Tomlinson wants to put 2006 in past

By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Tuesday, September 25, 2007 2:03 AM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO -- LaDainian Tomlinson stiff-armed one of the greatest regular seasons in NFL history.

"To be honest with you, I'm sick and tired of talking about last year,'' Tomlinson said Monday, following Sunday's heartbreaking loss to the Green Bay Packers. "This is not last year."

The Chargers proved that through the NFL's opening three weeks, pulling from the gate with all the gusto of a broken down mare.

After stunning the league with a franchise-best 14-2 mark behind the incomparable play of Tomlinson in 2006, the Chargers now reside at 1-2, tied for the AFC West cellar.

To match last year's mark, they need to run the table on a schedule that includes the Super Bowl champion Colts and AFC North champion Ravens.

Although reaching 14-2 isn't the rallying cry around Chargers Park -- Marty Schottenheimer was canned after doing it. It's all about playoff wins, which is a tough to do if you don't make them.

The Chargers haven't resembled a postseason squad on a steady basis. They don't even look like the one last season that couldn't prevail in the playoffs.

"People get caught up with what we did last year; this is not last year's team,'' said Tomlinson, who has yet to rush for 100 yards in a 2007 game.Ý "This is this year's team. I'm sick and tired of talking about last year. It's a whole different team --Ý focus on this team and quit looking backward.

"We didn't get it done last year, so we got to figure out how to get it done this year. The only way to do that is to focus on this year."

What's crystal clear is the Chargers' ground struggles. They averaged 2.6 yards on 28 rushes in Green Bay, with Tomlinson being held to 62 yards on 22 carries.

To illustrate the Chargers' running game woes, Tomlinson's average of 2.8 yards per carry Sunday was 1 yard better than his average in the first two games.

So can the Chargers -- with unproven receivers who did catch two touchdowns Sunday -- be effective with a running game that has tanked like the San Diego County real estate market?

"We haven't been able to run the ball in three games and we are 1-2,'' Tomlinson said. "I think that is the answer to your question."

Tomlinson's frustration is becoming increasingly difficult to hide. He's bombarded with inquiries about Norv Turner's first Chargers team not equaling Schottenheimer's final Chargers team.

"I just hear people talking about the differences from this year's team and last year's team -- people out in public, in the media, people close to us, even my family," he said. "I have the same answer to them: I'm sick and tired of talking of last year's team. I tell my family that, and that's the way it is."

Meanwhile, the Chargers try to get back to the way they were. Although, Turner might have the best line regarding that.

"It makes me nervous to say pick up where this team left off last year,'' Turner said, "because it lost its last football game."

The Chargers are confident this funk will find its expiration date. But with each passing week, the Chargers dig a bit deeper hole.

"Of course it's a wake-up call because you don't want to continue a downward spiral and go from 1-2 and find ourselves at 1-5," Tomlinson said. "And all of a sudden it's over."

The Kansas City Chiefs (1-2) could provide the tonic for what ails the Chargers, who face three straight AFC West opponents beginning this week.

Among the rare positives over the first three weeks is one of the Chargers' losses was to a team outside their division (New England) and the other one to one outside their conference (Packers).

But instead of worrying about rivals, the Chargers stare into a mirror.

"I think we just have to keep playing and don't press and get tight now and be something we are not," said quarterback Philip Rivers, after Sunday's stellar game that was marred by a fourth-quarter interception. "Just keep working and understand where we are, but also be positive of where we are going to go.

"It gets tough and tougher every time we go out there and we understand that we are not going to sneak up on anybody. We just need to get better."

While the chunk of the season remains, there's no time like the present to get right.

"The main thing we all have to understand is we haven't played a division game yet," Tomlinson said. "(Sunday) is the first one. Winning a championship and what-not starts in your own division. We have to make sure when it comes to these next three games we have to be ready to play and play a compete game and be willing to go the extra mile.''

Tomlinson always looks to run -- especially from talk of the 2006 Chargers.

