LAKE FOREST, Ill. Adidas Falcon España . -- The Chicago Bears released eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers on Tuesday, one of several moves they made to reshape their struggling defence. The Bears also agreed to a five-year contract with former Oakland Raiders defensive end Lamarr Houston, a two-year contract with former Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants safety Ryan Mundy, and one-year deals with linebackers Jordan Senn and D.J. Williams. But the biggest move as they tried to shore up a defence that got shredded by injuries and ranked among the leagues worst last season involved Peppers. Given the way he struggled last season and the fact that his salary cap hit for next season was for more than $18 million, the Bears were expected to let him go or restructure his contract. "We appreciate Julius contributions to the Bears over the last four years," general manager Phil Emery said in a statement. "He was a leader on our defence starting every game since coming to Chicago. His accomplishments over his NFL career place him among the best defensive ends over the past 20 years. The Chicagoland community has benefited greatly from his quiet generosity. We wish him the best." Peppers is the second high-profile player to part ways with the Bears this off-season, joining record returner Devin Hester. Those moves come after they split with Brian Urlacher following the 2012 season. Peppers, who turned 34 in January, finished with just seven sacks, his lowest total in four seasons with Chicago and the fewest for him since he had a career-low 2 1/2 with Carolina in 2007. Three times last year he failed to register a tackle, and the Bears defence ranked among the worst in the NFL. But Peppers has been one of the best at his position during his career. In his 12 seasons with Carolina (2002-2009) and Chicago (2010-13), he ranks second in the NFL with 118 1/2 sacks. He has nine interceptions -- the most by a defensive lineman since 2002 -- and his 39 career forced fumbles are fifth most in the league during that time. On special teams, Peppers has 11 blocked kicks during his career. With the Bears, Peppers had 38 sacks along with three interceptions, nine forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. But he was inconsistent last season. At times, he showed that old burst. Too often, he was a nonfactor. The defence, overall, was a mess for the Bears last season because of injuries and poor execution. Williams, Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman, and Henry Melton missed big chunks of the season. Nickel back Kelvin Hayden and defensive tackle Nate Collins also suffered season-ending injuries. And the Bears couldnt stop the run or get to the quarterback. Chicago allowed a league-high 5.3 yards per carry, half a yard more than any other team, and tied Jacksonville with an NFL-worst with 31 sacks. Houston started all 16 games last season for Oakland and was one of the few playmakers on a 4-12 team. He led the Raiders with a career-high six sacks and got 16 in four seasons with them. Mundy made a career-high nine starts with the Giants last season after spending his first four with Pittsburgh. He had 70 tackles and a 91-yard interception return along with two pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He also had seven special teams stops. Senn has appeared in 83 games with seven starts over six seasons with Indianapolis (2008-09) and Carolina (2009-13). He was primarily a special-teams player last season. Williams appeared in six games and made four starts at middle linebacker last season after signing a one-year deal with Chicago. A ruptured pectoral muscle tendon cut short his season. Adidas Deerupt Runner Baratas . With one penalty, Fourcade finished in 24 minutes, 58.2 seconds, just nine-tenths of a second ahead of Timofey Lapshin, who shot clean in the cold. Adidas Ultra Boost 19 Rebajas . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. http://www.baratasnmd.com/ . The Bruins forward has been fined $5,000 by the National Hockey League for spearing Red Wings defenceman Danny DeKeyser in the groin.PORTLAND, Ore. - Injuries and a scuffle overshadowed another strong effort by Portlands Damian Lillard.Lillard had 21 points and nine assists to help th Trail Blazers beat the short-handed Chicago Bulls 105-87 on Friday night.However, Mike Dunleavys flagrant foul on Lillard in the third quarter, followed by Taj Gibsons painful left ankle injury, marred Portlands sixth straight win.Lillard was going up for a 3-pointer when Dunleavy barrelled into him, knocking him down. Wesley Matthews ran over and pushed Dunleavy, and Aaron Brooks in turn shoved Matthews. Aldridge stepped in to separate the group.Dunleavy was served with a flagrant foul, while Matthews and Brooks got offsetting technicals. Lillard made all three shots.Afterward, Lillard called it a cheap play.When I was shooting the b all I saw him coming at me and I thought, Hes not stopping, Lillard said. Anything could have happened.Dunleavy called it an awkward moment.I was going to intentionally foul him, but he went up to shoot, he said. What was I supposed to do?Chicago lost Gibson in the third quarter when he sprained his left ankle. Gibson, who came down on Portlands Wesley Matthews, clutched his ankle and grimaced in pain before he was helped off the court. The 6-foot-9 forward was averaging 12.9 points and 5.9 rebounds coming into the game.Coach Tom Thibodeau said he didnt think it was serious, but Gibson left the Moda Center in a boot and on crutches.Well see where he is tomorrow, Thibodeau said.The Bulls were already limited without Derrick Rose, who missed his fourth straight game with a sore left hamstring. Pau Gasol missed his third game with a left calf strain.They were also missing starting guard Kirk Hinrich, who left Thursday nights 103-88 loss to the Sacramento Kings with a chest contusion. X-Rays were negative, but Thibodeau said before the game that Hinrich was day-to-day.Rookie Nikola Mirotic came off the bench and had season highs with 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls.LaMarcus Aldridge added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Blazers, who got Nicolas Batum back after he missed four games with a right knee contusion.Portland jumped out to an early 25-9 lead after Aldridges 3-ppointer. Adidas Prophere España. Lillard had seven assists in the first quarter alone and finished three short of matching his career high.The Bulls closed the gap in the second quarter with an 8-0 run that pulled them to 39-35. The rally was short-lived and the Blazers went up 51-39 after a 10-0 run, capped by back-to-back 3-pointers from Lillard.Portland led 61-42 at the half.Aldridge passed to Robin Lopez for a dunk to put Portland up 70-45 before Portland sat its starters for the final period.Obviously Chicago didnt have three of their main guys, but I liked our demeanour, Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. I liked our disposition, the way we came out of the gates. Our defence was solid.Despite the drama, Lillard thought it was one of the Blazers most complete games of the season.We started the game really well and then they found their way back in — and we picked it right back up, he said.TIP INSBulls: Brooks, who went to the University of Oregon, got warm applause when he was announced as a starter. ... Thibodeau, who was an assistant coach on the U.S. national team that won the FIBA World Cup, said he has been impressed with Lillard. Hes terrific. Theres nothing he cant do, Thibodeau said. Lillard did not make the final cut for the team, with Thibodeau called a tough choice.Trail Blazers: Lillards 33 3-pointers through the first 10 games were the most made over the opening 10-game stretch in Blazers history. ... Lillard has had at least seven assists in seven straight games.TAKING THREEAldridge had a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter, the third time in his career hes had a game with multiple 3s. Its there, Aldridge said about the 3 being part of his repertoire.DOMINANCE OVER THE BULLSThe Blazers have won seven straight against Chicago, their longest winning streak against any team in the league. The streak also ties the franchise high for wins against the Bulls.ON MOUNTING INJURIES:Youve got to keep moving forward because the games keep coming, the Bulls Joakim Noah said. Nobody feels sorry for you so youve got to keep going and getting better. Hopefully Taj will be all right.UP NEXTBulls: At Utah on Monday.Trail Blazers: At Boston on Sunday. ' ' '