Stout defense will always be a defining characteristic of the Chicago Bears. It is typically indicative of their overall team success and it is their best weapon come Winter. Once a week, every week, we’ll look at a different position of their 2009 assemblage.

Defensive End — Pretty simply, in 2008 this defensive group did not get to the quarterback with their usual frequency. For example, from 2005-2007, the defensive ends were responsible for, on average, 18.83 sacks; compare that to only 12 last year. (more…)

The last post of the week: something to ponder as you await the certain couch slouch and booze binge of this weekend.

Maybe it’s his ability to play both tackle and end relatively well or his topnotch Air Golf game, but the Bears have felt it necessary to extend the contract of Israel Idonije by two years.

Per ESPN, the deal gives Izzy $7 million in new money with $3 million guaranteed.

Idonije is a steady veteran; not overly impressive, but durable, versatile and a solid contributor on special teams.

I’m starting to get good feelings about the front four again, stirred by the quality of depth the Bears have put together. I can say now that part of decline of the defense in the last two years had as much to do with the departures of guys like Ian Scott, Alfonso Boone and Tank Johnson, as it did Ron Rivera.

Oh yeah, and then there’s always that one Rod Marinelli fellow and what he did in Tampa Bay…

If you’re Bears defensive tackle Israel Idonije, you have to be thinking about a career change.

What started as an article about the health risks associated with being a pro football player, became a morbid prophecy of one Izzy Idonije’s life:

Statistically, the Brandon product, a Chicago Bears defensive lineman, isn’t expected to live much past 58, the average life expectancy of an NFL player, according to the NFL Players Association.

And if Idonije does beat the odds, he’s a prime candidate for dementia and other post-concussion conditions brought on by years of slamming his head into other behemoths, to say nothing of the wear and tear on the rest of his body.

That’s depressing. (more…)

Bears DT, Israel Idonije, seen here deeply entrenched in a game of Air Golf (no, it’s very real, and apparently, the “COOLEST NEW SPORT!“), is profiled in today’s issue of the wily Galesburg Register-Mail.

The article dictates *chuckle* that the Iz has been a worthy add-on at the tackle position thus far. Which is fine. I like Idonije. He has two sacks and five batted passes through nine games.

But, in general, the Bears pass rush has been horrific. The D-line has registered only 11.5 sacks total all year. Last week, Titans QB Kerry Collins had more time in the pocket than Jerry Angelo’s wallet. Get it? He’s cheap. (more…)