Rejuvenated Tomlinson glad he signed with Jets

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - LaDainian Tomlinson's decision in the spring came down to the Jets and the Vikings. It was a pretty easy call: His wife, LaTorsha, wasn't too keen on the cold weather in Minnesota.

That wasn't all, of course. Tomlinson has said often that his familiarity with Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, plus Rex Ryan's telling Tomlinson that the sure-fire Hall of Fame back would have to earn his role on the Jets, did the trick over being an understudy in the Vikings backfield.

"I knew that I would have a bigger role here because you've got Adrian Peterson in the backfield there in Minnesota," Tomlinson said Wednesday. "My sense was when I came there they needed me more in a Chester Taylor-type role. When I came here to the Jets, I sensed that they needed me in a bigger role. Obviously, that was a no-brainer for me.

"With Brian, we were going over the offense like we were back in San Diego. I knew Brian's philosophies and the way he wanted things run. That was a comfort part, that I had just come out of this offense for nine years. In Minnesota, it was about learning a whole different offense."

Tomlinson, 31, has taken his role with the Jets and run with it. The AFC Offensive Player of the Week piled up 133 yards and two touchdowns at Buffalo on Sunday and showed the burst and speed that people in San Diego thought was long gone. The Vikings' defense, particularly its fast, hard-hitting linebackers, may not allow Tomlinson the free rein he had against the Bills, but he's shown he's still a serious weapon.

"A couple of years ago, I was still battling some injuries that I had,'' Tomlinson said. "Physically, I feel great now. I don't have anything going on. Mentally, I feel great also.

"You look at different guys, for example Brett [Favre]. Guys always talk about 'Mentally, I don't think I can do it no more.' You get to a point when you've been in the league for a number of years, mentally you can start to be drained. I'm at the point where this has refreshed me, being here."

Receiver Santonio Holmes' return Monday may mean fewer carries for Tomlinson, but he doesn't see the team's offensive philosophy changing. Which is another reason he chose to sign with the Jets.

"It wasn't hard to see what type of football team this was going to be: very good, plays good defense, able to have an all-weather type team, where you can run it, you can throw it, [with] a great number of skill players at all positions," he said. "That had a lot to do with [me coming here].

"Also, I think this team has the opportunity, really and truly, more than any other team, to win a championship."