Giving Father Time a Stiff Arm

Mamba · Sep 26, 2008

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SAN DIEGO ---- Can you blame the Raiders for counting the days until LaDainian Tomlinson is done torturing them?

Tomlinson rolls into Oakland on Sunday to face a defense he has run through more than any other. In 14 games against the Raiders, Tomlinson has rushed for 1,709 yards. If he rushes for 55 yards Sunday, he'll surpass Hall of Famer Barry Sanders (1,763 vs. Tampa Bay) for the most rushing yards through 15 games against a single opponent since 1970.

Tomlinson also has 19 total touchdowns against the Silver and Black. With two touchdowns this weekend, he'll eclipse Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen for the most total touchdowns through 15 games against a single opponent since 1970.

"I enjoy playing there,'' Tomlinson said. "I think it is one of the better places in the National Football League to play just because they got a great fan base that really gets into the game.''

What those Raiders rowdies can't wait for is when No. 21 no longer sticks it to them like someone plucking a voodoo doll.

Is that day close at hand? Tomlinson, in his eighth season, is on the back nine of a Hall of Fame career. At age 29, Tomlinson's sands of NFL time are running out, based on the punishment he takes and the position he plays.

According to the NFL Players Association, the average career for a running back is fewer than three seasons. And with Tomlinson being bothered by injuries of late ---- knee last year, big toe this year ---- some wonder if the slide has started.

"You know how it goes ---- it's football and you get injuries,'' former Chargers running back Natrone Means said. "You want to stay healthy, but you know when that injury bug starts biting you, it seems like when it rains, it starts pouring.''

But it was nothing but sunshine and smiles Thursday, with Tomlinson practicing after skipping Wednesday's session. He ran with ease, looking nothing like a back who is ready for the rocking chair.

Means, a Charger from 1993-95 and '98-99, was the team's Tomlinson back in the day. In his second season, he set a franchise record ---- which Tomlinson broke ---- by rushing for 1,350 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead the Chargers to their lone Super Bowl.

But by the eighth year of his once-promising career, Means was done. There were injuries to his groin, thumb, knee, ankle ---- almost every body part used as a target by defenders.

"That's just nagging injuries, just the wear and tear,'' said Means, who lives in North Carolina and is working on a coaching career through the NFL's Minority Fellowship Program. "Over time, your body takes the pounding and eventually things don't work as well as they used to. It just happens.''

It will happen to Tomlinson someday, just as surely as a Raider goofball will wear a skeleton mask Sunday. But Means isn't ready to say Tomlinson that is descending.

"I think people are pushing the panic button a little fast on that one,'' said Means, who rushed for 5,215 yards and 45 touchdowns. "They are concerned because all those touches are starting to add up. There is always going to be that concern because he assumes so much of the workload.''

That load is being held up by a toe that barks with regularity. While a sore big toe doesn't seem like a big deal, it is, according to Means.

"You are running on that toe, you are stopping, cutting up on that toe ---- that is just pain and that has to be a pain in his (rear) to not go out there and be able to move freely,'' he said. "When he can do that, that is what makes L.T. who he is. But now if you can't get up on that toe, can't cut, can't make the guys miss and accelerate ---- man, I'm sure he's tired of hearing all the questions. I hope he puts some of those questions to bed.''

When the Chargers tucked away their first win Monday, the statistical sheet told a compelling story. Tomlinson rushed a season-high 26 times, but not one carry for over 5 yards.

Is that poor run blocking? Is that Tomlinson, the two-time defending NFL rushing leader, being horse-collared by Father Time?

Tomlinson has been held under 100 yards in seven straight games, including the playoffs. That's his second-longest streak; he went 10 consecutive games in his rookie year.

"I read and heard some stuff about him being on the decline, but I don't think so,'' said Clarence Shelmon, the Chargers' offensive coordinator and former running backs coach. "He is as quick and fast as he's always been to me. It wouldn't surprise me if he started having breakout games like he always� does.''

Shelmon was in Dallas during the latter stages of all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith's career. Smith's drop-off wasn't evident until after he turned 30, Shelmon said.

"(Tomlinson) takes excellent care of himself, like Emmitt does, and there is no reason he can't play for three, four, five more years if he chooses to,'' he said. "I don't see a decline.'

"My experience is, all of sudden it just shows up. We signed Curt Warner when I was with the Rams, and all of a sudden the holes he used to get through, he couldn't get through anymore. And that is typically what happens with a back.''

But Means has Tomlinson's back.

"Is he 30 yet?" Means asked, then was informed Tomlinson is 29. "That's what I'm saying. He's not 30, so I'm trying not to push the panic button.''

Chargers notes

Not a single Chargers player missed practice Thursday because of an injury. ... C Nick Hardwick (foot) practiced for the second straight day and appears primed to start his first game of the season on Sunday in Oakland.
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Giving Father Time a Stiff Arm

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Giving Father Time a Stiff Arm

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