March 20, 2006
Israel Idonije, a defensive lineman with the CIS University of Manitoba Bisons, has added another chapter to his incredible story.
Idonije, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns and most recently played with the Chicago Bears, has signed a four-year, US$8.2-million offer sheet with the Buffalo Bills.
The Bears have seven working days to match the offer.
Idonije didn't start playing football until his third year of high school in Brandon, and didn't start with the Bisons until his senior year.
The 6 foot 6, 275-pound defender finished last season with 16 tackles, four assists, a sack and a fumble recovery.
Israel Idonije
Defensive Lineman
6-6 | 275 | 2 Years | 2005 Team: Chicago Bears
CAREER NOTES:
PRO CAREER:
Versatile defensive lineman developed into a valuable asset to the front line after rising up the depth chart during training camp... Opened 2004 preseason at DE, but proved to be a capable reserve at DT while playing in his first 15 career games... Gained on-field experience during the 2004 off-season playing for the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe... Spent almost half of his rookie season on Chicago's practice squad after being waived injured by Cleveland due to a right ankle injury suffered in training camp. 2005 Season: Played in 11 games, tallied 20 tackles, including 16 solo and one sack. 2004 SEASON: Participated in 15 games as a reserve D-lineman and on special teams recording 21 tackles including 1 sack, 2 TFLs and adding 1 special teams tackle... Tallied 3 tackles including first NFL sack for a loss of 13 yards vs. SF (10/31)... Posted 2 tackles as a reserve D-lineman at DAL (11/25)... Participated as a reserve DT and on special teams at DET (12/26) recording 3 tackles... Tallied career-high 6 tackles including 1 TFL as a reserve D-lineman vs. GB (1/2). GAMES PLAYED-STARTED: 15-0
COLLEGE:
As a senior in 2002, led Manitoba Bisons with career-high 9 sacks and 31 tackles en route to team MVP honors... Also named Canada West All-Star, CIS first-team All-Canadian selection, Manitoba Male Athlete-of-the-Year and the 2002 Canada West J.P. Metras Trophy winner, for outstanding lineman in Canadian University Football... Invited to play in 2003 East-West Shrine Bowl in San Francisco... In 2001, burst onto scene with 6 sacks, ranking 2nd in Canada West and tied for 4th in CIS, and 22 tackles at defensive tackle... Named 2001 Canada West All-Star and CIS first-team All-Canadian... Had 1 sack among 5 tackles in 2000... Majored in arts.
PERSONAL:
Named the winner of the H.L. Krug Crawford Award, emblematic of sporting excellence in western Manitoba, making him the first-ever football player to receive the recognition... Named the Manitoba Male Athlete-of-the-Year by the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sports Broadcasters Association in 2002... Born in Brandon, Manitoba.
Idonije signs $8.2 million offer sheet with Bills
 |
 |
Idonije, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns and most recently played with the Chicago Bears, has signed a four-year, US$8.2-million offer sheet with the Buffalo Bills.
The Bears have seven working days to match the offer.
Idonije didn't start playing football until his third year of high school in Brandon, and didn't start with the Bisons until his senior year.
The 6 foot 6, 275-pound defender finished last season with 16 tackles, four assists, a sack and a fumble recovery.
Israel Idonije
Defensive Lineman
6-6 | 275 | 2 Years | 2005 Team: Chicago Bears
CAREER NOTES:
PRO CAREER:
Versatile defensive lineman developed into a valuable asset to the front line after rising up the depth chart during training camp... Opened 2004 preseason at DE, but proved to be a capable reserve at DT while playing in his first 15 career games... Gained on-field experience during the 2004 off-season playing for the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe... Spent almost half of his rookie season on Chicago's practice squad after being waived injured by Cleveland due to a right ankle injury suffered in training camp. 2005 Season: Played in 11 games, tallied 20 tackles, including 16 solo and one sack. 2004 SEASON: Participated in 15 games as a reserve D-lineman and on special teams recording 21 tackles including 1 sack, 2 TFLs and adding 1 special teams tackle... Tallied 3 tackles including first NFL sack for a loss of 13 yards vs. SF (10/31)... Posted 2 tackles as a reserve D-lineman at DAL (11/25)... Participated as a reserve DT and on special teams at DET (12/26) recording 3 tackles... Tallied career-high 6 tackles including 1 TFL as a reserve D-lineman vs. GB (1/2). GAMES PLAYED-STARTED: 15-0
COLLEGE:
As a senior in 2002, led Manitoba Bisons with career-high 9 sacks and 31 tackles en route to team MVP honors... Also named Canada West All-Star, CIS first-team All-Canadian selection, Manitoba Male Athlete-of-the-Year and the 2002 Canada West J.P. Metras Trophy winner, for outstanding lineman in Canadian University Football... Invited to play in 2003 East-West Shrine Bowl in San Francisco... In 2001, burst onto scene with 6 sacks, ranking 2nd in Canada West and tied for 4th in CIS, and 22 tackles at defensive tackle... Named 2001 Canada West All-Star and CIS first-team All-Canadian... Had 1 sack among 5 tackles in 2000... Majored in arts.
PERSONAL:
Named the winner of the H.L. Krug Crawford Award, emblematic of sporting excellence in western Manitoba, making him the first-ever football player to receive the recognition... Named the Manitoba Male Athlete-of-the-Year by the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sports Broadcasters Association in 2002... Born in Brandon, Manitoba.