The Bears scooped Idonije up late that season

One of the best things that can be noted from his scouting report are the knocks against him. The vast majority of them seem to be purely motivational and psychological in nature. They aren't knocks like being too slow, too small, or even not intelligent enough. They are simply knocks about the effort given, and at times his mental toughness. You might be thinking, why is this a good thing? The reason this is actually something to celebrate is these were his knocks coming immediately out of college. Devin has had four years of bouncing around practice squads, inactive lists, active rosters, and the unemployment line. If there was ever a test of the drive of a player, and a way to help them develop that mental toughness it's that kind of life for the past four years.

If he didn't have the drive to be a full-time player in the NFL, he would have already washed out. He wouldn't have been out there every day attempting to learn all he could to crack the roster. He wouldn't have continued honing his skills, and looking for another opportunity after getting waived by the Dolphins of all teams. He had plenty of opportunities to hand up his cleats and settle into a normal life away from football. He didn't, he gutted it out and continued to hone his already noticeable abilities and found himself claimed to the Bears jerseys active roster in 2008.

As far as his measureables go they aren't anything that will make you leap from your seat, but they are solidly respectable in almost all regards. Standing at six feet two inches tall, and weighing in just north of 200 pounds he definitely qualifies as a tall receiver in our group filled with quality guys, but most stand 6ft tall or shorter. DA's 40-yard dash again isn't amazing, but is respectable clocking in right around 4.51 on the 40 yard dash, along with having decent scores on the bench. He's not the fastest receiver in the game, but he's fast enough. He's not the strongest receiver in the game, but he's strong enough. He's not  the tallest receiver in the game, but he's tall enough. Oh, and most importantly. Sir Sizzle wanted him on the field.

The Bears football jerseys scooped Idonije up late that season.

The 6'6" Idonije was used at defensive end, defensive tackle, and on special teams. In Idonije's first three seasons he appeared in 39 games, making 53 tackles and two sacks.

In 2007, Idonije made 28 tackles in 16 games and also did something very special: That season, Idonije blocked a field goal attempt or extra point attempt in three straight games.

Idonije was known from that point on for his ability to block kicks.

In 2008, Idonije made 24 tackles, 3.5 sacks and deflected six passes. Last season, Idonije appeared in 15 games making 18 tackles and two sacks.

The 29-year-old Idonije has started seven games in his six-year career with the Chicago Bears jerseys.

I got the chance to speak to Israel Idonije this week and I asked him some questions about how he got so good at blocking kicks, what he has to do to earn a starting spot on the roster and when his foundation started.