LT ready for first step
That television commercial where San Diego Chargers running back LaDanian Tomlinson runs over and through a mock Bears defense might actually have some significance this week.
Although everyone denies it will serve as a motivational tool for the Bears heading into Sunday's matchup in San Diego, it is noteworthy that the night the ad was filmed was the last time Tomlinson carried the ball against anyone wearing an enemy uniform.
Tomlinson has made it a tradition in recent years to skip preseason completely. He'll experience his first game action shortly after Sunday's kickoff.
"He's got every weapon you can imagine, so hopefully we'll be physical with him," Bears linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer said. "This will be his first contact of the year, so hopefully it'll be a rude wakeup call for him."
Sitting out preseason could work a couple of different ways. Tomlinson is obviously healthy and raring to play, but he may have to readjust to the speed of an NFL game.
"For the most part, my whole career I really haven't played much in preseason. So I'm pretty much used to it," he said this week during a teleconference. "You can't really simulate playing in the game and getting hit. The closest thing you can kind of do in practice is try to get in game condition and make sure you're in shape."
During his six NFL seasons, Tomlinson has averaged 97.5 yards per game and 4.0 yards per carry in Week 1 -- nearly identical to his career averages -- with a high of 131 yards in last year's opener against Oakland.
If any Bears fans are working up a lather while watching the Nike commercial, keep in mind Tomlinson grew up a Bears fan himself, named his dog "Sweetness" in honor of legendary running back Walter Payton. LT also has a Payton jersey and helmet on display at his home.
"For me, the joy of football started with him," said Tomlinson, a native of Waco, Tex. "He was the reason I wanted to play football in the first place, seeing him play."
On the field, Tomlinson does a pretty good Payton impression. He set 13 NFL records last season, including the most touchdowns scored (31), and rushed for a career-high 1,815 yards. He also lost just 1 fumble in 404 touches.
"He's the best running back in the NFL, no doubt about that," Brian Urlacher said. "We've got to get 11 guys to the football."
Added Hillenmeyer: "Most running backs are either speed backs, power backs or make-you-miss kind of backs. I think he's probably the only guy in the NFL that has all three."
Tomlinson refused to set any individual goals this year because he decided all that matters is winning the Super Bowl. He ended last season by angrily trying to prevent several Patriots from dancing at midfield after New England upset the Chargers in the second round of the AFC playoffs.
"If it happened again, I would react the exact same way," Tomlinson said this week. "I can't let anybody disrespect myself, this team, our fans or the coaching staff."
Tomlinson insisted his Nike commercial is not a sign of disrespect. For starters, he was running past actors in Bears uniforms and the point of the ad is that Tomlinson is envisioning himself sprinting for a touchdown before the snap of the ball.
Bears defensive lineman Tommie Harris makes a very brief appearance in Tomlinson's ad. There was a report this week that Harris was on the receiving end of some trash talk by San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers during breaks in filming, though Harris was not quoted directly on the subject.
"It was all good fun, guys joking around like we always do as players," Tomlinson said. "I don't know how this thing got blown out of proportion. But if they need motivation or whatever, then so be it. Our motivation is to win games, that's it, not to talk trash."