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.

Mike Brown: Done for the Year

I thought Mike Brown was going to play this Sunday.

I guess I thought wrong, because today it was announced that, Mike Brown will miss the rest of the season due to a calf injury.

Mike Brown played 15 game this season, which is a lot for a guy, who has been banged up for most of his career.

Many think this will be Brown's last season in Chicago, since he is a free agent this off-season.

But, I see this guy returning to the team, unless Craig Steltz plays out of this world on Sunday.

Mike Brown recorded 101 tackles, one sack and two interceptions this season.

Recently signed Cameron Worrell, will backup rookie Steltz this Sunday.

Steltz filled in for the injured Brown on Monday night against the Packers.


Lovie Smith had this to say about the loss of Mike Brown:

“Very disappointing for our football team and for Mike, too, injuries are a part of it, and Mike’s been in this situation before. He made it through this time about as long as he had in awhile.”

“Losing Mike Brown for the rest of the season is big.”

He has not played in all 16 games since 2003 and with an expiring contract, his future is in doubt.

For now, Lovie Smith said any conversations about that are “definitely premature.”

“Right now, he’s not going to play this week. That’s about all I can talk about,” Smith said, when asked if he would like to re-sign Brown.


Lovie on Craig Steltz's first career start:

“Craig’s a good player, he’s played well on special teams, and when we’ve given him an opportunity to play a regular down, he’s come through.”


Cameron Worrell on his chance to play:

“I’ve been through the system, I know what I’m doing. I picked it up fairly quickly when I came back. I’m just here to add some depth and do whatever they ask me to do.”

Cameron Worrell: Welcome Back

Cameron Worrell flew in Wednesday night to Chicago, and spent Christmas at the Charles Tillman's house.

He will sign a one-year deal today, which ultimately means one game, unless they resign him this offseason.

Cameron Worrell, who spent four seasons with the Bears and made 28 special-teams tackles in 2006, was placed on injured reserve and waived by the New York Jets in the preseason after a shoulder injury that required surgery 13 weeks ago.

Worrell was spending his time rehabbing with his family in California.

In the picture on the left, he is celebrating Devin Hester's touchdown return in Super Bowl XLI.


Worrell had this to say about his return:

'It wasn't an easy decision, and I wasn't really pursuing anything. With the Bears, I'm familiar with the system, and I know what is expected. I've been through playoff games here, and I know what is at stake.''

Worrell also had this to say:

“I’ve been through the system, I know what I’m doing. I picked it up fairly quickly when I came back. I’m just here to add some depth and do whatever they ask me to do.”