LaDainian Tomlinson News: Pro Sports Daily

Turner believes using Sproles more will help Tomlinson

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March 25

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers will have the highest-paid running back tandem in the NFL in 2009, and coach Norv Turner believes it will serve them well. Turner doesn't believe LaDainian Tomlinson necessarily needs a caddie, but he thinks slightly expanding Darren Sproles' role will help the future Hall of Famer. "If you talk about being around the great backs, they're at their comfort level when they get 22, 23, 25 carries," Turner said Tuesday at the NFL owners'meetings. "(Tomlinson) had (a career-low 292) carries last season. I'd expect him to have more. I'd expect him to be in the 320s. That's what he does. He can handle it, and he'll be prepared to handle it. "We have a luxury. We have a very good ..."

Numbers show compromise in new Tomlinson deal

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March 18

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The numbers on LaDainian Tomlinson's reworked contract are in, and they tell a story of compromise. Tomlinson forfeited at least $6.125 million in potential salary over the three years on the deal, though he does have a chance to earn back $2 million of that by reaching yardage milestones in 2010. Tomlinson, credited last week by team President Dean Spanos and General Manager A.J. Smith for helping the team create salary cap room so it could try to sign other players, afforded the Chargers approximately $4.1 million in cap relief over the three years. As reported previously, Tomlinson will make $6.725 million in 2009, same as in the old contract. But $2.875 million was in a signing ..."

Tomlinson takes a step back to move forward

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March 17

Orange County Register

columnist Marcia C. Smith

"LaDainian Tomlinson pulled on the headphones and took a seat on the stage Friday for 710 ESPN Radio's "Lunch with a Legend" at Morton's The Steakhouse. This was lunchtime, with Tomlinson's interview for the "Mason"

Tomlinson agrees to restructured deal with Chargers

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March 11

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Dean Spanos was not going to let LaDainian Tomlinson leave. "What he's done since his career started here, what he's meant to the community and the fans and the organization, it was unthinkable he wouldn't be here," said the Chargers' president and CEO said Tuesday night. Spanos spoke shortly after an accord was reached, with Tomlinson agreeing to take the pay cut the team said he must in order for the franchise and arguably its most popular player ever to avoid a divorce. Tomlinson credited Spanos with smoothing the way to the restructured three-year contract that will keep the iconic running back in San Diego. "I really appreciate the role Dean played throughout this process," ..."

With talks in 'final stages,' signs point to LT staying

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March 10

San Diego Union-Tribune

"It's close. Will he stay or will he go? Indications are that we'll know sooner rather than later. Talks regarding a restructured contract are ongoing between LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers, and those talks reportedly are in the "final stages." It would appear that the continued discussions are good news for those who want LT to stay in San Diego. Both sides have always said they want Tomlinson to be a Charger in 2009. The team believes Tomlinson, if healthy, has at least another year of being an elite running back. Tomlinson lives here, likes it here and would like to stay in the same uniform his entire career. That's best for him now and probably best for his legacy. The ..."

Saints' quarterback Drew Brees would love to 'snatch' Chargers tailback LaDainian Tomlinson if he comes free

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March 9

New Orleans Times-Picayune

"If it were up to Saints quarterback Drew Brees, he'd love to be reunited with close friend and former teammate LaDainian Tomlinson if the San Diego Chargers cut the former MVP tailback loose. While discussing Tomlinson's contract standoff on San Diego radio station XX 1090 AM, Brees said the "best case scenario" would be for Tomlinson to stay in San Diego because of what he's meant to the team, the fans and the community. But he also admitted, "I'm just waiting for the opportunity if he is available to come and snatch him away." When asked if he has discussed that possibility with Tomlinson, Brees said, "I think that's pretty obvious, don't you think?" When the radio hosts jokingly brought ..."

