TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Chargers' Sproles Stands Tall

ADVERTISEMENT

By IRA KAUFMAN

ikaufman@tampatrib.com

Published: January 8, 2009

TAMPA - When the Chargers and Steelers meet in Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game at frosty Heinz Field, Bucs fans may find themselves all warm and fuzzy imagining the prospects of San Diego's little big man in pewter next fall.

Darren Sproles, a 5-foot-6, 181-pound dynamo who accounted for 328 all-purpose yards against Indianapolis last week, is emerging as a key performer as the Chargers venture into Pittsburgh to test the NFL's top-rated defense.

With LaDainian Tomlinson hobbled by a groin injury, Sproles has excelled in an expanded role, two months before the 25-year-old running back is eligible to hit the free-agent market.

"He fits into some holes I don't think my children could fit into," Pittsburgh cornerback Ryan Clark said. "He is not small, he is just short. Hopefully, we can get our hands on him a little bit and try to be physical with him."

With game-time temperatures expected in the low 20s and a chance for precipitation, perhaps a sloppy field can slow Sproles, praised by Bucs safety Sabby Piscitelli as "probably one of the most explosive backs I've ever seen."

But even if the footing is sure, Sproles faces quite a challenge against a swarming defense that hasn't allowed a 100-yard rusher or a 300-yard passer all season.

Sproles, who may make his first pro start Sunday, carried only once at Pittsburgh on Nov. 16, when the Steelers rallied for an 11-10 triumph.

"It's a perception because he's short and small that he's not powerful," said San Diego's Philip Rivers, the league's top-rated passer. "The first guy doesn't bring Darren down very often ... and not only because he's making them miss. He's a heck of a back and he'll be big for us again this week."

Given Tomlinson's late-season injury problems the past two years, the Chargers face some tough decisions. Tomlinson, 29, still has three years left on a lucrative contract and the future Hall of Famer may be breaking down.

San Diego saw Michael Turner depart to Atlanta as a free agent in March, and now he's going to the Pro Bowl.

It will be difficult to keep Sproles in a San Diego uniform in 2009 unless the Chargers are willing to declare him their featured back - and pay him accordingly.

"I feel I showed some people," Sproles said after running for 105 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries against the Colts, adding five receptions, four kickoff returns and three punt returns while posting the third-most all-purpose yards in NFL postseason history. "Some people don't think I can do it still. That's the way it's always going to be, I think."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT