RB LaDainian Tomlinson was an easy target last season when the Chargers were struggling. At less than 100 percent physically, he was not giving the team the type of production it had come to expect from him over the years. Now that he has missed the past two games with a sprained ankle, however, people are beginning to realize just how much he is needed in San Diego's offense.

That's because without L.T. in the lineup during Weeks Two and Three, the Chargers were abysmal once they entered the red zone. Against the Ravens, they could not muster a touchdown in five red-zone trips, and facing the Dolphins, San Diego found paydirt on just 1-of-6 voyages inside the 20. That's one score out 11 red-zone opportunities, or a pitiful nine percent success rate.

"We're having significant red-zone problems, and most of them are self-inflicted," said head coach Norv Turner. "We've had penalties and miscommunication. Right now, we're not running the ball the way we need to. We have to run the ball better down in the red zone. We've been a good red-zone team, so we know the formula. We just have to do a better job."

The Chargers were, in fact, a much better red-zone offense last season, scoring a TD 56.9 percent of the time. The biggest difference between then and now? The presence of Tomlinson.

From what we hear, the Bolts believe that getting No. 21 back on the field will be the cure to their ills inside the 20, as they have not been playing nearly physical enough in the scoring zone. With a small, finesse back like Darren Sproles in there, the club hasn't been able to line up and ram it down anyone's throat, instead trying to get him into space to make plays. That may work elsewhere on the field, but not when quarters get tight around the goal line.

Tomlinson might not be the same player at age 30 that he was at 25, but having him back in the huddle will allow San Diego to get back to basics when it's trying to stuff the ball into the endzone. It will also take pressure off QB Philip Rivers to fit the ball into tiny windows, which becomes increasingly difficult as the field gets smaller. Some of L.T.'s explosiveness is probably gone, but he can still pick up a yard or two when it's desperately needed.

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