Getty Image
There’s nothing sports fans love more than a good conspiracy theory, and legendary NFL running back LaDainian Tomlinson has delivered with a pretty spicy take concerning a former offensive coordinator he accused of throwing a playoff game to land a job as a head coach.
In 2001, LaDainian Tomlinson was drafted by the Chargers (who were still playing in San Diego at the time) with the second overall pick in the NFL Draft. The franchise really had nowhere to go but up after finishing with a 1-15 record the previous season, and while they didn’t turn things around overnight, the RB was a key contributor who helped them find success in the latter part of the decade.
In 2006, Tomlinson earned Most Valuable Player honors during a stellar season where he posted 1,815 rushing yards and set an NFL record (that still hasn’t been beaten) with 28 touchdowns on the ground. Philip Rivers also had a breakout season that helped the Chargers finish with a 14-2 record (the best in the league), and after securing a bye, they ended up facing off against the Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round.
The Chargers pulled out to a 14-3 lead toward the end of the second quarter, but the Patriots were able to reduce that deficit to four points by halftime and ultimately pulled off a comeback to walk away with the 24-21 win that ended San Diego’s season.
Less than a week later, Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron was hired by the Miami Dolphins to fill the void that formed in the wake of Nick Saban’s defection to Alabama—a development Tomlinson seems to think could be traced back to what unfolded during the showdown with New England.
During a recent conversation with Channing Crowder, Fred Taylor, and Ryan Clark on The Pivot Podcast, Tomlinson made it incredibly clear he was suprrised by the pass-heavy play-calling that gave the Patriots an opportunity to claw their way back into the game, which he seems to think was the result of Cameron wanting to wrap up the season so he could interview for a head coaching position.
The @chargers were up double digits on @Patriots in the divisional playoff round of the 06-07 playoffs, but just kept chucking their way to a loss. Hall of Fame running back @LT_21 has a theory on the questionable play calling that sent a stack team home.
Their Offensive… pic.twitter.com/cQp19ANG9b
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) April 8, 2024
Here’s what he had to say:
“What job did he get right after we lost? In my mind, ‘Did we just throw the game for a head coaching job?’
You play football a certain way if you’re up in the second half. How do I not get the ball? We’ve all had a chance to think about this stuff, process it, and the fact that someone gets [a job] right after we lose…what?”
It is a bit hard to buy into Tomlinson’s argument based on the details of the second half in question.
The Chargers did throw two interceptions but forced the Patriots to punt after each one. They did pull out to an eight-point lead midway through the fourth quarter, but it’s hard to argue the offensive approach played a role in the Patriots immediately answering to tie things up.
If Cameron did indeed throw that game to get the gig with the Dolphins, he probably wished he hadn’t in hindsight when you consider he lost his first 13 games with Miami and was fired at the end of the season after going 1-15. He got another chance to work as an OC with the Ravens the following year but was kicked to the curb midway through what would be his final NFL campaign.