Man, oh man, oh Manning

Before he hit Soldier Field on Sunday, Bears safety Danieal Manning made sure to lock his valuables in the safe in his cubicle:

Wallet - cell phone - toothbrush - Incredible Hulk figurine -

Wait. What was that last priceless item again?

"Tommie (Harris), he actually came in with it," Manning said. "My favorite superhero is the Incredible Hulk and he gave me one. He said, 'Just don't forget how this is a kid's game and just go out there and play it like that.' I never looked back."

And never looked better. Manning's headlong dive in the first quarter netted his sixth career interception - one he returned 35 yards to Cleveland's 13 to set up the field goal that put the Bears ahead 6-0.

That's the guy coach Lovie Smith means when he claims Manning to be the Bears' best athlete.

"I was just reading the quarterback (Derek Anderson)," Manning said. "I saw two receivers on my side and just broke on the ball - just played fundamental football at that point."

Then, with the Bears clinging to a 16-6 lead in the third quarter, Manning stripped tight end Steve Heiden of the ball and recovered the fumble he created at midfield. That turnover set up Matt Forte's second touchdown.

"We've been waiting for a day like this from Danieal," Smith said.

The 27-year-old Manning, who also registered a team-high 7 tackles, hadn't produced 2 turnovers in a game since his rookie year. He forced New England to lose 2 fumbles in the second half of a 17-13 loss on Nov. 26, 2006.

Manning claimed this week's focus on "Remembering Walter" - and the Bears' tradition as a whole - fueled him Sunday.

"Coach (Jon) Hoke, early in the defensive meetings, he had wrote something on the board about the history of Chicago Bears football," Manning said. "He was giving a speech and said that 'C' represents something - and started talking about the history and guys who got drafted here - and we represent those people.

"It was just a big event to have them paying tribute to Walter Payton. It was big. There was a lot of emotion on the field. It hit the heart and let us know what we were representing. He was the face of National Football (League) for a while."

In the wake of last week's blowout at Cincinnati, when Manning was among the Bears who didn't enjoy their finest hour, the fourth-year man tried to get back to the game's essence.

Harris' unsolicited Hulk offering lightened his mood, but so did help from other sources.

"I had a long conversation with my agent and family members," Manning said. "They just let me know 'Just relax and play.' "

But just in case the Hulk was more relevant to his successful afternoon, he's going to stay with Manning wherever he dresses for practices or games.

"If I take him home," Manning said with a laugh, "my boys will take him from me."