Chargers notes

RB LaDainian Tomlinson downplayed his argument with QB Philip Rivers along the sidelines of Sunday's loss. Tomlinson was miffed he was open on a play in which Rivers instead threw an incomplete pass to Antonio Gates. "Sometimes in the heat of a battle different players, and maybe with a player and coach, stuff like that happens,'' Tomlinson said. "Really it's just a competitive conversation. Philip wanted to make the point that he has a certain progression. We're going to be fine." ... Among those questionable for Wednesday' s practice are LG Kris Dielman (foot), RG Mike Goff (knee), DE Luis Castillo (foot), and ILB Matt Wilhelm (calf). RT Shane Olivea (back) was able to suit up Sunday and could work on Wednesday. ... WR Eric Parker (toe) is out at least another week.

-- Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.

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Bobby wrote on Sep 25, 2007 7:38 AM:LT your playing for last place in the AFC west sunday. It's time. No we are not the same team as last year, we lost 28% of our starters on D and a good WR. A.J. Smith replaced them with 5 yr. backups and rookies! He did nothing to bring in help for now or great FA's to make us better? Thanx A.J. O yes, I am so happy you got "your kind of coaches"!-

Miggs wrote on Sep 25, 2007 10:52 AM:Honey, shhhhh. Bolts gonna be alright.

NostraBoltus wrote on Sep 25, 2007 11:42 AM:Bolts are 12 pt favs this sunday. We can afford to lose 3-4 more games and still make the playoffs. Rivera could be the D-coordinator before you know it.

Booker wrote on Sep 25, 2007 12:15 PM:I know there are still 13 games left in this season but as a competitor it kills you to lose the way the Chargers did the last two weeks. Particularly when you were picked to win the Super Bowl by many so called experts. You can not keep saying there are 13 more games. Next week there will be 12 more games, then 11, then 10, then 9, then 8. Is that when you get mad and excited and just pissed off? What bothers me about this team is that they look bad! They don't look like a playoff team right now. To be a champion you must be honest with yourself and each other. The problem right now appears to be coaching. I mean whatever happen to taking what the defense gives you. If they are playing 20 yards off of your receivers you don't continue to try and run fly patterns. Do you? So if they are putting 8 and 9 people in the box and blitzing on every first down why do you try to keep running against that defense? Let me stop because I am being to sound like an offensive genius! Finally, it is not the same rushing the quarterback from the defensive end position than from the linebacker position which is where the Shawnes were rushing from most of the day Sunday. Now I am a defensive genius I apologize. It is time for the Chargers to stop talking and start playing and coaching like professional football players and coaches. Because the the coaches just can't be that stupid, I refuse to believe that.

Jim wrote on Sep 25, 2007 12:55 PM:The entire responsibility for this mess rests on the GM's shoulders. Not only do you fire the winningest head coach in the NFL and hire one of the losing-est, but then let the top quality staff depart for greener pastures and bring in an incredibly dubious bunch of coordinators. The total lack of mental preparedness is horribly obvious as is any strategic planning and play calling. Thanx AJ

Sean C. wrote on Sep 25, 2007 1:20 PM:Uh Jim,it was Marty who let both coordinators go. The seasons far from over. So hang tough.

We`re still the best in the west wrote on Sep 25, 2007 1:37 PM:Bobby, we win at home & the Broncos lose in Indi, guess what,... we`re tie`d with Denver for 1st place in the AFC west! It sounds as though your true colors are silver N black.

TX-Bolt wrote on Sep 25, 2007 3:14 PM:Man Croman let us down on that one...I love his aggressiveness but not in that situation..... Malon Mcreee did us in also man....what the hell was that all about...Stupid play...If he had gotten away with it his little celebration right after would have given them 15 yards also...So I ask again what the hell was that? That there is coaching man..no control. I am not a Norv hater I still think he can do this. But he needs to shut these players up and make then let their play do their talking. Now what the hell is up with LT? He came of the field arguing with the QB and at that time if I am correct I think we still had the Lead? What the hell? Back to the head coach again? Control...Control...Control... Take Control Norv and lead this team...We can do this...The Donkeys are not looking strong..won by a field goal first game..one by a field goal second game against the faiders and jac punked them at home...The Faiders are content they just broke their 11 games steak of comittment to excrement....Can you belive it 11 games straight without a win...Man I bet those players had a good old time after that game....My my my the autum wind is a looser...oops Fader and those Squaws in KC are exactly that...We can take this division but when we do we will have to bring our game up to compete with the Pitts, Indy, BALT etc...Forget it for now if we face the Pats again. That team is on another planet.... Now Pull it together Chargers....Same goes for some of the fans...Pull it together or jump off man....What the hell is this talk about getting rid of Norv... fire Norv???..If they do you might as well as kiss the season goodbye man...So suck it up and pull for your / our Chargers or get the hell off.....Lets Go and see where this will take us..Lets Go CHARGERS!!!!!!!

