Glauber: Rejuvenated Tomlinson has Jets on move

The play is designed for LaDainian Tomlinson to take the handoff, run toward the left sideline and await a hole created by his line. It's commonly referred to as the "stretch play," designed to extend the defensive pursuit and create an opening.

Mark Sanchez called the play in the huddle midway through the fourth quarter Sunday on second-and-10 from the Denver 20. As it began to unfold, Tomlinson hoped to run all the way to the corner and outrace the pursuit. But while running toward the sideline, he noticed a hole had opened behind the blocking of left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

Tomlinson darted upfield, broke through the crease and ran 20 yards for a touchdown to bring the Jets into a 17-17 tie with the Broncos at Invesco Stadium at Mile High. The Jets went on to win, 24-20, their fifth straight victory.

It was the latest example of veteran savvy by Tomlinson that has made his acquisition such an integral part of the Jets' 5-1 start. The 31-year-old, unceremoniously released by the Chargers after last season, has enjoyed a career renaissance and is playing close to the level that once made him the NFL's most dominant tailback.

"Just being in a different environment, being around this team, this coaching staff, having a new baby boy, all that stuff has a way of rejuvenating me," Tomlinson said. "I'm just so excited about the chance to play football. This is what I love to do. I've done it for 20-some years now."

The Jets' offseason acquisition of Tomlinson was somewhat controversial, mostly because it came at the expense of Thomas Jones, who ran for a career-best 1,406 yards in 2009. But Jones' drop-off late in the season prompted the Jets to believe his effectiveness was about to diminish quickly, so they released him. They eventually decided Tomlinson was a suitable replacement as a backup to Shonn Greene, who had emerged late in his rookie season as the Jets' go-to running back.

But with Greene struggling to recapture his form early this season and with an injury-free Tomlinson running as well as he has in years, the former Charger became the starter. Tomlinson leads the Jets with 92 carries for 490 yards, sixth overall among NFL runners.

The Jets still believe that the powerfully built Greene can be a dominant runner, but it is the quicker, shiftier Tomlinson who has been the guy. No longer with the pass-happy Chargers, Tomlinson is in a run-first offense that features arguably the NFL's best offensive line. The turnaround has been remarkable.

"There's no secret we have a very good offensive line, and it makes our job easier as running backs," Tomlinson said. "We're able to have one-on-one matchups with linebackers and safeties, and our job is to beat those guys. If every [lineman] is on his block, we have to make those guys miss. So far, that's what's been happening."

It's exactly what happened on Sunday's touchdown run, his first of two. Tomlinson also scored the winning touchdown with 1:13 to play. This time, he ran 2 yards up the middle and was barely touched, thanks to more exceptional blocking.

It was his fifth touchdown of the season, and additional evidence that the player San Diego let go is far from finished. Perhaps not coincidentally, the Chargers are off to a 2-4 start.

When I asked Tomlinson if there is any additional satisfaction because his former team is struggling, he replied, "No comment."

Then he broke into a wide grin and added: "The smile says it all."