[bears9]

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, who registered a career-high five interceptions and five sacks, wasn’t the only member of the Bears defense who made impact plays in 2007.


Defensive end Adewale Ogunleye forced a career-high six fumbles, most on the team and most in a season by a Bears player since Richard Dent also forced six fumbles in 1992. Ogunleye also recovered three fumbles, tying a career high.

Ogunleye forced or recovered a fumble in five straight games in Weeks 10-14. The Indiana University product recovered a fumble in three straight games in Weeks 12-14 and forced a fumble in four consecutive contests in Weeks 10-13.

Ogunleye’s six fumble recoveries over the last two seasons are tied with Kansas City’s Jared Allen and Denver’s Elvis Dumervil for the most in the NFL. Ogunleye’s three fumble recoveries in 2007 tied for third most in the league.

In four seasons with the Bears, Ogunleye has 12 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries.

Ogunleye also led the Bears with nine sacks, the fourth highest total of his seven-year NFL career and the most since he registered 10 in his second season with the Bears in 2005.

Ogunleye’s 25½ sacks over the last three seasons are the most by a Bears player over that span since Trace Armstrong also had 25½ in 1992-94. Ogunleye’s 30½ sacks with the Bears are the 10th most in franchise history, and his 45½ sacks since 2003 are the sixth most in the NFL

Ogunleye demonstrated play-making ability on defense - Chicago Bears