If that was it for LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego, it’s hard to imagine an uglier ending.
The home crowd booed the franchise icon on his final carry, frustrated with the playcalling and another one-yard plunge into the line of scrimmage.
“That’s frustration on the fans’ part,” Tomlinson said. “Not being able to do much the whole game, and the first play we’re behind we try to run it up in there, and we didn’t do anything.”
That carry came with more than 13 minutes left; Tomlinson watched the rest of the game from the bench. Tomlinson acknowledged what MDS wrote last night; he may not be back.
“I’ve heard all the speculation,” he said. “But I’ll tell you what: I’ve had a heck of a time here and if it is [the end], I’ve enjoyed the ride.”
Tomlinson was asked if he wanted to return. “I can’t tell you that right now,” he said.
Football is an unsentimental sport. Yet Dean Spanos and A.J. Smith’s decision to bring Tomlinson back one more time and keep feeding him the ball appeared based on sentiment, not football.
The Chargers needed a young workhorse to make plays on his own Sunday, like a Shonn Greene. Instead, they got 24 yards on 12 carries from Tomlinson.
After carrying the Chargers for so many years, it’s sad that that Tomlinson helped to drag this team down.
UPDATE: Here’s video of Tomlinson after the game.