[CBFF] Fw: [PapaBear] Tillman sick of roller-coaster ride

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Aims for consistency after playoff torching sullies solid season
By K.C. Johnson
Tribune staff reporter

August 2, 2006

BOURBONNAIS -- The image of Charles Tillman's 2005 season that leaps 
to mind will determine if your souvenir Bears glass is half-full or 
half-empty.

Eternal optimists will remember the daring and dash from his 22-yard 
interception return to end the Oct. 30 overtime victory over Detroit.

Eternal pessimists will remember the slip and slop from his scorched 
performance against Steve Smith and Carolina in the divisional 
playoff loss.

Tillman, sipping it all in, chooses to remember both. That's why his 
first goal for the 2006 season is simpler and not as lofty as making 
the Pro Bowl.

"Be more consistent," Tillman said. "I can't be so up and down like 
a roller coaster. Last year I was high one minute and low the next. 
I just want to stay even."

Tillman also wants to stay ahead. The Bears followed through on 
their off-season vow to improve defensive backfield depth, and Ricky 
Manning Jr. and Dante Wesley have looked good thus far in camp.

So has Tillman, who made a sliding interception of Rex Grossman in 
Monday night's practice. Tillman unquestionably is still the starter 
at left cornerback. But if his roller-coaster ride reprises itself, 
don't be surprised to see that depth utilized.

"I look at whoever they bring in as a threat to my job," Tillman 
said calmly. "I know somebody is gunning for me whether they draft a 
defensive back in the first three rounds or whether they bring one 
in as a free agent. That's the way you have to look at everybody.

"You're just an injury or a bad performance away from that next guy 
getting an opportunity. And if he starts doing well, you might be 
done."

As the Bears' third defensive backs coach in as many seasons, Steven 
Wilks owns a fresh perspective on Tillman's talents. Wilks said he 
pored over game film from last season after getting the job and 
noticed Tillman's roller-coaster ride as well.

But Wilks believes the tools are there for a smooth ride.

"He's a big, physical guy, and not everybody talks about his speed, 
but he has pretty good speed," Wilks said of the 6-foot-1-inch, 196-
pounder. "He's real physical at the line of scrimmage. He does a 
great job once he gets his hands on the receivers. He's good at 
shedding a block and making tackles. And he has range to cover a lot 
of ground. Overall, he has everything you want in a left corner."

Fans weren't saying that after Smith's huge game last January, where 
he burned Tillman for a 58-yard touchdown pass on Carolina's second 
play from scrimmage. Smith, who had 218 receiving yards, later 
outdueled Tillman and Chris Harris for a jump ball and a 46-yard 
gain that set up a field goal.

The memory of Smith's huge day somewhat obscures a fairly solid 
season for Tillman. He had career highs with 104 tackles, five 
interceptions, 18 pass break-ups and four forced fumbles. He also 
ranked second in the NFL by averaging 34.4 yards per interception 
return.

"Getting beat comes with my position," Tillman said. "Some people 
realize that and some people don't. Some people think you're 
supposed to be unstoppable. I have an attitude of being unstoppable. 
But it doesn't always work out that way.

"You have to tip your hat. If the guy is good, the guy is good. You 
can only do so much. At some point, you're going to break. It 
happens. To me, it's all how you bounce back from it."

And how does Tillman grade himself in that department?

"I think I'm good," he said. "I mean, I don't think I think about it 
or drain my head or stick my head in the dirt. Fans might think 
that. But I know me better than anyone."

Tillman is one of the funniest and most gregarious players on the 
Bears. He's known as a practical joker and a skilled impersonator. 
But at least publicly, that side of him has been muted thus far in 
camp.

Wilks has noticed that as well.

"He has been all business, and that goes back to his love for the 
game," Wilks said. "It shows in his work ethic. He's a guy I love 
coaching because he wants to get better. He tries to do the little 
things right."

Last year, Tillman's daily battles with Muhsin Muhammad electrified 
training camp and started All-Pro talk for the young cornerback. By 
the time he got beat for TDs in the second, third and fourth games, 
that chatter had stopped.

Not surprisingly, Tillman rebounded with an interception and a 
forced fumble the following game, a victory over Minnesota that kick-
started an eight-game winning streak.

"I've always been pretty good at bouncing back," Tillman said.

There is no All-Pro talk thus far this camp. In fact, the only label 
Tillman hung on himself is "Super Dad," a nod to his off-season 
doting over his 9-month-old daughter.

Tillman's goals may be more mundane on a personal level. But he 
continues to dream on a large scale collectively.

"We can accomplish greatness," Tillman said. "Our goal is to win it 
all."

kcjohnson at tribune.com



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