1 Ladainian TOMLINSON NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
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October 19, 2005 NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE An Interview With: Everybody is really on the same page with Drew at all times pretty much, because we work so hard during practice during the week, and even afterwards sometimes we're staying after practice LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON just to get the right timing down that we need with Running Back Drew. That's the type of stuff that you appreciate, and so we have a great relationship. San Diego Chargers Q. As a running back, are you a fan of THE MODERATOR: LaDainian can score Brian Westbrook, and do you see some a touchdown this week against the Eagles in similarities between your two games? Philadelphia for the 19th consecutive game, which LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: Yeah, I think would surpass the record of 18 games he currently Brian and I are very similar running backs as far as shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Lenny we're both versatile running backs who can run Moore. Mr. Moore's record, a record that he and catch the ball in the backfield. We run some of established with the Baltimore Colts, has stood the same type of routes. That's one of the biggest for 40 years. things that I see as far as a comparison. Q. What do you see from the Eagles’ Q. There's been a lot of comparisons defense from the film you've watched so far? with you by coaches and other players, is there LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: I see it as a one that you like hearing or reading? group of guys, mainly the linebackers, who like to LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: You know, it run and make plays. Trotter is the leader of that really doesn't matter. People are going to have group, he's the main guy that really brings a their own opinion about who I've seemed most like physical method to what they like to do. And their to them. It really doesn't matter. I've been secondary speaks for itself. They have got big Pro compared to almost all of the great running backs. Bowlers back there, a really good group. But I think it stems from their front four being able to put Q. How much does Lorenzo Neal help pressure on people, where the secondary would you, being that fullback to kind of guide you be able to stick people and cover and cause along the way? interceptions. LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: Lorenzo is our man. He's been the head, he's kind of the leader Q. How important is this record to you? of our group. And being in the league so long and LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: To be honest having seen so many things, man, it's just great to with you, I don’t want to say that it's not important, have a guy like him in front of you who. There is but at the same time, it's just not a main focus for nothing that shakes him. He's always looking to me. This is not something that I really want to do – dominate people and hit people. Any time you it just kind of came about as I continue to play have a guy like that – that loves to hit – you've got each week, and the record just kind of creeped up to appreciate what he does. on me. All of a sudden – boom – here is this record. Q. What, if anything, do you know It's definitely a great record. Any record about Lenny Moore? that's held by a Hall of Famer like Lenny Moore, LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: I understand you have to be proud of it. And since Lenny that he was a guy kind of like myself – he can run Moore, no one has been able to touch it for 40 and can catch the football. He's real versatile. years. So it's something to be proud and happy That that's one of the things that I know of how he about. played the game, he could do a lot of things. Q. What's it like for you with Drew Q. Have you ever seen him on any Brees, the quarterback? highlight films? LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: It's a great LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: Maybe a relationship we have. Drew is a very bright guy. couple. I've seen him a couple of times running …when all is said, we’re done Week 7 - LaDainian Tomlinson 10- FastScripts by ASAP Sports 19-05 1 t. 800.992.1889 f. 212.385-0349 visit our archives at www.asapsports.com the football. Q. Would you say you've reached that point in your career where you feel like you can Q. After Denver you talked about go out and dominate a game like some of the winning a few more and about catching the ball other great running backs? more, did they make a concerted effort to do LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: You know, I that or did things just turn out that way? think I'm pretty close. But at the same time, LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: I think the defenses are so good in today's game, and whole time that was the plan anyway, but for defensive coordinators are so much better, a lot of whatever reason, the first two games, you don't people can double-team you and even triple-team have the ball as much as you want it, and you at times to basically stop you from doing what sometimes the game plan changes for whatever you do best. reason. So I think it's kind of unfair to say that you And so I think after that point, we started reach a point where you dominate a game being able to control the ball a lot more, so you because it's hard to dominate a game, especially have me being able to touch it a little bit more, too. with the way it is today with defenses. Q. Has it been frustrating for you? Q. You said you felt like the game LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: No, I'm not slowed down for you this year a lot, did you frustrated. We know we're a good team and we have a feeling coming into the year that it was felt like it was only a matter of time before we win going to be a different year for you or a more games and try to get on the road. special year for you? LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: I feel like in my Q. Andy Reid said today that the fifth season now, there's not much in the National Chargers are a Super Bowl-caliber team; do Football League that I haven't seen. This is the you feel that way in the locker room? time of your career where you really step into your LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: We feel like prime and become what you are supposed to we're definitely a championship team. We feel like become once you're drafted. we could play with anybody in this league. So With that said, I think for me, I feel so whenever you feel like that, I think it's safe to say much better and just knowing exactly what's going that you, as well as any other one of the great on. Like I said before, it does feel like the game teams like Philadelphia, can be a Super Bowl team has slowed down for me. and win the Super Bowl. Q. What is it that you think you were Q. You've had some success, the supposed to become, LaDainian? Chargers have had success the last couple of LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: Well, obviously years, was there any one thing that really got a first-round pick and being the fifth selection in the the team turned in a better direction? draft, people expect you to play to an All-Pro level LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: Just getting the when you're drafted that high. right guys to fit the system, that our coaching staff is looking for. They really made us look a lot better Q. How about your own expectations, because we had the right type of guys in the what were they? system. LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: My expectations were to become a great player, Q. Last year you were bothered by a nothing less. groin injury; first of all, how much were you bothered by that, and how difficult especially Q. When you look at all of these for a running back is it to be playing in pain like touchdowns, there has got to be something that? special about having a nose for the goal line, LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: Well, you but what goes into a guy who can score this know, last year, it was really bothering me a lot. I many touchdowns in this short of a period? was hampered most of the season, wasn't even LaDAINIAN TOMLINSON: I don't know, sometimes 50 percent. And you know, it's hard as just when you get down by the goal line, you've a running back, because you do a lot of cutting and kind of got to have a different mindset of not letting running and a lot of things. It's just definitely real anyone stop you from getting across that goal line. hard to play with a groin injury. You just kind of set your mind that no matter what, …when all is said, we’re done Week 7 - LaDainian Tomlinson 10- FastScripts by ASAP Sports 19-05 2 t. 800.992.1889 f.