Dos and don'ts for Super Bowl XLI

The Super Bowl gets ever closer, and after watching hours of game tapes, cut-up tapes of third downs, blitz reels and special teams plays, along with talking to many players and coaches about the Bears and Colts, it is time for a list of things the teams should consider doing and a list of things to avoid.

DON'T KICK OR PUNT TO DEVIN HESTER

Special teams coaches around the league have all disagreed with me, but the overwhelming majority of head coaches agree. In fact, I arrived at my final decision when Hall of Fame coach Don Shula said he would not kick to young Devin Hester. I asked Jeff Fisher what he would say to his team about a decision not to kick to Hester. Could it be misconstrued as cowardly by his players? Fisher simply said he would stand in front of the team and ask this question of his players: "Do you want to win?" If so, then they would not kick to Hester. He was also quick to point out teams still kick to Pacman Jones, and he can beat anyone.

DON'T SIT IN ONE OR TWO LOOKS AGAINST PEYTON MANNING

I know the Bears do what they do, and they should play the simple defense that got them to the Super Bowl. But this is Peyton Manning. Dan Marino said if he sees the same coverage over and over again he will complete a lot of passes. Fisher said, "We play him twice a year and we change up totally from game to game." Broncos CB Domonique Foxworth said, "You have to disguise everything before the snap. And if you don't, it's going to be a long day."

DON'T BE SURPRISED TO SEE A BEAR DEEP PASSING ATTACK EARLY

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The Bears are right to protect Rex Grossman with a great running game and a turnover-crazy defense. But the deep passing attack is a safe bet, and the Bears will take advantage of it. As one quarterback coach said, "Remember when Chris Simms took over at QB for the Bucs? Gruden employed a deep passing attack for the young QB instead of the shallow crossing plays that are more difficult to read and throw. Ron Turner will do the same thing against the Colts."

DON'T COUNT ON EITHER FOUR-MAN RUSH TO GET TO THE QB

Both teams love to rush the front four and limit pressure. It will not be enough pressure for either team to sack the QB. Expect some pressure calls early, especially from the Bears. As for the Colts, they may hold out a bit longer. But if Chicago goes to a three-receiver package on passing downs, keep your eye on the nickel slot DB. He's blitzing after watching the game tapes of the playoff games.

DON'T EXPECT ANY PLUS-50-YARD FIELD GOALS

Adam Vinatieri is 8 of 18 all time over 50 yards in the regular season, but 2 of 2 this postseason.

Neither Robbie Gould nor Adam Vinatieri made a field goal over 50 yards in the regular season. Gould never even attempted one, and Vinatieri only tried once. Both are great from 40-49 yards out, combining for 21 of 24, but the long attempt in the closing seconds of the half or game present too many problems. If they miss, the opposition has a short field, which looks more like an interception/turnover return than a missed kick. And as one special teams coach said, "Never forget that Hester has already returned a missed field goal for a score."

DON'T EXPECT EITHER COACH TO HIT ANY PANIC BUTTONS

Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy are more in control of their emotions than any pair of Super Bowl coaches I can remember. One of these coaches is going to be losing at some point in this game, and it will probably be early in the contest. Neither coach is going to hit the panic button and start throwing the ball to catch up. Some coaches will abandon the run as soon as they are down seven points. The Colts would continue to let Manning read the defense and take what they give. The Bears will keep the run/pass ratio tilted to the run side. As one Panthers coach said to me, "Last year in the playoffs we got up 14 points early and Grossman threw 40 passes. They will not do that again."

DO EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED HERO

As Franco Harris said to me, "A game like this will bring out an unexpected hero. Someone no one is talking about who is more ready to play great than others." Could it be Bears fullback Jason McKie, who has to make two dozen great blocks to power the running game? Is it Raheem Brock, who was a Colts defensive end now playing tackle and who beats the guard to get a sack or fumble recovery? Is it Terrence Wilkins, who as the Colts returner had to endure two weeks of everyone talking about Hester? - By ChicagoBears.com