Stay or go? Decision now in LT's hands

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March 7

San Diego Union-Tribune

"It's been almost two weeks since the Chargers and LaDainian Tomlinson's agent began the back and forth of a contract restructure for the iconic running back. The back and forth is finished. This is up to Tomlinson now. It's a matter of whether he wants to play for less money in San Diego. Information is coming in this saga like water from a drippy faucet. But my understanding is that Tomlinson has the Chargers' final offer. That offer could be for two years or three years. Whatever it is, it will be for less money than the $24 million he is scheduled to make by 2011. What form the new money takes (signing bonus, roster bonus, incentives) is not known. We heard Thursday on 1090-AM from ..."

No decision today: Tomlinson's status remains unclear

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February 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson's future with the Chargers is still up in the air. "All I can tell you is everything is ongoing," Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith said Thursday in delivering his state-of-the-Chargers address. "I've got nothing more to add at this time. But I will add this: We would love to have him. We hope he returns." The Chargers are hoping to restructure Tomlinson's contract, which has three years remaining, to reduce the $6.725 million owed the former league Most Valuable Player for next season, with Tomlinson receiving a new signing bonus to be paid over five years."

LT's fate could be decided Thursday

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February 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Amid indications the LaDainian Tomlinson saga could be resolved Thursday, Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith will address the media at noon. Silent since last week about Tomlinson and, really, all things regarding his team, Smith will talk the usual injury specifics and be vague about plans for free agency and the draft. He will announce topics he refused to confirm or deny Wednesday, including the retention of restricted free agents Malcom Floyd and Cletis Gordon, both given a second-round tender, which guarantees them $1.45 million. (The Chargers did announce the re-signing of guard Kynan Forney to a two-year deal potentially worth $4.5 million.) There could be a surprise or two, as ..."

For LT, time is the heart of the matter

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February 23

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Tim Sullivan

"LaDainian Tomlinson is like a vintage sports car: exquisitely engineered, continually thrilling, and repeatedly down for repairs. The miles accumulate along with the memories, until the cost of maintenance consumes the rush of pulse-pumping, responsive speed. All running backs reach the point of diminishing dazzle, the career crossroads at which what they are can never again match what they once were. If LT has not already reached that point, it is close, and it is coming. This is the way of all flesh, and all flash, and there's no one to fault but Father Time. Thus the Chargers' interest in reconfiguring LT's contract should not be viewed as an insult, but as an inevitability. Both ..."

Risky business for Chargers, LT's reps

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February 23

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers and representatives for LaDainian Tomlinson are talking to each other. But no word regarding progress, or lack thereof, is coming out of either camp. As the two sides negotiate over how the future Hall of Famer could remain in San Diego, questions linger about how long it will take and under what terms Tomlinson could stay. With the NFL scheduled to have no salary cap in 2010, a deal heavily laden with incentives seems unlikely because those incentives would count against the 2009 cap if reached. Any restructuring - which would reduce Tomlinson's base salary for 2009 and beyond - would likely include a new signing bonus that could be spread out over five years for the ..."

Tomlinson talks are expected to heat up this weekend

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February 21

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Even before the principals began arriving here Thursday for the NFL Scouting Combine, meetings between the Chargers and LaDainian Tomlinson's agent were set for this weekend. Ed McGuire, Chargers assistant general manager, was scheduled to arrive in Indianapolis on Friday night, and sources said a series of discussions between him and Tomlinson's agent, Tom Condon, will take place after that. (McGuire is the team's chief negotiator; General Manager A.J. Smith rarely speaks directly with agents.) A source said Thursday that a meeting was set between McGuire and Condon for Sunday, but that likely will be just one of several components of a back-and-forth between the sides over a ..."

Smith calls Tomlinson in effort to clear the air

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January 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers on Monday made moves to reach out to their star running back and to their fans. First, General Manager A.J. Smith called LaDainian Tomlinson to talk to him about comments he made last week that have drawn fire across the nation and inside his organization. The team then posted a story on its Web site. “It was important to me that LT know exactly what happened,” Smith said on the site. “I just answered a question and unfortunately my response was inappropriate. After reading my response to the question, I can see why it was interpreted the way it was. I absolutely meant no disrespect toward LT – none. I have the utmost respect for him on two fronts – as a player and as a ..."

