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News / Sports / National Sports

Bears banking on Peppers

The Columbian
Published: September 9, 2010, 12:00am

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — For three years, he had an up-close view of Julius Peppers, and still, there are times Chris Harris can’t believe his eyes.

Maybe it’s a hit. Maybe it’s a burst of speed. Maybe it’s both.

“I still find myself in practice, like, wow,” Harris said. “Every once in awhile, just saying ‘wow.'”

The Bears certainly were going for the wow factor when they lured the five-time Pro Bowl defensive end away from Carolina with a six-year deal worth potentially $91.5 million, including $42 million guaranteed. No team made a bigger move in free agency. And, maybe, no team needed one more than Chicago.

Afterall, the Bears went 7-9 and missed the playoffs for the third straight year, leaving many fans calling for coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo to be fired. Now, with Peppers, they’re banking on a turnaround, starting with this week’s opener against Detroit.

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