CHARGERS: Underdog Tolbert becomes a favorite
Little-known FB drawing praise from coaches, teammates
By JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | ∞
Fullback Michael Tolbert, an undrafted rookie from tiny Coastal Carolina, began to make a name for himself with a touchdown run in the Chargers' preseason win over the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday. (Photo by Jamie Scott Lytle - Staff Photographer) SAN DIEGO ---- Chargers fullback Michael Tolbert carries a heavy load and proves it every Wednesday. Among his rookie chores is collecting the running backs' weekly paychecks from the front office.
That includes the hefty one made out to LaDainian Tomlinson.
So far, Tolbert hasn't fumbled ---- neither Tomlinson's bounty nor his long-shot chance of making the Chargers.
"Heart and desire,'' Tolbert said, when asked how he'll be a Charger for the season opener on Sept. 7. "If you tell me I can't do something, that just pushes me harder because it comes from deep down. I can make those nonbelievers (into) believers by being the best back on and off the field."
His field of NFL dreams is Chargers Park. His field during his college days is one Tomlinson has never heard of.
Sis-boom-bah, let's go ... Coastal Carolina?
Tomlinson did realize that Tolbert's alma mater has a football team, right?
"I did not,'' Tomlinson admitted.
Tomlinson can't lie about something else ---- the undrafted Tolbert has opened eyes during camp.
"I'm excited about his development and think he is doing a great job so far,'' Tomlinson said.
He has, by traveling far from his Coastal Carolina roots. That was obvious when the Chargers stormed the field before Saturday's exhibition win over the Dallas Cowboys.
"We ran out of the tunnel, and I looked up and saw 61,000 fans and said, 'Oh my god,' " Tolbert said. "The most I had played in front of in college was 10,000."
Some speculate that his chances of making the roster are one in a million. But the 5-foot-9, 243-pound bowling ball with shoulder pads thinks otherwise.
He may just be right.
The Chargers released Pro Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal in the offseason, and Andrew Pinnock ---- the next in line ---- has been slow in recovering from knee surgery. A third-round pick was used on Jacob Hester, but he's as much a tailback as a fullback.
So on a team loaded with stars and well-known names, Tolbert just might be the summer surprise. Tolbert proved it Saturday, opening holes and scoring a touchdown with his hard-nosed approach.
That's the same story playing out whenever Tolbert works with the starters in practice.
"One thing I have noticed is it's not too big for him," Tomlinson said. "A lot of times you get guys running with the first team and it's too big for them, and they can't handle the pressure, but not Mike."
Tolbert has already learned a valuable lesson ---- it's better to be the hammer than the nail.
"He gets to his blocks and he hits," Tomlinson said. "He's not trying to piddy-paddy you; he is trying to hit you, and I like that about him."
What's not to embrace? Polite, pint-sized player gets passed over in the draft, comes to a stacked team expecting to reach the Super Bowl and becomes a constant on camp watchers' lips.
"He's a very physical player,'' coach Norv Turner said. "He is compact and gets under guys' pads. He got off to a good start.''
But he is far from finished.
"I've been an underdog all my life,'' Tolbert said. "In high school, they said I was undersized to be linebacker, and I made All-America. At college, they said I was undersized to be a fullback. And now they say I'm undersized to play in the NFL.
"Growing up in a one-parent house, I've been the underdog all my life. I'm going to bust my tail harder than anyone else."
Tolbert said it like his word is as good as a pot of gold ---- kind of like Tomlinson's checks.
"It doesn't hurt," Tolbert said, "blocking for the best back in the league."
Chargers notes
WR Vincent Jackson (hamstring) returned to team drills Tuesday. "He's doing fine,'' coach Norv Turner said. "We eased him back into it, and he looks real good to me." ... TE Brandon Manumaleuna had the catch of the day, plucking a pass over the middle off CB Antoine Cason's back. ... FB Andrew Pinnock (knee) is increasing his work load. ... Among those not practicing were LT Marcus McNeill (shoulder), DE Luis Castillo (back)Â and LBs Shawne Merriman (ill) and Marques Harris (hamstring, groin). ... The Chargers will practice twice on Wednesday at Chargers Park, but neither sessions is open to the public. Fans can attend a practice at 4 p.m. on Thursday.
Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.
More Stories
tresmang wrote on Aug 13, 2008 9:54 AM:what is up with Castillo?.....he always seems to be hurt and they just signed him through 2014...I'm confused...dont get me wrong the guy is a stud when he is playing, but it just seems like he is injury prone..anyone know anything about his sit?
Truthspitter wrote on Aug 13, 2008 10:55 AM:Castillo is constantly hurt. And resigning him means they will likely not be able to resign the more durable and productive Igor Olshansky.
I don't care how good you are, if you can't stay on the field you are a liability to the team.
Chad wrote on Aug 13, 2008 1:26 PM:Castillo? Oh, you mean CONTRACT. Contract is a malingerer. Expect NOTHING from Contract except he'll continue to cash his checks. Contract should never have been extended. He's playing football for nothing more than his contract.
Lightning Strikes wrote on Aug 13, 2008 2:18 PM:It was still a good idea to sign Castillo to a long term deal, He'll prove to be a bargain once he hits his prime and consistently produces on the field. better to lock him up now rather than pay a lot more later.
Will wrote on Aug 13, 2008 4:02 PM:Luis gives his all when he's on the field loves playing the game. We need guys like him.
jabo wrote on Aug 13, 2008 6:15 PM:I hope we are right in signing the big guy he does seem to have more than his share of injuries hangnail stubbed toe and was it a big bad blister on his hand once just kidding, LOL they are just saving him for the season it will be at least the 6th or 7th game before anything really flares up!!!!!!
PAL wrote on Aug 14, 2008 7:51 PM:Charger DEs in the 3-4 are built more like and asked to play more like DTs. More potential for injuries in their scheme. He seems to bounce back pretty quickly. Cesaire and Igor have both been nicked up at times over the last couple of seasons, too.
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