Yes there is a screen in the airbox, actually a 1/2 " (?) foam pad, followed by a metal screen that protects the stock intake path, which originates down by the engine somewhere, I've never actually tried to place it excactly.
If you remove the front cover, the coloured piece that's held on wiht the rubber strap and then the other piece, Black, behind it with the turn-pins, you'll see what I'm talking about.
The purpose of these airpod vents is to move colder, more dense air into the intake path, thus being located in front of the the sled, away from any engine heat. So these pods are installed by drilling into this black, plastic cover and bypassing, the stock, filtering system.
I've thought about getting some of these but to me the risks outweigh the possible benefit, if any.
Also, FYI, there are two clips riveted in the air box. There purpose is meant to be to hold the metal screen in place. Some of the 07's and maybe 08's had the wrong rivet installed form the factory, which let go and got sucked in and blew the engine. I wired the two of them together and hooked em to the screen so they can't get sucked , should they fail. Many people have pulled them out altogether, without any problems. In fact, everytime I've opened the airbox, it seems that the clips have vibrated off the air filter, wiht no ill effects.
All the Best and hope for a great winter on the Rock
JP
