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San Diego's Tomlinson Key To Chargers' Title Hopes

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By IRA KAUFMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 18, 2008

TAMPA - A frigid stage is set for LaDainian Tomlinson's role of a lifetime.

San Diego's 28-year-old back is running out of space to store all that NFL hardware, but there's room for growth. Sunday's AFC Championship Game at unbeaten New England represents an opportunity for Tomlinson to attain a new level of prestige as he leads the streaking Chargers into frosty Gillette Stadium.

Here's his chance to elevate from superstar to legend.

In seven years as a pro, Tomlinson already has notched back-to-back rushing titles and earned a 2006 league MVP award for his record-setting 31-touchdown season. The former TCU standout has established himself as the premier runner of his generation, but there's more to prove ... and Tomlinson knows it.

"To get to the Super Bowl, we have to face a team that's undefeated, perhaps the greatest team to ever play," he said. "In my mind, it's like David and Goliath."

David had a slingshot. San Diego has Tomlinson.

You be the judge ...

"Tomlinson's a very dangerous player," Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi said. "He was the MVP last year, and that was well-deserved. He's a guy you have to focus on every down."

Tomlinson, who suffered a hyperextended left knee last week at Indianapolis, is carrying the weight of Charger Nation on his shoulder pads, especially if quarterback Philip Rivers is sidelined with a sprained knee ligament.

For San Diego to reach the Super Bowl on a nine-game winning streak by shocking the 17-0 Patriots, Tomlinson must provide sufficient ball control to limit touches for Tom Brady and the most prolific attack in NFL annals. Forget all the matchup boxes, common opponents and statistical analysis: The Chargers need a signature game from their signature player.

"Every team has a guy that you build around and he's been that guy here," said first-year coach Norv Turner, who used Tomlinson sparingly during a 1-3 getaway before wising up and punching his meal ticket. "He's persistent in his attitude and his leadership. We got off to a slow start, and it was tough on L.T. early, but once we got going, he's had the same kind of year he's had over the last seven."

Tomlinson, who led the league with 1,474 rushing yards and topped all AFC backs with 60 receptions, has struggled a bit in the postseason. He averaged 3.1 yards on his 26 carries against the Jets in a 2005 playoff loss, and Tomlinson was held to 42 yards by the Titans two weeks ago in the wild-card round.

Tomlinson had seven rushes for 28 yards against the Colts before leaving in the second quarter, but he has declared himself ready for the Patriots.

And don't forget, this one is personal.

The five-time Pro Bowl player gouged New England for 123 yards and two touchdowns in a playoff matchup last season, only to see the Chargers blow a 14-3 lead at home.

When the Patriots celebrated their 24-21 triumph by mocking Shawne Merriman's sack dance, Tomlinson belittled New England for showing "no class at all" and suggested Coach Bill Belichick set the arrogant tone.

In the Week 2 rematch this season at New England, the Patriots rolled to a 38-14 victory, limiting Tomlinson to 43 yards.

"Last year, we kind of really didn't respect them," Tomlinson said this week. "That has changed, obviously, because we haven't beaten them the last few times. There's no bad blood - it's just respect."

Tomlinson earned Belichick's respect a long time ago.

"He's a great runner who can run anywhere," said Belichick, whose veteran defense bottled up Jacksonville's high-powered ground game last week. "He puts pressure on everybody. He can do it all. He can run over people, run around them, run past them. What else do you want to say about him?"

After 115 NFL games, LaDainian Tomlinson faces the challenge of a lifetime Sunday in Foxborough, Mass., where "David" is a 14-point underdog to Belichick's bullies.

The fortunes of the AFC's No. 3 seed rest primarily with Tomlinson and a ball-hawking defense that has registered an astonishing 53 takeaways in 18 games.

"It's very exciting," Tomlinson said. "I can't tell you how excited I am. Ever since I was a kid, I've dreamed about playing in the Super Bowl."

He's 60 minutes of inspired football away from making it a reality.

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