Bryant McKinnie: 'It's a different story'

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Before the Bears first played the Vikings this season, much was made of how defensive end Julius Peppers dominated tackle Bryant McKinnie last season while Peppers was a member of the Panthers.

McKinnie gave up a sack, was whistled for a hold and a false start and allowed Peppers to put plenty of pressure on Brett Favre in Carolina's 26-7 win one year ago Monday. McKinnie was benched in the third quarter of that game.

"Nobody talked about the injuries I had in that game," McKinnie said. "I had an ankle injury and I had plantar fasciitis. I couldn't plant with my left ankle. I didn't make a big deal about it. I just went out there and played. You catch me healthy and it's a different story."

Peppers did not get a sack when the Bears defeated the Vikings 27-13 on Nov. 14, but he did have two quarterback pressures. Peppers has at least one sack in each of the last four games and leads the team with eight.

"I think a lot of the teams they were playing earlier, the quarterbacks were releasing the ball faster and he wasn't getting the time to get there," McKinnie observed. "He was always close before. I mean, he's been playing at a high level all season."

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(usatoday.com)