Robin Miller
10-07-2008, 03:21 PM
Monday, October 6, 2008 6:53 PM PDT
CHARGERS: Bolts have been down this road before
By JAY PARIS - Staff Writer
SAN DIEGO ---- Georgette Rogers, the bubbly Chargers Park receptionist, was
squinting Monday morning. That's good.
It proves that the sun indeed did come up after the Chargers' disheartening
loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson's eyes were also a tad off-kilter. That's
bad.
"I didn't get much sleep (Sunday) night,'' Tomlinson said. "That is typical
about this point of the season, especially after a loss like that.''
And it wasn't his Poway neighbor's barking dog robbing him of shut-eye.
"Just obviously frustration and searching for answers,'' Tomlinson said. "It
can be mentally draining, but that is all about this job ---- you accept
that and try to look for answers to turn it around.''
Did Tomlinson figure out how to fix the bumbling, stumbling 2-3 Chargers?
"No, not yet,'' he said. "But the good thing is there is another week. And
we have a heck a challenge this week; we can't afford to go 2-4.''
They aren't there yet, and they have been 2-3 as recently as last season.
Despite that shaky start in 2007, the Chargers advanced to the AFC
Championship Game against Sunday's guest, the New England Patriots.
So while Chargers fans are chomping fingernails, sending derisive e-mails
and clogging sports radio phone lines, there's no need to worry, right L.T.?
"I'm confident because we have been in this situation before,'' he said. "I
guess that is the only confidence you can have.
"But as far as knowing it is going to turn around? You don't really know for
sure. Each game is different, each year is different.''
The Chargers know that their status is a like those investment disclaimers:
past results are no indicator of future performances. The Chargers know they
reached the playoffs last season, but it's no lock that history will repeat
itself.
"(It's kind of) a double-edged sword where you say, 'We did it last year, we
can do it again,' '' Tomlinson said. "Yeah, that's true. But at the same
time, it is not guaranteed. It gives you confidence that you can do it, but
you know it's obviously different.''
In 2007, the 2-3 Chargers' next three games were against the Raiders, Texans
and Vikings, with the first two at home.
"At this time last year, there wasn't New England, Buffalo and the Saints on
the schedule the next few weeks. It's a different year, and we have to find
a way to put it together,'' Tomlinson said.
Is it possible to have a must-win before mid-October?
"It's very critical, crucial, whatever you want to call it,'' Tomlinson said
of beating the Patriots, the team that eliminated the Chargers from their
last two playoff appearances. "To me, it's definitely a must-win for us.''
Quarterback Philip Rivers wouldn't go that far, but knows Sunday's stakes
are high. The Chargers are two games behind the Denver Broncos in the AFC
West.
"I think it allows us to know what it is going to take ---- we have been
through it now,'' Rivers said. "Last year we were at 2-3 and had the hope
and the belief we could bounce out of it, (but we) weren't real sure how to
do it. And now that we did it, at least we know what is ahead of us.
"But at the same time, it can be a trap. To think, 'Ah, we were here last
year and we will come out of again' ---- that's not the case.''
The '07 team's reversal was as stunning as it was difficult, Rivers added.
"It wasn't easy last year,'' Rivers said. "Just because we did it doesn't
mean it was a piece of cake. We fought like crazy to get to 5-5, then won
the last six. It was a tough road and it will be as tough this go around.''
Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.
CHARGERS: Bolts have been down this road before
By JAY PARIS - Staff Writer
SAN DIEGO ---- Georgette Rogers, the bubbly Chargers Park receptionist, was
squinting Monday morning. That's good.
It proves that the sun indeed did come up after the Chargers' disheartening
loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson's eyes were also a tad off-kilter. That's
bad.
"I didn't get much sleep (Sunday) night,'' Tomlinson said. "That is typical
about this point of the season, especially after a loss like that.''
And it wasn't his Poway neighbor's barking dog robbing him of shut-eye.
"Just obviously frustration and searching for answers,'' Tomlinson said. "It
can be mentally draining, but that is all about this job ---- you accept
that and try to look for answers to turn it around.''
Did Tomlinson figure out how to fix the bumbling, stumbling 2-3 Chargers?
"No, not yet,'' he said. "But the good thing is there is another week. And
we have a heck a challenge this week; we can't afford to go 2-4.''
They aren't there yet, and they have been 2-3 as recently as last season.
Despite that shaky start in 2007, the Chargers advanced to the AFC
Championship Game against Sunday's guest, the New England Patriots.
So while Chargers fans are chomping fingernails, sending derisive e-mails
and clogging sports radio phone lines, there's no need to worry, right L.T.?
"I'm confident because we have been in this situation before,'' he said. "I
guess that is the only confidence you can have.
"But as far as knowing it is going to turn around? You don't really know for
sure. Each game is different, each year is different.''
The Chargers know that their status is a like those investment disclaimers:
past results are no indicator of future performances. The Chargers know they
reached the playoffs last season, but it's no lock that history will repeat
itself.
"(It's kind of) a double-edged sword where you say, 'We did it last year, we
can do it again,' '' Tomlinson said. "Yeah, that's true. But at the same
time, it is not guaranteed. It gives you confidence that you can do it, but
you know it's obviously different.''
In 2007, the 2-3 Chargers' next three games were against the Raiders, Texans
and Vikings, with the first two at home.
"At this time last year, there wasn't New England, Buffalo and the Saints on
the schedule the next few weeks. It's a different year, and we have to find
a way to put it together,'' Tomlinson said.
Is it possible to have a must-win before mid-October?
"It's very critical, crucial, whatever you want to call it,'' Tomlinson said
of beating the Patriots, the team that eliminated the Chargers from their
last two playoff appearances. "To me, it's definitely a must-win for us.''
Quarterback Philip Rivers wouldn't go that far, but knows Sunday's stakes
are high. The Chargers are two games behind the Denver Broncos in the AFC
West.
"I think it allows us to know what it is going to take ---- we have been
through it now,'' Rivers said. "Last year we were at 2-3 and had the hope
and the belief we could bounce out of it, (but we) weren't real sure how to
do it. And now that we did it, at least we know what is ahead of us.
"But at the same time, it can be a trap. To think, 'Ah, we were here last
year and we will come out of again' ---- that's not the case.''
The '07 team's reversal was as stunning as it was difficult, Rivers added.
"It wasn't easy last year,'' Rivers said. "Just because we did it doesn't
mean it was a piece of cake. We fought like crazy to get to 5-5, then won
the last six. It was a tough road and it will be as tough this go around.''
Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.