Tomlinson’s new job: Help ‘fight for L.A.’
PHOENIX — For most of his career, LaDainian Tomlinson ran from challengers, dodging tackles on his way to 13,684 career rushing yards and 162 touchdowns.
But, as of Thursday, Tomlinson will take on a massive challenge head on — no jukes, no spins and no stutter steps.
The Chargers will name Tomlinson special assistant to the owner, a job where he’ll be asked to play a pivotal role in the community as the team he starred for transitions to Los Angeles from San Diego.
The move will be announced officially Thursday.
“I share the Chargers’ commitment to fight for Los Angeles,” Tomlinson said in a statement to The Times. “[Owner] Alex Spanos created a legacy of devotion to the community, and Dean Spanos and his family have faithfully continued that tradition. I’m eager to help guide the Chargers’ efforts to contribute in important and lasting ways to the Greater Los Angeles area.”
Tomlinson will be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame this summer after a stellar career in which he set 28 franchise records in nine years for the Chargers. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in all but his last season in San Diego, and set a league record with 28 rushing touchdowns in 2006.
In an interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram after the team announced its move to Los Angeles, Tomlinson offered a “silver lining” to Chargers fans in San Diego.
“You still have the opportunity to support your team,” he said. “You know, they’re only an hour-and-ahalf up the coast."
His support of the move angered some fans in San Diego. The Chargers hope this hire helps cultivate new ones in their new home.
“L.T. has always been all about service to the community, ever since the first day he came to the Chargers,” Chairman Dean Spanos said in a statement to The Times. “I’m thrilled L.T. will now play an essential role with the Los Angeles Chargers to help us win our fight for L.A. by helping us determine how we can best play a worthwhile role in the many neighborhoods that make up our new home.”
Lynn starts his run
When your Wikipedia entry uses the words “ground and pound,” you’re either a mixed martial artist, a butcher or Chargers Coach Anthony Lynn.
While Lynn has vowed that the Chargers will have a balanced offense — with quarterback Philip Rivers being given opportunities to air it out when the situation allows — he almost certainly has a slight preference for running the football.
Lynn has coached running backs for nearly his entire professional career. His teams routinely are near the top in the NFL in rushing. He even played the position as a professional.
Maybe that’s why a small grin rushes across his face when he talks about his new runner, Melvin Gordon.
“I look out my window right now and see him pulling sleds, running up hills,” Lynn said. “He’s hungry. He’s the type of kid that I have to hold back.”
Even a rocky rookie season didn’t hold Gordon back last year, as he rebounded from a disappointing start to gain more than 1,400 yards from scrimmage in 13 games.
“Melvin’s actually better than I thought he was. I like a runner that can get what’s blocked and then win his one-on-ones. Melvin broke more tackles and won more one-on-ones than I thought he did,” Lynn said. “I was very impressed with him.” But he won’t be enough. The Chargers certainly could add to their backfield depth in the draft, and they did the same already via free agency.
They re-signed Branden Oliver, who has proved to be a backup if he can stay on the field, and they nabbed speedy Kenjon Barner from Philadelphia to help ease the pain from losing Danny Woodhead to Baltimore.
An X-factor in the running back depth chart could be Andre Williams, a former star at Boston College. Williams rushed for 721 yards as a rookie before a disastrous sophomore season with the Giants.
He appeared in one game with the Chargers last season, rushing 18 times for 87 yards.
“Coming out of school, I studied Andre. He’s a big back. He ran with good power,” Lynn said. “He lost some weight. He’s a very disciplined athlete. He’s quicker now, and he still runs with power. Teach him some things out of the backfield in the receiving game, things like that, that can help him get more touches, and he’s going to be fine.”
While Gordon is clearly the guy, Lynn wants to find other options to help run the ball the way he wants.
“I like to run the football multiple ways,” he said. “It’s going to take more than one runner.”
Between the tackles On the left end of the offensive line, the Chargers and Lynn are counting on free-agent signee Russell Okung to protect Rivers’ back and create holes for Gordon.
On the right side, Joseph Barksdale is entrenched, starting 31 of the Chargers’ last 32 games.
But in between the bookends on the line, Lynn said he’s open to change.
Left guard, center and right guard all could be shuffled before the Chargers start the season if young linemen Spencer Pulley and Max Tuerk perform as Lynn expects.
“I’m interested to see how they come along because that could change the whole dynamics on that line. [Matt] Slauson could go to guard, his natural position. One of those guys could take over at center. I don’t know yet,” Lynn said.
“We’re going to play around with that puzzle. Maybe we get a piece in the draft; I don’t know. But we’re going to play around with those three [spots].”