The top free agent on the market had several suitors. But star defensive end Julius Peppers wanted to join the Bears in part because of the organization’s storied tradition. In his opening remarks at his introductory press conference Friday at Halas Hall, Peppers spoke about becoming part of a founding NFL franchise that boasts nine championships and a league-high 26 Hall of Famers. “I’m excited to be here and looking forward to doing big things,” Peppers said. “Getting to come to a place with a deeprooted tradition of winning is a great thing for me. It’s a wonderful thing. “I’m happy to be here. It’s one thing to play football in this league and make a living. But it’s a totally different thing to come to a place with a great tradition and rich football culture like the Bears.” Another key factor in Peppers’ decision
to sign with the Bears was the opportunity to work with coach Lovie Smith and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. “Coaching is the thing that I wanted to come here for because coach Smith is a defensive-minded coach,” Peppers said. “Coach Marinelli is regarded in league circles as one of the best defensive line coaches in the league. The opportunity to work with those two guys was a big factor in my decision to come here. “Playing on a team with a great tradition on defense as this team was intriguing also. I’m looking forward to hopefully adding to that legacy and making a great contribution.”
PEPPERS GETTING THE CALL Peppers was impressed when he received a phone call from his agent after midnight Friday informing him that Smith had flown to North Carolina to meet with him.
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“That meant a lot,” Peppers said. “When I found out that he had come down, that showed me that he really wanted me, and the interest was mutual. That was a big deal, and that meant a lot to me.” Even though Peppers has recorded 81 sacks in his eight NFL seasons with the Carolina Panthers—including 25 the past two years—he’s hoping that Marinelli can help turn him into an even better player. “You never get to the level where you can stop improving,” Peppers said. “I’m open to any suggestions and any coaching tips that he has because I know the guys he has worked with. I’ve seen his résumé and I know he can only help my game, [and] take my game to the next level.” Another thing about playing for the Bears that appealed to Peppers was the chance to join a defense that features Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs and Tommie continues on pg 2
Harris—three players who’ve been voted to a combined 14 Pro Bowls. “Of course, I looked at the roster and having those guys didn’t hurt,” Peppers said. “Lach has been one of the best players in the league since I’ve been in the league. I’ve always admired his game from afar. Having the opportunity to play with him, I jumped at the opportunity.”
While some may view Peppers as a savior for a defense that has struggled mightily at times in recent years, the 6-7, 283-pounder isn’t comfortable with that label. “I wouldn’t necessarily go that far to say that,” Peppers said. “This team already has Pro Bowl and All-Pro players on the roster. I would see myself coming in as
just another piece to add to what’s already in place.” Larry Mayer www.chicagobears.com
With one stroke of a pen Friday, Chester Taylor helped one NFC North team and hurt another. After spending the past four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, the free-agent running back signed a four-year contract with the Bears, ensuring that he will face his former team twice a season. “I’m pretty sure it’s going to be kind of strange because I know a lot of players over there,” Taylor said. “It will be fun though. Going out there to play against them is going to be exciting.” Taylor served as Adrian Peterson’s backup the past three seasons. In 2009, the 5-11, 213-pounder rushed for 338 yards and 1 touchdown on 94 carries and caught 44 passes for 389 yards and 1 TD.
signed with the Vikings in 2006. In his only year as a starter, he rushed for 1,216 yards and 6 TDs on 303 carries. When the Vikings selected Peterson in the first round of the draft the following spring, Taylor knew his days as a starter were numbered. “My first year at Minnesota I got my feet wet,” he said. “But I never got the opportunity to see what I could do the year after. I’m just looking for another opportunity to showcase my talent and help my team win.” Taylor acknowledged that it was difficult to leave the Vikings. “It was very hard for me to leave Minnesota,” he said. “They did give me the opportunity to start when I first came out of Baltimore. It was hard leaving them because we all came in together as one group—the coaching staff and a few other players. But I’m pretty sure they understand what I had to do as far as for my family and the best decision I was going to make for
my future.” Larry Mayer www.chicagobears.com
ROLL WITH THE BEARS Taylor’s role has yet to be defined with the Bears. But he doesn’t seem to mind. “They didn’t tell me anything,” Taylor said. “This is football. It’s always competitive. People come in and compete every day. I just want to help the team win right now.” Taylor is excited about playing for new Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz. “In Mike Martz’s offense,” Taylor said, “I see how Marshall Faulk was used, and I’m just willing to come in and try to play that role, and any way I can help my team win I’m going to do.”
LOOKING BACK ON THE PAST After spending his first four NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Taylor
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Brandon Manumaleuna went to a Super Bowl the last time he worked with Lovie Smith and Mike Martz. So the chance to reunite with the two coaches made signing with the Bears as a free agent an easy decision. “It seemed like a great match,” said Manumaleuna, who inked a five-year deal Friday. “I’ve been with the combo of Lovie and Mike together in a Super Bowl, so it seemed like a great match to be back with that combo again.” One of the NFL’s top blocking tight ends, Manumaleuna thrived in Martz’s offense with the Rams from 2001-05. In summarizing the tight end’s role in the system, the 6-2, 295-pounder said: “Seal the edge, protect the quarterback and be there when the quarterback throws the ball.” Asked if the tight end is ignored in the passing game in Martz’s offense, Manumaleuna drew laughter from reporters when he replied “sometimes.”
details of how you run plays, especially in the passing game,” Manumaleuna said. “That’s one of his specialties. I know he’s real meticulous about when he’s helping hone the skills of the quarterback. He’s real in-tune to details. I think he’ll add a lot of discipline, not that there wasn’t any [before], but he’ll bring much more discipline to the offensive group.”
THOUGHTS ABOUT OFFENSE While Martz’s offense has been characterized as complex by some individuals, Manumaleuna doesn’t think the Bears will have a difficult time digesting it. “I don’t think it will be that hard,” he said. “I came in as a rookie and I learned it. There are a few things that you have to work on over the course of the season, but I think the guys will pick it up pretty easy. The main part for me when I had to learn
it was just [pass] protections. But as far as running routes and running the plays it came pretty simple.” Manumaleuna, who spent the last four seasons with the San Diego Chargers, is more than willing to help his new teammates learn the intricacies of Martz’s system. “I’m just here to help everybody come along as a group,” Manumaleuna said. “The more cohesive we are as a group, the more effective we’ll be. So if anyone has a question, I’m here to help—especially with the tight end group—just bringing everybody up to speed. I’ll help wherever I can.” Larry Mayer www.chicagobears.com
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But he went on to explain that the reason he didn’t catch many passes in St. Louis probably had more to do with the fact that he was playing alongside running back Marshall Faulk and wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. “When I was in St. Louis, you have to understand the people that were outside of me,” Manumaleuna said. “So when people say I was being ignored, it wasn’t really being ignored. It was more throwing to two Pro Bowl receivers and a Pro Bowl running back coming out of the backfield. It wasn’t a lack of using the tight ends but more so using your Hall of Fame players.” Manumaleuna, who caught 66 passes for 648 yards and 6 touchdowns in five seasons with the Rams, described Martz as a detailed-oriented coach. “He’s real meticulous when it comes to
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