L.T. could miss most of 2009 with sore fingernail

LaDainian Tomlinson might not spend the 2009 season in a San Diego Chargers uniform. He has had a phenomenal 8-year run with the Chargers, a record-setting run in fact. But with the way his play has declined and the way his previous two seasons have ended, it has left a bitter taste in the mouths of the fans and perhaps of management as well.
The lasting images of what was a great run in 2007, when the Chargers went from 1-3 to the AFC championship game, was Tomlinson sitting on the sidelines in New England with his parka pulled over his head and his eyes hidden behind his tinted visor. This after it was believed he would be able to play in the most important game of his career.
This past season, when the Chargers reeled off four straight wins to capture the AFC West title, Tomlinson injured his groin in the season finale and was only able to play on a limited basis in the wild card round against Indianapolis. In their toughest game of the season at Pittsburgh in the divisional round, Tomlinson once again was M.I.A. In his absence, backup Darren Sproles rushed for only 15 yards as the Steelers rolled. Once again, with his team needing him, Tomlinson was nowhere to be found as the Chargers' season came to an end.
Tomlinson is slowly turning into either a prima donna, a machine with failing parts, or just a running back with extremely bad timing when it comes to injuries. His legacy may be one of greatness, but only in the regular season. He has never excelled in the postseason, either due to injury or ineffectiveness, and ultimately that may spell the end of his time in southern California.