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The Chicago Bears will likely release defensive end Julius Peppers soon, and his replacement will be Lamarr Houston after the team signed him to a massive contract:
Contract for #Bears DE Lamarr Houston: $15 million guaranteed, $21 million in first three years of deal.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 11, 2014
Houston is coming off the best season of his career with the Raider after notching 69 tackles with six sacks and two forced fumbles. He’s also been durable, while playing in all 64 games over the last four seasons.
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Baltimore Ravens free agent defensive lineman Arthur Jones is leaving to sign with the Indianapolis Colts:
Colts are signing former Ravens DT Arthur Jones to a deal around $6 million per season, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2014
Jones, who had 53 tackles and four sacks last season, can fit into 3-4 or 4-3 defensive schemes and tweeted last week that his time in Baltimore was coming to a close.
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The Atlanta Falcons will release Pro Bowl free safety Thomas Decoud:
Falcons Pro Bowl safety Thomas Decoud to be released by 4 pm EST, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2014
DeCoud's $4.2 million would have become guaranteed on March 15, and releasing him now saves the Falcons $3 million against the cap. His play fell off tremendously in 2013, leading to his release:
Former Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud graded at -16.0 overall last season, including -11.3 in coverage. No. 83 safety
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) March 11, 2014