The Most Underrated Chicago Bear

2010's biggest overachievers were loaded with pro-bowl calliber names who certainly came up big throughout the year.  Julius Peppers and Brian Urlacher both received Defensive Player of the Year votes.  Devin Hester continued to launch himself into uncharted territory as the greatest return man in NFL history.  Lance Briggs tacked on another Pro Bowl appearance in a quietly solid career.

The offense certainly improved from the previous year, but even with a marked increase from the likes of Cutler, Forte, and Knox, these guys didn't exactly blow anyone's socks off.  If anything, these guys are, um, appropriately rated.


Idonije got kudos for making quarterbacks fall down

Surprisingly, though, there are still a few names on the Bears' terrific 2010 defense that didn't launch into the same stratosphere as the usual suspects above.  As late as the bye week, it probably should have been Israel Idonije, but as the Chicago defense rose the top of the league, his name arose with it.  The Peppers-Idonije tandem became as inseparable as a one-liner describing the Bears' success as it was an on-field nightmare for (third-string) Quarterbacks.  Thanks to the grass-stained pants of Jimmy Clausen and Tyler Thigpen, Idonije got his due.

With the majority of the team now eliminated, the man who seems to continuously exceed expectations and certainly credit is Charles Tillman.  The veteran cornerback continues to be a playmaker for this Bears team without ever being mentioned among the cornerstones of the team. 

To be fair, he is surrounded by a human-youtube-clip returner, a polarizing quarterback, a superhuman pass rusher, and the latest in a line of iconic Bears linebackers.  But while he doesn't get much off-field press, he seems to be ever present on the field.  At some point, it's not a coincident that he's the one that nabs a tipped pass, scoops a fumble, or punches the ball out after a 27-yard gain.

It was incredibly easy to find a picture of these four Pro Bowl studs

During the Bears' hilariously fortunate 2005 season, Tillman took an overtime pick to the house to end the Lions game.  His 2006 fumble return for a touchdown led to a comeback win and classic Dennis Green meltdown.  His Super Bowl fumble recovery halted a Colts drive, killed their momentum, and helped keep things close until, ya know, Grossman tossed the (WORST) interception (OF ALL TIME).  And in 2010, his goal-line interception kept the Lions game close so they could "win" it at the end.

None of these moments evokes legendary status.  And none of his individual seasons scream Pro Bowl.  However, his ever lurking presense becomes more apparent through a couple of stats:

Tillman is tenth in interceptions since 2003.  During a period that includes three NFC North titles, Tillman led the team and was among the league leaders.  Who was ahead of him during that time? 

Interceptions since 2003
49 Ed Reed (2004 DPOY)
42 Asante Samuel (4 straight pro bowls)
36 Darren Sharper (6th all-time interceptions)
35 Charles Woodson (2009 DPOY)
32 Champ Bailey (2006 DPOY runner up)
32 DeAngelo Hall
29 Rashean Mathis
28 Terence Newman
27 Troy Polamalu (2010 DPOY)
27 Charles Tillman

Pretty lofty company.  Of course, Tillman never had one season to get him into the Pro Bowl, let alone the Defensive Player of the Year discussion.  What he does have is consistency.  He's played at least 14 games in every season other than 2004, and it all seven of those seasons, he managed to produce between 6 and 9 turnovers.  Not eye poping, but consistent.  Now take at the same list taking into account interceptions and forced fumbles.

Turnovers forced since 2003
59 Ed Reed
52 Charles Woodson
52 Charles Tillman
47 Asante Samuel
43 Darren Sharper
37 Champ Bailey
37 DeAngelo Hall
37 Brian Dawkins
36 Robert Mathis
35 Rashean Mathis
35 Terence Newman
35 Troy Polamalu
35 Julius Peppers
33 Jason Taylor
32 Dwight Freeney
28 Brian Urlacher

Only two former Defensive Players of the Year have forced as many possesion changes than Tillman.  Considering the massive impact that turnovers have, this list may be more important to winning than many of the other simple metrics of success.  Half of the players on this list have played in the Super Bowl.  The Bears on this list are part of a Lovie Smith crew that has produced the most turnovers in the NFL over the last six years.  During that span, the Bears have gone 58-38, earned three first-round playoff byes, and a trip to the Super Bowl with Orton . . . Griese . . . Grossman . . . Matthews . . . Collins . . . Cutler.  My head hurts.

The legendary comeback in Arizona is the defining game of the 2000's Bears.  Offensive ineptitude overcome by relentless D and special teams.  The indelible scenes from that game remain the unfathomable Hester return and Urlacher assaulting Edgerrin James to free the ball.  And while those two Pro Bowlers certainly deserve their credit, it's just not a coincidence that Charles Tillman happened to be there when the ball bounced free.