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Alain Kashama

Alain Kashama

Kashaman one of many Quebecers to get NFL shot

2005

Bears Coaching Staff Excited About Montreal's Kashama

Chicago Bears defensive line coach Don Johnson was recently asked which young players he expects to challenge for playing time on the defensive line this season. The first two names out of his mouth were Canadians Israel Idonije and Alain Kashama.

"Israel Idonije is a great talent, and Alain Kashama is very athletic with good speed off the edge," said Johnson in a July 13 interview on chicagobears.com. "It's unusual to have the balance and depth that we have . . . . nobody's guaranteed a starting position."

Larry Mayer, a reporter with the site, has also reported that Bears head coach Lovie Smith says he "can't wait" to see the development of Kashama during training camp.

While Idonije's against-all-odds jump from Canadian University football to the NFL has been well publicized, this kind of attention is new to Montreal's Kashama.

After completing a four-year playing career largely as a backup at the University of Michigan, the 6-foot-4, 262-pound Kashama was the only undrafted free agent to make the Bears out of training camp in 2004. The former CEGEP (Vieux Montreal) star spent most of his rookie year on the practice squad, but was activated and saw some action near the end of the regular season.

"I had to retrain myself mentally from my days as a college player," Kashama told NFLCanada.com. "In college my athletic ability made up for mistakes, but it's different as a pro. As a pro I'm working on meshing my athletic ability with the techniques that will allow me to be a great player and give me longevity in the league."

Currently ahead of Kashama and Idonije on the defensive line depth chart are 2004 first-round pick Tommie Harris at tackle, Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Smith on the ends and Ian Scott at the other tackle position. Tank Johnson is another promising young player that adds depth to what some call the Bears' strongest position.

Kashama lived in both Bramalea, Ontario and in Montreal after moving to Canada with his family from Zaire at the age of 10. He first played football for the Bramalea High School Broncos because his famous cousin -- former Wolverine and Carolina Panther back Tim Biakabutuka - had used football to better the life of his family.

"I really got my focus when my cousin Tim was drafted into the NFL," said Kashama. "I remember him buying his Mom a big house and I felt I needed to be able to do things like that for my family."

After high school Kashama played for the CJFL Burlington Braves and then with Vieux Montreal in order to get noticed by the NCAA scouts (like those at Michigan) who keep an eye on CEGEP talent.

"Being a Canadian in the NFL means a lot to me," added Kashama. "I feel honoured to be playing in such a unique professional league. The best part of the deal is I'm being paid to do what I love."