Dent, Hammered on First Play, Leaves His Mark on the Patriots

Richard Dent spent the first play of Super Bowl XX on his rear end, which is nice if you sit for a living.

But Dent plays defensive end for the Chicago Bears and is unaccustomed to views from the seated position. Defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan also disapproves and isn’t afraid to say so. As a gentle reminder, Ryan might suggest Dent slip on a tutu when he plays or consider a non-contact sport, like synchronized swimming.

Ryan doesn’t often chastise Dent. Doesn’t need to. Usually Dent is busy embarrassing the poor guy across the line, the guy wondering what he did to deserve blocking nasty, quick, underpaid Richard Dent--Mr. Chip On His Shoulder.

“I want to be the best defensive end ever to hit the field,” Dent said.

But there was Brian Holloway, an offensive left tackle for the New England Patriots, depositing Dent on the Superdome turf Sunday. Dent didn’t quite know what to do.

“I’ve never been hit like that in my life,” he said. “He knocked me on my butt. He caught me watching and put me down.”

The feeling of helplessness lasted about 20 seconds. From that moment, Dent may have decided Holloway or left guard John Hannah, or anyone else foolish enough to get in his way, were really Bear president and CEO Michael McCaskey. Hey, someone has to be responsible for Dent’s $90,000 annual salary, a paltry sum for someone with reservations to next week’s Pro Bowl (his second consecutive trip) and a conference-leading 17 sacks.

So Dent got mad. Then he got even. First, he began running stunts. He’d line up over a guard, maybe the left tackle one play or the right tackle the next. Or maybe he’d drop into a linebacking position. The New England offensive line didn’t have a clue.

“(Ryan) put Dent over all our linemen, moving him around,” Holloway said. “They used (Dent’s) talents very well, and he was successful. It takes me two weeks to prepare for him myself and perhaps our other linemen were unable to get ready for him, in addition to the other Bear linemen.”

Perhaps Holloway is being too kind. Dent just about had his way with anything in a three-point stance Sunday. He sneaked by Patriots like they had their helmets on backward. By doing so, Dent caused two fumbles that later became two scores for the Bears. He also registered 1 1/2 sacks, which gives him nine in the three postseason games.

For his trouble, Dent was voted Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XX. And to think that Dent, in protest of his salary, had considered boycotting the game.

“I wasn’t that serious,” he said. “I can’t pass up an opportunity like that.”

Dent said he had a dream that he would do this. He said he started thinking about when he was in sixth grade, and then through high school and then through his days at Tennessee State. The Bears weren’t as sure. The Bears chose Dent in the eighth round of the 1983 and signed him to a modest contract. Three seasons later, Dent is ready to break the bank.

“This year has been a pretty rough one for me,” he said. “It’s hard for a man to go to work when his pay is not right.”

Now that his contract has expired with Chicago, Dent said he expects to be compensated accordingly. “I don’t think there will be a problem any more,” he said. “(The contract) will work itself out. If not, whatever.

“Of course, the price went up,” he said.

Bear safety Dave Duerson was asked what Dent’s asking price should be.

“I’d ask for top dollar,” he said. “The proof is in the pudding. He’s the best defensive player in the game.”

Said McCaskey later in the Bear locker room: “We’re going to celebrate. We’ll take at least two days to do that. The main order of the day is to celebrate.”

Then to cry when Dent arrives at the Bear front office with empty wheelbarrows.

Dent had help, of course. Three other Bear defenders forced fumbles, and five other players had sacks. Cornerback Reggie Phillips returned an interception for a touchdown.

Responsible for the plan was Ryan, who entered a defensive team meeting Saturday and attempted to give a short pep talk.

“I told them . . . that whatever happens, they always will be my heroes,” Ryan said.

“His eyes were filled with tears, they were running down his chin,” Duerson said. “His face was quivering. It was the first time he had ever let his shield down completely. It left us all with chills.

“After that, he walked out the room and we watched about 10 plays of film,” Duerson said. “But then (defensive end) Dan Hampton knocked the film projector over, and (defensive tackle) Steve McMichael had already knocked the blackboard over. We wanted to win this for Buddy.”

Ryan has been mentioned for several NFL head coach openings. There is no doubting his defensive scheme, known simply as the “46.” After Sunday’s 46-10 drubbing of the Patriots, Ryan’s value may have made him too popular for the Bears to retain.

With two minutes remaining in the game, McCaskey found himself surrounded by the Bear defensive unit.

“We told (McCaskey) we want to keep (Ryan) there,” Dent said. “It’s a chance for Buddy move on. It would be terrible for him to leave us at this time.”

McCaskey’s reply?

“That’s between them and me,” he said.

Said Duerson: “We made life threats. But we’re concerned (that Ryan will leave). If we keep Buddy Ryan, we can be in the Super Bowl for the next 4-5 years, that’s guaranteed. If we lose Buddy Ryan, we will become an average NFL defense.

“Right now, we are the best defensive team to ever play the game . . . ever,” Duerson said.