LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Israel Idonije has been a key member of the NFL’s No. 1-ranked special teams unit the past two seasons. But he wants more out of his career with the Bears.

As Idonije prepares for his fifth season in Chicago, he’s determined to become a regular contributor on the defensive line.

“That’s everything,” Idonije said. “Special teams is great and it’s a lot of fun. But playing defense and making plays on the d-line during the game, there’s no better feeling than that.”

Israel Idonije spent part of the 2003 season on the Bears' practice squad before earning a spot on Chicago's 53-man roster in 2004.

After primarily playing defensive end during his first four seasons with the Bears, Idonije has been working at tackle in minicamp and OTA practices. To make the transition, the 27-year-old added about 20 pounds to his 6-6 frame and now weighs 295 pounds.

“I’ve always played d-tackle [in addition to defensive end], so I’ve always been prepared for that,” Idonije said. “I was just trying to find the right weight I want to play at. I was at 305 for a little bit and that was too heavy. I was uncomfortable there, so I play at 295.”

Looking at the depth chart, Idonije seemingly has a better chance to play inside. While the Bears are deep at end with Alex Brown, Adewale Ogunleye and Mark Anderson, there isn’t an established starter at tackle next to three-time Pro Bowler Tommie Harris.

Although he’s been working inside, Idonije is ready for anything.

“You never really know exactly what’s going to happen or what the future holds,” he said. “There are a lot of variables that go into exactly where I’m going to end up. I’m just at the weight where I can play a little bit of everything.”

Idonije has had to make some adjustments in moving inside.

“The timing’s different,” he said. “Things happen quicker on the inside. The [offensive linemen] on the inside are stocky guys. The timing with their hands and how they attack us as linemen is a little different, so I’m getting used to that.

“The biggest thing is just understanding what you’ve got to do. When I’m at tackle, I’ve got to have a bigger picture of what’s happening around me. [The offensive linemen] are moving to the left, they’re moving to the right.

“At end, because of the space, you have time to react to all that stuff. You have a little more time to read. If you read something incorrectly on the inside, it’s too late. Those guys are moving horizontally and getting up to the next level, so there’s not a lot of room for mistakes.”

With Idonije expected to see more playing time on defense, his role on special teams likely will be reduced.

“The way I look at it right now is that I feel I have to replace him,” said special teams coordinator Dave Toub. “If I think that way and get him replaced, then it’s a bonus if I get him back.

“I’ve got to think that he’s going to be in the [defensive line] rotation. He’ll probably get a lot of plays defensively, so I’m not going to be able to use him as much. If I use him in any phase, it would be kickoff because he’s a factor. Just having him running down the middle of the field, you have to account for him. You have to use two guys on him, so that frees up somebody else.”

Idonije’s value on special teams was clear early last year when he knocked Chargers return man Darren Sproles out of the first game of the season with a concussion with a devastating hit on the opening kickoff. But Idonije concedes that it’s difficult to pull double duty.

“Kickoff is great, but running down and covering a kickoff and then having to come right in and play a defensive snap is tough to do,” he said. “That sprint burns your legs and I’m 295 pounds. That’s a lot of work. But I’ve done it before and whatever they need me to do, I can do.”

As he prepares for training camp, Idonije is determined to play with consistency on defense.

“I think that’s what a coach wants,” he said. “When they put a player in there, they’re going to be consistent. They know what they’re going to get. They don’t have to worry or be nervous.

“I just want to show them I’m consistent and I know what I’m doing. I’ve played tackle in this system over the last three or four years, so I know the system. But to get in there and get consistent reps and just fine-tune everything and be able to transfer that into making some big plays on the field, that’s what I want to do.”