Jim Lang

Jim Lang is a Connected anchor and NFL reporter for Sportsnet. Also check out Jim's website, www.jimlang.ca

Jim Lang hunkers down and speaks with new Jet LaDainian Tomlinson.

There's a love affair going on at Jets camp between LaDainian Tomlinson and the staff, team and fans.

After wrapping up work on Friday, Mario and I decided to check out the new movie, "The Other Guys" starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my seat. So if you’re looking for a good movie to laugh your head off and have some fun, I highly recommend going to see "The Other Guys."

Saturday I made a fascinating discovery. It turns out that the late, great metal god, Ronnie James Dio grew up in Cortland, N.Y. Later in the day on a gorgeous summer day in upstate New York, the Jets held their annual Green and White scrimmage. Over 7,000 members of Jets Nation were on hand to see their team in action.

On the first play of the scrimmage, Mark Sanchez hit LaDainian Tomlinson with a 30-yard pass; LT turned that into a 70-yard touchdown. The fans went completely nuts as Tomlinson crossed the goal line and then they started to chant "LT! LT! LT!" A little while later, Tomlinson expertly picked up the blitz, allowing Sanchez to hit Santonio Holmes on a deep pass down the sideline. Those two plays highlighted the main reason Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum are so thrilled to have Tomlinson in a Jets uniform. While he may not be the dominant running back he once was, he is smart enough to know how to pick up a blitzing safety, and he is still quick enough to be an effective receiver.

At this point in the scrimmage the Jets fans were in a frenzy. Since the majority of Jets fans hail from the New York and New Jersey area, they are not shy about expressing themselves. One Jets fan was so determined to get some autographs that he came up with a unique way to get the players’ attention. "Hey Santonio Holmes, I will wash your car if you give me your autograph." Even Holmes was laughing at that one. Then the same guy tells Braylon Edwards, "I will give you a lifetime supply of moisturizer for your beard if you give me your autograph."

After the scrimmage had ended, the players signed autographs for the army of Jets fans in Cortland, and then it was time to meet with the media. Coach Ryan was very happy with how the scrimmage went. Most of all, Ryan was pleased to see the team’s newest additions, Tomlinson and Holmes, perform so well.

Finally we were able to speak to Tomlinson. After all, LT was the reason we had spent two days in Cortland in the first place. Maybe it was because he scored a 70-yard touchdown only 45 minutes earlier, but LT was in a very good mood. As a matter of fact, I found Tomlinson a pleasure to interview. For a man the Chargers felt was done in San Diego, Tomlinson is on a mission to prove to everyone in the NFL that he can still play. One thing is very clear, Tomlinson loves playing for the Jets. One thing is also clear, the Jets coaching staff and his new teammates love him right back.

Now to say that the addition of Tomlinson will make the Jets a Super Bowl contender is wrong. But the addition of Tomlinson and Holmes gives the Jets offence more versatility and makes them even more dangerous.

Now after scoring a coup like a sitdown interview with LaDainian Tomlinson, Mario and I decided to celebrate with a dinner at the local Ponderosa.

Yes it’s true, Cortland still has a Ponderosa and neither one of us had eaten there since we were kids.

Up next is the final stop on this segment of our NFL camp tour, Rochester, N.Y., and the Bills training camp.