Chargers get chance to flex their muscle
As great as LaDainian Tomlinson has been for the San Diego Chargers, especially last year as he put up some of the most impressive numbers by a running back in NFL history, he can do better.
Tomlinson is in the prime of his career and starring for one of the league’s top three teams. His surrounding cast, strong enough to produce a 14-2 record last season, is improved.
New coach Norv Turner is a spineless leader, but he is excellent at designing an offense. The quarterback calling the signals, Philip Rivers, is more experienced and has all the necessary skills.
If the Chargers were in the NFC, they would coast to the Super Bowl, a point they can prove Sunday by whipping the Chicago Bears.
Tomlinson is coming off a season in which he rushed for a league-high 1,815 yards and 28 touchdowns. But his beautiful work met an ugly end, with San Diego losing a playoff game to New England and Tomlinson accusing Patriots coach Bill Belichick of being classless.
The Chargers return with few weaknesses. The Bears have more than a few, starting with error-prone quarterback Rex Grossman and unproven running back Cedric Benson.
Chicago coach Lovie Smith is curiously determined to stick with Grossman, who threw 20 interceptions and lost eight fumbles last year. If Benson doesn’t balance the offense, Grossman is going to look even worse.
San Diego’s defense led the NFL with 61 sacks, topped by linebacker Shawne Merriman with 17. The Chargers’ new linebackers coach is Ron Rivera, who was fired as the Bears’ defensive coordinator for no apparent reason.
Several factors point to a play on San Diego, which is a 6-point home favorite and has covered 11 of its past 15 games against NFC opponents.
Six years ago, the Chargers traded the No. 1 draft pick to Atlanta, which selected Michael Vick, and took Tomlinson at No. 5. How good does that trade look now?
Four more plays for Week 1 (home team in CAPS):
• Steelers (-4 1/2) over BROWNS: Cleveland has problems on the offensive line, and quarterback Charlie Frye does not have the answers. Frye threw 10 TD passes and 17 interceptions last year. Pittsburgh is 6-0-1 against the spread in the past seven games in this series, winning by an average of 16 points. The Steelers are stronger in every aspect.
• Eagles (-3) over PACKERS: No longer is Brett Favre capable of winning a game by himself for Green Bay. Philadelphia, 7-1 against the spread in its past eight meetings with the Packers, got off to a hot start last season behind Donovan McNabb.
• Dolphins (+3) over REDSKINS: New coach Cam Cameron, who showed a lot of creativity as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator, has what he needs to win in Miami with running back Ronnie Brown and an aggressive defense. The Dolphins also have veteran quarterback Trent Green, who is declining but still more reliable than Washington’s Jason Campbell.
• COWBOYS (-6) over Giants: The Giants are in disarray, with coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning hearing the critics and defensive end Michael Strahan unmotivated to play. Dallas has a defense ready to rattle Manning with blitzes.
And now my Super Bowl prediction: Tony Romo will quarterback the Cowboys to the NFC title, but they’ll fall to Tomlinson and the Chargers.
Last season: 45-36-4
Review-Journal sportswriter Matt Youmans can be reached at 387-2907 or myoumans@reviewjournal.com.