San Diego Chargers at Philadelphia Eagles Preview

By Darrell Laurant | Saturday, October 22, 2005 | ( 0 )

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If this keeps up, Lawrence Taylor may have to sue to regain pro football rights to the initials "LT."

Taylor had a Hall of Fame career as a linebacker with the New York Giants, making "LT" synonymous with savage defense. Now, along comes San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, an offensive "LT" who seems on the fast track to Canton himself.

Last week against Oakland, for instance, Tomlinson rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown, caught a touchdown pass and threw one. Who did he think he was, Doak Walker? And if this LT scores Sunday in Philadelphia against the Eagles, he'll break Lenny Moore's 18-year-old record by producing a touchdown in 19 straight gamers.

But he'll have to excuse the Philadelphia Eagles if they aren't in a mood to be generous. With a week off to contemplate an ugly 33-10 loss to Dallas, a game in which the defending NFC champions managed only six first downs, Andy Reid's team will undoubtedly be feeling the lash of their notoriously fickle home fans and their own pride.

Many picked these two teams for this year's Super Bowl, but that's beginning to look like a long shot. Still, San Diego has lost its three games by a total of nine points -- the first setback, to Dallas, coming with TE Antonio Gates on the sidelines.

The Philadelphia Eagles have had excuses themselves, notably a rash of injuries. QB Donovan McNabb has managed to throw for 1,464 yards and 11 touchdowns despite shin and chest pains and a tender "sports hernia" that obviously limited him against Dallas. The fact that the normally mobile McNabb can't run wouldn't be such much of a problem if anyone else was running, but the Eagles rank dead last in the NFL in rushing offense.

The good news for McNabb is that the San Diego Chargers rank 27th in the league in defending the pass, so Terrell Owens and versatile RB Brian Westbrook should stay busy on Sunday.

The Chargers have a balanced attack that features not only Tomlinson, but QB Brees and receivers Gates and Keenan McCardell. They'll be up against a strong Eagle defense led by DE Jevon Kearse, LB Jeremiah Trotter and one of the best secondaries in the NFL.

Game time is 1 p.m. at Lincoln Commercial Field.

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