Idonije Sheds Pounds, Signs Contract Extension
The defensive tackle re-signed early in the offseason.
By MAGGIE HENDRICKS
Updated 4:00 PM CST, Fri, May 29, 2009
Israel Idonije will be a part of the Bears for the next few years. He signed a two-year contract extension worth $7 million, and has already shown his commitment to be a big part of the Bears defense. How? By getting smaller.
Idonije has lost 30 pounds already in the offseason, making him a faster and sleeker tackle. He is hoping to be down to 260 by season's start, which will give him a physique more like that of Adewale Ogunleye, but taller. Idonije has found the same lesson that millions of Americans have learned when trying to shed pounds. It's not easy, but it is simple.
`There’s no secret to losing weight,’’ he said. ``I’ve just been watching what I eat. I’ve cut my calories. I don’t eat a lot of fat; don’t eat a lot of simple sugars. It just takes discipline. When you want to eat a pizza, you don’t. When you want to eat a burger, you don’t.’’
A faster Idonije will be an asset to the defensive scheme that new Bears' defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli will implement. Idonije's size -- or lack thereof -- will help him, too, in playing a larger role in the rotation at defensive tackle.
The sacrifice of calories is no big deal to Idonije, as he wanted to stay in Chicago.
"When you dream about how the picture would unfold going into the last year of your contract, this is the ideal situation. It’s perfect to get the deal done. I love Chicago, and I wanted to stay and continue to grow and develop here."
Copyright NBC Local Media
First Published: May 29, 2009 3:45 PM CST
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