LAKE FOREST, Ill.—OK, maybe Adewale Ogunleye didn’t call out Cleveland Browns right tackle John St. Clair, but he sure didn’t sound too challenged by his former teammate when it comes to Sunday’s game at Soldier Field.

The Chicago Bears’ defense has come under scrutiny after it allowed 45 points at Cincinnati last week when the Bengals scored on their first seven possessions, and the pass rush has been non-existent the last two weeks.

You don’t have to read too far in between the lines to see that Ogunleye, who has feasted on some inferior competition in previous games, believes he has the edge going into this must-win game for the Bears (3-3).

“It’s going to be fun going against him,’’ Ogunleye said. “I’m just going to say that he tries hard. He’s the kind of guy that goes in every game and busts his ass, excuse me, busts his tail. He’s the kind of guy that you want on your team, so he’s a good guy.”

Yes, that’s damning St. Clair with faint praise. The veteran St. Clair spent the previous four years with the Bears and played left tackle last season, allowing a team-high 10 sacks according to Stats Inc. In previous seasons he was a backup who often went against Ogunleye in practice.

Ogunleye has 4 1/2 sacks, but has been shut out in the last two games. He had two in the opener vs. Allen Barbre in Green Bay and then 2 1/2 against Gosder Cherilus of Detroit when he injured Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. Ogunleye must be fixing to get after Derek Anderson come Sunday.

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