Sell
Research and Tools
Parts & Service
- Auto Parts
- Service & Repair
- Quick Searches
- Auto Repair
- Oil Change
Tomlinson pulls out of Pro Bowl
By: Staff and Wire Reports | ∞
Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson officially pulled out of the Pro Bowl on Wednesday because of his injured left knee.
Baltimore's Willis McGahee will replace him on the AFC roster.
Tomlinson really had no choice to do anything but pull out of the Feb. 10 contest after the firestorm of criticism he received when he was unable to play after the opening minutes of the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots on Jan. 20.
Tomlinson re-aggravated a sprained medial collateral ligament during the first series of the game. It was announced in the press box that Tomlinson "can return" to the game but the severity of the injury, suffered a week earlier against Indianapolis, wouldn't allow him to return.
In his first season with Baltimore, McGahee finished eighth in the NFL with 1,207 yards rushing on a career-high 294 carries. He also ranked third on the Ravens with 43 receptions (for 231 yards and a touchdown). He scored eight TDs.
This will be McGahee's first Pro Bowl appearance.
-- Mike Sullivan
Rams hire Saunders
The St. Louis Rams hired Al Saunders to a three-year contract as offensive coordinator, another step in a coaching staff overhaul following a three-win season.
Saunders was fired by the Washington Redskins on Saturday after two seasons in the same position. He'll begin his second stint with the Rams after serving as an assistant under Dick Vermeil in 1999 and 2000, helping the Rams win their first Super Bowl after the '99 season.
Saunders replaces Greg Olson, who has been hired by the Bucs as quarterbacks coach after two seasons in St. Louis. Olson called plays the last six games of the 2006 season, helping them finish strong at 8-8, but coach Scott Linehan resumed play-calling in the middle of last season.
Saunders will call the plays next season, team spokesman Rick Smith said.
Niners promote Tollner
The San Francisco 49ers made Ted Tollner their quarterbacks coach, promoting the veteran assistant who gave a boost to the club's struggling offense late last year.
Tollner's new title also includes a designation as "assistant to the head coach," Mike Nolan. San Francisco also hired Adam Gase as an offensive assistant.
Tollner, the former USC coach and longtime NFL offensive assistant, rejoined the 49ers' staff in late November for the final six games. He was an assistant to rookie offensive coordinator Jim Hostler, who was replaced by Mike Martz earlier this month after San Francisco finished with the league's worst offense.
Tollner was on the 49ers' coaching staff from 2002-04, with two seasons as quarterbacks coach and one year as offensive coordinator. He spent the following year as offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions, who dismissed coach Steve Mariucci and eventually replaced Tollner with Martz, who was fired after last season.
Palmer brothers reunited
Jordan Palmer was packed for Phoenix, ready to take his career to the Arena Football League, when he got a most unusual offer.
The Cincinnati Bengals wanted to know if he would like to try to earn a spot as his brother's backup. They didn't have to wait long for an answer.
He signed a two-year deal that will give him a chance to play behind his brother, quarterback Carson Palmer. Although brother tandems have been common in the NFL, it's rare that two of them get to throw passes for the same team.
"Someday we'll look back and laugh about it and think it was pretty cool," Jordan said in a phone interview.
Et cetera
Falcons: Coach Mike Smith announced a pair of assistants, hiring tight ends coach Chris Scelfo and assistant offensive line coach Paul Dunn.
Ravens: Hired Jerry Rosburg as special teams coach, a move that provides veteran leadership on a unit that is particularly meaningful to new head coach John Harbaugh. Rosburg coached the Atlanta Falcons' special teams this season after spending the previous six years in the same capacity with the Cleveland Browns. In 2006, the Browns ranked among the top 15 in punt return average, kickoff return average and net punting average. One year earlier, Cleveland led the NFL in special teams scoring. The Ravens also announced the return of four assistant coaches who served under Brian Billick. Harbaugh welcomed back defensive backs coach Mark Carrier; tight ends coach Wade Harman; outside linebackers coach Mike Pettine; and Vic Fangio, special assistant to the head coach.
More Stories
Markus wrote on Jan 31, 2008 11:20 AM:All you pathetic LT bashers are fools!! When and if I hear any of you at the next game I'll make sure I kick in your knee and spit on you as you fall!
James wrote on Jan 31, 2008 11:29 AM:Good idea Markus! LT has done a lot for the city of SD and the Chargers. All you LT bashers are back-stabbing idiots who make true Charger fans embarrassed that you even live in SD.
Sean C. wrote on Jan 31, 2008 12:08 PM:There aren`t a lot of LT bashers on this sight its actually just a couple of annoying flea`s that post over & over & over again never using their name`s. To bad there isn`t some sort of internet spray to rid them from our site
Jaque wrote on Jan 31, 2008 8:24 PM:Markus! You're back! And up to your usual self!
