The Chicago Bears continue to reshape their defense.  The "Chicago Tribune" reports the team has signed defensive end Lamarr Houston to a five-year contract, worth 35-million-dollars.  Houston totaled 69 tackles and six sacks last season for the Raiders.  In four seasons for Oakland, the University of Texas product tallied 16 sacks.  The Bears have also signed linebacker Jordan Senn to a one-year deal, safety Ryan Mundy to a two-year contract and re-signed linebacker D.J. Williams on a one-year pact.  

The Bears are cutting ties with veteran defensive end Julius Peppers.  The 34-year-old started all 64 games for Chicago in his four-year stint with the club.  The Bears signed him at the start of free agency in March of 2010 after he spent eight years with the Carolina Panthers.  Peppers has collected 118-and-a-half sacks, 39 forced fumbles and nine interceptions in his career.