Cbz40
The Grand Poobah
- Messages
- 31,387
- Reaction score
- 39
NFL INSIDER
Tomlinson hopes to do his talking on field this season
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
Star-Telegram staff writer
Getty Images/Jamie Squire
Truth be told, San Diego Chargers running back wasn't mad at Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. And actually, although he still believes New England players Ellis Hobbs and Rosevelt Colvin should have been better winners, they aren't really why he reacted the way he did.
When Tomlinson popped off after the 24-21 playoff loss to New England, calling the Patriots classless and wondering aloud if that had to do with their head coach, he was mad about losing.
But Tomlinson and Belichick made nice at the Pro Bowl.
"I'm good with Belichick," Tomlinson said. "We had a great talk at the Pro Bowl. I respect him as a coach, and I hope he respects me as a player. I probably said something I shouldn't have, but we're good. He apologized for his guy getting out of line, and I apologized for what I said."
Tomlinson's words during postgame interviews in January -- "They showed no class at all, and maybe that comes from their head coach" -- were out of character. But Tomlinson badly wants to win a title, and the Chargers blew home-field advantage last season.
The Chargers were 14-2 last season but failed to reach even the AFC Championship Game. They again are among the favorites this season, along with Indianapolis and New England.
"It's going to be difficult, but I like our chances," Tomlinson said.
Look-alike Cowboys
San Diego finished only 10th in total defense last season, but the Chargers were much better than that. In the 12 games linebacker Shawne Merriman played, the Chargers allowed 16.3 points and 284.7 yards per game and averaged 3.9 sacks. In the four games Merriman was suspended for violating the league's steroids policy, the Chargers allowed 26.8 points and 352.3 yards and made an average of 3.5 sacks.
The Cowboys now have the Chargers' defensive coordinator from last season -- Wade Phillips -- as their head coach, and the Chargers' former defensive backs coach, Brian Stewart, now is the Cowboys' defensive coordinator. They also feel like they have the next Shawne Merriman in DeMarcus Ware.
Merriman and Ware play opposite sides. Merriman is a strongside linebacker; Ware is a weakside linebacker. But they are a lot alike.
"They play different positions, but as far as pass rush and their ability to get to the football, I expect the same things out of both of them," Stewart said last week.
Irvin preparing
Michael Irvin hasn't put anything on paper, but he has an idea what he's going to say -- and who he's going to thank -- in his speech during his enshrinement into the Pro Hall of Fame next month.
"I'm not going to allow anybody else to write it, that's for sure," Irvin said recently. "Some of them go and hire writers and stuff like that. I'm not hiring anybody. How can he feel me?"
Irvin partially tore his left Achilles' tendon in a flag football game during a charity event in Florida. He does not need surgery, but he does have to wear a boot on his left foot for eight weeks.
He said he will not be wearing the boot for the induction ceremony Aug. 4.
"Even if I'm not out of the boot, I will be out of the boot," he said.
60 Minutes
http://www.star-telegram.com/329/story/154957.html# and LaDainian Tomlinson have had interviews with 60 Minutes. The CBS News show doesn't feature sports figures very often, but Young and Tomlinson are interesting enough to have crossover appeal.
Robert Anderson, who is producing L.T.'s segment, said his son Bobby suggested a feature on Tomlinson. A crew from the news show followed Tomlinson around Fort Worth, Marlin and Waco last week.
"He's as amazing off the field as he is on," Anderson said. "... Unlike a lot of http://www.star-telegram.com/329/story/154957.html#who don't want to be role models, and a lot of NFL players wouldn't make good role models, he wants to be and he lives his life that way."
The 60 Minutes feature on Tomlinson will appear this fall.
MY TOP FIVE
1 New England Patriots The Patriots will be a contender as long as they have Bill Belichick and . With the additions of linebacker Adalius Thomas, receivers Wes Welker, Randy Moss, Kelley Washington and Donté Stallworth, tight end Kyle Brady and safety Brandon Meriweather, they have become the favorite.
2 San Diego Chargers This was the best team in football during the regular season. The MVP is back, and quarterback Philip Rivers is a year older. They should make Norv Turner look good in his third -- and likely last -- chance as a head coach.
3 Indianapolis Colts The defending Super Bowl champions took some hits defensively with the departures of Jason David, Mike Doss, Nick Harper, Cato June and Montae Reagor. But with Peyton Manning, the Colts still will outscore most teams.
4 New Orleans Saints Drew Brees could end up being the MVP in 2007, and Reggie Bush seems primed for a breakout season. If their defensive additions improve a unit ranked 11th last season, the Saints will be hard to beat.
5 Chicago Bears Thomas Jones is gone, and Lance Briggs wants to be. Rex Grossman still is the quarterback. But with one of the NFL's best defenses, and playing in the weak NFC North, the Bears will be formidable.
