Israel Idonije didn’t need to glance at the numbers to comprehend what kind of season it has been.
“This was just a rough year,” the Bears defensive end said Thursday. “For us as a team and for me personally, it was just a tough year.”
Idonije, who posted a career-high eight sacks last season, enters Sunday’s regular-season finale with only four. He has started all 15 games opposite Julius Peppers, who leads the team with 10 sacks.
Idonije consistently took advantage of the attention Peppers drew last season. That hasn’t always been the case in 2011, although Idonije is tied for the team lead in tackles for a loss (eight), ranks second in quarterback pressures (34) and leads all linemen with 51 tackles.
“Pep works like no one else I’ve ever seen, and you want to make it easier on him,” Idonije said. “At the end of the day, a certain level of play is expected. I feel overall I actually played better than I did last year. Everything except for my sacks was better.”
Despite not being totally satisfied with his performance, Idonije, 31, remains upbeat. He sees better days ahead for himself in Chicago, even with an expiring contract.
“I think we’ll get something done,” Idonije said about a contract extension. “The one thing I do know is the nine years I’ve been here, I’ve been focused on getting better every year and the team has always given me opportunities. I’ve been able to take advantage and I’ve been rewarded for that, and we’ve continued to grow.”
The defensive line needs a growth spurt. The Bears head to Minnesota with 31 sacks and stand 27th in the league in sacks per pass play. They’ve had one or zero sacks in eight games.
Peppers and tackle Henry Melton (seven) have more than half of the team’s sacks, magnifying the need for more production from others.
Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli offered his assessment of the line as a whole and of Idonije.
“It was solid, but you want more,” Marinelli said. “Does (Idonije) give you everything he’s got and play as hard as he can and play the run well and all those things? No question about it. But you want more from him. You always want more.”
Upgrading at end was a priority last offseason. The Bears had their sights on the Raiders’ Kamerion Wimbley, but he never reached free agency. Veteran Jason Babin, tied for second in the league with 18 sacks for the Eagles, was on the Bears’ radar before the coaches decided to keep faith in Idonije as the starter.
The Bears signed veteran Chauncey Davis, 28, at midseason, and he has performed well in limited duty. But he’s not a long-term solution, nor is Corey Wootton, whose growth has been stunted by injuries. Wootton, 24, is signed through 2013 but will have to fight to keep a roster spot.
Marinelli said Melton won’t be moved to end next season, although the Pro Bowl alternate practiced there several times this season.
It wouldn’t surprise Idonije if the team signed another end this offseason. He has seen it happen almost every year.
“You just go to work and do what you’ve always done, and that’s work hard,” Idonije said. “Going into next year, I just have to get working on some things. I’m confident, though. I’ve got a lot of good football ahead of me.”
Twitter @vxmcclure23
