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Toub Tells Why Tillman Was On Special Teams..............
Toub explains Tillman's role on special teams
By Brad Biggs, Tribune reporter 6:28 p.m. CDT, September 11, 2012
Some have wondered why a Bears starter like Charles Tillman is being used on special teams, where he was injured in the first quarter of Sunday’s season-opening victory.
While using key starters on special teams exposes them to injuries, but it is football. From the team's perspective, it is pretty simple. Coach Lovie Smith has a policy that all starters are available to play on special teams for Dave Toub, with the exception of quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte. The rest of them, pretty much all have a role.
“It’s Lovie philosophy every starter can play one phase if they are the best guy, if it makes you better on special teams,” Toub said. “He allows them. We ask them to and it’s not like Charles doesn’t want to be there. That’s important to him.”
Tillman suffered a right shin injury when he collided with teammate Sherrick McManis on a punt return. Tillman did not practice Tuesday but the club seems optimistic about his chances to start Thursday night at Green Bay.
Tillman has been a valuable contributor on more than a handful of Devin Hester’s touchdown returns. Tillman, who had 152 snaps on special teams last season, is on the field-goal-block team coming off the edge. His greatest value is as a corner on punt returns.
“He is one of the best; he is a shutdown corner,” Toub said. “There is a lot of time he is out there singled up on a gunner. He can block that guy by himself which a lot of the guys in the league can’t do.”
If the Bears worried about resting key players from special teams, they probably wouldn't have a highly ranked unit nearly every season.
bmbiggs@tribune.com
Twitter @BradBiggs
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Soooo....we find ST studs to fill out our ST roster, and they STILL feel the need to plug in O/D starters?
Dumb. And not just saying this because Tillman got injured...Toub is a ST genius, and we have plenty of talent for STs without resorting to using most of our starters. (im more lenient when they plug in OL/DL for snaps..like Pepp on FG blocks or OL for snaps since those are low speed collisions....but NOT using WR/CB/Safeties for gunner spots...thats just asking for injury)
I'm trying//to let go//of maybe//but maybe's just so//very interesting//Oh, what a thing.
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I personally would do it, but if the players in question are willing to act in accordance to Lovie's wishes, then who are we to criticize?
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Originally Posted by
Dagan81 
I personally would do it, but if the players in question are willing to act in accordance to Lovie's wishes, then who are we to criticize?
Fans. We pay all of their salaries, so we have every right to criticize every single decision any of them make.
I'm trying//to let go//of maybe//but maybe's just so//very interesting//Oh, what a thing.
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Originally Posted by
Jimmors Fans. We pay all of their salaries, so we have every right to criticize every single decision any of them make.
We might pay their salaries, but we know little to nil about running a football team. Therefore, leave the playcalling and personnel decisions to the experts.
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It's one thing if you throw Wootton in there. It's annoying if he gets injured but it doesn't hurt your TEAM as much as having Peanut in there. Tactically, I believe Toub has hints of genius but that ain't it.
With all the ST players we have they can live w/o Peanut for a play or 2. Can't live w/o him on D. Sorry it's just stupid plain and simple. Knock that shit off!
Arguing on the internet is like winning the special olympics, even if you win your still messed up.
Restore the roar!
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Originally Posted by
Dagan81 We might pay their salaries, but we know little to nil about running a football team. Therefore, leave the playcalling and personnel decisions to the experts.
You said who are we to CRITICIZE them? As fans..we have every right to criticize, bitch, moan, complain, boo...whatever.
I'm trying//to let go//of maybe//but maybe's just so//very interesting//Oh, what a thing.
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Originally Posted by
short faced bear It's one thing if you throw Wootton in there. It's annoying if he gets injured but it doesn't hurt your TEAM as much as having Peanut in there. Tactically, I believe Toub has hints of genius but that ain't it.
With all the ST players we have they can live w/o Peanut for a play or 2. Can't live w/o him on D. Sorry it's just stupid plain and simple. Knock that shit off!
That was my feeling too. Why on earth would you have a key player dinking around on ST's?
I mean, would you put Peppers or Urlacher out there on ST's? Brandon Marshall? You'd have to be nuts to do that. Frankly, our ST's don't look as good as in past years to me. Maybe they'll improve over the next few games. We need Tillman this year to be healthy to cover the big WR's like Calvin Johnson. Not dinking around on ST's.
Last edited by JustAnotherBearsFan99; 09-11-2012 at 10:41 PM.
Trestman - Kromer - Tucker - DeCamillis
I'm looking forward to seeing these guys coach. Hope they're good.
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Originally Posted by
Jimmors You said who are we to CRITICIZE them? As fans..we have every right to criticize, bitch, moan, complain, boo...whatever.
And be LOUD when the OF is in the red zone. lol But I must say, didn't hte Bears sign alot of ST players this offseason? Use THEM.
The passion of a few, to rule the many, that's Washington D.C.. Where else was that said before, about whom?
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Originally Posted by
yttocs And be LOUD when the OF is in the red zone. lol But I must say, didn't hte Bears sign alot of ST players this offseason? Use THEM.
That's another good point. Every season we're told we're keeping guys on the roster just because they are ST's guys who Toub wants. Let Toub play with his own toys, and keep away from key starters who we need to win games. I'm all for having a solid ST unit. But you CAN go overboard with this and jeopardize your season if you lose a key starter for stupid reasons.
I'll be honest here. If we would lose a Pro Bowl CB due to a stupid special teams injury I'd be livid angry. We exist in a division where it is "mission critical" to have rock-solid CB's on the field.
Otherwise Green Bay and Detroit will eat us alive.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand you don't put Pro Bowl players on special teams. Can you imagine losing Brandon Marshall, Peppers, Urlacher, Tillman or any of our best players due to this?
Crazy.
Last edited by JustAnotherBearsFan99; 09-12-2012 at 09:13 AM.
Trestman - Kromer - Tucker - DeCamillis
I'm looking forward to seeing these guys coach. Hope they're good.
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