Bears Sign Tillman to Six-Year Contract Extension

The 6-1, 196-pounder registered five interceptions last season for the second straight year, increasing his career total to 14.

Photo courtesy: NFL.com

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears further solidified their strong defense Tuesday, agreeing to terms with cornerback Charles Tillman on a six-year contract extension through 2013.

Tillman has appeared in 53 games with 49 starts in four seasons since joining the Bears as a second-round pick (35th overall) in the 2003 NFL Draft from Louisiana-Lafayette.

The 6-1, 196-pounder registered five interceptions last season for the second straight year, increasing his career total to 14, second among current Bears behind fellow cornerback Nathan Vasher, who has picked off 16 passes in three seasons.

“I’m glad to remain in Chicago,” Tillman said during a teleconference. “I like playing for coach [Lovie] Smith. I like my teammates. I love the organization and I like the city, so it feels good.”

Tillman, who was due to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2007 campaign, is the fourth Bears starter since last summer to agree to a long-term deal before reaching the open market.

He follows center Olin Kreutz, linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer and Vasher, who signed a five-year contract June 25.

“I commend the Bears for doing a great job of getting it done and my agent as well,” Tillman said. “They compromised; we compromised. No one was big-headed. They were willing to listen; we were willing to listen, and I think that’s how the deal ultimately got done.”

Tillman and Vasher form the only cornerback tandem in the NFL to each record double-digit interceptions with the same team over the past two seasons, and their 21 combined interceptions during that span are the most by an NFC cornerback duo and tied for second in the NFL.

“I’m proud of Nate for getting his deal done when his got done and I’m glad mine has gotten done,” Tillman said. “Nate and I work well together and I’m just glad to be on his team.”

Tillman has been an integral member of Bears squads that have won 24 of 32 regular-season games in capturing back-to-back division championships for the first time since the 1980s.

He has scored two career touchdowns, returning an interception 22 yards in overtime at Detroit on Oct. 30, 2005 and bringing back a fumble 40 yards for a key TD in a 24-23 comeback Monday night victory at Arizona last Oct. 16.

Tillman is part of a Bears secondary that he considers one of the best in the NFL. Other key players include Vasher, safeties Mike Brown, Adam Archuleta, Chris Harris and Danieal Manning, and nickel back Ricky Manning Jr.

“We don’t have the big-time names, but I think we play big-time,” said Tillman, who also praised Chicago’s defensive line for generating a consistent pass rush.

“I think Nathan and I are as good as we are because of our d-line. They make us who we are as DBs because that quarterback can’t throw on his back and they do a good job of keeping that quarterback on his back.”

Story by: Larry Mayer

Courtesy: chicagobears.com

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