EDCO wrote on Feb 1, 2008 12:20 PM:Tomlison pulled out because he is a whimp! Maybee he has another TV gig.
I work the trash company and it's funny to see all the charger stuff in the trash.HAHAHAHA
trevorinVcenter wrote on Feb 1, 2008 3:39 PM:wait a second, i buy chargers tickets, i go to the games!i love the NFL, and i love to watch great players on other teams. what i cant stand is when my hero LT play hard all year, and then QUIT on me, i took it personally, he was representin SD, all he had to do was try, at least, let the trainers carry him off the field, LT must go, he let me down, and talkin smack after the logo dance, shoulda play harder, heis a pro, but didnt perform at the high level, he is capable off, and it wasnt his knee, it was his heart, other RB, do more with less. no excuse's. i had his back, but he quit...
Trevor you`re just so rediculous wrote on Feb 1, 2008 5:44 PM:Trevor kick any dead horses lately ? Your take is dead & burried
Hahahaha wrote on Feb 2, 2008 3:07 PM:You "LT" lovers are a bunch of loudmouthed windbags. The guy is a joke just like the Chargers are. They went to the AFC championship game and did not even score a touchdown. Wake up.
Take your antibiotics wrote on Feb 2, 2008 5:57 PM:Hahahaha, continues to be a stinking coward. What will you do when LT & the Bolts win the superbowl? Crawl away you pustule on the buttocks of humanity
To antibiotics wrote on Feb 3, 2008 9:24 AM:LT and the bolts will never even be in the super bowl much less win. The team is the doormat of the AFC west. Your boy LT will be long gone when he realizes this team is a losing franchise just like your other charger hero junior. Continue the broken record whines of next year, next year. I really love the way your team comes to a crashing halt every fall and charger fans cry crocodile tears. Warms my heart.
This Markus Guy wrote on Feb 3, 2008 11:44 AM:sounds like a great fan.....of the raiders.
Take your antibiotics wrote on Feb 3, 2008 2:41 PM:Are you ashamed of your team ? You continue to bash the Bolts but refuse to reveal your allegiance. Come out from under your cow pie & show your face. Some how I got the feeling your team won 4 games in 07
Reply to take wrote on Feb 3, 2008 4:23 PM:I am not so much bashing the bolts as I am bashing the fans that chatter inceasantly about the bolts being the greatest team in the league, you just wait and see next year, excuses, excuses. It's okay to root for a team that sucks, at least admit it. The chargers franchise record speaks for itself. They are the whipping boys of the afc west. Hahah you think I am a raiders fan or some such nonsense? Typical charger fan animosity. My team often sucks and loses, but I don't cry and make excuses and ludacris boasts about winning the super bowl every year like you bolts fans do. One last thing for you to bend your brain about, the last chokers player with any class was Fouts. LT is a joke, and you will cry for idolizing him when he leaves san diego.
bolts4life wrote on Feb 4, 2008 5:37 PM:Lt is the man u wish ur fathers were. since they were never there u feel like u hate the world. if u had 2 chose between ur money and no money u would do the same thing he did. i know this 4 sure ask aj smith he told Lt if he went out there and played got hurt more he would be on his own no money u know what that is like since ur fathers never supported u or ur family so for anyone to question the greatest running back u better get ur facts straight ok.so when we win back to back superbowls come talk . remember burner turner couldnt get passed old man seau. the key is the man LT
bolts4life is wrote on Feb 4, 2008 5:58 PM:a typical example of a chargers fan. All blab no brains. Look at the way he types for crying out loud. He obviously has issues with his father or something, and looks to LT to be his surrogate daddy. Get some therapy, or ritalin, seriously guy.
I am willing wrote on Feb 4, 2008 9:41 PM:to eat a steaming plate of dog crap in the middle of Seau's if the chokers ever win back to back superbowls. What are you chokers backers willing to put up against that if they don't win back to back superbowls? Perhaps a tattoo that says "the bolts went to the afc championship and couldn't score a touchdown" on your forehead?
Patrick V wrote on Feb 5, 2008 7:48 AM:LT is the joke for helping charities during the fires here. LT is the joke for having an "off-year", and still leading the league in rushing. LT is a joke for knowing Turner could cut better than him in the AFC Championship, sacrificing his own feelings and pride to give his TEAM the best chance to win. Get a life people...
LT wrote on Feb 5, 2008 5:37 PM:is the classiest player in the NFL. Just ask him, I am sure he will tell you all about how classy he is. Modest too. roll eyes.
First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.
Advertisement