By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

It could be worse. Lorenzo Neal could be somewhere else.

"If I had to do it all over again," he said earlier this week, "I think this was the best choice for me at this point in time in my career."

Ten years, Neal decided during the past offseason, were enough spent away from his native California.

A three-year, $4.5 million contract - more than the Bengals and most interested teams were willing to offer a 32-year-old free agent - clinched the deal that brought the bruising fullback to San Diego this season.

Yet it is the Chargers, and not the Bengals, who have two wins and pride to play for Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.

Cincinnati, Neal's team in 2001 and 2002, is first in the AFC North with a .500 record and thinking about division titles and playoffs, instead of next year.

Imagine that.

"I'm happy for those guys (in Cincinnati)," said Neal, who was named to his first Pro Bowl last season. "The guys who have been sticking it out, seen the good, seen the bad, I'm happy for them."

In his old locker room at Paul Brown Stadium, the respect is mutual. Those who knew him best and relied on him most, find no fault in his departure.

"You hope the best for him," Bengals running back Brandon Bennett said. "You can't really say he's missing out or whatever, because he's been blessed.

"He's got a great contract. He's playing and doing well. You just have to be happy for that."

San Diego is the sixth stop on Neal's block party.

A fourth-round pick by the Saints in 1993, he has spent 10-plus seasons helping some of the NFL's premier running backs.

Corey Dillon, Eddie George, Warrick Dunn and Adrian Murrell all rushed for 1,000 yards or more with Neal clearing the way.

"He brings an attitude to the game like no other," said Dillon, who rushed for more than 1,300 yards with Neal and the Bengals during the 2001 and 2002 seasons.

"He's a dog out there. This guy has 11 years in the league and he's still breaking people's ribs. Words can't describe that kind of player.... By far he's the best at what he does."

Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson is set to become the fifth member of the club.

Tomlinson has rushed for 971 yards in San Diego's 10 games.

"LaDainian is a great back," Neal said. "He's got eyes in the back of his head. ... He's a warrior."

Neal also has shown an ability to carry and catch the football. He has averaged 3.6 yards a carry and 5.7 yards a catch despite limited touches in 156 career games.

Of the NFL's three most seasoned active fullbacks, Neal's 15 career touchdowns are tied with Bills fullback Sam Gash for the most.

"He's just so vital to the running game, passing game, whatever," Bennett said. "He's a special breed."

The Chargers have lost a few winnable games. The offensive line has lost three starters. Doug Flutie and Drew Brees are interchangeable at quarterback.

But Neal has been constant and is a major reason why San Diego has the ninth-ranked rushing offense in the NFL.

"He's probably got as much positive leadership as any player I've been around," Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "He's just a delightful person. He's a very diligent worker. He's a quality performer. And he's just been a real joy to have around."

Separated at birth?

After losing fullback Lorenzo Neal to the Chargers during the offseason, the Bengals used a fourth-round draft pick on Western Kentucky fullback Jeremi Johnson.

Ten games into the season, Johnson and Neal have similar offensive statistics.

	Lorenzo Neal Chargers	Jeremi Johnson Bengals
Games	10	10
Starts	9	9
Att-Yds	17-40	8-12
Rush TDs	1	1
Rec-Yds	13-50	13-53
Rec TDs	0	1

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