Tomlinson-Smith public saga must stop now, Merriman says

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January 26

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Quietly, some Chargers players have expressed indignation in recent days over the LaDainian Tomlinson saga. Particularly, players have privately expressed consternation over General Manager A.J. Smith's comments in which he was interpreted as mocking the star running back. Sunday, one player who rarely censors what he says and who has strong beliefs and no fear spoke out. "That (stuff) doesn't help bring a Super Bowl to San Diego," linebacker Shawne Merriman said. "And that (stuff) needs to stop, period. It needs to stop now." That is not far from the thinking from the top of the organization. Sources said that team President Dean Spanos is "very upset" about the Tomlinson situation ..."

LT can resolve his predicament by making a cut – in his salary

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January 25

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Tim Sullivan

"LaDainian Tomlinson's latest move is a misdirection play. In announcing that he has "absolutely no control" should the Chargers decide to trade him, LT has omitted an important detail: Everything is negotiable. If Tomlinson is disinclined to take a hike, he could volunteer to take a pay cut. He could acknowledge that an NFL running back who will turn 30 as a recurring injury risk no longer merits the highest base salary at his position. He could declare and then demonstrate that dollars are a secondary consideration at this stage of his Canton-bound career. He could seize the initiative from A.J. Smith, back the Bolts into a more awkward position than they already occupy, and free up ..."

Abrupt? Egotistical? Smith can be both. But did he mock LT? No

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January 25

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Kevin Acee

"Since writing the story that included the now-infamous A.J. Smith quotes regarding LaDainian Tomlinson's Web site posting, I've been traveling and digesting the national and local reaction to Smith's words. My reaction to the reaction: Wow! If you don't know what quote I'm referring to, I'm surprised you're even reading this. Anyone with a passing interest in the NFL has heard or read about what Smith said and the idea he is a horrible human for mocking Tomlinson. I definitely see where that interpretation comes from. Repeating someone's words to fashion your own quote would certainly not seem to be an attempt to show respect. But as the person who elicited the quote, I feel a certain ..."

Did the San Diego Chargers Allow LaDainian Tomlinson To Turn Soft?

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January 24

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Regardless of where LaDainian Tomlinson winds up next season, there is a question about his toughness. He has had a significant injury in four out of the last five seasons. In 2004 it was his groin. In 2005 it was his ribs. In 2007 it was his knee. In 2008 it was his toe and groin. Let me get down to the bottom line here: You can't just be tough because you've decided to be mentally strong. Over the past four seasons, Tomlinson has only been hit in real games. He doesn't get hit in training camp, the preseason, or practice. The guys he is getting hit by are banging from training camp on. It is physically impossible for a guy that doesn't get hit to be anywhere near as tough as a guy that ..."

Tomlinson: ‘I have no intentions of leaving San Diego’

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January 21

NFL.com

"If LaDainian Tomlinson has any say in the matter, he’s staying with the Chargers. Amid published reports last week that the Chargers were weighing their options on Tomlinson’s future with the team — which include options from keeping him at his current salary level to attempting to renegotiate his contract, trading him or releasing him — the five-time Pro Bowler responded Wednesday with a message on his personal Web site. “I have been getting a lot of messages on my site regarding me leaving San Diego,” Tomlinson wrote. “I feel that I need to make it very clear that I have NO intentions of leaving San Diego. San Diego is where my career started and where I’d like it to end. I have nothing ..."

Weighing the options will decide LT's fate

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January 17

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The Chargers - meaning President Dean Spanos, General Manager A.J. Smith, Vice President Ed McGuire and head coach Norv Turner - will consider four options with regard to LaDainian Tomlinson's future with the team. Within the next month, they will either keep him at his current salary level, approach him about a contract renegotiation, try to trade him or release him. All four options - releasing him or attempting to work out a new contract, or both, appear to be the most likely scenarios - will be weighed with several factors in mind. And all those factors can really be boiled down to one objective. "How do we do all the things we need to do," Smith said Friday. "That's what we have to ..."

