Bears’ Israel Idonije just keeps getting better

BOURBONNAIS — In his first six years in the league, defensive end Israel Idonije started just eight games.

But he took a quantum leap last season when he started every game after the season opener.

The reason was simple.

“Pass rush,” said Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. “He rushed extremely well. He had 8 sacks, but it was more than that. He should have had double figures. He missed a couple. In pass rush, everybody will think speed, speed — and that’s part of it. But it’s instincts and awareness and his hand placement. He’s got a really good feel for that. He’s got great length and a real knack, like (Julius Peppers) does, to get the sack/fumble. I think he’s a heck of an end.

At age 30, the 6-foot-6, 275-pound Idonije shows no signs of slowing down and, if anything, appears to be a player who’s still getting better. His 8 sacks last season equaled his total the previous six seasons.

“He’s had a real solid camp so far,” Marinelli said, “and I expect him to continue to grow.”

Another hurdle: Second-year defensive end Corey Wootton had impressed coaches early in camp with the quickness that he had finally regained after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee early in 2009 while still at Northwestern. Wootton suffered another setback in the preseason opener when he tore cartilage in the same knee and underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Tuesday. The current injury isn#146;t nearly as serious, but the 6-foot-6, 270-pound Wootton is still expected to be out 3-4 weeks.#147;It was disappointing because I just got to a point where I felt like I got everything back that I missed last year because of the ACL injury,#148; Wootton said. #147;I felt like I had all my burst back, like I was ready to go. It#146;s disappointing, but things happen in life and you#146;ve got to respond and bounce back.#148;Wootton was the clear-cut leader as the top backup to starters Israel Idonije and Julius Peppers, but his absence means he#146;ll have a lot of catching up to do when he returns, and it gives free-agent Vernon Gholston and undrafted rookie Mario Addison a chance to move up on the depth chart.#147;I#146;m not too worried about that,#148; Wootton said. #147;I#146;m just trying to get healthy, and when I#146;m healthy I can be a great player. That#146;s all I can do.#148;It#146;s all good: The secondary hasn#146;t gotten much attention, which means the starters have been solid #8212; including second-year free safety Major Wright, who might have won a starting spot last year but was hindered by a couple nagging injuries.His transition into the starting lineup has been seamless so far, and he stood out in the preseason opener with a team-high 5 solo tackles.#147;We#146;ve been very pleased with him,#148; coach Lovie Smith said. #147;He was outstanding in the game. He#146;s a great tackler, playing the ball a lot better. There is a lot of upside to him. He#146;ll just continue to get better and better. He#146;s a coachable guy. We don#146;t have a whole lot to complain about as far as Major#146;s concerned.#148;Extra points:Left tackle J#146;Marcus Webb was unable to finish Thursday afternoon#146;s practice because of heat-related problems, and he was replaced by Frank Omiyale, last year#146;s starter. ... Wide receiver Devin Hester and linebacker Brian Urlacher returned to practice Friday. ... Cornerback Zack Bowman, linebacker Lance Briggs (bruised knee), tight end Desmond Clark and nose tackle Anthony Adams (calf) remain sidelined. ... The Bears break camp and head back to Halas Hall today after a walkthrough at 11:30 a.m.Ÿ Follow Bob#146;s Bears reports via Twitter @Bob LeGere and check out our Bear Essentials blog at dailyherald.com. 34871669The Bears’ Israel Idonije sacks Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper.Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com