Charles Tillman

(I hope anyway.) Marred by injuries (Charles Tillman and Israel Idonije out, Danieal Manning doubtful), Lovie Smith's defense will need to fill their gaps and avoid giving up big plays. If they

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In this frustrating loss, we saw the Bears make play after play on defense, especially Charles Tillman, whom I've rewarded the moniker of "Master of the Ball-Punch." His forced fumbles kept the Bears alive, but the offense could not generate the points to overcome Donovan McNabb, DeSean Jackson and the Philly offense. I look to Ron Turner's play-calling, with plenty of backwards passes and wide receivier screens as a reason for the offense's ineptitude. That play should just be ripped out the playbook and removed from Turner's memory banks.

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What didn’t help was losing corner Charles Tillman and safety Al Afalava through the course of the game, leaving an already struggling secondary without key performers.

  

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Another Forte run and a Charles Tillman interception return put the game far out of reach, securing a 4-3 record for Chicago. Still, the victory was not without its major flaws, as Jay Cutler’s battered body can attest to. Chicago’s franchise QB was sacked five times, not including a “Jay-Roughing” penalty on massive Shaun Rogers which left Cutler’s mouth bloody. I’m officially coining the term “Jay-Roughing” to be used on roughing the passer calls. So I should get a quarter every time you say it. I hope I don't make too much money off it though, as Cutler needs to stay mostly upright during his lengthy stay under center for Chicago.

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Not that I would know, I would never follow his tweets or buy his freakin’ iPhone app. Charles Tillman should see plenty of Chad this Sunday and should get the better of that match-up. Ochocinco isn’t as fast as he once was. Still, the defense should be able to stifle Benson enough to make the Bengals one-dimensional. Of course, that will be an easier task if Jay Cutler and the offense jump out to an early lead.

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Still, big plays are a problem, and anyone not named Charles Tillman has been routinely exposed in pass coverage. I loved the graphic they showed of QB rating and completion percentage against the left and right side of the Bears defense that showed how awesome Tillman has been this season. 

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When they went to Charles Tillman in the second half, Johnson was limited until he went out with a leg injury of his own. 

Ron Turner still did not call a solid offensive game. Some of his decisions are plain idiotic, like the screen pass to Devin Hester at the goal line. When you’re four yards away from the endzone, why pass it backwards? The defense only has so much field to cover, it’s not going to take them long to reach the receiver. It also doesn’t help that Hester also injured his shoulder on that play. Turner needs to get this offense right, because with Cutler at the helm there are no more excuses. 

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sing on Lovie Smith’s defense, this contest should play right into their strengths. Charles Tillman should be matched-up with the dynamic Calvin Johnson for most of the game. Tillman is much better-suited against bigger receivers and Johnson certainly is a beast. Zack Bowman’s youth will be pitted against veteran receiver Bryant Johnson, so he should have the speed to make-up for any mistakes. If he plays, Lions running back Kevin Smith will not be 100% due to a shoulder injury, which could give more opportunities for a fumble-forcing defensive unit.  

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Corner Charles Tillman looked to be close to 100% and back to his old self. Zack Bowman is definitely a step up from Nathan Vasher. Knox could turn out to be a steal out of the fifth round with his speed and game-breaking ability. His six receptions led the team, breaking the typical “rookie receivers can’t make an impact” rule. Hunter Hillenmeyer filled in admirably for the injured Urlacher, perhaps lessening the need to sign a bigger name free agent.

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man returned to the starting line-up in a role he is expected to fill on opening day, especially if Charles Tillman is unable to go in week one. Nathan Vasher may start week one against Green Bay, but don’t expect a very long leash.

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On the very next play, Gus Frerotte found ex-Bear Bernard Berrian on the sideline behind broken Charles Tillman coverage for a 99-yard touchdown pass. Minnesota went up 10-7 and proceeded to humiliate the “Mediocre of the Midway” for the rest of the night. 

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Lance Briggs snagged two interceptions, and Brian Urlacher and Charles Tillman each added with one of their own. St. Louis only ran the ball for 14 total yards on 19 carries, so the defense did its job on both fronts. No one should be pounding their chests over thumping a two-win team though. 

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Taking the Rams offense lightly would be a foolish mistake. Corner Charles Tillman will most likely be matched up with Holt for the bulk of the game, but he’s not the focus in the secondary. Nathan Vasher has looked timid in his attempts to tackle the ball-carrier, so much so that writers around Chicago are calling for his benching. Back-up corner Corey Graham is the better corner for run coverage, and his tackling skills are above average. If Vasher continues to underperform, Smith shouldn’t waste time in showing him the bench for a stretch of time. It won’t fix all of the defense’s issues, but it could be a step in the right direction. 

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Cornerbacks Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman, along with receiver Marty Booker are listed as probable, as they were limited in mid-week practices. Devin Hester also left that game with a quad injury, but appears to be fine, as he doesn’t even appear on the injury report. Tommie Harris was the only active Bear to sit out of Wednesday’s proceedings, which is aggravatingly status quo for this season. I know players are going to get hurt and play hurt during a season, but Harris has been playing hurt for his entire career it seems. It significantly detracts from his on-field production, as has been the case in 2008. He’s also listed as probable for Sunday, but obviously won’t be at 100%. Linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer is recovering from the thumb surgery he had after the Minnesota game and is questionable, with back-up Nick Roach prepared to fill-in. Wide-out Brandon Lloyd and corner Danieal Manning join Hillenmeyer as questionable, as each will most likely be a game-time decision. 

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Nothing makes Bears fans forget about a tough loss better than a win against a division opponent. The Bears will get the chance this Sunday when they host the Minnesota Vikings in the first of their two meetings this season. Both teams, along with the Green Bay Packers, are tied atop the NFC North with matching records of 3-3. One team must make a move to get ahead of the pack now (no pun intended), or they will still be trapped in a three-team dogfight for one playoff spot. If the Bears intend to claim that spot, beating the Vikings at Soldier Field is they way to start.

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The Bear defense stopped Kevin Smith for no gain on the ground, Charles Tillman broke up a pass intended for Roy Williams (the first of many), and then came a sack of quarterback Jon Kitna on third down. It was a foreboding series for events for the Lions, who never got anything going offensively. They only mustered 185 yards of total offense, most of which came in the second half after Chicago had established a healthy lead. Jon Kitna was benched early in the second half, which was later said to be the result of back spasms. At the time, it seemed to be simply a coach’s decision, as Detroit’s offense desperately needed a spark. Back-up Dan Orlovsky entered the game and fared no better versus the Bears’ intimidating defense.

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Obviously, this starts an old-fashioned scrum. Entering late, Bears cornerback Charles Tillman got involved with a Buccaneer trying to helmet him in the back. Tillman throws that player to the ground and gets flagged for unnecessary roughness, giving the Bucs new life in the form of a first down. Brian Griese then methodically leads his offense down the field and sets up the game winning field goal.

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