Ogunleye named defensive player of week

Adewale Ogunleye was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his dominant performance in Sunday night’s 29-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

The veteran defensive end, who registered three tackles and three tackles-for-loss, produced two of the game’s biggest plays.

Ogunleye tackled Joseph Addai in the end zone for a safety and dropped Dominic Rhodes for a two-yard loss on fourth-and-1 from the 50 with the Bears protecting a 22-13 lead early in the fourth quarter.

“Well-deserved,” coach Lovie Smith said of the award. “He played hard. He was physical. As far as what he means to our defense, he’s one of our veterans. He sets the pace, not just what he says but what he does on the football field, practice and all.

"He’s just one of those model veterans that you want on your football team having an influence on the rest of your team.

“I thought he rushed the passer well, but most linemen want to rush the passer. He played the run exceptionally well, and we’ll need that type of effort this week [against the Panthers].”

Ogunleye is the first Bears player to be honored as NFC Defensive Player of the Week since tackle Tommie Harris in Week 4 of the 2006 season. The Indiana product won the award twice, in 2002 and 2003, when he played for the Miami Dolphins.

“Every season I want to start off quick,” said Ogunleye, who led the Bears with nine sacks and six forced fumbles in 2007. “Actually, what I want to do is continue what I did last year. Every game I want to try to make a big play. Hopefully next game I’ll do the same thing. It’s the same recipe I had last year and I’m going to try to continue that again this year.”