The Bears will not be big players in free agency, but that doesn't mean they won't play. "We have 'wants,'" pro personnel director Bobby DePaul said Wednesday. "We don't have super 'needs.' That's a good place to be in." Talk around this year's Senior Bowl practice week is that the Bears' first priority will be Pittsburgh wide receiver and premier returner Antwaan Randle El when free agency begins in March. Randle El, from Thornton High School in Harvey by way of Indiana University, has averaged 40 catches for 12.4 yards and 42 punt returns for 9.5 yards during his four seasons with the Steelers. Randle El also would give the Bears a third-string quarterback on game days without using the active roster spot. His play in the Steelers' playoff run will drive up the price, but the Bears are in excellent salary-cap shape and have not shied from making decisive, big-money moves the last three off-seasons.

Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers and running back DeShaun Foster were forced out of Sunday's playoff game against Chicago with injuries. Peppers hurt his shoulder while driving Bears running back Thomas Jones out of bounds near the goal line in the fourth quarter. Peppers went to the locker room after the play, then returned to the bench but not the game. Foster was injured early in the second half when he hurt his right ankle on a tackle by Chicago linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer. Foster rushed for 151 yards last week to lead the Panthers over the Giants 23-0. He had 54 yards on 16 carries Sunday before the injury. He was replaced by Nick Goings.

The Chicago Bears signed defensive end Jamaal Green to the active roster Tuesday to replace defensive back Brandon McGowan, who went on injured reserve with a knee injury. McGowan appeared in eight games and had 31 tackles -- 23 solo. Green had been on the Bears' practice squad since Oct. 19.

Lovie Smith was hired to resurrect a proud franchise in Chicago. He did such a strong job in 2005 that he was chosen The Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year on Saturday. And he beat out his mentor, Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy, for the honor. In his second season as Bears coach, Smith guided them to the NFC North title with an 11-5 record, earning a first-round playoff bye. Chicago had the league's stingiest defense, which figures because Smith made his reputation as a defensive mastermind, first in Tampa Bay under Dungy, then in St. Louis. Now, he oversees a team that surged from 5-11 in his first year to a Super Bowl contender, armed with a defense that allowed only 202 points, just 61 of those at home. "There are growing pains in anything worthwhile that I've seen," Smith said. "We definitely learned a lot from that experience last year. We definitely appreciate it right now. "Our team having that bye week getting ready for this playoff game, I'm really excited about that. I'm also excited about the job our coaches were able to do. Our assistant coaches did a super job. To me, we are the team of the year." If they aren't, then Dungy's Colts might be. Smith drew 24? votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL. Dungy was next with 20?.

Brian Urlacher, the latest leader of the Monsters of the Midway, won The Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year award Friday. The Chicago Bears' star middle linebacker and the face of a ferocious defense that allowed the fewest points in the league this season, Urlacher adds the honor to his 2000 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Chicago's turnaround from the bottom of the NFC North pack to 11-5 and division winner was paced by the defense, which yielded 202 points, 45 fewer than Indianapolis, the next-stingiest team. He had 121 tackles, six sacks and a fumble recovery, but stats don't define Urlacher. Full-field coverage, intimidating hits and big plays do. "People are realizing we have some good players here," Urlacher said. "Anytime you lose, nothing really matters except winning. ... People realize that when you win, you obviously have some good players on your team." Chicago has enough of them on defense to draw votes for four. Urlacher's 34 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL gave him a runaway victory. Teammates Alex Brown at end, Lance Briggs at outside linebacker, and Nathan Vasher at cornerback each received one vote.

The NFC North Division champion Chicago Bears on Monday signed guard-center Roberto Garza to a six-year contract extension. Financial terms were not disclosed. "It's an amazing feeling," said Garza. "It's something that I was really hoping would happen last year. But now I think everything worked out. I'm really excited to be a part of this team, this franchise."