Raiders haven’t learned how to stop Tomlinson

By Darrell Laurant  |   Tuesday, October 09, 2007  |  Comments( 38 )

Oakland Raiders
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LaDainian Tomlinson enjoys playing against the Oakland Raiders. For Oakland, that's not a good thing.

In his last nine games versus the Raiders, in fact, Tomlinson has rushed for 948 yards. Last season, he produced 131 and 109 overland yards as San Diego swept the season series between the two AFC West teams, 27-0 and 21-14.

Tomlinson has also thrown six touchdown passes in his relatively brief NFL career, and three have come against Oakland.

But this is a new season, and the two teams are currently playing for first place in their division.

"Obviously, this is a different Raiders' team," Tomlinson told the San Diego Union-Tribune, "and they're building something here."

It says something about Oakland's recent doldrums that the team -- and for that matter, the fans -- are excited about a 2-2 start. But San Diego also stumbled out of the gate, only to thrash Denver last Sunday, 41-3.

Michael Turner gained 147 yards in that contest, meaning he and Tomlinson may double-team the Raiders at times.

Oakland's D-line of Tommy Kelly, Warren Sapp, Derrick Burgess and either Gerard Warren or Terdell Sands will be a key factor on Sunday against Tomlinson and the Bolts. Even a back of LT's caliber can do little if he's stopped before he can gain momentum, and that's what Oakland must do.

The Chargers also use Tomlinson as a pass receiver out of the backfield, or, as mentioned earlier, even as a pass thrower. In that scenario, he makes an excellent safety valve for young QB Philip Rivers.

There are so many ways the TCU graduate can hurt you.

"To be honest with you, I'm sick and tired of talking about last year," Tomlinson said after his team slipped to 1-2 earlier with a loss at Green Bay, "because this is not ... last year's team.

Bur he's still the same LaDainian Tomlinson.
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