‘Peanut’ returns, adds punch to Carolina Panthers defense

Charles Tillman could have used his knee sprain as a reason to just sit out the rest of the season.

“Peanut” has 13 years, two Pro Bowls, a Super Bowl appearance and a Walter Payton Man of the Year award to his name. He’s 34, and he injured his knee four weeks ago.

We’ve seen it before: Older player tries to play with an injury and does further damage.

But not only did Tillman give it a go on Sunday against the Giants, he made two plays that altered the course of the game. He mattered more in his return game than perhaps any other game this season.

Tillman’s second-quarter forced fumble gave the Panthers the ball in Giants territory. And later, in the fourth quarter, his interception in the end zone killed a drive when New York had all the momentum as the Panthers improved to 14-0 with a 38-35 victory.

“Peanut’s been doing that his whole life,” safety Kurt Coleman said. “That punch that he had was so timely. And then obviously the interception when they’re barking down in the red zone, just to give us another opportunity to get them back. It’s a blessing to have him out there. Great communicator, great leader. Obviously has the experience of so many years. It’s great to have him back out there.”

It’s no stretch to say the Panthers’ defensive backfield was the biggest question mark heading into Sunday. Cornerback Bené Benwikere was placed on injured reserve last week with a broken leg and Tillman hadn’t played in more than a month since spraining his knee in Tennessee.

That left the Panthers with Cortland Finnegan, whom they dragged out of retirement, at nickel and Robert McClain, whom they picked up on Tuesday, as Tillman’s immediate backup.

On Wednesday at practice Tillman appeared to be walking gingerly on his bad leg. On Thursday the Panthers were on a wet practice field, so he couldn’t cut and get in and out of his breaks like he and the coaching staff would have liked.

By Friday, Panthers coach Ron Rivera was optimistic Tillman could play and be effective. But what if Eli Manning looked attacked him?

For whatever reason, Manning didn’t. Giants No. 2 receiver Rueben Randle had four catches for 47 yards, and just three for 20 yards if you take away the coverage breakdown that didn’t appear to be Tillman’s fault on Randle’s 27-yard touchdown reception.

Tillman’s first big play helped the Panthers regain the lead. Running back Rashad Jennings carried for 2 yards when linebacker Shaq Thompson met him for a tackle.

But before Jennings went down, Tillman employed his patented Peanut Punch to jar the ball loose. It was the 44th forced fumble of his career – in the top-10 all-time – and three plays later the Panthers were in the end zone and leading 14-7.

“I just tried to make a play running to the ball. It’s something (defensive coordinator Sean) McDermott tells us to swarm the ball, turn it back to the sharks,” Tillman said. “I really just tried to make a play. I got lucky punching the ball out. I took a shot at it and it popped out.”

Tillman’s next big play came with more than seven minutes left in the game. The Giants had blocked a Panthers field-goal attempt had the ball at the Carolina 13 with a chance to make it a one-score game.

Manning took the shotgun snap and had plenty of time to find a receiver. When the pressure from Kawann Short finally came, Manning threw up a pass into the end zone intended by Hakeem Nicks, who had fallen down.

Tillman made the interception and killed the Giants’ threat.

“I’m humble about being 14-0. I’m not rubbing it in anybody’s face. I’m very humble,” Tillman said. “We are human. We did almost lose the game. But I think you saw the character of our team at the end of the game – the true character of what we can do.

“I don’t think anyone got rattled. We focused, got locked back in and Graham was able to kick the field goal (to win).”

Tillman said he felt tired after the game but otherwise was fine. He planned to spend time with his family in the tunnel after his quick media session, then get on the plane, go home and drink a glass of red wine.

There’s little doubt this is Tillman’s last season in the NFL. He signed a one-year deal worth $2 million in the offseason and just about any network with NFL rights would love to have him as an analyst.

One person I know who recently met him for the first time said, “That guy should run for mayor.”

Tillman will have a future beyond football, whether it be on TV or helping out a Chicago city in crisis as a publicly elected official following his 12 seasons with the Bears.

On his way out of the locker room Sunday night he was asked about the back-and-forth between Josh Norman and Odell Beckham Jr.

“Nah, I’m going to leave that to Josh,” Tillman replied.

He just may have a future in politics.

This story was originally published December 20, 2015 at 6:59 PM with the headline "‘Peanut’ returns, adds punch to Carolina Panthers defense."