Tomlinson reaches another milestone

By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Sunday, November 25, 2007 10:48 PM PST ∞

Charger's LaDainian Tomlinson picks up a block from Lorenzo Neal after taking a handoff but didn't get very far.
BILL WECHTER Staff Photographer
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SAN DIEGO ---- RB LaDainian Tomlinson became the 23rd player in NFL history to eclipse the 10,000-yard rushing mark. He reached the milestone in the third quarter when he raced down the left sideline on a 36-yard run.

Tomlinson acknowledged the crowd's cheers with a bow when his accomplishment was shown on the video board.

Chargers offensive coordinator Clarence Shelmon, Tomlinson's running backs coach for five years, was pleased for Tomlinson.

"It can't happen to a nicer person,'' said Shelmon, who was coaching in Dallas when Emmitt Smith surpassed 15,000 yards. "A guy like that, you want good things to happen. It's just a tremendous honor for him, and to a man everyone is happy for him.''

Tomlinson finished with a game-high 77 yards on a season-tying 24 carries. His career total climbed to 10,048 yards.

"It's 10,000 yards and it's been the benchmark for a lot of running backs in this league,'' Tomlinson said. "I never set out to get 10,000 yards; that was not a goal of mine. I kind of take it like, you get 10,000 yards, but that means you're getting older, too.

"With a milestone, they will pat you on the back, but they are ready to kick you out the door.''

Nick's return

Pro Bowl C Nick Hardwick returned to the starting lineup after hurting his foot on Oct. 14 against the Raiders.

"It makes a big difference,'' coach Norv Turner said. "You can't express, 'Hey, we're really struggling inside because Nick's not here.' As soon as you do that, hey, we're making excuses. Cory (Withrow) played well in there. (With) Nick, there's a reason he goes to the Pro Bowl. There's a reason he's a Pro Bowl center. He played like a Pro Bowl player today."

Added Hardwick: "I had a pretty good time out there.''

Nate the Great

K Nate Kaeding tied a career high for a game with four field goals, connecting from 27, 46, 41 and 41 yards. It was the first time since Oct. 7 that he had multiple field goals in a game.

"To come out here and hit them without much work or rhythm is as big of an accomplishment as I've had in my four years here,'' Kaeding said.

Kaeding is 13-of-15 this season. One of his two misses was a blocked attempt.

Getting to know you

QB Philip Rivers clicked with WR Chris Chambers on a 5-yard touchdown pass.

Rivers said it was significant, as both players saw the coverage and communicated with body language.

"It was unspoken, and that is something you don't get with a guy real easy, knowing him just three or four weeks,'' Rivers said. "That was a big step of us."

Deehan's day

Poway High star TE Ryan Deehan was a visitor to the Chargers' locker room, where he chatted with TE Antonio Gates and Rivers. Deehan, whose family lost its home in the recent wildfires, was presented with a game ball from Gates.

Injury update

CB Steve Gregory sustained a stinger and will be evaluated today.

NFL Career Rushers

Through Nov. 25

(x-active)

Att. Yards Avg. TD

1. Emmitt Smith 4,409 18,355 4.2 164

2. Walter Payton 3,838 16,726 4.4 110

3. Barry Sanders 3,062 15,269 5.0 99

4. Curtis Martin 3,518 14,101 4.0 90

5. Jerome Bettis 3,479 13,662 3.9 91

6. Eric Dickerson 2,996 13,259 4.4 90

7. Tony Dorsett 2,936 12,739 4.3 77

8. Jim Brown 2,359 12,312 5.2 106

9. Marshall Faulk 2,836 12,279 4.3 100

10. Marcus Allen 3,022 12,243 4.1 123

11. Franco Harris 2,949 12,120 4.1 91

12. Thurman Thomas 2,877 12,074 4.2 65

13. John Riggins 2,916 11,352 3.9 104

14. Corey Dillon 2,618 11,241 4.3 82

15. O.J. Simpson 2,404 11,236 4.7 61

16. x-Edgerrin James 2,746 11,193 4.1 76

17. Ricky Watters 2,622 10,643 4.1 78

18. Tiki Barber 2,216 10,448 4.7 55

19. Eddie George 2,865 10,441 3.6 68

20. Ottis Anderson 2,562 10,273 4.0 81

21. x-Fred Taylor 2,221 10,221 4.6 58

22. x-LaDainian Tomlinson 2,266 10,048 4.4 109

23. x-Warrick Dunn 2,436 10,044 4.1 46