L.T. Making Playing and Practicing a Priority

Mamba · Sep 24, 2008

SAN DIEGO — That was pretty much LaDainian Tomlinson's alter-ego lining up in the San Diego Chargers' backfield on Monday night. There was nothing for the video scrapbook. No signature juke-shakedowns in the open field to choke oxygen. No astonishing spin moves requiring slo-mo verification. Not even an option pass.
No, this was grunt work.

It is life when one of the NFL's most explosive players meets a sprained right big toe.

L.T., a plodder. Unable to bounce outside, his longest rush was 5 yards.

"That was my whole approach," Tomlinson said after gaining 67 yards on 26 carries (2.6 yards per rush) amid a 48-29 beatdown of the New York Jets. "I knew with my toe, there are certain things that I'm limited in doing. I told myself (it) was going to be one of those physical running days, hitting it up in there, making one cut and going. Because straight-ahead for me is not a problem. It's when I try to do a lot of cutting. You've got to be able to adjust as a running back."

Tomlinson, the NFL's reigning rushing champ, took some heat after a sprained left knee forced him out of the last AFC title game loss at New England after just three plays.

The criticism stung Tomlinson, although that wasn't the reason he was still on the field Monday when San Diego had an 18-point, fourth-quarter lead. The Chargers (1-2) lost each of their first two games on touchdowns — and in the Denver game, a TD with a two-point conversion — in the final seconds and apparently were nervous about lightning striking a third time.

"He wanted to play," coach Norv Turner said. "I mean, 18 points and they are getting onside kicks. We went about 18 minutes and didn't have the ball. We needed to get points and he needed to play."

Tomlinson, who scored his second 2-yard TD of the night with 3:55 remaining, backed his coach on this. Never mind that he was knocked out of the Denver game with just 10 carries after aggravating the injury sustained in the opener against Carolina.

"We were trying to leave no doubt the game was over," he said. It's telling that despite his modest numbers, none of Tomlinson's rushes lost yards.

"I can't imagine what it's like," said quarterback Philip Rivers. "If you know when you're going to cut, it's easy. But you never know, especially the way L.T. runs. He had some tough, hard-nosed runs."

The Chargers, who punted just once, offered a versatile display of firepower. Rivers had 10 consecutive completions at one point, and his three TD strikes gave him an NFL-high nine on the season.

And Tomlinson's backup, Darren Sproles, provided L.T.-like sizzle in averaging 11 yards on seven touches. The defense collected four takeaways — including an interception that Antonio Cromartie returned 52 yards for a TD — and three sacks,

With a trip to Oakland looming, Tomlinson thinks he's close to being himself again. Last week, he didn't practice until Friday.

"If my toe feels like it does now, I think I'll practice this week," he said. "The full week."
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http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/chargers/2008-09-23-tomlinson_N.htm?csp=34

It sucks seeing him injured, but I'm glad he's playing through it. When you rely on cutting upfield and you can't do that, you're going to struggle. I really hope the media and the fans don't jump LT's ship because of his slow start to the year. He had a good 1st game before spraining that big toe. Once he is healthy, he'll be fine to go.

Until then, we've got the tank to give us a solid effort, Darren Sproles!

huevonkiller · Sep 29, 2008

LT had a very nice comeback game, I wouldn't worry about the running game. :O

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L.T. Making Playing and Practicing a Priority

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

huevonkiller Change (Deftones)

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L.T. Making Playing and Practicing a Priority

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

huevonkiller Change (Deftones)

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