Post by specialk1307 on Jul 31, 2006 19:52:46 GMT -4
Ogunleye raises bar for himself
BY K.C. JOHNSON
Published July 31, 2006
BOURBONNAIS -- If anybody is worrying about Adewale Ogunleye being complacent after posting the first double-digit sack total (10) by a Bears defensive end since Richard Dent, stop.
After initially saying he didn't like voicing personal goals, Ogunleye gave a hint Sunday as to what his mind-set is entering this season.
"I want to have one of the best years of my career," Ogunleye said. "If that means I've had 15 sacks, I guess I'll try to get more than 15."
So there you go. Sixteen? Seventeen? Any total in that rarefied air would keep Bears fans and coaches smiling. Ogunleye isn't. He's too focused.
"I think I started off a little slow last season," he said. "Early on, I didn't get after the quarterback as much as I wanted to.
"But I think last year was a very good year for me. I think I showed some consistency with this defense. I really think I'm going to make a lot of strides this year."
Good health is essential, as Ogunleye knows far too well from his disappointing, injury-plagued first year with the Bears in 2004. His sack total dropped from 15 during his 2003 Pro Bowl season with Miami to five.
Ogunleye earned second-alternate status to last season's Pro Bowl, and his 10 sacks led a stellar defensive line--including Tommie Harris, Ian Scott and Alex Brown--that will be counted on to produce again this season.
"The chemistry between me, Tommie, Ian and Alex is going to continue to grow," Ogunleye said. "We're going to get better."
Take it easy
Strength and conditioning coach Rusty Jones has been credited for many things since joining the Bears before last season.
But it's Mike Brown's wife, Erin, who came up with the term "Bear-lates" for the Pilates-type off-season program on which Jones placed her husband. The All-Pro safety has missed 18 games with various injuries over the last two seasons and said he's making a conscious effort to be sensible in camp. "It's a long, tough season and I want to play every game," Brown said.
Brown said the Pilates-type program has him running differently in an attempt to get him more balanced and avoid stress on his hips and legs.
"This dude is a guru; he really is," Brown said. "I think it's going to be beneficial for me."
Switch it up
Besides moving Sunday's practice from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Bears also canceled Monday's morning practice because of the heat. The team still will practice at 7 p.m.
BY K.C. JOHNSON
Published July 31, 2006
BOURBONNAIS -- If anybody is worrying about Adewale Ogunleye being complacent after posting the first double-digit sack total (10) by a Bears defensive end since Richard Dent, stop.
After initially saying he didn't like voicing personal goals, Ogunleye gave a hint Sunday as to what his mind-set is entering this season.
"I want to have one of the best years of my career," Ogunleye said. "If that means I've had 15 sacks, I guess I'll try to get more than 15."
So there you go. Sixteen? Seventeen? Any total in that rarefied air would keep Bears fans and coaches smiling. Ogunleye isn't. He's too focused.
"I think I started off a little slow last season," he said. "Early on, I didn't get after the quarterback as much as I wanted to.
"But I think last year was a very good year for me. I think I showed some consistency with this defense. I really think I'm going to make a lot of strides this year."
Good health is essential, as Ogunleye knows far too well from his disappointing, injury-plagued first year with the Bears in 2004. His sack total dropped from 15 during his 2003 Pro Bowl season with Miami to five.
Ogunleye earned second-alternate status to last season's Pro Bowl, and his 10 sacks led a stellar defensive line--including Tommie Harris, Ian Scott and Alex Brown--that will be counted on to produce again this season.
"The chemistry between me, Tommie, Ian and Alex is going to continue to grow," Ogunleye said. "We're going to get better."
Take it easy
Strength and conditioning coach Rusty Jones has been credited for many things since joining the Bears before last season.
But it's Mike Brown's wife, Erin, who came up with the term "Bear-lates" for the Pilates-type off-season program on which Jones placed her husband. The All-Pro safety has missed 18 games with various injuries over the last two seasons and said he's making a conscious effort to be sensible in camp. "It's a long, tough season and I want to play every game," Brown said.
Brown said the Pilates-type program has him running differently in an attempt to get him more balanced and avoid stress on his hips and legs.
"This dude is a guru; he really is," Brown said. "I think it's going to be beneficial for me."
Switch it up
Besides moving Sunday's practice from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Bears also canceled Monday's morning practice because of the heat. The team still will practice at 7 p.m.