Bears' Kreutz to make 127th consecutive start
To the surprise of no one who's familiar with his work ethic and durability, 13-year veteran center Olin Kreutz was back on the practice field Friday after missing two days with a sore hamstring.
He is listed as questionable but will make his 127th straight start Sunday against a formidable Vikings defensive line that includes three former Pro Bowlers: Jared Allen, Pat Williams and Kevin Williams. It has underachieved for most of the season but is still considered one of the NFL's best.
“Add in the middle linebacker, E.J. Henderson, and that's four (Pro Bowlers),” Kreutz said. “They always look the same; they look great.”
Kreutz had elbow surgery in 2004 the week before the Bears' bye and didn't miss a game. He missed a game in 2002, one week after an appendectomy but then played the next week. That's the only game he's missed in 10 years.
What would it take to keep him out of another game?
Kreutz chuckled and said, “Let's not find out.”
Cornerback Zack Bowman (foot) was also limited at practice and listed as questionable.
For the Vikings, wide receivers Percy Harvin (ankle, migraines) and Bernard Berrian (groin) were listed as questionable after being limited on Friday. Brett Favre (ankle, foot, calf) was also limited but is probable.
Safety in numbers:
If Zack Bowman (foot) is able to return Sunday it would improve the depth at cornerback, which could be key against the Vikings' talented offense and exceptional skill-position players.
Bowman could provide solid backup to starting corners Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings or an additional defender in obvious passing situations.
“Any time you add a good player to the mix, it keeps guys a little bit fresher,” defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. “Especially against a team like that, you can play a lot of snaps. (Favre) has a rare ability to keep the chains moving all the time. He gets himself out of trouble and these guys have a great combination. It's not just 7-on-7 (passing defense) against these guys. It's a power running game and you've got to tackle this big back (Adrian Peterson).”
The return last week of rookie Major Wright gives the Bears a third option at safety, along with starters Chris Harris and Danieal Manning.
“You try to build depth as the season goes on,” Marinelli said. “Just like the front (four), you keep building depth.”
No place like home:
The Bears-Vikings series epitomizes the concept of homefield advantage, with the home team having won 14 of the previous 16 meetings.
“I've been on the other side,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “I know it's hard to come here to Soldier Field and play, especially when the weather starts changing like this, and you're thinking about the weather and all the things that are going wrong. We hope that's the case.”
We're all good:
A hot topic of conversation this week has been how much his players like Vikings head coach Brad Childress.
It's not a popular issue in the Bears' locker room, though.
“I like our coach,” said Brian Urlacher, who also played for Dick Jauron. “I've liked both head coaches I've played for. I don't know their situation. I don't really pay too much attention to what's going on up there. I just worry about us, and we like our head coach.”