Super Bowl XLI loss to Colts still fresh in Bears' memory

It was tough for Bears defensive lineman Israel Idonije to get the Super Bowl XLI loss to the Colts out of his head - and his equipment.

"When we got back (to Halas Hall), there was all the confetti and stuff in our helmets and pads for weeks," Idonije said. "It was difficult, but you hold that and use it on Sunday. They ruined a good year for us. You think back to that day and how close you were, and you can't help but want to get on the field and make a statement and start off the year right."

A lot of thoughts went through Idonije's head as he watched the Colts celebrate after their victory.

"You think, 'So close,'" he said. "You're so close to that greatness - to being Super Bowl champions. Now no one remembers No. 2. It was tough just to watch."

Beware the run: It wasn't just Peyton Manning's passing that defeated the Bears in Super Bowl XLI. The Colts also rushed for a whopping 191 yards.

And it's not just the aerial game that the defense has to contend with Sunday. The Colts were No. 6 last season in average gain per rush, and Joseph Addai rushed for 1,072 yards and 12 touchdowns.

"Their offensive line does a great job with their zone schemes, and they have a very good running back," Bears nose tackle Dusty Dvoracek said. "That's the first thing we have to do up front is stop the run and try to make them go to the pass, and then put pressure on Peyton. They're a very well-rounded team, throwing and running."

In the past: Coach Lovie Smith hasn't forgotten the Super Bowl XLI loss to the Colts after the 2006 season, but he's gotten over it.

"That's a part of our history; it's a part of what we are," Smith said. "We're linked with them. To say that we've forgotten that, no, that'll be with us forever. The biggest game we've played since we've been here, we lost to them, so that's definitely part of it.

"Does it really affect much that's going on right now? No. They're just another opponent for the 2008 season."

Starting anew: Veteran guard Dan Buenning, the newest member of the Bears after Tuesday's trade, couldn't say how similar the Bears' blocking scheme was to that of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he wasn't sure how long it would take him to learn.

"I just got here like two minutes ago," he said Wednesday afternoon in the Halas Hall locker room. "We'll find out how smart I am."

Buenning could eventually compete for the left guard spot currently held by Josh Beekman.

Rookie cornerback Zackary Bowman, who was waived Tuesday to make room for Buenning, was added to the practice squad.

Injury update: Rookie offensive tackle Chris Williams (back) was the only player who didn't practice Wednesday, although defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee) and defensive end Mark Anderson (thumb) were limited.

Safety Mike Brown (knee), tight end Desmond Clark (knee), defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek (calf), long-snapper Pat Mannelly (neck), safety Brandon McGowan (knee) and guard Terrence Metcalf (knee) were all listed on the injury report but practiced.