madlithuanian

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/footb...,4160512.column Kreutz's presence will be felt Sunday Former Bears center will affect both sides of ball as Saints captain Mike Mulligan 9:46 p.m. CDT, September 13, 2011 There was always a hint of menace to Olin Kreutz as he dominated the Bears locker room for the past 13 seasons. Bright, funny, valiant, ruthless, dangerous, a thousand words wouldn't be enough to capture the guy's spirit. The stories are legendary, if not always easy to confirm: He once stood up to a member of the 1985 team with a two-word blunt assessment of a harsh criticism from that former player; he let a highly paid defensive end know it wasn't right to throw a teammate under the bus; he threw a guy across the room when told he would have to miss a game after getting his appendix removed. In a sport of tough guys and heartless thugs, Olin Kreutz was as much Ubermensch as Alpha Male. Which makes it disappointing but probably understandable, that Kreutz the charismatic demigod somehow has been recast as a temperamental bully. Around some segments of the team there's a belief that losing Kreutz is somehow the football equivalent of the ouster of a tyrant. Without the big, bad bully in the locker room, the theory goes, there is newfound freedom for all. Quarterback Jay Cutler finally can take over the offense three years into his tenure. Young offensive linemen can blossom and grow in the sunshine, instead of withering away in the shadows. The organization can remove its feet from the fire. Ding, dong, Kreutz is gone. "I have heard that argument and I disagree with it 100 percent,'' said Bears long snapper Patrick Mannelly, who now seems destined to hold the team record for years of service. Mannelly, a draftmate of Kreutz's in 1998 is in his 14th season, matching Doug Buffone and Bill George for longest tenure with the team. To put that accomplishment in perspective, Curtis Enis was the Bears' first-round pick that year, Kreutz, the third-rounder and Mannelly the second of two sixth-round selections. Kreutz still would be here, of course, if he had met the team's one-hour deadline to accept a one-year, $4 million deal. He balked, the Bears signed Chris Spencer and Kreutz took his dominating personality to the Saints. Despite a late arrival with them, he nonetheless was made a team captain. Still, some around the Bears wonder how Kreutz would have handled the cancellation of the family night practice at Soldier Field during training camp. Instead of a pleasant bus ride back to Bourbonnais, would Captain Kreutz have made life miserable for everyone. Mannelly said he has heard that speculation too. "I disagree with that as well,'' he said. Why the whisper attack on a legend? "Because Olin's not here,'' reserve tackle Frank Omiyale said with a laugh. Indeed, nobody seemed to have a problem with Kreutz before. Of course, that might have gotten you a nice Hawaiian Punch. "I am never going to cast any shadow on Olin's legacy,'' general manager Jerry Angelo said when asked after Sunday's game if Kreutz's leadership was somehow negative. "Olin was a great player for us. He was a great leader. We wanted him back. We tried. It didn't work out. "Him being a captain in New Orleans doesn't surprise me. It tells you more about the true leadership and the qualities he has. No new locker room, particularly one on a good football team is just going to hand that out.'' Kreutz will start at center for the Saints on Sunday, sandwiched between Pro Bowl guards Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks. The combination will be a challenge for Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton, whose coming-out party against the Falcons included two sacks, three tackles and six quarterback pressures, according to statistics coaches compiled viewing tape. Melton is stepping up in class after putting those numbers up against the likes of Falcons guard Garrett Reynolds and center Joe Hawley, who was starting in place of Todd McClure. Kreutz no doubt will want to help slow his progress. "He was great and there were moments where he was unbelievable,'' Mannelly said of Kreutz. "He gave everything above and beyond. "People don't know how much he did to prepare for games, what he played through. How he dealt with everyone throughout the locker room who would call him and ask him questions. He dealt with all sorts of stuff. There was a lot more that went on behind the scenes that people will never know about and I guarantee he will never talk about.'' Not even to defend himself.

Thankfully that sounds like it's probably decent news...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you Brian... Hopefully this isn't dire.

Poultry last week...gumbo this week.

Bootleg, yes! Wildcat, no! Endaround...at least give the freaking ball to Hester...

I'd tend to agree...

Exactly! I went to college in Central California...and over half the people there were Niners fans...the other half Raiders. Most annoying lot on earth. At least Packers fans knew football and football history...

He's right. Make it happen JA.

Bingo. Martz would have pretty much gotten an A+ in my book if it weren't for those dumb trickeration plays...

Henny Youngman look out!

agreed

Whining seems to run in the family... I guess they used to be the 39'ers...Because Harbaugh makes it officially 40 whiners. (Sorry, that was bad...)

Nice!

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/category/rumor-mill/

so long Kaeding! Thanks!

C'mon nfo! You know there's gotta be something I can complain about with this regime! I did read that the door wasn't completely shut. But as a fan, I really want to know that my team's management is not just leaving the door open, but doing their best to make it happen. So much for making it a non-issue though... Every person I watched the game with or discussed the next day all said, dammit they need to lock that kid up...

From what I understand, no. The only thing I don't like is them saying it won't be discussed until after the season. Which of course, we pretty much know is BS. I hate being treated the fool all the time by this management. Just tell us, "the negotiations haven't gone as smoothly as either party would have wanted. But, we will continue to try to work out a deal to keep Matt a Bear for a very long time."

Exactly...

Are there any "IR" spots for this season?

...a pleasure reading that! The O line was maybe even more decent than your grade! And even as is, they look so better better than I expected!

It was a super fun game to watch! A virtual clinic!

Agreed!!!

...and that he did!!!

I feel like a little kid waiting to go to Disneyland right now! I'm super amped!!!! Let's go Bears!!!! Bear down!

Well regardless of the lack of clothing conversation...welcome to the board!