LAKE FOREST—Ot was a landmark day for the Bears who are notede for never going “hog wild” in a free agent market. Remember? Bears President Ted Phillips said a couple of weeks ago that the Bears would not be doing as such. But the signing of free agents Julius Peppers(DE from Carolina),RB Chester Taylor(from Minnesota)and TE Brandon Manumaleuna(away from San Diego)could be called hog wild for sure. The Bears had a rare chance to do stuff like this on the first day of the new NFL “NO SALERY CAP” statis. The Bears need lots of help and Peppers should help their weak pass rush, Taylor gives the Bears running back help since Matt Forte had a blah 2nd season, and Manumaleuna is a better blocker than Greg Olsen who may want out after Maike Martz was brought in as offensive cordinator.Peppers,the key signing, got a $42 million guaranteed deal in which he’ll be earning $20 million in the first year and $40.5 million over the first three. The deal includes incentives for sacks, making the Pro Bowl and winning Defensive Player of the Year.He has 81 sacks in eight seasons with the Panthers, including 10½ last year. The signing of Taylor weakens the division rival Vikings. He also does’nt fumble as much as his more noted ex teammate Adrian Peterson.He had 42 catches for 389 yards and 94 carries for 338 yards in 2009.

LES

The Bears are banking on Julius Peppers, who had 10 1/2 sacks last season, to improve their pass rush. (AP)