Lans wrote on Sep 25, 2007 5:17 PM:guys, the chargers dont have anything to worry about. Olivea will be back so and hes a pro-bowler. LaDainian is just gettin back into the mix of things. He has a 25 yard game then a 42 and then a 62. What comes next! Hes gonna get better and better just like last season. Also, we 2 top 3 defenses we just played (Bears and the Patriots)! When Olivea gets back and LT is at the top of his game, thats gonna get Rivers some breathing room also. The bolts are fine.=

Mark wrote on Sep 25, 2007 5:35 PM:Yes!! Fire Norv...Spanos made the biggest mistake when he fired Marty who oh by the way had the most wins of any NFL coach and hired a coach who has a track record of losing. Fire AJ and Norv...bring back Marty...and regroup. That is not such an absurd idea....what was aabsurd was firing a coach that took the team to 14-2!! If we can't bring back Marty then fire Norv and promote Ron Rivera as head coach.=

TooTahl wrote on Sep 25, 2007 5:41 PM:I know Marty's gone but shut your mouths and ONE PLAY AT A TIME!!!!!!!!! We'll get it together and lets get back to some smash mouth running and unleash the Shawnes!!!! on defence. SHOW ME YOUR LIGHTNING BOLT!!!!!!

Jimbo wrote on Sep 25, 2007 5:54 PM:LT is right, this is not last year. Last year we had a coach, not some personal hand puppet so that our GM will play nice. It's clear that LT is frustrated. He doesn't like the way the coach is running the team and he doesn't like the way Rivers is running the offense. This is the best player in the league and the Chargers are wasting him.

Mo wrote on Sep 25, 2007 6:19 PM:The problem here is everyone wants to compare this team to the one last year. A 14-2 record is a hell of a season and hard to duplicate. Everyone is talking about playoff wins and Super Bowl berths and the season hadn't even started. Now they lose the first 2 out of 3 and everyone wants to break out the white flag. Now I still have faith in the ole squad and I say it ain't over. At least wait till the bye week to make predictions of a failed season.

scott wrote on Sep 25, 2007 8:53 PM:Its not a matter of were 1-2.Because we know with a win and a denver loss were in first. Plus its way to early to talk about where we stand in the division.The problem is through the first three games who can you say is prefoming as well as they did a year ago.I know LT and the rest of us dont want to talk about 06', but who can you can you say is doing as well as last year. Rivers as looked good at times and bad at others. The line has looked sluggish Mcneil looks nothing like last year. LT, the D, Phillips, Jammer, even Gates dropped some passes the first two weeks. Its all about ryhtme, consistincey.Stay posistive charger fans. The players coaches their not stupid,they get paid for a reason. Were just one play away from that spark we need, hey it could happen sunday.

Rob wrote on Sep 25, 2007 10:48 PM:I think if the coaches would preach what marty preached "One Play At A Time" The players would be able to relax more and allow their talent to shine through.. New Coaches somewhat different schemes.. expanded offensive playbook.. etc.. may be what the difference is.. I know its not last year, but maybe at this time they should stick to what works for now and build on that instead of the other way around..

meeeeeh! wrote on Sep 26, 2007 12:48 PM:I just don't understand why Marty is gone. The Chargers had good times and not only that they accomplished so many records! What were they thinking to let him go?

yEsSiE wrote on Sep 26, 2007 12:53 PM:The true Chargers fans are here WIN or LOSE, so everyone should just stop with all the negativity and have faith in our team. Afterall, you try and play proball it aint as easy as it looks. My boys are doing their best and behind every practice comes a better game! Chargers are #1 and will continue to be!

dan wrote on Sep 26, 2007 8:49 PM:remember marty dosn't win in playoffs and chill all u tru charger fans division time has come and all u haters keep hating

Lans wrote on Sep 30, 2007 10:24 AM:LT wants rings. simple as that. hes a team leader and he aint stoppin till he gets what he wants!

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