THE BLITZ
WHO'S HOT
Commanders LB Rocky McIntosh The Commanders' linebackers didn't have an interception, recovered only three fumbles and made only five sacks last season. McIntosh, who struggled as a rookie, is expected to change that this season. He was so good in the team's off-season program that he goes into camp ahead of Lemar Marshall in the bid for the starting weakside spot vacated by Warrick Holdman's departure for Denver.
WHO'S NOT
Linebacker LaVar Arrington, above
Arrington's career was in jeopardy before his motorcycle accident June 19. He is coming off an Achilles' tendon injury and was cut by the Giants in February. His severe injuries, which include a fractured right forearm and a broken wrist, might mean the end after seven seasons.
The NUMBER
$175 Amount in millions Commanders owner Dan Snyder reportedly paid for Dick Clark Productions. Snyder also owns Six Flags amusement parks and the Johnny Rockets hamburger chain, and has a partnership with Tom Cruise.
HBO is reviving its all-access Hard Knocks series with the Kansas City Chiefs. The series made its debut in 2001 with the Ravens and showcased the Cowboys in 2002. It returns Aug. 8 from Chiefs training camp with five hourlong episodes each Wednesday, culminating Sept. 5.
Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt plans to call his own plays. The Steelers' former offensive coordinator is going to depend heavily on assistant head coach/offensive line coach Russ Grimm and offensive coordinator Todd Haley to help him manage the team.
Jeff Garcia, 37, will go into camp as the front-runner for the Bucs' starting quarterback job. Chris Simms and Bruce Gradkowski likely will be competing to back up Garcia.
Returner Michael Lewis, who was released by the Saints, could retire from the NFL after six seasons. Lewis, a New Orleans native, was one of the best stories in NFL history. He was a minor league football player and a beer truck driver before getting a chance in the NFL.
Falcons Pro Bowler DeAngelo Hall has taken rookie Chris Houston under his wing. Houston, who made 86 tackles and had 22 pass breakups and three interceptions in three seasons at Arkansas, was a second-round pick. The Falcons are planning on pairing Houston with Hall, with last year's second-round pick, Jimmy Williams, moving from corner to free safety.
"It's totally behind me. I'm continuing to try to prove myself and let everyone know it was a stupid mistake I made and just look for great things from here on out."
- Rams defensive tackle Claude Wroten told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about failing a drug test at the combine only a month after he was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. The charge was dropped, but Wroten dropped to the third round.
cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
Tomlinson hopes to do his talking on field this season
By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
Star-Telegram staff writer
Getty Images/Jamie Squire
Truth be told, San Diego Chargers running back wasn't mad at Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. And actually, although he still believes New England players Ellis Hobbs and Rosevelt Colvin should have been better winners, they aren't really why he reacted the way he did.
When Tomlinson popped off after the 24-21 playoff loss to New England, calling the Patriots classless and wondering aloud if that had to do with their head coach, he was mad about losing.
But Tomlinson and Belichick made nice at the Pro Bowl.
"I'm good with Belichick," Tomlinson said. "We had a great talk at the Pro Bowl. I respect him as a coach, and I hope he respects me as a player. I probably said something I shouldn't have, but we're good. He apologized for his guy getting out of line, and I apologized for what I said."
Tomlinson's words during postgame interviews in January -- "They showed no class at all, and maybe that comes from their head coach" -- were out of character. But Tomlinson badly wants to win a title, and the Chargers blew home-field advantage last season.
The Chargers were 14-2 last season but failed to reach even the AFC Championship Game. They again are among the favorites this season, along with Indianapolis and New England.
"It's going to be difficult, but I like our chances," Tomlinson said.
Look-alike Cowboys
San Diego finished only 10th in total defense last season, but the Chargers were much better than that. In the 12 games linebacker Shawne Merriman played, the Chargers allowed 16.3 points and 284.7 yards per game and averaged 3.9 sacks. In the four games Merriman was suspended for violating the league's steroids policy, the Chargers allowed 26.8 points and 352.3 yards and made an average of 3.5 sacks.
The Cowboys now have the Chargers' defensive coordinator from last season -- Wade Phillips -- as their head coach, and the Chargers' former defensive backs coach, Brian Stewart, now is the Cowboys' defensive coordinator. They also feel like they have the next Shawne Merriman in DeMarcus Ware.
Merriman and Ware play opposite sides. Merriman is a strongside linebacker; Ware is a weakside linebacker. But they are a lot alike.
"They play different positions, but as far as pass rush and their ability to get to the football, I expect the same things out of both of them," Stewart said last week.
Irvin preparing
Michael Irvin hasn't put anything on paper, but he has an idea what he's going to say -- and who he's going to thank -- in his speech during his enshrinement into the Pro Hall of Fame next month.
