TO-Charles Tillman matchup interesting

[TunaFan33]

By NICK HUT - nhut@nwnewsgroup.com​

Charles Tillman is ready for his first big test of the 2007 season.

After effectively shutting down two average receiving corps in San Diego and Kansas City, Tillman will shadow Terrell Owens when the Dallas Cowboys bring their impressive offense to town Sunday night.

The Bears have no doubt Tillman is up to the challenge as he continues his development into a top cornerback.

Bob Babich, the first-year defensive coordinator, never fully appreciated Tillman while in his previous capacity as linebackers coach. That has changed.

"Usually when I was with the linebackers, I didn't pay much attention to those other units," Babich said. "But I'll tell you what - Charles Tillman is a player. He's a guy who comes to work every day."

Tillman says that is all he has ever tried to do. He remembers, when he was a kid, constantly moving to new towns and schools as part of a military family.

That meant he had to do a lot of catching up. Other kids already would have long division and cursive writing down pat, leaving Tillman scrambling to keep pace.

"I had to work hard [and] be disciplined," Tillman said. "I learned a lot growing up as a military kid moving from place to place."

The fifth-year pro has improved steadily since his second season, when he sat out eight games with a knee injury.

The following year, 2005, he made his share of plays but also came under criticism for giving up too many big ones. Last season he was much more consistent, to the point where the Bears were disappointed when he did not make the Pro Bowl.

Leading the Bears with 11 pass breakups and tying for the top spot with five interceptions - despite sitting out the final two games with a minor injury - Tillman was a difficult matchup for any receiver.

Even the smaller, fleet receivers who had given him trouble in the past did little damage against Tillman. No receiver dominated Tillman and the Bears the way Steve Smith did for Carolina in the 2005 playoffs.

"It's all about learning and growing and improving," Tillman said. "If you're not as good as you want to be in [an] area, you focus on that area and study and find ways to use your God-given gifts to be most effective.

"I never panicked about it. I always stayed calm. I just worked on my technique and came to each game well-prepared [by] watching film and compiling information on every receiver I would have to face."

Even today, a receiver such as Smith might be a better matchup for fellow Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher. Tillman, meanwhile, always has fared well against taller playmakers such as Owens and Randy Moss.

The Tillman-Owens duel is one reason the Bears' defense expects to handle an offense that has 82 points through two games. Owens, showing off the big-play capability that makes him great, has eight catches for 184 yards and three touchdowns.

"Looking forward to it," Tillman said. "It ought to be fun."

Making moves: The Bears have signed running back P.J. Pope to their practice squad after releasing wide receiver David Ball to make room.

Pope was with the Bears during the 2006 preseason, when he led the team in rushing while Cedric Benson and Thomas Jones nursed injuries.

Pope began this preseason with Green Bay, which waived him with an injury settlement after he hurt his knee. The Bears gave him a physical this week and cleared him to play.