Lake Forest, Ill. — There will be a familiar face lining up across from Chicago Bears All-Pro center Olin Kreutz in Super Bowl XLI.

When the Saint Louis School and University of Washington alum takes the field against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, he will do so against 300-pound defensive tackle Anthony McFarland, who was acquired in an Oct. 17 trade with Tampa Bay.

Since the Buccaneers and Bears used to be in the same division prior to realignment in 2002, McFarland is a well-known opponent.

"McFarland is a Pro Bowl caliber player, so it will be a tough match-up," Kreutz said. "He's done a great job and he's a great player for them."

Kreutz will be outsized against McFarland by 20 pounds or so, but that's nothing new for the six-time Pro Bowler.

It's his work ethic and intangibles that make Kreutz the league's best center, despite being the third smallest at his position.

He anchors an offensive line that helped pave the way for 196 rushing yards against New Orleans in the NFC Conference Championship game. Thomas Jones gained 123 yards and Cedric Benson rushed for 60 yards.

"He fires off the ball — at the snap of the ball he explodes off the line," Benson said. "He's just explosive."

It's what Kreutz does Monday through Saturday that leads to success on Sundays.

"He's put a lot of work in — way more than many other guys at his position, or even guys with his talent," Chicago Pro Bowl guard Ruben Brown said. "He outworks everybody.

"That's not the physical part of him outworking people either, he's mentally outworking guys and I think that's his strong suit."

The work put forth toward every aspect of the game has made Kreutz a team leader.

"I think great leadership is made by guys that work hard and lead by example — that's what Olin does," Chicago wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad said.

He said something else also makes Kreutz a team leader.

"Everybody is scared of him," Muhammad said laughing.

But is there some truth to that statement when it comes to opponents?

"I think some people are scared of him — definitely," Muhammad said.

Kreutz is intense during the games, but realizes it's just that — a game.

"On the field he's a kid out there — he loves to play," defensive end Alex Brown said. "Maybe an angry kid, but he's definitely a kid out there who loves the game."

Teammates say Kreutz is the first one at Halas Hall each day, and he's the last one to leave.

"I know a lot of people use it, but he's that guy," Alex Brown said. "He's a great professional."

Brown went on to say Kreutz is often in the weight room.

"I'm like, 'you've got to be sore or something — I'm sore. Why aren't you sore?' " Brown said. "But that's just his routine. He gets the massages and does everything to take care of his body."

While Kreutz takes care of his body, he still gets his fair share of bumps and bruises. But they don't stop him, as evident by his 73 consecutive starts.

"He is by far one rugged dude," Ruben Brown said. "I saw him take a shot at Detroit into his knee. Me, myself, I might have never got up, but he got up and just finished the game like nothing ever bothered him.

"I kept asking him the whole game if he was all right and he was like, 'shut up.' I was like OK. If he says shut up, then that means he's all right."

No matter the outcome of Super Bowl XLI, more of the same from Kreutz will likely be seen next season.

"You can expect that guy to play at an All-Pro, Pro Bowl level for five or six years from now," Alex Brown said. "He'll be at that level probably as long as he wants to."