Chargers face another old ‘friend’ on Sunday

The San Diego Chargers begin every season trying to exorcise the demon of having never won a Super Bowl.

Along the way, the franchise finds itself running into ghosts of past decisions. It traded away No. 1 draft picks Michael Vick and Eli Manning, and let quarterback Drew Brees walk to the New Orleans Saints after the 2005 season.

The Chargers have defeated Manning twice in regular-season games since trading him, but he won a Vince Lombardi Trophy with the 2007 New York Giants. Brees beat San Diego in 2008, and also won a Super Bowl a season later.

Hard for “What might’ve been” not to cross the mind.

Vick trumped the Chargers as an Atlanta Falcon in 2004, but was diminished by a dogfighting criminal case and netted San Diego a superstar in trade.

That player, future Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson, will face his old team Sunday when Tomlinson’s New York Jets play the Chargers at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

“He presents some real problems in terms of making sure we match up with him in third-down packages,” Chargers Coach Norv Turner told reporters Monday. “From the emotional standpoint, we’re getting ready for the Jets.”

Way more to it than that.

The Chargers (4-1) were upset by Coach Rex Ryan’s Jets in their most recent playoff game after the 2009 season, then released Tomlinson after he rushed for 12,390 yards in nine seasons, with nearly 4,000 receiving yards and 153 touchdowns.

One of the greatest Chargers of all time then became a Jet, and spoke of perhaps entering the Hall of Fame for the New York team — a dig probably rooted in the player’s hard feelings toward General Manager A.J. Smith.

The Chargers took shots back. Quarterback Philip Rivers last year said life without L.T. would be, “Maybe a feeling of, ‘I can do a little more without wondering what he thinks.’ ” Tight end Antonio Gates added, “You would get the sense that people felt bigger than the team.”

Tomlinson is still chasing a ring after the Pittsburgh Steelers stopped him on a fourth-and-goal run at the one-yard line in last season’s AFC championship game.

At 32, he has slowed to produce only 97 yards in 29 carries this season for the Jets (3-3), who received 46 total yards from Tomlinson on Monday in a 24-6 home victory over the winless Miami Dolphins.

There’s more at stake Sunday.

The Chargers had a week off to let Gates (plantar fasciitis) and wide receiver Vincent Jackson (leg) heal.

Rest also helped the running backs who’ve filled the Tomlinson void. Ryan Mathews (413 rushing yards, 261 receiving yards, three touchdowns) hurt his calf in an Oct. 9 victory at Denver and Mike Tolbert (105 rushing yards, four touchdowns) had concussion symptoms.

The old friction between Tomlinson and the Chargers? Don’t know how this helps that.

Other games:

Kansas City (2-3) at Oakland (4-2)

The Raiders’ Tuesday acquisition of holdout Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer keeps them from trying to remain in playoff contention by relying on Kyle Boller, this week’s likely starter before a week off.

Chicago (3-3) at Tampa Bay (4-2)

Both teams rallied from bad losses with impressive victories (blowout of Minnesota, upset of New Orleans, respectively). Playing game in London increases the toss-up feel of game.

Atlanta (3-3) at Detroit (5-1)

After an emotional home loss, the Lions are forced to maintain composure in face of the best regular-season team in the NFC last year. Running back Michael Turner is at full steam for Falcons, coming off a 139-yard, two-touchdown effort.

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