Tomlinson, Chargers players want Brees back next season
The day after the San Diego Chargers assured themselves of their first winning season since 1995, LaDainian Tomlinson made a pitch for the front office to bring back quarterback Drew Brees next year.
Brees has been the biggest catalyst in the Chargers’ surprising turnaround from NFL doormat a year ago to the brink of clinching their first playoff berth in nine seasons.
Asked about Brees on Monday, Tomlinson said there’s no question the players want him back.
“Why break up something that’s not broken?” Tomlinson said. “That’s the way I feel about it. I hope I don’t get in trouble.”
“Everybody can voice their opinion,” general manager A.J. Smith said. “We all do. It’s America.”
Brees will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. After struggling last year – along with most of the rest of the Chargers during an NFL-worst 4-12 season – he’s played so well that he’s kept prized rookie quarterback Philip Rivers on the bench except for brief mop-up duty in a 26-point win over New Orleans a month ago.
Smith said that’s not necessarily the case. He said the Chargers are expected to have about $21 million in salary cap space for next season, which could allow them to designate Brees as their “franchise” player. The Chargers would have to pay Brees about $9 million while paying Rivers about $3 million.
The Chargers, who play host to Tampa Bay on Sunday, won’t make a decision on Brees until after the season.
McNabb breaks NFL record
Donovan McNabb broke an NFL record by completing 24 consecutive passes over two games.
McNabb completed his first 14 passes in Philadelphia’s 47-17 victory over Green Bay on Sunday. He had completed his last 10 passes in a victory over the New York Giants the previous week.
Joe Montana held the old record with 22 straight completions against Cleveland and Green Bay in 1987.
McNabb finished 32 of 43 for a club-record 464 yards and a career-high five touchdowns against the Packers.
Former Seahawk Warren arrested
Former Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Warren has been arrested in Virginia on a federal warrant, accused of failing to pay $137,147 in child support for his two daughters in Washington state.
Last May, Warren landed on Washington state’s “most wanted” list of parents who owe back child support.
The sheriff’s department in Fairfax, Va., arrested Warren last Friday on the warrant and turned him over to U.S. marshals. He faces charges of criminal nonsupport when he arrives back in Washington state.
It was not immediately known if Warren had retained a lawyer and he was not immediately reachable by phone.
Around the league
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Derrick Burgess will miss the rest of the regular season with a chest injury. … Oakland Raiders wide receiver Ronald Curry is out for the season with a torn Achilles’ tendon. … New York Jets defensive end John Abraham will miss Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh with a sprained ligament in his right knee. … San Francisco quarterback Tim Rattay and running back Kevan Barlow are questionable for Sunday’s game at Arizona. Rattay has a partially torn fascia, and Barlow has a concussion… . Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Navaree is out two to three weeks with a broken right finger. Josh McCown will start at quarterback for Sunday’s game.