Marshall, Tillman named to All-Pro Team
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Bears record-setting wide receiver Brandon Marshall was named to the Associated Press first-team All-Pro team along with cornerback Charles Tillman. Associated Press |
Charles Tillman was 30 and had played nine years in the NFL before he made his first Pro Bowl last season.
At 31, Tillman made it two straight Pro Bowls earlier this season. And on Saturday, he was voted to his first Associated Press first-team All-Pro team, along with Bears record-setting wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
Tillman forced an NFL-best 10 fumbles this season and returned each of his 3 interceptions for touchdowns. He holds franchise records with 8 interception returns for touchdowns and 9 defensive touchdowns, including 1 fumble return.
In his first season with the Bears, Marshall established franchise records with career bests of 118 receptions and 1,508 yards. Acquired in the off-season for a pair of third-round picks, Marshall also led the team with 11 touchdowns, another personal best.
Bears cornerback Tim Jennings and defensive end Julius Peppers were named to AP's second-team. All four players were also voted to the Pro Bowl this season, along with defensive tackle Henry Melton.
Since his rookie season in 2003, Tillman has forced 39 fumbles, the most in the NFL and almost twice as many as the next-best defensive back, Brian Dawkins, who has 21. Since 1991, Tillman and Dawkins are the only players with 30 or more interceptions and forced fumbles. Tillman has 33 interceptions.
Marshall has now exceeded 1,000 yards in each of the last six seasons. It was his fourth season with more than 100 receptions, including 2007 and '08 in Denver, when Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was the Broncos' quarterback.
