Charles "Peanut" Tillman: Preaux Career

[NewsCopy]

It's been almost 20 years since the Chicago Bears were considered Monsters of the Midway, and this year is no different as they carry a 2-3 record into today's home game with Baltimore. Throw in the first World Series appearance in 46 years for the Chicago White Sox, and it adds up to a low profile for the Bears at this point in the season. But someone has noticed Chicago's stingy defense. "Troy Aikman has us ranked No. 1 in defensive efficiency," said cornerback Charles Tillman, a former Louisiana Ragin' Cajun in his third season with his hometown team. Aikman, who led Dallas to three Super Bowl titles in four years in the 1990's, is now an NFL game analyst with Fox Sports. By his formula, Chicago is No. 1 with a 102.2 rating that is far superior to the Ravens' league-leading 84.2 norm of a year ago. The Bears have allowed just one touchdown and four field goals (19 points) in 12 trips inside their red zone. "It's hard to pick anything we do better than another," Tillman said. "I think we're in the top 5 of every category the league has. The defense has been playing great ball. We haven't allowed a rushing touchdown yet. "We trust the guy next to us to make a play. You have to have that chemistry, that comraderie, to be successful. We're used to the scheme now. We know the defense and we're able to capitalize on that." Tillman is a big reason for the Bears' success. He is third on the team in tackles with 33, trailing only middle linebacker Brian Urlacher (43) and safety Mike Brown (36), and has interceptions in each of the Bears' last two games. The rest of the story Bruce Brown bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[NewsCopy]

Jerry Azumah's question was answered a few hours later. Azumah, the Chicago Bears' kick returner and backup cornerback, asked cornerback Charles (Peanut) Tillman the last time he had scored a touchdown. Tillman, who grew up in Copperas Cove, Texas, and played college football for Louisiana-Lafayette, said he didn't have any. Tillman's 22-yard interception return gave the Bears a 19-13 overtime victory and sole possession of first place in the NFC North. On third-and-five from Detroit's 18, Lions quarterback Jeff Garcia threw a pass intended for rookie wide receiver Mike Williams. Tillman snatched the ball in front of Williams and ran into the end zone untouched. Tillman credited defensive tackle Alfonso Boone for causing Garcia to throw under duress. "It's not about me on that particular play," he said. Garcia "was kind of off-balance. He tried to throw across his body, and the ball was kind of floating. I stepped in front of it and took it all the way. "My eyes didn't get big until I actually caught it and knew I was about to score. Once I was in the end zone, I was like, 'I did it. I did it.' " Chicago coach Lovie Smith said Garcia had evaded the Bears' rush earlier in the game. "When a quarterback throws the ball across the field, you have to pick a few of those off," Smith said. "Luckily, we were able to do that." Garcia said he knew he made a risky throw: "I shouldn't have let it go, but I did, and their guy made a play." The rest of the story BY GEORGE SIPPLE FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER 313-223-4796 sipple@freepress.com

[geo_cajun]

Check out this article on espn.com. Peanut is the man!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=251030008

[RaginRash]

http://espn-i.starwave.com/media/app...0510302101.jpg

Check out this article on espn.com. Peanut is the man!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=251030008

[RaginFan2]

Check out this article on espn.com. Peanut is the man!

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=251030008

Way to geaux Peanut! I saw the highlight on ESPN yesterday. It looked pretty good to see Tillman step in front of the receiver and take it to the house! How's your wrist?

[NewsCopy]

Former Louisiana Ragin' Cajun star Charles Tillman has been named the Defensive Player of the Week in the NFC for his dramatic performance in Sunday's 19-13 overtime victory over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Playing on the road with first place in the NFC North at stake, the third-year cornerback produced the winning score in overtime when he stepped in front of a Jeff Garcia pass and raced 22 yards for a touchdown. After the Lions had forced a Chicago punt on the Bears' first overtime possession, Detroit faced a third-and-5 at its own 18-yard line. Tillman responded with one of the biggest interceptions of his young career, returning the pick for a game-winning 22-yard touchdown. The rest of the story

[JMV JustMyView]

Nice pub for the Cajuns...

[ATXCajun]

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9019267/1

"The names Tommie Harris, Alex Brown, Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman and Mike Brown might not be known to many outside the Windy City, but these guys can play. "

Nice photo of him getting a piece of Garcia

[DaddyCajun]

http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9019267/1

"The names Tommie Harris, Alex Brown, Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman and Mike Brown might not be known to many outside the Windy City, but these guys can play. "

Nice photo of him getting a piece of Garcia

I am happy to see "Peanut" doing so well!!

Peanut if your reading remember to use Louisiana!!

DaddyCajun

[NewsCopy]

Bears at Steelers Sunday 12 noon CB Ike Taylor is familiar with Bears CB Charles Tillman. For half their senior season at Louisiana, the two formed a dynamic duo. "We ran that 4-4 defense, so we had a lot of man coverage," Taylor said. Tillman was moved to safety for the second half of the year and drafted in the second round by Chicago, where he immediately became a starter. Taylor, a fourth-round pick, didn't play CB until his senior year of college. He said Tillman helped him attract the attention of scouts. "They were looking at him, and they were like, 'Who's this other guy, Ike Taylor?'" The two haven't stayed in touch, but, says Taylor, "We knew, sooner or later, we'd see each other. I know come Sunday, there'll be a whole lot of trash-talking out there." The source of the story Tribune-Review ptrsports@tribweb.com.