Another team that expected to be 3-0 was the San Diego Chargers. Instead, they're 1-2 and searching for answers. Their landslide MVP running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who broke all sorts of ridiculous touchdown records last year, finished the 2006 season with 28 rushing scores in 16 games. (Oh, and he had three TDs receiving and threw two more, but that's not important right now.) This year, Tomlinson has just 130 rushing yards through three games and one touchdown, with his longest run of the season being 11 yards. That's usually a mere day for LT.
He'll get his yards and touchdowns eventually, but he'll be the first to tell you that a 50-yard rushing day is enough for him if it means the team wins. Clearly one of the best role models in the league — Warrick Dunn is still probably No. 1 — Tomlinson is probably going through the biggest slump of his amazing, albeit short, career. Hopefully his numbers and wins eclipse mediocrity, but if they don't we could probably just blame new coach Norv Turner.
But wait ... Turner was Randy Moss's coach in Oakland, and that'd validate his criticism of him. Forsooth, how cruel it all comes full circle.
So while Tomlinson flounders in San Diego, the prodigal wideouts, Moss and Owens, are reaping the benefits of not being insufferable pricks. They could both start out 5-0, setting up an epic Week 6 matchup between TO's Cowboys and RM's (that's not as catchy a nickname) Patriots. So the concurrent success will end at some point, and whichever wide receiver has to first answer questions about losing is likely the one that reverts back to their 2006 persona.
Hopefully that's the same day Tomlinson rushes for 150 and three touchdowns against the — wait, let's look at the schedule — Oakland Raiders. Yep, funny how that works out.
Article comments
1 - Chris McVetta
I really like those new white San Diego uniforms, don't you? Almost as much as the powder-blue ones.
Wait... where am I?
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
I'm more impressed that Tomlinson, despite his poor yards-per-carry, can still execute the aerial Lotus position.