Spanos' words to Tomlinson: 'Don't jump to any conclusions'

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January 16

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Chargers president Dean Spanos spoke with LaDainian Tomlinson on Thursday and then addressed the furor surrounding his iconic running back. "We talked about the situation and I just tried to explain everything that must be considered," Spanos said on the team's Web site. "I told him we haven't even started our discussions and won't for awhile, so don't jump to any conclusions. And I told him I would call him personally to make sure he's aware of everything that's going on." Spanos declined further comment. Tomlinson, who is traveling for another opinion on his injured groin, did not return a phone message. According to a source, Spanos expressed to Tomlinson that the team has not ..."

Defensive struggles ultimately did in Bolts

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January 16

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Defense wins championships. For all the reasons the Chargers are home right now, look no further than that cliché. The Chargers finished the 2008 season ranked 15th in the NFL in points allowed, 25th in yards allowed and 31st in passing yards allowed. Now, it was a strange year. Linebacker Shawne Merriman, perhaps the most disruptive player in the league, played just one game before succumbing to two torn ligaments. Coordinator Ted Cottrell and his players did not handle the loss of Merriman well. Cottrell was gone at midseason and replaced by inside linebackers coach Ron Rivera. The statistics and results were greatly improved once Rivera's changes set in. But there remain holes. ..."

LT's hefty contract weighing heavy on offseason decisions

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January 14

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Tim Sullivan

"What remains of LaDainian Tomlinson's contract might as well be payable in Monopoly money. Pro football players get their guaranteed money up front and are subsequently paid only until management's mood changes. The end, customarily, is abrupt. The sport is about as sentimental as a sledgehammer. That LaDainian Tomlinson is the greatest player the Chargers have ever employed is largely irrelevant to A.J. Smith's personnel decisions. LT is a running back whose next birthday is No. 30, whose last season suggested slippage and whose 2009, 2010 and 2011 salaries are a large liability easily eliminated. Unlike other major sports, the National Football League negotiates long-term contracts that ..."

L.T. looking ahead to future

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January 12

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson Sunday missed his first-ever start due to injury. "It's not a good feeling," he said afterward. Having to watch much of the Chargers' past four postseason games, sidelined last year by a sprained knee and this year by a torn tendon in his groin, has Tomlinson unsure but motivated about his future. "What I'm looking forward to is proving I can play every game again," Tomlinson said after the Chargers' 35-24 playoff loss to Pittsburgh. "I've always prided myself more than anything on being there every game. For me, I want to get back to that point where I'm playing every game." The man who could not be stopped for so many years - gaining more yards and scoring more ..."

Tomlinson reveals his groin muscle is torn, not strained

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January 8

North County Times

"LaDainian Tomlinson spared reporters the suspense of waiting for Friday injury's report to reveal his injury status. He said on Wednesday that he' s doubtful to play in Sunday's AFC divisional round playoff at Pittsburgh, which, in NFL-speak, means there's a 75 percent chance he won't play against the Steelers. Tomlinson also revealed new details about the severity of an injury the Chargers have continually called a strained groin that might anchor him to the sideline. "It's definitely torn," Tomlinson said. "?- If it was a strain, I'd be able to play with it. Trust me. A lot of guys have strains." Tomlinson got hurt in the Dec. 28 regular-season finale against Denver. He was in the midst ..."

'Helpless' LT to sit this one out

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January 8

San Diego Union-Tribune

"No one is saying publicly that LaDainian Tomlinson will not play Sunday. But he won't. That's the private resignation of those in the know, and it is apparent in every move Tomlinson makes and pretty much everything he says. “I don't think anybody can know the frustration,” said Tomlinson, dealing with a debilitating injury for the second straight postseason. “It's tough dealing with it. ... I really sometimes want to go home and stay and lock myself up and not go in public just because all my life all I ever wanted to do was play football. That's all I ever wanted to do, win a championship. “To feel so helpless, to be at this point where we have a chance to do it and again, I can't do ..."

