By Brad BiggsBears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye is recovering just fine from the broken fibula he suffered in the Week 15 loss at Baltimore, if his appearance at a banquet in Staten Island, N.Y., last week is any indication.
"The leg is good. I've just been resting it," Ogunleye told the Staten Island Advance.
Ogunleye suffered a small fracture in his left leg and was placed on season-ending injured reserve, but he should be fully cleared or close to it before free agency opens March 5.
The Bears have a decision to make. They are expected to let Ogunleye test the open market to gauge his value. He has said he would like to return, and their need for a defensive end has been heightened after the death of Gaines Adams.
Photo: Adewale Ogunleye returns to the Bears' bus Friday after the funeral for Gaines Adams. (Chris Sweda/Tribune)
The question is, what kind of money is going to be there for Ogunleye,
who will turn 33 in August? He led the team in sacks with 6 ½ and had
three fumble recoveries. He has been an integral part of the defense
since the Bears engineered a trade for him three weeks before the start
of Lovie Smith's first season in 2004.
Could the Bears lure him back with a modest offer that includes incentives based on performance? That might be the attractive option for the club. But as Ogunleye noted before the season ended, the free-agent market will be watered down if there isn't an extension of the collective bargaining agreement.
Without a new CBA, players with less than six years' experience will be restricted free agents, allowing their teams to control their rights. It's a measure that will make it easy for the Bears to retain Mark Anderson. Ogunleye has a point, but teams also shy away from committing big dollars to players once they're past 30.
"We're not talking about contracts right now," Ogunleye told the Advance. "Me being one of the older guys, playing the same position, I looked at (Adams) as a younger brother."
Could the Bears lure him back with a modest offer that includes incentives based on performance? That might be the attractive option for the club. But as Ogunleye noted before the season ended, the free-agent market will be watered down if there isn't an extension of the collective bargaining agreement.
Without a new CBA, players with less than six years' experience will be restricted free agents, allowing their teams to control their rights. It's a measure that will make it easy for the Bears to retain Mark Anderson. Ogunleye has a point, but teams also shy away from committing big dollars to players once they're past 30.
"We're not talking about contracts right now," Ogunleye told the Advance. "Me being one of the older guys, playing the same position, I looked at (Adams) as a younger brother."
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Aren't we like 3 weeks into the offseason. Not even the Superbowl's over. Really should be worried?
I hate to say this,but if we can bring him back for less money,and a incentive based contract,it might be wise,as he's the best we got...sigh!I would like to see more incentive based contracts.Maybe you could get these overpaid prima donnas to play harder.I think back when Rick Caeseres...<---SP!carried the ball 25-30 times a game making 10-12 k a year!
Bring Ogunleye back, but, only pay him for 6 games as that's the amount of games he shows up physically and mentally for anyways.
We need players to be a good d again. Stop blaming it all on scheme - we hardly even play Cov. 2 anymore, but still have to play it because we don't have any corners that can play man. We still haven't recovered in secondary from losing Mike Brown - embarassing. Bring Wale back if the price is right - let him test the water & see what comes of it. He's a pro, solid guy, great locker room, & could teach young DL how to play...but has to be at right price. Gotta remember slim pickings with collective bargain BS
"The Bears' defensive line should be strong this year with recent first and second round draft picks Haynes, Bazuin and Dvoracek coming into their own."
Dusty is an ex-Bear after ANOTHER season-ending injury.
Please....please let Ogunleye go and not sign him. He has not once lived up to the original contract that the Bears signed him to after his huge season with the Dolphins. Does anyone think he will get better now?
His name should be Ade Ogun because he only plays half a season!
Some of you are brutal! How many and who completed the most sacks for the Bears? You know the answer, and blame him if you must, but let's face it, with Lovie & Co. coaching, what do you expect to change if they let him go? Will they trade for someone's potential again or someone over the hill?
The Bears' defensive line should be strong this year with recent first and second round draft picks Haynes, Bazuin and Dvoracek coming into their own.
Peppers is a punk who will stop giving effort the moment he signs the contract.
Get Kampman. He'd love to get out of the Packers' 3-4 and stick it to them.
bronellione on January 25, 2010 9:01 AM
Didnt the offensive line that was protecting Favre, yesterday, come into being during the years that Mike Tice was the Vikings coach? Now he is going to be the Bears'line coach, along with the one they got from Detroit. Perfect fit with Lovie. Bring back the Cardinals
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Nice job brainless. Were you singing the same tune during the first game of the playoffs when the defense leading the league in sacks couldn't even get a sniff of Favre? How about during the regular season when Favre had enough time for a coffee and doughnut before every throw. The entire Vikings team chokes in the NFC championship and suddenly its the offensive line's fault?
Look for some younger guys to bolster the line. Look what Clay Matthews was doing for the Pack this year. Don't waste big chunks of change.
Bring him back? They should have never signed him in the first place.
But I'm sure Gerry the genius will sign him.
I'd sign Ed Obradovich. He used to play left end for about 15 grand a year.
Didnt the offensive line that was protecting Favre, yesterday, come into being during the years that Mike Tice was the Vikings coach? Now he is going to be the Bears'line coach, along with the one they got from Detroit. Perfect fit with Lovie. Bring back the Cardinals
I'd guess they will bring him back, because with his job on the line, Lovely won't want to do any developmental projects.
Par for the course, both of our d-ends together don't have half of the sacks of the league leaders like Dumervile, Wade, Green, etc.
And, it's been that way for years.
Alex Brown is a nice guy, but he should be gone too.
Seems strange that after the Dent and Hampton days that the best we can do is bottom half of the league year after year.
Yet another tough decision for a team that can't even find a candidate for offensive coordinator who wants to interview with them.
Don't bring Ogun back, we need a difference maker.
Sign Julius Peppers!!
Use all the money saved by not hiring a real coach and get us some real players.
The Bears aren't trying to win! Well at least management, only bring him back at a Really Low Salary based on incentives.... We gotta see if the kids can play first!
another SAD off season for the DA BEARS ...it is amazing how little excitement is left with this organization....Lovie Dovie and Angelo won't get it done!
Ogunleye STINKS! He's going to be 33 and had only 6 1/2 sacks - mostly against weak opponents...goodbye! The Bears need to clean house from top to bottom. FIRE JERRY ANGELO NOW!!!
DEs get better with age, how can we let him go ...?
The fact that he led the team with..... 6 1/2 sacks..... says it all. The defense has been crap since they let Ron Rivera go. A lovie-coached team in any aspect is bad news.....
Time for Ogunleye to move on. If the Bears bring him back, it shows they aren't trying to win in 2010. He cannot play the run and only gets his sacks against worthless teams. Give someone else a chance.
I could block AO. He's an old man. Watch Angelo bring him back for big bucks. I hope the Bears suck it up big time next year for being cheap and not firing Lovie. They deserve it. And Angelo is the WORST GM in sports!
Ummm, J. Peppers is a free agent too right? Thats exactly who we need.
An integral part of what D? Geez, anyone who thinks Goon is a quality DE, pleeeaaase uh look at stats, that tells it all. Please Jerry learn how to draft DE as well as Olinemen.
Bring him back.... if he is willing to accept a major paycut.
GET RID OF HIM. The whole line needs to be redone if this stooge can lead the team with a measly 6 1/2 sacks. Good job trading away draft picks Angelo. We've got more holes than draft picks.
LOL Mr slow feet is not coming back....He is horrible