Thankfully it's unlikely he'll be doing something like
this with Izzy and Wally.
It’s Drew Rosenhaus’ world and we are all just living in it. A week after using his twitter account to let everyone know that former Bear Rex Grossman is still alive and looking for work Mr. “Next Question” made sure to remind us Adewale Ogunleye and Israel Idonije are both impending free agents and would be open to new contracts.
More than twitter giving Drew Rosenhaus another avenue to constantly go on about his players and their need for new contracts being one of the signs of the apocalypse, it’s just that time of year. With the draft in the rearview mirror this is when veterans who see themselves as underpaid or are looking at impending free agency politely knock on the door with their hand out.
Ok, well sometimes it isn’t so polite – especially with Rosenhaus – but the Bears have set a precedent of inking guys to big money extensions the last few years. Tommie Harris, Lance Brings, Nathan Vasher, Robbie Gould, Brian Urlacher, Charles Tillman and Alex Brown all signed on the dotted line and that will undoubtedly be one of the first thing Drew brings to Jerry Angelo’s attention.
But considering how the Bears have been burned recently by some of the aforementioned extensions let’s take a realistic look at each guys chance of a new contract with the Bears:
Adewale Ogunleye: Ogunleye forced his way out of Miami during his last contract push, but it’s safe to say he doesn’t hold the same kind of leverage over the Bears now. At time in 2004 Wally was coming off of a 15 sack season and looked to be a premier pass rusher entering his prime.
Now five years older and with only 1 double-digit sack season to his credit in Chicago Ogunleye is looking at what will likely be his final payday. And while 2005 (10 sacks) and an underrated 2007 (9 sacks/6 forced fumbles) brought the kind of production fans expected after trading Marty Booker the other three seasons have left much to be desired.
With younger players – draft pick Henry Melton and Mark Anderson (also a UFA) – behind him odds are very low that the team asks Ogunleye to stick around. The overall underperformance of the line has been an issue and Wally has been culprit #1.
Israel Idonije: Idonije’s case isn’t quite as cut and dry as Ogunleye’s. First and foremost as a part-time player and special teams contributor he won’t command nearly the salary that Wally would. Also, at 28 Izzy hasn’t reached the downside of his career yet.
Before last season the Bears asked Idonije to add 20lbs so he could move from defensive end to tackle. The result was his first significant playing time, 3.5 sacks and 6 passes deflected. The downside to the move and additional weight was Izzy didn’t make the same sort of impact on special teams.
Now his weight is back down and he’s back on the outside, meaning more meaningful contributions in other phases but probably a reduced role on defense. All the new athletes along the defensive line and the Bears record of not paying special teams players – Brendon Ayanbadejo anyone? – makes Izzy likely priced out of the teams plans going forward.
As of now, despite Rosenhaus’ advances, it's doubtful that either will return next year. They could obviously make the decision harder on the Bears with a huge season, but in the end anything short of a Pro Bowl trip likely wouldn’t be enough.
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