LaDainian Tomlinson dined on pan-roasted chicken as Vikings coach Brad Childress and other team officials began their wooing of the former Chargers RB on Wednesday.
Tomlinson will be in Minnesota on Thursday to discuss potentially joining the Vikings in a complementary role to starting RB Adrian Peterson.
The NFL's leading rusher in the past decade, Tomlinson, 30, told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that he would not have a problem accepting a third-down role supporting Peterson:
"I know I can catch the ball really well out of the backfield, can run routes and that's something that I've always looked for as I got older in my career. Being able to fall back on that. Not having to carry the ball as much. I think that's what was lost in San Diego because I was the only guy that could really carry the ball 20 times. So my third-down role was reduced. So now I'm looking for that. It's something I can do and I can fit in well."
Childress said earlier Wednesday that he would "over-communicate" to Tomlinson that his role on the Vikings would be as a backup.
Tomlinson said the mood in the dinner on Wednesday was "light" and that more information needed to be shared on Thursday before he could make a decision. He told the paper the Vikings, who lost to the Saints in overtime of the NFC title game, are "very close" to a championship.
Potentially playing with Brett Favre, who has yet to commit to returning to the Vikings would be "unbelievable, incredible," Tomlinson said.
"So many years I've watched Brett and also played against him and admire him so much," Tomlinson said. "Imagining him just throwing the ball to me out of the backfield or something like that, it would be something I can always remember and also tell my kids about."
Tomlinson told the paper he has a visit with another team set up this week, but he would not identify the team. What's he looking for from the Vikings to determine if he'll sign there?
"I think it's a feel that you have to have," he told the Star-Tribune. "It's not necessarily anything you're going to hear because I've heard what I like to hear. I have a role on this team. I think it's a feel that you have to have."
SOURCE: USA Today 'The Huddle'
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