LaDainian Tomlinson will be fired up vs. Chargers

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- When LaDainian Tomlinson is inducted into the Hall of Fame, it will be for what he accomplished while wearing a Chargers jersey. Yet the Jets running back is not so nostalgic about his nine seasons in San Diego that he would like to be playing for the Chargers on Sunday.

"I'm glad I'm wearing green," Tomlinson said. "We're playing at home. I know our fans are going to go crazy. I'm happy I'm playing for Rex Ryan."

It was not clear whether Tomlinson's unsolicited endorsement of Ryan was a dig at Chargers coach Norv Turner; San Diego decided not to re-sign Tomlinson after the 2009 season and he moved on to the Jets. Tomlinson was pretty careful to say mostly nice things about his former team Thursday, but there are more than a few people who think he has extra motivation to have a big game Sunday.

Ryan is one of those people. Even though Shonn Greene still is the Jets' No. 1 running back, Ryan announced he plans to give Tomlinson his first start of the season Sunday.

"I think it's natural," Ryan said when asked if he expects Tomlinson to have more fire against the Chargers. "You kind of want to show off to your old team. I think that's probably the biggest thing. It's just showing your friends and former teammates that 'hey, wow, watch me play.' "

Tomlinson, 32, played 141 games for the Chargers, scoring 153 touchdowns and rushing for 12,490 yards. He helped turn a struggling organization that was 1-15 the season before he got there into a playoff contender. But his departure was anything but smooth and left some bitter feelings.

Last season, when he ran for 914 yards, he took more than a few digs at the Chargers, especially when they were 2-4 and the Jets were 5-1. Thursday, however, he took great pains not to rile them up.

"I don't look at it like I'm trying to get even," Tomlinson said. "I'm not a guy who holds grudges. I had nine great years there, and I won't make it more than what it is."

It's a chance for him to complete his resume. His 160 touchdowns rank third behind Jerry Rice (208) and Emmitt Smith (175), and the Chargers are the only team Tomlinson hasn't scored against. Although he hasn't been a major factor this season -- 97 yards on 29 carries, 17 catches with one TD -- the Jets are betting he has a big game in him.

Said Tomlinson: "I'm looking forward to it."