11-02-06 Chicago Bears News of the Day

Bears' Center Olin Kreutz Signs Contract Extension

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- Chicago Bears Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz signed a contract extension today which keeps him with the team through the 2010 season.

Kreutz has been named to the Pro Bowl five times in his nine-year career. He's missed one game since he became the starting center on opening day of 1999. He has played in 61 straight regular-season games.

The Bears didn't release terms of the three-year deal. Kreutz's existing six-year $23 million deal wasn't due to expire until after next season. But the Bears sought the extension.

Defensive end Mark Anderson earn rookie honors for October

New York, NY (Sports Network) - New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston and Chicago Bears defensive end Mark Anderson have been selected as the NFL's top rookies for the month of October. [..]

Anderson recorded six sacks during October, notching at least one in all four games. He leads the Bears and all NFL rookies with 7 1/2 sacks this season.

The fifth-round pick out of Alabama totaled 16 tackles for the month and had a forced fumble in each of the last three games during October. One led directly to a defensive touchdown in Chicago's remarkable comeback win over Arizona on October 16.

Anderson, who became the first Chicago player to win defensive rookie honors since Brian Urlacher in October of 2000, has helped the Bears to a 7-0 mark.