Black and Blue Review
Since Dave Gettleman added free agents during the final wave of free agency in his first two seasons as Carolina Panthers general manager, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s not done signing guys. And it wouldn’t be surprising if the guy who’s now in town winds up staying.
Cornerback Charles Tillman is in Charlotte to meet with the Panthers, according to a league source. But, that source says, as of Wednesday night, nothing has been finalized.
Because of his history with a couple of Carolina’s coaches, Tillman was one of the more obvious potential free agent targets when this offseason began. He spent three years (’04-’06) under Ron Rivera when he was Chicago’s defensive coordinator and three seasons (’06-’08) with defensive backs coach Steve Wilks.
Tillman made back-to-back Pro Bowls starting in 2011, but the 12-year veteran had each of his last two seasons cut short by injury. He played just eight games in 2013 before he tore his right triceps, and then, after re-injuring the triceps in Week 2 last year, he again landed on injured reserve.
Tillman, 34, may not have much left in the tank, but at 6-foot-2, he has size the Panthers covet. Plus, they’re still hoping to add a cornerback before the draft and after Alan Ball left an offer on the table to sign with the Bears. Adding Tillman wouldn’t necessarily make him the Week 1 starter, but he gives the Panthers options as they look for ways to keep Bené Benwikere in the slot.
Another benefit of adding Tillman would be his presence in the locker room. Long respected across the league, he was the NFL’s Man of the Year in 2013. So if Tillman does end up in Carolina, he and linebacker Thomas Davis would give the Panthers the last two winners of the Man of the Year award.