here are the three things the Bears and Colts need to do to win Super Bowl XLI, writes Len Pasquarelli.

Clayton: Smith, Dungy make Super Bowl special
Thanks to good friends Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy, expect a classy matchup in Super Bowl XLI, John Clayton writes.

Five Burning Questions: Who's the pressure on?
Who is under more pressure in the Super Bowl, Rex Grossman or Peyton Manning? That's just one of our Super Bowl XLI Burning Questions.

Wojciechowski: Yes, Lovie, I believe now
So what happens when Lovie Smith calls out a certain columnist? Well, pass the Bears Kool-Aid, writes Gene Wojciechowski.

Smith, Dungy become first black coaches in Super Bowl
It took 41 years for a black head coach to make it all the way to the Super Bowl. Lovie Smith did it Sunday on a snowy afternoon in Chicago. Four hours later, his good pal and mentor Tony Dungy joined him.