L.T. may miss rest of playoffs

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January 5

San Diego Union-Tribune

"While they're using phrases like "day to day" and "we'll see," no one in the Chargers organization truly expects LaDainian Tomlinson to play Sunday at Pittsburgh. But the Chargers will not place Tomlinson on injured reserve, in the hope that he still could play in the postseason. "He might be able to play in another week if we were able to go on," coach Norv Turner said. "Or maybe he could play in another week after that." The likelihood, according to sources, is that Tomlinson's severely strained groin will keep him out the rest of the postseason and will require surgery. But Turner reported Sunday that the injury "is not any worse" after Tomlinson played on it Saturday. Michael ..."

Uncertainty surrounds LT

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January 4

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The hard part? The truly hard part? In the end, it wasn't being on the sideline and watching another Chargers running back win the game in OT. That was the nice part. The hard part was not being able to celebrate. Not being able to jump in the air along with everybody else on the sideline. Not being able to break into a full sprint toward Darren Sproles and wrap his arms around him. "I just realized that everybody was running past me," LaDainian Tomlinson said. "I couldn't run." Whether Tomlinson can run in next weekend's divisional playoff game at either Tennessee or Pittsburgh is unclear, although judging from Saturday night's events without access or a working knowledge of MRI ..."

Source: Tomlinson has torn tendon, will attempt to play

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January 3

ESPN.com

"San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson has a detached tendon that connects one of his adductor (groin) muscles to his pubic bone, according to team sources. Tomlinson has been listed as a game-time decision against the Indianapolis Colts in Saturday night's AFC wild-card playoff game with a groin strain, and sources say he is going to attempt to play because physical therapy has given him some relief. His playing status is expected to be determined after he tests the injury during a pregame warmup. Doctors discovered through scans that Tomlinson had an "avulsion" on one of three adductor muscles, meaning a tendon that connects the muscle to the pubic bone has detached, team ..."

LJ and LT appear to be feeling NFL wear and tear

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December 14

Kansas City Star

"Shortly after Larry Johnson's career arc began to shoot upward during his spectacular 2005 season, an opposing coach sounded a warning no one wanted to heed. "Right now, he's a force in their offense," said Bill Parcells, then coaching in Dallas and preparing the Cowboys to face the Chiefs, who were routinely giving Johnson the ball 35 times a game. "But it's a rare person who can take that physically for a prolonged period of time. That's what separates them. It's a difficult position to play. You have a bull's-eye on your chest every week, and sometimes that bull's-eye gets a little heavy. "You can really separate most of the great players from the guys whose candle burned brightly for a ..."

Respect still there for Tomlinson

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November 23

Indianapolis Star

columnist Mike Chappell

"It has not been vintage LaDainian Tomlinson. The Chargers running back the Indianapolis Colts face this evening in San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium has averaged 68.6 yards per game, 3.8 yards per attempt. Not since his rookie season in 2001 have the numbers been so, well, un-Tomlinson-like. But lest we jump to conclusions, let's check the videotape. Which the Colts did. "I don't see anything different,'' insisted defensive end Raheem Brock. "He still looks good to me. I'm watching film and he's still making plays.'' Yet Tomlinson has cracked the 100-yard barrier only twice this season, peaking at 106 yards at Oakland in late September. "He's still an elite runner and he's still dangerous,'' ..."

Tomlinson not ready to concede season

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November 18

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson has seen this play out before. Try as he might, he can't be optimistic. The Chargers running back and resident realist said Monday he feels the season slipping away with the maddeningly inconsistent Chargers at 4-6 and running out of time to chase down the suddenly resurgent Denver Broncos (6-4). "I think so, I really do," Tomlinson said. "Two games back, you're not out of it, but it's like blown opportunities we keep on talking about. Whenever you keep blowing opportunities, at some point opportunities don't come about anymore. When the opportunity comes, you open the door and take it. If you don't, it passes you by and goes to somebody else." Tomlinson spoke again ..."

