Bears, Panthers play respect cards

If the Chicago Bears want to get to Detroit in a few weeks, they have to beat a team that was in the Super Bowl just two years ago, a team not unlike themselves, a team looking for respect.

That was the theme this week as players and coaches talked about the second-round NFC playoff game Sunday between the Carolina Panthers and the host Bears.
Respect.

Who has it? Who gives it? Who wants it?

Here's a question: Exactly what does respect mean?

Well, listen to Bears receiver and former Michigan State Spartan Muhsin Muhammad, who suggested one of the keys to the Bears' 11-5 season was the respect they earned after beating the 12-5 Panthers Nov. 20. Chicago won, 13-3, at Soldier Field.



"Among the media, there were some people who said we hadn't won against a team with a winning record. I guess (beating them) was one of the steps that (made) us ... respectable, if you want to call it that," Muhammad said. "We gained some momentum after that game."

On the Panthers side, check out head coach John Fox, who spent much of his mid-week news conference answering questions from Chicago media about whether quarterback Jake Delhomme gets enough respect.

Someone went so far as to suggest that much of the country has forgotten Delhomme took his team to the Super Bowl two years ago, battling the Patriots' Tom Brady to the final seconds before losing, 32-29.

"I think he's done an outstanding job," Fox said. "He took us to a Super Bowl his first year."
Both sides spent the week praising the other, marveling at each other's defense, underrated offenses, and coaching.

Said Delhomme: "Their front four, they really bring pressure."
Said Bears defensive lineman Alex Brown: "When they have the run and they can throw the ball and use a play-action in there, then they are definitely a great team. We are going to have our hands full. I really do believe that."

Everyone seemed interested in giving respect, and avoiding bulletin-board material. Except, of course, Bears defensive lineman Adewale Ogunleye, who said earlier in the week that the Panthers get too much respect.

"I just don't think that they deserve that credit. I think that they have to prove it," he said. "We proved it one time. What we have to do is prove it again."Fox is less worried about Ogunleye's statement than he is about his team's challenge Sunday: playing a well-rested, talented team in a hostile situation. The Bears had a bye last week.

"There's no question it's going to be a huge challenge," Fox said. "They whipped up on us pretty good a while back. I think our guys understand that."

The Panthers beat the host New York Giants, 23-0, in a first-round game last Sunday. They had their way on the ground, pounding the Giants for 223 yards, while giving up only 132 total yards.

Fox doesn't expect a shutout at Soldier Field Sunday. How could he? In their previous meeting, the Bears held the Panthers to 55 yards on the ground and sacked Delhomme eight times.
Panthers running back DeShaun Foster didn't play much in that game -- Stephen Davis was the featured back. And Bears quarterback Rex Grossman hadn't come back to take over for struggling rookie Kyle Orton.

Foster is a bit more elusive than Davis and gained 151 yards against the Giants last week. Grossman gives the Bears the ability to chuck the ball downfield and take a few more chances.
Whatever the differences, Bears coach Lovie Smith said he was excited to be involved in a playoff game in football-mad Chicago:

"It's been a long time coming and a long time for our franchise. It feels good to be back in the race."

Respect, alas, hasn't much to do with that.
Contact SHAWN WINDSOR at 313-222-6487 or
swindsor@freepress.com.