Ladainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson clinched his second consecutive NCAA rushing championship, went over 2,000 yards for the season and had a 74-yard touchdown run as No. 13-ranked Texas Christian beat rival Southern Methodist, 62-7, at Dallas on Friday night. TCU--10-1 overall, 7-1 in the Western Athletic Conference and headed for the Mobile (Ala.) Bowl--scored six unanswered touchdowns in the second and third quarters. Tomlinson ran 26 times for 174 yards, giving him 2,158 yards this season--No.

A week ago, San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson joked that joining the 10,000-yard signaled only that he was getting old. Sunday, when he reached another milestone in a 24-20 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, however, it was no joking matter. Tomlinson had two touchdowns rushing to go along with his 177 yards and moved past Walter Payton on the rushing touchdowns list with 111.

The best player in the NFL is right down Interstate 5, but the view is blocked by a big head 3,000 miles away. The best player in the NFL speaks in a soft voice, but even when you're nearby he's drowned out by the cacophony generated from the other side of the country. Two men were standing a few yards from the BPITN as he practiced the other day, but he wasn't the subject of conversation. "What do you think of T.O.?" one said to the other. "He's an idiot," was the reply.

When San Diego begins its exhibition schedule tonight against visiting Seattle, the Chargers won't have their best player in the game for a single down. LaDainian Tomlinson, the NFL's most valuable player a season ago, will be a spectator when the favored Chargers play the Seahawks for the second year in a row at Qualcomm Stadium. Watching from the sidelines during the exhibition season is nothing new for Tomlinson. He did not play in any of San Diego's exhibition games in 2006.

Instead of crowing about a victory over his former team, Marty Schottenheimer decided once and for all to proclaim LaDainian Tomlinson the greatest running back ever. Tomlinson tied the game with a 32-yard run late in the fourth quarter and won it with a 41-yard scamper on the second play of overtime. He ran for 147 of his 184 yards after halftime Sunday in the San Diego Chargers' 23-17 victory over the Washington Redskins.

As he danced, darted and dashed his way around the field, LaDainian Tomlinson had just one thought: Don't let the San Diego Chargers lose again. Tomlinson rushed for 200 yards and one touchdown, and the Chargers held off Kelly Holcomb's comeback for its first win, 26-20, over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

LaDainian Tomlinson is about to become the NFL's highest-paid running back. Tomlinson said Thursday he has agreed in principle to a deal with San Diego that would eclipse the eight-year, $50.5-million contract signed by Washington's Clinton Portis in the off-season. Asked if his deal will be worth more than that given Portis, Tomlinson replied, "Absolutely. I don't think it will even be close."

LaDainian Tomlinson and his San Diego Charger teammates watched the New York Jets get one final chance to pull out an improbable victory. One thought must have crossed their minds: "Oh no. Not again." No matter that Tomlinson was dazzling, with a career-high four touchdowns and one particularly stunning move that left Pro Bowl cornerback Ty Law frozen in his tracks.

LaDainian Tomlinson was so enraged by the taunting postgame celebrations of the New England players after Sunday's game, he questioned the class of Patriots Coach Bill Belichick. That's fine, except that Tomlinson soon could be one of Belichick's players. Should the Patriots lose to Indianapolis in the conference championship game, New England's staff will coach the AFC squad in the Pro Bowl. Tomlinson and eight of his teammates are on that team.