It's ludicrous to write LT's final chapter

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November 11

San Diego Union-Tribune

columnist Nick Canepa

"Rumors of LaDainian Tomlinson's demise not only are greatly exaggerated, they're asinine. But the doubting villagers are out there all right, in force, waving torches, ready to storm the once-impregnable Castle LT. You don't get my e-mails. You send them. LT is finished. Done. Toast. I'm told the Chargers' tailback can't run anymore. He was football's Napoleon, but what remains of his skills are Waterloo. He's Elba toast. Now there is one big pile of manure. I'll be the last one to sit here and tell you LT, at 29, is everything he was five years ago, or even two years ago. Not many people are. But to say he's finished is beyond ridiculous. He's not, and it's obvious he's not. Just because ..."

Tomlinson runs more, appears healthy in losing effort Sunday

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October 27

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Just like LaDainian Tomlinson requested, the Chargers were stubborn with the run Sunday, at least until it didn't make sense to be so. And true to his word, Tomlinson appeared healthy, as he came through big in his first game since meeting with coach Norv Turner and asking that the Chargers run more. "We got a good flow," said Tomlinson, who ran 10 times for 85 yards in the first half and finished with 105 yards on 19 carries, his rushes dropping off in the second half as the Chargers faced a big deficit. "That was nice," center Nick Hardwick said. "We were cooking a little bit there until we couldn't. We got after it, got aggressive, sticking on blocks." Entering Sunday, Tomlinson had ..."

Tomlinson says running game woes go beyond his big toe

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October 14

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson knows a problem is looming if the Chargers don't fix a part of their offense. "We need to run the ball better," Tomlinson said. "We're not very good at running the ball." Big plays are great - exciting and productive when everything goes well. And the Chargers will take moving the ball and scoring points however that comes right now. But moving forward, they know things have to change. They can't keep losing the time-of-possession battle (their 27:58 average ranks 26th in the league), can't keep converting so few third downs (6-for-20 over the past two games), can't keep running so few plays (their average of 55 per game ranks 29th). The Chargers, who ranked third ..."

Tomlinson's sore toe is not hurting team

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October 13

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson is resigned to the reality of his situation. Until the Chargers get a bye after two more games, his sprained right toe is going to pain him. He is of the strong opinion, however, that his presence on the field isn't hurting his team's chance for success. Amid continued questions on numerous media fronts about Tomlinson's ability to excel while hobbled, he came up with an answer last night in the Chargers' 30-10 victory over the New England Patriots. He showed impressive bursts at times in running for 74 yards on 20 carries, and he caught three passes for 44 yards. Although his 118 combined yards came without a touchdown, it was his best total of the six-game season. ..."

Hobbled stars are slowing the Chargers offensive output

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October 6

San Diego Union-Tribune

"As varied and rich in talent as the Chargers offense is, it is nonetheless built around the spectacular abilities of two primary players. And those two players, Antonio Gates and LaDainian Tomlinson, are battling injuries they won't let be excuses but that are clearly limiting their effectiveness. Tomlinson, a week after showing so much burst and explosion in gaining 106 yards against Oakland, was again less than himself Sunday. The Dolphins stepped on him, and his big toe was twisted into the ground, aggravating the injury he suffered in the season opener. And Gates continued to battle a hip stinger that yesterday greatly affected his ability to get open. "Obviously there are some ..."

Chargers' Tomlinson hampered by toe injury

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October 6

Miami Herald

"San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson wasn't the same Sunday. His cuts weren't as sharp. His burst wasn't as explosive. Struggling with a toe injury that has bothered him for most of the season, the five-time Pro Bowler couldn't even stay in the game for multiple carries in a row. The best Tomlinson could muster against the Dolphins was an 11-yard, straight-forward plunge off the left side. He finished with 35 rushing yards on 12 carries and the Chargers lost 17-10 to fall to 2-3 on the season. ''It bothered me,'' Tomlinson said. ``When I got hit at times, it got stomped in the ground. It's something I expected. There's not really anything I can do about it.'' Tomlinson jammed his ..."

