Charles Tillman 50/50 (1 Viewer)

[PlayaHata]

If Charles Tillman doesn't play on Sunday vs. Green Bay, who would get the start in his place? Is it Corey Graham?

Whomever it is, would they be a decent IDP play in tackle-heavy leagues?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

based on preseason, it would likely be Zach Bowman. But Corey Graham replaced him last year and is expected to play primarily as the nickel corner this year so he should get plenty of playing time against Green Bay regardless.

if Bowman starts, I think he's a solid play. Graham should still be good too I think.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I thought I read somewhere that the Bears are apparently listing Trumaine McBride and Nathan Vasher as the starters on their weekly depth chart. Who knows how legit that may be. I'm with Aaron, here, though. If he's healthy enough to be active, Zack Bowman should get plenty of playing time, as should whomever the nickel corner ends up being.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I thought I read somewhere that the Bears are apparently listing Trumaine McBride and Nathan Vasher as the starters on their weekly depth chart. Who knows how legit that may be. I'm with Aaron, here, though. If he's healthy enough to be active, Zack Bowman should get plenty of playing time, as should whomever the nickel corner ends up being.

looks like you're correct. They have McBride listed at LCB ahead of Tillman, and Vasher at RCB ahead of Bowman.McBride didn't play very well in the preseason, but neither did Vasher. Bowman looks like he could be very good if he could just stay healthy, but I guess the Bears may prefer McBride's experience in a game against the Packers offense. It doesn't sound like Graham is in line to start, although I'm not really sure why as he seems like a similar player to Tillman who makes a lot of plays and is a physical tackler. If Danieal Manning doesn't start at FS, then he may play the nickel over Graham.

Doesn't sound like anyone knows for sure what to expect from the Bears, at either safety or corner without Tillman.

this article thinks Bowman starts and that McBride was lucky to make the final roster

Zack Bowman: Injury-prone cornerback was the Bears' best in the off-season workouts and likely will start Sept. 13 against Green Bay, where his healing hamstring will get tested against Donald Driver and Co.

Trumaine McBride: Having survived a rough preseason outing in Denver, McBride got the nod on the roster mostly because of his consistency on special teams. He can't overcome his lack of height, but he fundamentally is one of the secondary's best tacklers and usually is in the right spot. He must improve finishing plays.

another blogger who thinks Bowman starts

Dickerson also indicates that Kevin Payne and rookie Al Afalava are likely to be the starting safeties, with Danieal Manning (hamstring) playing in the nickel. Zack Bowman could start opposite Tillman at cornerback, joining Afalava in making his first NFL start.

The Bears’ unofficial depth chart lists Nate Vasher and Trumaine McBride as the starting cornerbacks. If that happens, writes Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald, the Bears will lose by four touchdowns.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Some of these defensive depth charts this preseason have turned into the equivalent of the Denver or New England RB situation in recent years.

Regardless of what the depth charts say here, I think we're united in thinking that the nickel defense will be on the field for the majority of snaps and that the skill sets and past/projected performance of Bowman and Graham make them the highest upside plays. If I were looking for a high upside spot starter this week, it'd be either Sean Smith, Zack Bowman or Brandon Carr.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

btw, I just noticed that MFL moved Corey Graham from corner to safety.

He was supposed to move to safety at the beginning of camp to compete for the open FS job, but they seem to be using him more as a slot corner now as he seems to be clearly behind Payne, Afalava, D.Manning, and Steltz at the safety position. Not sure why MFL/rotoworld made this change now. IMO, he should have stayed at corner, although a nickel corner isn't that much different from a safety I suppose.

 

[awesomeness]

If Tillman is listed as active, would he get enough plays to put up decent numbers?

 

[Jene Bramel]

If Tillman is listed as active, would he get enough plays to put up decent numbers?

I wouldn't think Tillman would be active unless he was ready to play every down. The Packers are going to be in three WR sets, so if he's active he's there to play.