With opportunity, Adams making his presence felt

Nose tackle Anthony Adams got his only starts this season in the previous two games, both of which were Bears victories.

And that is not a coincidence.

Despite playing a position that often has to ward off double-team blocks, Adams has 16 tackles in those two games. Only linebacker Brian Urlacher and strong safety Mike Brown (both with 18) have more.

Adams' play has made Bears coaches look more than a little foolish for leaving him inactive in seven of the first 10 games. In each the first three games Adams played, the Bears won. In the seven he didn't play, the Bears were 2-5.

Do the math.

Adams tried to figure out why he was inactive early in the season but couldn't.

"It's kind of like when you're running upfield and you think you're going to make a big play and then somebody comes and hits you and takes your legs out, " he said. "You're like, 'Whoa, what just happened?' "

The stocky, 6-foot, 307-pound Adams looks like the big brother of the Jacksonville Jaguars' sawed-off, fireplug running back Maurice Jones-Drew, the 5-7, 208-pound bowling ball. And he plays with the same kind of enthusiasm.

"(He brings) a lot of energy," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "You hear him most of the time talking. He plays with that same type of passion. The last two games, he's had a lot of tackles, has been in his gap and aggressive with his play."

Adams talks often about his faith and about playing for God, but he will have a bigger audience tonight on national TV (ESPN, but the game also will televised locally in all markets, Channel 7 in the Chicago area).

"My grandma was telling me when I talked to her, 'I'll be able to see this one,' " Adams said. "Because she doesn't have cable. She's old-school, just regular channels that you've got to press V-hold on the TV to get the picture just right. But she's going to be watching this one."

Adams has an 11-month-old son, Anthony III, who might be sleeping during the game, but his father will be playing for him anyway.

Basic things like family and faith have sustained the Penn State product and Detroit native through an uneven season.

"It's been like a roller-coaster ride for me," he said. "But I just try to keep my faith in God and know that hard work will eventually pay off."

Then Adams pointed to a picture of his littlest fan.

"That's what motivates me," he said. "Just to work hard and play hard for this guy. Look at this guy. How handsome is that guy, man? You come in here and see this in your locker, and everything else just doesn't matter."