The Bears are intent on signing a pass-rushing defensive end this spring and they have their sights set on Julius Peppers, according to a league source. Aaron Kampman is also believed to be an option for Chicago. Peppers is the team's top target, but he won't come cheap as he was seeking about $40 million guaranteed from the Panthers.

Tim Ruskell, former president of the Seahawks, has agreed to become the Bears director of player personnel. Ruskell and Bears GM Jerry Angelo worked together in Tampa for years and now will be reunited in Chicago.

The Bears have agreed to one-year deals with Richard Angulo and wide receiver Eric Peterman. Angulo has 17 receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown in 27 games with St. Louis, Minnesota and Jacksonville in his career. Peterman, an undrafted free agent from Northwestern, spent the preseason with the Bears and final week of last season on their practice squad.

The Bears do not plan to spend lavishly in free agency this offseason. "We're not going to be one of those handful of teams sometimes that just goes hog wild in free agency," said Bears President Ted Phillips, who said a looming lockout in 2011 didn't affect the budget. "I think you guys know our strategy has always been kind of balanced in free agency and work through the draft and every other area to try to add players to the team. It's not all about free agency. I think the reality that teams' success, at least in the NFL, is not based on how much money you spend in free agency." The Bears are in the market for a pass rusher, but are unlikely to be able to afford a player like Julius Peppers.

The Bears announced on Monday that senior director of pro personnel Bobby DePaul has been relieved of his duties. DePaul headed Chicago's pro personnel department for the last nine seasons. He was best known for orchestrating the Jay Cutler trade. According to the Chicago Tribune, he was escorted out of Halas Hall, the team's practice facility.

Bears defensive end Gaines Adams had both alcohol and marijuana in his system at the time of his death. However, Greenwood County Coroner Jim Coursey says nothing found in a toxicology report contributed to Adams' death. The report showed Adams had a blood-alcohol level of 0.021 percent, well below the 0.08 percent at which South Carolina drivers are considered intoxicated.

Torry Holt would consider signing with the Bears in order to reunite with Mike Martz. Holt was released by the Jaguars earlier this week and Martz was introduced as Chicago's offensive coordinator last week. Martz coached Holt in St. Louis earlier in their careers. "Absolutely I would consider coming to Chicago because of Coach Martz," Holt said Friday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "I have kept in contact with him over the course of the years. That's my guy. I've got a lot of history with Coach Martz, a lot of great years there obviously in St. Louis. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him as a man and as a coach. Most importantly what I respect the most is his mind. I respect his passion for the game of football. I respect the standards he sets everyday."

Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz says that he feels a "strong connection" with quarterback Jay Cutler. Martz was given the job just two days after meeting with Cutler last week. "It's such a big thing to have a coordinator and a quarterback on the same page, obviously," Martz said Monday on "Carmen, Jurko & Harry" on ESPN 1000. "If there is any kind of ill will or ill feeling or just philosophically not on the same page, I don't care who it is, it's not going to work. "As talented as he is, it's important that he understands what whoever is going to run the offense is about, and of course I have got to have a good feeling about him. We had a good get-acquainted meeting. We hit it off immediately. I think there's a real strong connection, at least I felt that way. "Intellectually, he is just off the charts. His talent can never be overstated. He is really anxious. He's all about winning and doing things the right way."

NFL teams can begin releasing players on Monday. Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher could be in danger of being released. He is set to make $2.95 million this coming season and also has a $500,000 workout bonus. He has made just 11 starts since signing a $28 million, five-year extension before the 2007 season.

Torry Holt could reunite with Mike Martz in Chicago. Martz coached Holt with the Rams and was named the offensive coordinator of the Bears this past week. The Jaguars are expected to release Holt in the coming days.