Rozelle
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Bears' Tillman undergoes shoulder surgery
Cornerback Charles Tillman could've called it a season at the end of September.
Instead, he chose to wait until Wednesday to have reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder, which he injured Sept. 28 in the Bears' victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He's expected to make a full recovery.
Tillman played with injuries to both shoulders for three-quarters of the season. Two weeks after suffering the original injury trying to tackle Eagles tight end Brent Celek, Tillman left the stadium in Atlanta with his left arm in a sling. He missed the next game against Minnesota, but it was the right shoulder that had more damage with torn ligaments.
The Bears' medical staff knew at the time that surgery would be necessary, but Tillman was advised he likely couldn't make the shoulder any worse by playing. He continued on and started 15 games, making 91 tackles -- the second-most in his six-year career -- even though the injuries made it more difficult for him to play the physical style he prefers.
It's not the first time Tillman has had shoulder issues. He underwent surgery on a shoulder after the 2005 season because of frequent dislocations.
There has been some speculation that he eventually could be moved from left cornerback to free safety. The Bears value Tillman as their best cornerback -- some believe that when he's healthy he's the best defensive player on the roster -- and moving him to safety would create a major void. Cornerbacks are considered more crucial than safeties, as evidenced by how differently the positions are paid.
''Who keeps saying that?'' Tillman said of a potential position change. ''Why are they saying that?''
It has been spoken since the day the Bears used a second-round draft pick on Tillman in 2003. Then-defensive coordinator Greg Blache said if he didn't have a cornerback in Tillman, he knew he had a Pro Bowl safety.
Cornerback remains a bit of an issue for the Bears. Nathan Vasher (right wrist) and Zack Bowman (right biceps) had in-season surgery and landed on injured reserve.
New secondary coach Jon Hoke will be charged with turning around Vasher's fortunes. If he can't return to form, it would seem impossible to switch Tillman.
''I just try to play where the team needs me,'' Tillman said. ''I'll play corner. If the day came and they needed me to play safety, then that's my job. So be it, I would play safety. I'm a cornerback. You're not the only person that has asked me about it, but it doesn't bug me at all.''
Cornerback Charles Tillman could've called it a season at the end of September.
Instead, he chose to wait until Wednesday to have reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder, which he injured Sept. 28 in the Bears' victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He's expected to make a full recovery.
Tillman played with injuries to both shoulders for three-quarters of the season. Two weeks after suffering the original injury trying to tackle Eagles tight end Brent Celek, Tillman left the stadium in Atlanta with his left arm in a sling. He missed the next game against Minnesota, but it was the right shoulder that had more damage with torn ligaments.
The Bears' medical staff knew at the time that surgery would be necessary, but Tillman was advised he likely couldn't make the shoulder any worse by playing. He continued on and started 15 games, making 91 tackles -- the second-most in his six-year career -- even though the injuries made it more difficult for him to play the physical style he prefers.
It's not the first time Tillman has had shoulder issues. He underwent surgery on a shoulder after the 2005 season because of frequent dislocations.
There has been some speculation that he eventually could be moved from left cornerback to free safety. The Bears value Tillman as their best cornerback -- some believe that when he's healthy he's the best defensive player on the roster -- and moving him to safety would create a major void. Cornerbacks are considered more crucial than safeties, as evidenced by how differently the positions are paid.
''Who keeps saying that?'' Tillman said of a potential position change. ''Why are they saying that?''
It has been spoken since the day the Bears used a second-round draft pick on Tillman in 2003. Then-defensive coordinator Greg Blache said if he didn't have a cornerback in Tillman, he knew he had a Pro Bowl safety.
Cornerback remains a bit of an issue for the Bears. Nathan Vasher (right wrist) and Zack Bowman (right biceps) had in-season surgery and landed on injured reserve.
New secondary coach Jon Hoke will be charged with turning around Vasher's fortunes. If he can't return to form, it would seem impossible to switch Tillman.
''I just try to play where the team needs me,'' Tillman said. ''I'll play corner. If the day came and they needed me to play safety, then that's my job. So be it, I would play safety. I'm a cornerback. You're not the only person that has asked me about it, but it doesn't bug me at all.''
