SAN DIEGO — San Diego Chargers president Dean Spanos seemed to have the best perspective on the LaDainian Tomlinson saga.

"The alternative was just unthinkable. He belongs in San Diego," Spanos said after the Chargers and Tomlinson agreed to a reworked three-year deal late Tuesday.

L.T. feels the same way. That's because the alternative, of course, would have been for the star running back to be released had the sides not reached a deal. Even as talks dragged on and speculation mounted that the 2006 NFL MVP might be finished in San Diego, Tomlinson never envisioned joining another team.

"I still maintained the belief that I would be a Charger," Tomlinson said at a news conference Wednesday. "They drafted me here and I've been here for eight years and loved every minute of it, and I just couldn't see myself putting on another uniform.

"That Charger uniform, that 21, with the bolt on the side of my helmet, that's pretty special," said Tomlinson, who was dressed in a black T-shirt and tan shorts. "You really can't replace that. So I'm just happy to be putting that helmet on again."

Tomlinson said he's healthy after being slowed last season by toe and groin injuries, and is eager to prove that he's still explosive. He also reiterated that he'd like to pursue Emmitt Smith's all-time rushing record of 18,355 yards.

He knows he'll be doing it with the Chargers.

"My heart has always been with San Diego and I'm happy to be back," he said. "I love these guys on this team and I never really thought I was going to leave."

Spanos didn't, either.

"You go back and you think about the eight years that he's been here and he really helped turn the franchise around," Spanos said Wednesday. "Clearly, he's one of the reasons why, if not the reason why, we've been successful. He epitomizes everything you want in a player, on the field and especially off the field."

Spanos admitted there was a little bit of emotion in these talks.

"I just couldn't think of him not being here because of what he's done," Spanos said. "You just go a little bit extra to make sure it gets done. It's well worth it for what he's given to the franchise."

Center Nick Hardwick said he'd been checking every day to see if there were any developments.

"I'm pumped to have him back," Hardwick said. "He's a huge part of our team with the leadership in the locker room and everything he brings to us. It's more than what he does athletically. He's a good person to have around."

Hardwick tried not to think about L.T. wearing another team's uniform.

"It would be so gross," he said. "I was trying not to imagine. It would be like Emmitt Smith going to another team or when Joe Montana went to play for the Chiefs. They just looked funny in another uniform."

Tomlinson was slowed during the regular season with a toe injury, then hurt his groin in the season finale. He was forced out of an overtime playoff win against the Indianapolis Colts and sat out the playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the first game he'd missed due to injury in his brilliant career.

It was the second straight year his postseason was cut short by injury. That, coupled with the fact Tomlinson turns 30 this summer, raised questions about how long he would be a Charger. The team said it needed salary cap relief in order to sign other players to contract extensions, and it zeroed in on Tomlinson's deal.

While his 1,110 yards rushing were the lowest of his brilliant eight-year career, Tomlinson still finished fourth in the AFC and 10th in the NFL.

Tomlinson had been due $24 million during the next three seasons, including $6,725,000 in 2009. His salary cap number would have been $8.8 million in 2009, including a prorated share of the signing bonus from his 2004 contract.

Tomlinson said he'll get that $6,725,000 in one form or another. He expects a significant roster bonus in March, then said "it gets a little tricky" after that. He did say the contract is structured in a way that he should be able to avoid having to go through a similar scenario next year.

Asked if he will be taking a pay cut, he said: "I really don't. The only way I do is if I don't produce what I'm expected to produce, and obviously I probably would be released at that point. Pretty much not."

Tomlinson was voted the NFL MVP in 2006, when he set league records with 31 touchdowns — 28 rushing — and 186 points. He also won the first of two straight league rushing titles with a career-high 1,815 yards.

A five-time Pro Bowler, Tomlinson owns or shares 28 team records. The NFL's 14th all-time leading rusher with 11,760 yards, he ranks second all-time in rushing touchdowns (126) and is tied for fourth in total touchdowns (141).

He once spoke about retiring after his contract expired after the 2011 season. Now he's inspired to go after Smith's rushing record, which he estimates could take four to five seasons.

"I think that's something that I've just kind of got a new fire of saying, 'Why not?' If we're winning and winning championships, I do want to play as long as I can and walk away with all the records. That would be a heck of a challenge and I'm up for challenges. I'm certainly going to try to do it."

He said he feels great physically and began working out this week. "It feels really good to feel strong again," he said.

Tomlinson knows it would take a special year to come close to what he did in 2006, but he also knows he's not finished.

"I think I will continue to be a very explosive player. You guys saw me last year where I was banged up all year, played with a hurt toe and then obviously with the groin injury. I'll be back to full strength, to being the L.T. that you guys are used to seeing."