[CBFF] ST - On defensive line, Idonije turns into jack of all trades

[Jim Ferolie]

On defensive line, Idonije turns into jack of all trades 

August 4, 2006 

BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter 





BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- If Israel Idonije were in Buffalo, he would be all but assured of a starting job as the Bills' left defensive end. 

As it stands, he is lining up behind Adewale Ogunleye for the Bears -- and just about everywhere else, too. Idonije won't push Ogunleye for a job, but he might be the most valuable backup on the line because of his versatility. 

Idonije wound up playing all four spots last season -- even nose tackle when coordinator Ron Rivera was in a pinch -- and that ability could allow the Bears to keep one fewer defensive lineman. Most backups are skilled at both ends or both tackle spots; Idonije does it all, spending time Wednesday as the three-technique tackle. 

''I want to be a jack of all trades and a master of many,'' said the Nigeria native, who grew up in Canada. ''At the end of the day, I want to be able to do more than one thing well. I like to be at three-technique, where I can just cut it loose.'' 

Buffalo signed Idonije to a four-year offer sheet worth $7.5 million as a restricted free agent. It's good pay for a backup, but with the salary cap skyrocketing, the Bears didn't blink when it came to matching the deal. 

Idonije knows the tradeoff of being in a position in which he will not start is that he's on a proven team. 

''I'm here, I'm playing special teams and I'll do whatever I am asked,'' he said. 

He emerged as one of Dave Toub's more consistent performers on special teams last season, playing on the wedge on kickoff returns and making six tackles. 

''I think I will get more snaps this season, but at the end of the day, it doesn't matter,'' he said. ''I'm going to get snaps. They're going to put me where they need me, and if I get 10 snaps, I need to have 10 great snaps. I'm not even worried how many I get, but when I get in there, I need to make them count.'' 

The Bears added Idonije to the practice squad at the end of 2003 after he was cut by the Cleveland Browns. He was a raw project, having played college ball in Manitoba, but at 6-6, 270 pounds with long arms, he had physical tools that made scouts drool. He went to NFL Europe and now looks to be a long-term contributor. 

''I know the game now,'' he said. ''My fundamental development days are over. I'm trying to build on other things. I'm always going to be known as the guy from Canada. That's not an issue to me. I can play now.'' 


HALL MONITOR: Running back Andre Hall was signed to the roster Thursday, taking the place of rookie offensive tackle Troy Reddick, who was placed on waivers. Reddick, a three-year starter at left tackle at Auburn, had difficulty getting in position, particularly in passing sets. 

Hall gives the Bears another back for preseason games with Thomas Jones (right hamstring) out. The coaching staff wants to get a look at Cedric Benson but also wants him to avoid injuries, and the coaches know how valuable No. 3 running back Adrian Peterson is on special teams. 

Hall, the all-time leading rusher at South Florida and the Big East leader last season, will fall in line behind P.J. Pope, the undersized Bowling Green product. Hall originally signed a free-agent deal with Tampa Bay but was released last month. 


STIFF COMPETITION: The first-team offense doesn't get a steady dose of the scout-team defense until the regular season approaches, so it's tougher sledding in training camp against the league's second-ranked defense from a year ago. 

''Whenever we do anything good, we're pretty proud of it,'' quarterback Rex Grossman said. ''We want to get on their level, as well. 

"It's hard to know until I watch the tape exactly how well I did. Our offense moved the ball pretty well today.'' 


CAMP NOTE: The Bears' 3p.m. practice Sunday, originally scheduled to be closed to the public, is now open, and fans are encouraged to attend.