Idonije: For Bears 'Nothing Has Been Lost' With Lockout
CHICAGO (CBS) This is a big week for the future of the 2011 NFL season. Based on the ruling from the 8th circuit court on Friday, the potential of missing games will either increase or decrease.
But that uncertainty doesn't have Chicago Bears defensive end Israel Idonije concerned.
"Zero. It's business," Idonije told Fred Mitchel, of the Chicago Tribune when asked about his level on concern about the lack of a deal. "Welcome to sports, welcome to the NFL. You'd hope it would be easy. Just in the business world, when there's negotiations, always there is a back and forth. It always takes time. That's just how it is. It's business. At the end of the day, when it all settles, we're all on the same team. It's going to be owners and players working together to grow the game like we always have."
As a veteran player, Idonije's offseason hasn't been altered all that much when it comes to preparing for the season.
"Everything you do when there is no lockout. You know, work out, lift, run … nothing has changed," he told Mitchell. "This is going into my ninth season. I have a good routine. So it is important that guys who have that routine get with the young guys -- the first-year guys and rookies -- and help those guys understand what they have got to do for the season. Really, it's business as usual.
When the league returns to its regular operations, the Bears will be one of the teams with a slight advantage, their veteran team already knows their schemes and plays.
"To this point, nothing has been lost," Idonije told Mitchell. "We're fortunate in Chicago. We play the same system, same coaches, same group of guys. So when the lights turn back on, we'll be ready."
