No-Huddle Notebook: LT Wants to Play in Chargers' Preseason

Even though he doesn't want it to be the case, it could be the same old story for Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson: Miss the preseason.

After battling toe and groin injuries last season and finishing with a career-low 1,110 rushing yards, Tomlinson believes that if he plays some in the preseason, it will help him find a groove a little faster once the regular season starts.

The Chargers open the preseason Saturday against Seattle.

"This year is different," Tomlinson said to reporters on Monday. "I wouldn't rule out me not playing. It's always good to play at home in front of your home crowd, so I'll leave it at that. Let's see what the coaches come up with."

Tomlinson hasn't played in a preseason game since 2005 and the main reason is to save his body for December, something former Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer told Tomlinson a few years ago. It's a philosophy current coach Norv Turner continues to follow.

Turner seemed surprised that reporters asked him about Tomlinson playing in the preseason.

"I want to play, we'll see whether they take us," Tomlinson said. "It's one thing for me to want to play and it's another thing for the coaches, who make the decision. We'll see where we end up."

Injury is another concern -- Tomlinson isn't as spry as he used to be -- especially this season with the Chargers expecting a deep playoff run. But Tomlinson said he's not worried about getting hurt or the amount of carries he needs.

"It's no different," he said. "It's like I said, I've asked to play [in the past] and coach said no."

DEPTH PROBLEMS WORRY EAGLES: Before the start of training camp, Eagles president Joe Banner said he has the best roster in football. Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones agreed.

But in the last few days the Eagles lost backup quarterback Kevin Kolb (sprained MCL), starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley (torn knee ligaments), rookie tight end Cornelius Ingram (torn knee ligaments) and still haven't seen starting right tackle Shawn Andrews (back) work in training camp.

Depth is a concern for the Eagles before their first preseason game. On Tuesday morning, wide receiver Hank Baskett left practice with a undetermined leg injury.

The offensive line has issues. Starting left guard Todd Herremans has a swollen ankle and Nick Cole is getting time there. Also, left tackle Jason Peters worked out finally with the team after recovering from quadriceps spasms. Starting right guard Stacy Andrews, Shawn's brother, is still recovering from knee surgery.

The Eagles seemed like a sexy pick to reach the postseason, but you wonder how these injuries will bother them long-term.

TODD HALEY GETS ON THE CHIEFS: Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe was demoted to second and third team units during Monday's practice. Bowe was second on the team in receiving last season to the now departed tight end Tony Gonzalez. Bowe has talent, as evidenced by his 1,022 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season.

But Haley is pushing Bowe, the same way he pushed wide receivers Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn, when he was the passing game coordinator with the Cowboys in 2006.

"There is no spot taken right now," Haley said to the Kansas City Star. "We are going to do everything we can to find players that do it our way. Each day, it may change, but we are going to find guys that do it our way and the way we feel give us the best chance to win."

Haley is a screamer, which might work with younger players, but not veterans, who tuned him out in Dallas.

TWITTER LINE OF THE WEEK: @kb_kcstar: Haley to his offense: "You gonna keep letting the defense kick your (bleep) up and down the field?" The next two plays went for passing TDs.
(Chiefs beat writer Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star.)

NFL BUCKET LIST: Here's one thing I would like to do while covering the NFL: Talk to Jim Brown. The man has done it all as a person and a player. A one hour conversation with him would be great.

FOURTH DOWNS: The Chargers are worried about television blackouts when the regular season starts. Jacksonville might be in the same boat as well. ... Cowboys starting CBs Terence Newman (groin) and Mike Jenkins (ankle) will miss the preseason opener at Oakland. ... Either the Dolphins having a hard camp, or guys are just realizing they can't make the team: Four players, TE Jared Bronson, OT SirVincent Rogers, S Ethan Kilmer and FB Matt Quillen, quit the team. ... On Titans QB Vince Young's interception in the Hall of Fame game on Sunday, the wide receiver said he ran the wrong route.