Monday night the Bears defense will line-up against the best rushing offense in the NFL. They'll do so with a rotation of defensive tackles that includes a hobbled Tommie Harris, an injured Darwin Walker, Israel Idonije, some guy named Babatunde Oshinowo and quite possibly first-round reject Jimmy Kennedy.
Let's not forget the Bears also boast a rotation of the worst tackling safeties perhaps in the history of the NFL, even when Adam Archuleta's not on the field.
With Nashan Vasher apparently (and oddly) returning to game-action in Minnesota, this game may present an option that's been mulled several times here and throughout the Chicago media.
Peanut Tillman at safety?
Here's why I like the move:
1. Tillman is easily the most sound tackler in the secondary.
2. He's at his very best and most aggressive when the ball is in the air.
3. It would enable the Bears to continue developing Tru "Dat" McBride at cornerback.
4. If the move is successful, the Bears have found a solid solution to play beside a hopefully-returning Mike Brown in 2008. If its unsuccessful, Nut returns to corner next season. No harm. No foul.
#2 jeff said . . .Peanut at safety? Mmmno.
No reason to take our #1 CB and move him to safety while letting a recently injured Vasher handle the #1 WR. Peanut is also a physical CB who excels in bump-and-run coverage rather than covering in open space. I'd also say he's better forcing fumbles than he is at winning jump balls. Keep Peanut at corner.
Now Urlacher at the Safety position is an interesting move, especially considering the pounding his back is taking trying to get off of OT blocks. He played safety in college and certainly has the speed for it, so that might seem like a better and more realistic option for the long run considering the health of his back.
December 13, 2007
#3 HesterFan23 said . . .i'm not gonna lie...i like the idea still after thinking more about it. especially as a test for the next three weeks.
December 13, 2007
#4 Rancid said . . .IDK, but I really hope Vasher can finally return.
I'm really excited about this game. Win or lose, I'm glad that I'll get to see what Orton really has to offer.
December 13, 2007
#5 Shady said . . .I've said it before, trying things after being eliminated from the playoffs isn't the same as not playing to win. If this an experiment that Peanut would agree to, it's worth trying, especially because it allows McBride to continue to get quality minutes.
December 13, 2007
#6 Answer 1 said . . .I agree something needs to change on defense for these last 3 games. Why not?
I just think Urlacher makes more sense. Let's see what kind of LB we have in Jamar Willimas. That information would be nice to have for the upcoming Briggs decision.
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December 13, 2007
#7 Answer 2 said . . .Tru "Dat" McBride.
December 13, 2007
#8 Rancid said . . .Hell no... Rookie.
December 13, 2007
#9 Chad said . . .Yuck. She reminds me of my aunt
December 13, 2007
#10 BRIANsong said . . ." If the move is successful, the Bears have found a solid solution to play beside a hopefully-returning Mike Brown in 2008."
Dude, I'm a Cub fan and Mike Brown is the Kerry Wood of the Bears. Brown is great, when healthy but HE'S NEVER HEALTHY!!!
December 13, 2007
#11 jdawg said . . .Agree on Mike Brown but there's something about him that makes us all root for him year-in and year-out. He's such an immensely talented guy.
December 13, 2007
#12 Phil from SATX said . . .Peanut has shaved his head
December 13, 2007
#13 Phil from SATX said . . .I'm with the others, I think you just muck things up by changing the position of our best CB. At his position this year, he's changed games for us. Still like the Urlacher for safety move.
Ultimately, though, since I don't think they will do that, we have to face that we don't have the right safety on our roster. Still think D Manning is acceptable, wonder what the BT thinks about McGowan's future. Also Kevin Payne - did they like him before he went down?
Hope there's a great strong safety out there in the draft. That was also an interesting idea someone had about switching BU and Briggs - he can still tackle but cannot switch sides of the field in the blink of an eye like he used to. Better used in the box, unless this year was an injury aberration.
Interesting decision on Vasher - maybe they're pissed at him for not playing? Want to make him get some work in before the end of the year? Otherwise it makes no sense, unless they are still pretending they are still in it.
Also, we CAN always get Romo-Lucky - the work is "LUCK" - and while this franchise has had NO luck at QB, that probably just means it's our turn to get some. (Although Cubs have been thinking that for about 100 years and it still hasn't happened)
December 13, 2007
#14 Al in WI said . . .One more thing about BU as weak side linebacker - he'd bat down a bunch more passes than he does currently. That is a great skill of his and not one of Briggs.
December 13, 2007
#15 Phil from SATX said . . .Interesting idea but I'd vote no right now for a couple reasons. Although Vasher is going to play, he's not going to start or play that much. Because he's out shape and hasn't played in 11 weeks counting the bye. Lovie mentioned as much a couple of weeks ago.
My second reason is, why not try Rickey Manning Jr at safety first? He's a man without an island right now moving to the 4th cb. And he too has been mentioned as a guy likely to move to safety and some point in his career.
Lastly, I'm definetly for bringing back Mike Brown next year.December 13, 2007
#16 B.A. Baracus said . . .Yeah, you definitely bring back Brown - and the kind of guy he is, I am relatively sure he would agree to a health-dependent contract.
Regarding strings of luck (and bad luck), maybe it's time both Brown and us got some good luck in 2008. What a difference he'd make.
December 13, 2007
#17 Shady McBears Fan said . . .The Bears' coaching staff is mad. First, Nathan Vasher should be on IR. There is no reason to play him. Second, Tommie Harris and Urlacher should be on the short list of players to go on IR soon. There is no reason to play them and leverage the future after the Viking's game.
Moving Tillman to safety is not a viable option this year because the Bears need all the corners they can get. Moving Urlacher anywhere this year and especially to safety is crazy talk. A smarter move would be to move Urlacher next year to weak side LB and maybe move Briggs into the middle (assuming he gets re-signed).
Finally, the smartest move would be to tie Ron Turner up and throw him into the lake.
December 13, 2007
#18 DTB said . . .That was excellent.
Maybe we shouldn't move Urlacher.
I mean his name DOES rhyme with linebacker.December 14, 2007
#19 DTB said . . .When Tillman was drafted, I recall JA claiming that he could be an impact saftey right off the bat. I am confident in Tru and I believe that Peanut's range, ball skills and tackling ability would benifit the D. I am in favor of this move. Draft an impact slash safety, pair him with Brown and if/when he goes down we have knowledge that Nut can play there. After all, you want your 4 best db's back there at all times. The positions are interchangable.
December 15, 2007
And Urlacher at saftey is the stupidest shit I ever heard of. Take the NFL's defensive MVP from a year ago and move him to safety. I want some of what you're smoking Shady.
December 15, 2007
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