Marinelli says Bears defense 'special to be around'

The MVP of the defense is ... the defense?

That's the Bears' mantra these days, even after defensive end Julius Peppers and linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs were voted to the Pro Bow yet again.

Nose tackle Anthony Adams was kidding when he said: “I think the guys up front did a great job for Urlacher to get the Pro Bowl recognition. And hats off to all those guys — Matt Toeaina, Tommie Harris, Israel Idonije, Anthony Adams, you know, guys like that, to allow Brian to make all of those tackles.”

But Adams captured the spirit of the defense when he said: “Hey, I'll take this double-team. You go and make the tackle, Urlacher. (It's) unselfishness. The star of the defense is the defense.”

That's how defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli describes the mindset of his troops.

“It's a bunch of men working together,” he said. “In sports it's hard to get. When everybody is disciplined, and everybody is doing their job, sometimes you have to give up an opportunity to make a play so a teammate can make one.

“That's what makes it special. These guys are willing to do that.”

“It's about winning, it's about team, it's about effort and accountability — coaches and players together. That's what really makes this whole thing really special to be around, and it is special when you have that.”

Cuts both ways:

The Bears' defenders prides themselves on playing fast, but middle linebacker Brian Urlacher says they haven't looked too swift lately.

“The footing at Soldier Field has been horrible,” Urlacher said. “We've all seen that. We're a fast team, (but) when you get us on a surface like that, it kind of takes a little bit of our speed. The field's been so bad we haven't been able to do what we normally do.”

But Urlacher still believes the Bears have a homefield advantage at Soldier Field.

“It's still our crowd,” he said. “That's the good thing. (And the other team) is playing on the same thing we're playing on, so it goes both ways. But we're not able to use our speed as much as we'd like to.

“If you watch us on film, our corners are slipping when they're coming out of breaks; our D-linemen are slipping pushing off the ground. But (our opponents) are doing the same thing, so I guess it goes both ways.”

Injury update:

Wide receiver Earl Bennett (ankle) and linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) are the only players on the injury report. Tinoisamoa went through a full practice Thursday, while Bennett didn't practice at all but is expected back today.

For the Packers, safety Atari Bigby (groin) and fullback Korey Hall (knee) are out for Sunday. Defensive end Cullen Jenkins (calf), guard Marshall Newhouse (back), cornerback Sam Shields (knees) and linebacker Frank Zombo (knee) did not practice Thursday.

Safety Nick Collins (ribs), linebacker Clay Matthews (shin), defensive end Ryan Pickett (ankle) and cornerback Charles Woodson (toe) were limited.