Miami shuts down Chargers' running game

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October 6

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"LaDainian Tomlinson took the handoff and made a sharp cut left. At first glance the Chargers' Pro Bowl tailback saw nothing but end zone. But the hole closed quickly. Next thing Tomlinson knew Dolphins defensive end Vonnie Holliday was holding his ankle at the line of scrimmage and linebacker Channing Crowder was plowing into the pile to drive him backward for the stop. On fourth-and-goal at the Dolphins' 1-yard line, with his team trailing 17-10 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Dolphins kept the NFL's fantasy football dynamo from gaining a single yard and turned the tide of the game. That play was one of the many battles the Dolphins would win against Tomlinson and the Chargers' ..."

Tomlinson still on top

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October 5

CBSSports.com

columnist Jamey Eisenberg

"Earlier this week, my colleague Dave Richard wrote in his column that Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson looks slow and it's time to consider trading him. Wait, what? Typically, Dave and I agree on most things, but he's getting ahead of himself here. We're still talking about Tomlinson, right? The guy who has run for at least 1,200 yards and scored 10 touchdowns every year of his career? The guy who scored an NFL-record 31 touchdowns just two years ago? That guy? I know, we're talking about the here and now, and through four weeks he's been limited. He's also dealing with a toe injury, is 29 years old and doesn't have his standout fullback anymore in Lorenzo Neal. But it's still ..."

Dolphins' defense will focus on Chargers' Tomlinson

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September 30

Miami Herald

"The mission is clear for the Dolphins defense. ''When you're playing the San Diego Chargers you're going to think about three or four guys, but the No. 1 guy better be No. 21,'' Dolphins nose tackle Jason Ferguson said. The Dolphins will have one of their most difficult challenges of the season Sunday -- containing Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson. The two-time defending NFL rushing champion has been slowed by a toe injury the past three weeks but still has been effective. ''No. 21'' enters Sunday's game at Dolphin Stadium ranked 11th in rushing with 77 carries for 296 yards and four touchdowns. Tomlinson helped propel the Chargers past the Oakland Raiders on Sunday with his best ..."

'Slant Scissors' play helps L.T. slice and dice Raiders defense

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September 29

San Diego Union-Tribune

"In the end, inevitably, it got back down to child's play. LT vs. the Raiders. Rock? Paper? Scissors? Scissors, it is. In the Chargers' vernacular, actually, the play that LaDainian Tomlinson used this time to continue his personal vexation of the Oakland Raiders was called "Slant Scissors." Twin tight ends Antonio Gates and Brandon Manumaleuna did the pinching, turning their blocked victims inward on the right side, and Tomlinson did the cutting with a precise turn outside for a 41-yard touchdown. "Big hole," said Tomlinson, who was untouched until he was well inside the 10-yard line and still cruised in. "If you can't get through that hole, you don't need to be playing football." And ..."

L.T. in a rush to reach end zone

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September 23

San Diego Union-Tribune

"LaDainian Tomlinson knew it was coming. If the Chargers kept relying solely on the arm of quarterback Philip Rivers to get them into the end zone, there was going to be some awfully loud squawking going on in town. So he was thrilled Monday night to finally touch that painted blue grass at Qualcomm Stadium, running in for two scores in the Chargers' 48-29 win over the New York Jets. "I almost forgot what it felt like," Tomlinson said with a grin. "It was like, 'Jeez, the next thing is the media is going to start getting on us about no rushing touchdowns.' ... I was happy to get a rushing touchdown to keep you guys off our backs." Tomlinson, who had never started a pro season with three ..."

With or without Tomlinson, projections give Chargers edge

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September 22

San Diego Union-Tribune

"ACCUSCORE ANALYSIS: Jets at Chargers AccuScore runs 10,000 computer simulations of NFL games, one play at a time, to project likely outcomes. It is 23-8 in projecting winners through two weeks. Here is the assessment of today's Chargers game against the Jets. Last week, AccuScore simulations called the Chargers-Broncos game a coin flip, with Denver winning 51 percent of the time by an average of 0.4 points per game. If AccuScore is right again in Week 3, the Chargers should get their first win of the season. WHO NEEDS LT LaDainian Tomlinson is questionable for the game, but Darren Sproles is a dynamic backup. He might not have the durability to be a primary running back, but he certainly ..."