"I'm not going to allow anybody else to write it, that's for sure," Irvin said recently. "Some of them go and hire writers and stuff like that. I'm not hiring anybody. How can he feel me?"
Irvin partially tore his left Achilles' tendon in a flag football game during a charity event in Florida. He does not need surgery, but he does have to wear a boot on his left foot for eight weeks.
He said he will not be wearing the boot for the induction ceremony Aug. 4.
"Even if I'm not out of the boot, I will be out of the boot," he said.
60 Minutes
http://www.star-telegram.com/329/story/154957.html# and LaDainian Tomlinson have had interviews with 60 Minutes. The CBS News show doesn't feature sports figures very often, but Young and Tomlinson are interesting enough to have crossover appeal.
Robert Anderson, who is producing L.T.'s segment, said his son Bobby suggested a feature on Tomlinson. A crew from the news show followed Tomlinson around Fort Worth, Marlin and Waco last week.
"He's as amazing off the field as he is on," Anderson said. "... Unlike a lot of http://www.star-telegram.com/329/story/154957.html#who don't want to be role models, and a lot of NFL players wouldn't make good role models, he wants to be and he lives his life that way."
The 60 Minutes feature on Tomlinson will appear this fall.
MY TOP FIVE
1 New England Patriots The Patriots will be a contender as long as they have Bill Belichick and . With the additions of linebacker Adalius Thomas, receivers Wes Welker, Randy Moss, Kelley Washington and Donté Stallworth, tight end Kyle Brady and safety Brandon Meriweather, they have become the favorite.
2 San Diego Chargers This was the best team in football during the regular season. The MVP is back, and quarterback Philip Rivers is a year older. They should make Norv Turner look good in his third -- and likely last -- chance as a head coach.
3 Indianapolis Colts The defending Super Bowl champions took some hits defensively with the departures of Jason David, Mike Doss, Nick Harper, Cato June and Montae Reagor. But with Peyton Manning, the Colts still will outscore most teams.
4 New Orleans Saints Drew Brees could end up being the MVP in 2007, and Reggie Bush seems primed for a breakout season. If their defensive additions improve a unit ranked 11th last season, the Saints will be hard to beat.
5 Chicago Bears Thomas Jones is gone, and Lance Briggs wants to be. Rex Grossman still is the quarterback. But with one of the NFL's best defenses, and playing in the weak NFC North, the Bears will be formidable.
THE BLITZ
WHO'S HOT
Commanders LB Rocky McIntosh The Commanders' linebackers didn't have an interception, recovered only three fumbles and made only five sacks last season. McIntosh, who struggled as a rookie, is expected to change that this season. He was so good in the team's off-season program that he goes into camp ahead of Lemar Marshall in the bid for the starting weakside spot vacated by Warrick Holdman's departure for Denver.
WHO'S NOT
Linebacker LaVar Arrington, above
Arrington's career was in jeopardy before his motorcycle accident June 19. He is coming off an Achilles' tendon injury and was cut by the Giants in February. His severe injuries, which include a fractured right forearm and a broken wrist, might mean the end after seven seasons.
The NUMBER
$175 Amount in millions Commanders owner Dan Snyder reportedly paid for Dick Clark Productions. Snyder also owns Six Flags amusement parks and the Johnny Rockets hamburger chain, and has a partnership with Tom Cruise.
HBO is reviving its all-access Hard Knocks series with the Kansas City Chiefs. The series made its debut in 2001 with the Ravens and showcased the Cowboys in 2002. It returns Aug. 8 from Chiefs training camp with five hourlong episodes each Wednesday, culminating Sept. 5.
Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt plans to call his own plays. The Steelers' former offensive coordinator is going to depend heavily on assistant head coach/offensive line coach Russ Grimm and offensive coordinator Todd Haley to help him manage the team.
Jeff Garcia, 37, will go into camp as the front-runner for the Bucs' starting quarterback job. Chris Simms and Bruce Gradkowski likely will be competing to back up Garcia.
Returner Michael Lewis, who was released by the Saints, could retire from the NFL after six seasons. Lewis, a New Orleans native, was one of the best stories in NFL history. He was a minor league football player and a beer truck driver before getting a chance in the NFL.
Falcons Pro Bowler DeAngelo Hall has taken rookie Chris Houston under his wing. Houston, who made 86 tackles and had 22 pass breakups and three interceptions in three seasons at Arkansas, was a second-round pick. The Falcons are planning on pairing Houston with Hall, with last year's second-round pick, Jimmy Williams, moving from corner to free safety.
"It's totally behind me. I'm continuing to try to prove myself and let everyone know it was a stupid mistake I made and just look for great things from here on out."
- Rams defensive tackle Claude Wroten told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about failing a drug test at the combine only a month after he was arrested for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. The charge was dropped, but Wroten dropped to the third round.
cjwilliams@star-telegram.com
