Posted on 12/25/2006 7:37:58 AM PST by rhema
When the Chargers defense forced a turnover late in the fourth quarter of a 48-20 blowout victory over the Denver Broncos Dec. 10, San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson had no intention of reentering the game. The league's leading MVP candidate had already done his work for the day, rushing for 96 yards and two touchdowns to that point.
Never mind that the ball sat just seven yards away from another score. Never mind that Tomlinson needed just one more touchdown to break the NFL's all-time single-season record. With the game's outcome secure, the consummate team player was content to hand another man center stage. "I was going to let [backup] Andrew Pinnock go in and get the touchdown," he told reporters afterward.
But a crowd of 67,514 fans overruled such generosity, beckoning San Diego's hero onto the field with deafening chants of "LT! LT!" With equal cajoling from coaches and teammates, Tomlinson could not refuse. One play, two befuddled defenders, and seven yards later, the slashing power back broke across the goal line for the 29th time this season.
Unlike Seattle rusher Shaun Alexander, who set the previous record with 28 touchdowns last year, Tomlinson delivered no gaudy individual celebration. He did not pose for the cameras or perform any look-at-me dance steps. Instead, he turned to embrace a pack of oversized linemen rumbling toward him like giddy schoolboys. Tomlinson's blockers hoisted their teammate onto their shoulders, a picture of the support and teamwork he credits for his success.
"When we're old and can't play this game anymore, those are the moments that we're going to remember, being able to tell our kids and tell our grandchildren," he said, continually using plural pronouns to deflect individual glory. "We made history today, and there's no better feeling than to share it with the group of guys in that locker room."
When the microphones flipped off, Tomlinson returned to the field to share his time, signing autographs and taking photos with youth and the disabled. San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer called his star "the finest running back to ever wear an NFL uniform" but quickly added that those skills "pale in comparison to the person."
A truly great running back and from everything I've read a wonderful human being. He may have a very good shot at getting into the Super Bowl next season, but the Ravens will throttle him and his team next month just like they did earlier this year.
I'll second that! LT is a real throw-back.
The Chargers aren't the same team they were in Week 3 of the season. Hopefully the Ravens and Chargers will meet for the AFC Championship! (Ravens certainly looked strong yesterday).
Great pic of a truly great player. Even if his 'bolts beat my 'hawks in agonizing fashion yesterday!
In all candor and throwing aside my passion for Baltimore for just one second, I think that it comes down to home field. If we win and SD loses next week, we'll have the home field advantage, and I don't think San Diego's going to do very well in 20-degree Baltimore January weather. But if we have to go there, it might be a problem.
An outstanding player in all respects, but he's no Walter Payton.
I saw him for the first time a week or so ago. Holy crap! This article is not hype. He is that good, from what I saw. We'll see how long of a career he has. Should be fun to watch.
Much less Gayle Sayers, but then, I've never seen anyone even close.
That aside, I'm really glad to see real teamwork celebrated at any level. It's too rare.
The Ravens play Buffalo and the Chargers play? It'll come down to next week's games. Agree it will be hard for the Chargers to come to B'more in the third week of January. It could be very nasty.
Go Chargers!
(Closest thing Angelenos have to a football team.)
The Chargers play Arizona. If Houston can beat the Irsays, anything's possible...
Uhmm...would you like to put your money where your mouth is????
The writer's swipe at Shaun Alexander is totally uncalled for. I'm no Seattle fan, but SA is regarded as one of the nicest guys in the entire league.
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| Year | Team | G | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lg | TD | 20+ | 1st | ||||||||||
| 2001 | San Diego Chargers | 16 | 16 | 339 | 1236 | 3.6 | 54 | 10 | 7 | 67 | ||||||||||
| 2002 | San Diego Chargers | 16 | 16 | 372 | 1683 | 4.5 | 76 | 14 | 12 | 90 | ||||||||||
| 2003 | San Diego Chargers | 16 | 16 | 313 | 1645 | 5.3 | 73 | 13 | 12 | 81 | ||||||||||
| 2004 | San Diego Chargers | 15 | 15 | 339 | 1335 | 3.9 | 42 | 17 | 6 | 68 | ||||||||||
| 2005 | San Diego Chargers | 16 | 16 | 339 | 1462 | 4.3 | 62 | 18 | 8 | 71 | ||||||||||
| 2006 | San Diego Chargers | 15 | 15 | 332 | 1749 | 5.3 | 85 | 28 | 12 | 78 | ||||||||||
| TOTAL | 94 | 94 | 2034 | 9110 | 4.5 | 85 | 100 | 57 | 455 | |||||||||||
Payton's career statistics
| REGULAR SEASON | |||||||||
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RUSHING | RECEIVING | |||||||
| Year | Team | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | No | Yds | Avg | TD |
| 1975 | Chicago | 196 | 679 | 3.5 | 7 | 33 | 213 | 6.5 | 0 |
| 1976 | Chicago | 311 | 1390 | 4.5 | 13 | 15 | 149 | 9.9 | 0 |
| 1977 | Chicago | 339 | 1852 | 5.5 | 14 | 27 | 269 | 10 | 2 |
| 1978 | Chicago | 333 | 1395 | 4.2 | 11 | 50 | 480 | 9.5 | 0 |
| 1979 | Chicago | 369 | 1610 | 4.4 | 14 | 31 | 313 | 10.1 | 2 |
| 1980 | Chicago | 317 | 1460 | 4.6 | 6 | 46 | 367 | 8 | 1 |
| 1981 | Chicago | 339 | 1222 | 3.6 | 6 | 41 | 379 | 9.2 | 2 |
| 1982 | Chicago | 148 | 596 | 4 | 1 | 32 | 311 | 9.7 | 0 |
| 1983 | Chicago | 314 | 1421 | 4.5 | 6 | 53 | 607 | 11.5 | 2 |
| 1984 | Chicago | 381 | 1684 | 4.4 | 11 | 45 | 368 | 8.2 | 0 |
| 1985 | Chicago | 324 | 1551 | 4.8 | 9 | 49 | 483 | 9.9 | 2 |
| 1986 | Chicago | 321 | 1333 | 4.2 | 8 | 37 | 382 | 10.3 | 3 |
| 1987 | Chicago | 146 | 533 | 3.7 | 4 | 33 | 217 | 6.6 | 1 |
| Totals | 3838 | 16726 | 4.4 | 110 | 492 | 4538 | 9.2 | 15 | |
LT career looks better than Payton so far. Payton was graceful running the ball and had the meanest stiff arm, but LT has a legitimate claim on the All-Time best running back.
I would take the Chargers hands down. The Ravens have the better D, but their offense is on the weak side. The Chargers are a more balanced team. Boy it would be scary if LT got to run against the Colts defense.
Schottenheimer said that with tears in his eyes.
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