Report: Tillman Won't Move to Safety

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times said this in his Wait a secondary: Tillman to stay at CB:

"With all the talk of the Bears experimenting in the secondary, you can cross one possibility off the list.

Left cornerback Charles Tillman won't move to free safety in 2009. Tillman -- who former Bears defensive coordinator Greg Blache said on draft day in 2003 would be a ''Pro Bowl safety'' if he ever moved from cornerback -- had been rumored to be changing positions."

What do I think?

I think this is the right move considering Tillman had reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder Jan. 15 and won't be cleared to participate in the three-day veteran mini-camp next month.

The other cornerbacks on the Bears roster are Nathan Vasher (played eight games last season, could be released), Corey Graham (started nine games last season, recording 91 tackles and one interception), Trumaine McBride (played in 16 games last season, recording 11 tackles and one interception), and Zackary Bowman (played in one game last season, recording one interception and a special teams touchdown before going on injured reserve).

It would be risky to move Tillman to safety because it might not be an easy transition.

The safeties on the roster are Kevin Payne (started all 16 games in 2008), Danieal Manning (played nickel back for most of the 2008 season), Craig Steltz (struggled as a rookie), Brandon McGowan and Cameron Worrell. McGowan and Worrell will both be free agents.

I don't know who will start at the safety positions next season, but what I do know is Charles "Peanut" Tillman won't be making the switch to safety this offseason.