Turf toe slows Chargers' star running back in loss

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September 15

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the Chargers' comeback Sunday is that they scored their final 28 points with LaDainian Tomlinson off the field more than he was on it. Tomlinson late in the second quarter aggravated the sprained toe he suffered in last week's season opener. He ran just four more times and caught only one pass after that. He wasn't in the game much more than those five touches. "It tightened up some, swelled up a little bit," Tomlinson said. "The one thing I'm happy about is it didn't get any worse after the game. I don't feel any worse than I did last week after the game, which shows it is improving and healing." In all, Tomlinson carried 10 times for 26 yards ..."

Denver gets W if L.T. derailed

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September 14

Denver Post

columnist Woody Paige

"Stop L.T. Master villain Ernesto Blofeld used to say to his bootlickers: "Stop James Bond, and we will rule the world." Master coach Mike Shanahan must say to his players: "Stop L.T., and we will win the game." A Rivers does not run through it. A LaDainian Tomlinson does. When L.T. is not stopped, the Broncos lose. When he is stopped, the Broncos win. Here are the facts: Tomlinson, the hard-charging running back in his eighth season with the soft-charging Chargers, today will confront the Broncos for the 15th time - the most games he's played against an NFL opponent. In those 14 games, L.T. has rushed for 1,222 yards (an average of 87.3 per game) and 15 touchdowns and has 369 yards ..."

Tomlinson says he'll be ready for Sunday's game

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September 13

San Diego Union-Tribune

"The official status is "questionable." Clearly, though, there is no question in LaDainian Tomlinson's mind. Tomlinson and Pro Bowl cornerback Antonio Cromartie are listed as "questionable" for Sunday's matchup with the Denver Broncos, the first AFC West game of the season for the two-time defending division champion Chargers, but both were back on the practice field Friday and both are expected to be available. Even though he was held to what coach Norv Turner said was "half the reps" Friday, Tomlinson came off the field and reported he was "able to do everything" despite a sore right big toe that kept him out of drills Wednesday and Thursday, an injury sustained during the final ..."

Panthers defense faces L.T. challenge at San Diego

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September 2

Charlotte Observer

"Jon Beason knows not to put too much stock in the NFL's preseason. Still, it was an eye-catching number: Three. That's now many points the Carolina Panthers' first-team defense allowed during three exhibitions (the starters didn't play in the final game against the Pittsburgh Steelers). “It's an example of how good we can be,” said Beason, the Panthers' middle linebacker. He is an emerging star on a once-dominant unit that underachieved last season, coming up with a franchise-low 23 sacks and finishing in the middle of most of the NFL's key defensive statistics. So, although the only preseason points that first group allowed came from a 42-yard field goal by Indianapolis' Adam Vinatieri, ..."

Tomlinson eager for first game

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September 2

San Diego Union-Tribune

"With meaningless exhibition games finally out of the way, it's time for LaDainian Tomlinson to get back to work. More than seven months after limping off the field during the AFC championship game, Tomlinson will return to action when his San Diego Chargers host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. "I'm looking forward to it," Tomlinson said Monday. "It seems like it's been a long preseason. This probably has been the longest preseason I've been a part of. Feels like it, anyway. I'm excited about this week and excited to get back on the football field." As usual, Tomlinson was reduced to being a sideline spectator during the exhibition games to avoid the risk of injury. This year there was the ..."

Will Chargers, LT miss Turner?

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July 31

San Diego Union-Tribune

"Michael Turner showed how valuable a backup running back can be - even when the starter never misses a game. Unless you think it is entirely coincidence that LaDainian Tomlinson led the league in rushing the past two seasons. That takes nothing away from Tomlinson. It is just a fact that Tomlinson trusted Turner to spell him at various times in games the past two years, something he had been unwilling to do in previous seasons. Turner's numbers in 2007 were not what they were in '06, for various reasons. But there is no one who denies Turner's presence - in addition to Tomlinson's running style - helped keep Tomlinson fresh. Now Turner is gone, having signed with Atlanta as a free agent, ..."