Saints’ Olin Kreutz doesn’t snap at ex-teammates
By Mark Potash mpotash@suntimes.com September 18, 2011 11:14PM
New Orleans Saints center Olin Kreutz (50) blocks between Chicago Bears defensive tackle Henry Melton (69) and Chicago Bears outside linebacker Lance Briggs (55) during an NFL football game at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
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Updated: November 10, 2011 12:42PM
NEW ORLEANS — So Olin Kreutz, how did it feel to stick it to the Bears?
‘‘It’s one game. And we’re 1-1. And we’re on to Houston,’’ the former Bears center said.
Yeah, right. Even Kreutz knew that wouldn’t fly after the New Orleans Saints browbeat his former teammates 30-13 at the Superdome. But he was dead serious about this: the victory wasn’t one of those games he’ll cherish for the rest of his life. He was happy to win, but it seemed like it was almost bittersweet.
‘‘[With] the level of respect I have for that whole team, it’s not like I take great [pride] in watching them lose, or that I needed to prove a point to them,’’ Kreutz said.
‘‘Was it a normal game? No. It was like going against your family. It’s not easy. There wasn’t any more satisfaction other than the fact that we need the win.’’
Kreutz has been known to engage in some mean-spirited trash-talking during a game. But while he enjoyed the interaction with his former teammates before and during the game, it never crossed that line.
‘‘We talked a lot — just having fun with each other,’’ he said. ‘‘I was with those guys for a long time. So it was nothing personal.’’
It wasn’t as much fun for the Bears, but defensive tackle Anthony Adams enjoyed playing against his former teammate.
‘‘It was fun,’’ Adams said. ‘‘He was talking to us and coaching us up — everything he always does. [like] ‘Hey man, you’re heaving on your stance,’ It was like playing against your dad.’’
