Idonije starting, producing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Israel Idonije didn't even have a starting job when the Bears went to training camp, but he has certainly taken ownership of the defensive left end spot racking up a career-best 3 sacks Sunday against the Panthers.

Idonije played behind Mark Anderson in the season opener, with the two splitting reps, but he has started four straight games and Anderson was released last week.

“There's a reason why we went with him, said Bears coach Lovie Smith. “He's done some good things, and he made some plays that stood out.

Idonije, a seven-year veteran, never has had more than 3½ sacks previously, but he's already had 4 this season. The 6-foot-6, 270-pounder had also never started more than three games in a season and had bounced between end and tackle in addition to playing special teams for most of his career.

Idonije, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and grew up in Canada, said he hadn't enjoyed a personal performance equal to Sunday's since he was at Manitoba University.

“This is what I expect of myself, he said. “This is my eighth year and I've been saying it my whole career: I've been looking for an opportunity to get locked in to one position, not play special teams, and really develop.

“For them to say, ‘Well, all right, here's your opportunity,' (is huge). The ball is in my court. Now it's, ‘What are you going to do with it to produce and make big plays?'

For the first time in his life, Idonije has a starting job, and with Anderson gone, he seems to be entrenched across the line from Julius Peppers. But Idonije isn't taking anything for granted, keeping in mind what happened with Anderson.

“My focus hasn't changed, he said. “I'm not blinking. I know that whole situation that went down just opens your eyes to what kind of business this is. It's all about production.