FORT WORTH, Texas(AP) — LaDainian Tomlinson(notes) laughs about the phone call he got on his 30th birthday this week from his younger brother, who referred to the Chargers’ running back as an “ancient old man.”
As for the thought that others might be ready to apply the same label, L.T. shows a sly grin.
“That’s the one thing that I’m eager to prove, is that doesn’t necessarily go for every player. Turn 30, that doesn’t mean that you can’t play any more,” Tomlinson said Thursday, two days after his birthday. “There are some guys out there that defy the odds, and I’m eager to prove that.”
Was this the offseason that leads to the Chargers’ first Super Bowl title?
Hard to say before the calendar hits July, but the team is upbeat over a number issues after completing its OTAs.
The team is in much better shape — medically — than it was last offseason. Many key players who had their fingers crossed they would be ready for the 2008 season opener were out running for this offsesason’s work.
In particular, quarterback Philip Rivers wasn’t worried about his mended knee.
SAN DIEGO (AP)—The San Diego Chargers have signed fifth-round draft pick Brandon Hughes(notes) to a four-year deal.
Hughes, a cornerback from Oregon State, is the first member of the 2009 draft class to sign.
He played for former Chargers coach Mike Riley and finished his college career with 178 tackles and three interceptions.
Also Friday, the Chargers releases guard Sam Allen, cornerback Ramarcus Brown, wide receiver Jeremy Childs and linebacker Anthony Felder. All were rookie free agents.
Jacob Hester will never be Lorenzo Neal — few are — as Neal, it can be argued, was among the greatest fullbacks to ever play the game. Certainly one of the top fullbacks to ever suit up as a member of the Chargers.
But as Hester enters his second year, he does so knowing that his rookie campaign revealed he needs add some meat to his frame.
So while others in San Diego are trying to get in bathing suit shape for summer, Hester is chowing down.
If looking to get a rise out of Chargers head coach Norv Turner, here is the hot button to push: the Chargers are a pass-first offense, with the running of LaDainian Tomlinson being trumped by the passing of Philip Rivers.
Nearly every offensive wizard stresses balance and Turner is no different. But he prefers winning to anything else and he figured if the Chargers could throw as well as they could run, their offense really would be dynamic.
“The book on the Chargers was that if you could stop L.T., you had a good chance to win,” Turner said. “Teams were loading up to stop him, and we wanted to give different looks. We passed efficiently during the season, which forced teams to put an emphasis on coverage. Because of that we were able to run better.”
Would there be a better season for the Chargers to win their first Super Bowl?
The Chargers kicked off their 50th anniversary season recently with some off the team’s all-time greats assembling, hoping this is the year the team hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Among the luminaries in attendance were Lance Alworth, Doug Wilkerson, Charlie Joiner, Darren Bennett, Philip Rivers and a collection of team executives, led by club president Dean Spanos.
To celebrate our 150th show and the Chargers 50th anniversary, we count down our top 5 Chargers in history, from AFL to today.
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