CHARGERS: Raiders arrive in town just in time

Needy Bolts have 10 straight wins vs. Silver and Black

By JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Wednesday, December 3, 2008 6:49 PM PST ∞

Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson scores a first-quarter touchdown against the Falcons on Sunday. (Photo by Bill Wechter - Staff photographer)

SAN DIEGO ---- It's a tonic for the Chargers and LaDainian Tomlinson, arriving Thursday night. It comes in a silver and black wrapper, graced with a logo of a pirate wearing an eye patch.

Welcome Raider Nation! Sounds odd, but what doesn't in this dreadful Chargers season?

But at least the Chargers and Tomlinson see a familiar pinata in the Raiders, and they can't wait to take another whack.

After losing five of their past six games to fall all but from the playoff race, the Chargers embrace a meeting with the Raiders. They've defeated Oakland 10 straight times, including rallying from a 15-0 halftime deficit in September for a 28-18 road victory.

Back then the Chargers were at .500 and Tomlinson was optimistic after rushing for a season-high 106 yards. It appeared the Chargers, after two straight wins, were on their way with Tomlinson again leading the band.

That was then.

This is the Chargers now, at 4-8, and Tomlinson coming off the second-worst rushing performance of his sensational career.

In the season's first month, Tomlinson envisioned the Chargers going on to bigger things with him gobbling up consistent yardage.

"I thought so, but things change,'' Tomlinson said. "We've definitely struggled. It's just been that way this year."

But Tomlinson has long had his way with the Raiders.

His 1,815 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing at the expense of Oakland is more than he has against any other team. Three of his seven touchdown passes are versus the Raiders. Three of his top-10 rushing games are with the Raiders on the other side, including his career-best of 243 yards.

"I really don't know, to be honest with you, why it's been that way,'' said Tomlinson, whose top Raiders memory comes from his game-winning touchdown run right at the Black Hole seats in 2002, where he was showered with debris in the end zone.

"I think it started back when (coach) Marty (Schottenheimer) first got here and we had a physical mind-set that we were gonna be physical and really run the ball against them. Even with Norv (Turner) being here, that just kind of continued and that's why it's always been like that.''

The Chargers, though, no longer lean on Tomlinson's legs.

"I said that a while ago, it hasn't been a run-first mentality,'' said Tomlinson, who is averaging 3.7 yards per carry, nearly 1 yard off his career standard. "I think we're in a transformation  because we have so many weapons at the receiving positions that we are throwing the ball a lot more, so I really do think we're pretty much a pass-first offense.''

Does that make sense with a first-ballot Hall of Famer in the backfield?

"You know, that's something I can't answer,'' Tomlinson said. "For us, what's our strength now?  I don't know.''

What Turner is sure of is Tomlinson hasn't lost a step, despite having being the NFL's 12th-leading rusher with 794 yards.

"I don't because of what I see,'' Turner said. "I see when we give him opportunities and we give him some space ---- we threw him a little check down the other day at about the 20-yard line, and he took it right down to the 3-yard line, made a couple of guys miss, finished the run the way he's capable of finishing the run.

"When you see plays like that, you know it's there. It's just that we're having a tough time creating a lot of room for him. He has never been a guy that hits in there and moves the pile for 4 yards like the bigger guys do. But he has always been a physical runner, a very elusive runner."

Tomlinson said getting the NFL's 26th-ranked running game on track comes down to assignments being met.

"I think we just have to execute a little bit better in the run game; know who we're blocking and just get a hat on guys," Tomlinson said.

The Oakland guys this week are allowing about 160 rushing yards per game ---- only three other run defenses are worse.

But statistics are tossed out the door during rivalry week, right? Longtime Chargers observers can still hear Schottenheimer growling, "It's Raiders Week!" to get his players' attention.

This week, though, the buzz is killed. When the teams show a combined seven wins and are a closer to the AFC basement than the penthouse, it takes the shine off the matchup.

"In this situation, we are both two struggling teams so it's not even fair to talk about a rivalry because we are struggling,'' Tomlinson said. "I just felt like at that point, four games to go and you are looking at being 4-8, that is the time that a lot of guys not only on this team but around the league, that think the season is over. That 'I just can't wait to get this thing over and really don't care about winning games any more or being prepared to win games by being focused on my work.' For us we need to make sure we finish in the right way ---- we continue to stay discipline coming in here and working hard at practice and being prepared to win a game.''  

Chargers notes

S Clinton Hart (shoulder) didn't practice Tuesday but will try to go Wednesday. He said he would play Thursday. Others not working were: DT Jamal Williams (rest), OLB Marques Harris (hamstring) and FB Mike Tolbert (shoulder). ... The Chargers' wives are holding their annual Toys for Tots toy drive Thursday night. Fans are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy or make a cash donation at the stadium gates. ... USA Football gave its Governor's Award to California as the country's best football state. The Chargers' David Binn, Jeremy Newberry, Kassim Osgood and Billy Volek accepted the award. All four played high school, college and pro football in California.

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