2001-2010 All-Bears Team: Defensive End #1

Today we're going to start voting on the defensive line. For all of 2001-2010, the Bears ran some variation of a 4-3, so we'll be voting in two defensive ends, two defensive tackles, three linebackers, two cornerbacks and two safeties. But of course, I get ahead of myself... First, we get to finish up the offense with the right side of the offensive line...

In the right guard position battle, Roberto Garza edged Chris Villarrial, 134-37. And in the battle for the right tackle position, James Williams broke Fred Miller's jaw 97-64.

We'll add those two to our 2001-2010 All-Bears offense, which will follow after the jump. Also after the jump, the top four defensive end candidates. Like the wide receivers, we do this to allow the votes given to the first positional winner to trickle back into the voting pool. Off we go!

Phillip Daniels: Daniels was a Seattle fourth round draft pick in 1996, before being signed by the Bears before the 2000 season. From 2001 to 2003 when he departed for Washington, Daniels deflected 17 passes and forced four fumbles while collecting 118 tackles (27 assists) and 17 sacks.

Adewale Ogunleye: A 2001 Miami undrafted free agent out of Indiana, the Bears acquired Ogunleye after his 2003 fifteen sack Pro-Bowl season by trading 2001-2010 All-Bears lead receiver Marty Booker. While Ogunleye never matched his fifteen-sack season, over his six season in Chicago Ogunleye has put up some very good numbers - 42 sacks, nine passes deflected, one interception, nine forced fumbles, and 222 tackles with 55 assists, to go with two safeties. In each of his seasons, he never collected less than five sacks.

Alex Brown: Brown was a fourth-round pick in 2002 of the Bears out of Florida. While not quite having the pass-rushing abilities of some of his contemporaries, Brown could play the run. In his eight seasons as a Bear from 2002-2009, Brown put up 43.5 sacks, five interceptions, 16 forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries, and 310 tackles with 63 assists. Between 2003 and 2009, never recorded less than 4.5 sacks (2007, when Mark Anderson was given the starter's position); generally, you knew you'd get 6 sacks, a forced fumble, and 40 tackles per season.

Julius Peppers: Peppers may not have the time invested as a Bear that others might, but in his one season as a Bear, he collected two interceptions, eight sacks, and the Bears' first All-Pro designation as a defensive lineman since Steve "Mongo" McMichael in 1987 and the first All-Pro designation as a defensive end since... wait for it... Richard Dent in 1985. Double check me, but I think that's right.

Of course, if you don't agree with any of these, feel free to vote other and, most importantly, tell us why!