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Defiant but defeated
Type: Latest News
26 October 2008 10:57 PM - Mike Preston
LaDainian Tomlinson had one of those days running backs dream about: his 47th game rushing for more than 100 yards in a game, a receiving touchdown and a crowd-pleasing performance as his team put up 32 points.
But for the San Diego Chargers star, the day did not end well as the opposing New Orleans Saints scored five more points to triumph 37-32 and Tomlinson finished on the wrong end of the result as his team dropped to a record of 2-4.
"Obviously we've fallen behind two games in our division," said Tomlinson, who rushed 19 times for 105 yards. "We've got a lot of ground to make up."
Tomlinson broke a 26-yard run up the sideline on the Chargers' first offensive play from scrimmage and scampered 40 yards down the left sideline for his longest play of the day to set up a San Diego touchdown. He also caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Philip Rivers.
"I've felt going into this game this was the healthiest I've been since I hurt my toe," added Tomlinson, who was clearly not troubled by his recent injury. "I'm pretty much back healthy. And I felt like I was running good tonight."
Tomlinson was running impressively and on the other side of the ball, his former teammate Drew Brees was passing efficiently for the Saints, competing 31 of 40 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns.
Tomlinson added: "It was strange. I sat on the sideline watching him work his magic thinking ‘when is he going to miss one?' He supposed to be my friend!
"I was thinking he was going to throw an interception at some time and help us out.
Brees remained error free, but Chargers passer Rivers missed one inside the two-minute warning when he was driving the Chargers downfield looking to tie the game and Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma came up with an interception.
"I thought both the quarterbacks played well," said Tomlinson. "Whenever you score that many points, the fans had to get their money's worth and I think we really put on a show tonight."
The occasion of the Wembley Stadium experience softened the blow of the latest Chargers loss for Tomlinson.
"I though it was great," he said of playing in the 2008 Bridgestone International Series. "The fans were into the game and it was a really exciting game to be a part of. And I think if you ask any one of the players in the locker room, they'll say no doubt they'll come back and do it again."
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