Raiders set to meet L.T. at worst possible time

By Anthony Carroll  |   Friday, September 26, 2008  |  Comments( 56 )

Oakland Raiders
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The month of September is nearing its end, and San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson is still in search of his first 100-yard game.

Just in time to meet his favorite opponent, the Oakland Raiders.

The five-time Pro Bowler, who’s been battling a nagging toe injury to begin the 2008 campaign, is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry this year. The perennial favorite to take home the NFL rushing title has amassed just 190 yards through three contests, racking up 97, 26 and 67 yards, respectively, to begin the season.

Tomlinson returned to practice Thursday after taking a day off to nurse a right big toe injury that has cut down his playing time significantly this season. Despite the time off, Chargers head coach Norv Turner -- who held that position in Oakland earlier this decade -- still isn’t convinced his starting running back is 100 percent.

“It’s not behind him,” Turner admitted. “He took yesterday off and I think that helped him.”

Sure, the time off should help. But the timing should help even more.

In 14 matchups, the Raider ‘D’ has allowed the 29-year-old Tomlinson to run for more than 1,700 yards (122 yards per game) and score 19 touchdowns.

“I enjoy playing there,” Tomlinson said. “I think it is one of the better places in the National Football League to play just because they got a great fan base that really gets into the game.”

“And because I run all over them,” he should have added.

This Sunday could be especially bad for the Raiders, too. With injuries all across the D-line and Tomlinson feeling a bit better, there’s a recipe for disaster brewing in Oakland.

Two of the Raiders’ most effective linemen through the start of the ‘08 season, defensive end Derrick Burgess and defensive tackle Gerard Warren, are battling injuries that could severely thin the D-line in Week 4. Burgess is nursing a tricep injury and is questionable, while Warren is dealing with a pectoral tear and is doubtful.

If Burgess can’t find a way to play -- or can’t finish the game -- Kalimba Edwards, who has played well thus far into the season, would receive the bulk of the reps. Edwards, though, has been used primarily this season as a passing-down rusher, and hasn’t been tested heavily against the run.

With Warren -- the Raiders’ most effective DT -- likely out, the bulk of the confusion up front will stem from the interior of the line. Both Tommy Kelly and Terdell Sands are healthy; however, Sands benefits most from being able to rotate in and out with Warren, while Kelly hasn’t shown any consistent dominance this season. Defensive end Jay Richardson could see some time at DT to fill in for the injured 325-pounder, as well as DE/TE/OL Fred Wakefield, who saw time at tackle last week against Buffalo.

“Fred’s doing well. It’s not an easy thing to do. The guy was playing offensive line the third week of preseason and he goes over to defensive line,” head coach Lane Kiffin said of Wakefield’s sudden shift from offense to defense. “Not just defensive end, he’s inside at defensive tackle. That’s a very, very hard thing to do.”

Particularly if Tomlinson's coming to town.

In the teams' last nine meetings, the Chargers have come out on top in each one by an average margin of 15.4 points. The last time Oakland topped San Diego was on Sept. 28, 2003, exactly five years apart from when they’ll meet this Sunday.

That bit of irony is the good news. The bad news: Then-QB Rich Gannon threw for 348 yards in the win.

That ain’t happening.
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About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
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