Players

  Tim Dobbins muscled his way into the starting lineup in 2008 and now it may just be impossible to get him out. Dobbins had a big year statistically in ’08, racking up a career-best 78 tackles and his first-career interception.

  What he’ll best be remembered for was his game-saving sack late in the fourth quarter of the Chargers’ AFC Wild Card Playoff win over Indianapolis. With the Colts up by three and the Chargers out of timeouts, Dobbins sacked Peyton Manning for an eight-yard loss to the Colts’ one-yard line with a little more than two minutes left in the quarter. It came on a third-and-two play, forcing a punt and setting up the Chargers’ game-tying field goal. As it turned out, that would be the last time Manning handled the ball all evening.

  A fearless competitor, Dobbins has been a standout on special teams since the Chargers drafted him in the fifth round in 2006. He tied for third on the team with 12 tackles in 2007 and ranked fifth a year ago with 10.

  Off the field, Dobbins’ hobbies include working out, bowling, golf, pool, skydiving, watching movies, white-water rafting and riding dirt bikes.

  TRANSACTION HISTORY: Fifth-round draft choice (151), April 30, 2006...signed four-year contract, July 25, 2006.

  2009: Had a breakout game in Pittsburgh in week 4 recording a sack, tackle for a loss, and onside kick recovery to set up a Chris Chambers touchdown reception. Filled in for injured starting linebacker Kevin Burnett in week 7. Recorded second career NFL interception and led the team with 11 tackles and one pass deflection. Started for the second straight week for injured Kevin Burnett. Left game with a knee injury and did not return. Week 12, forced an intentional grounding on Matt Cassel in the end zone resulting in a safety. Helped with the goal line stand in week 14 at Dallas stopping Cowboys' running back Marion Barber on second and third down.

   2008: INT in 3Q Wk 4 at Oakland led to Chargers’ first TD of game, helping erase 15-0 deficit en route to 28-18 win…started first-career game at ILB in NBC SNF game Wk 6 vs. NE…paced squad with season-high 13 TT and FF in Wk 8 NFL International Series game against NO in London...led team with season-high four ST tackles in Dec. 28 AFC West clinching win over Denver…helped save season with eight-yard sack of Peyton Manning at Colts’ one on 3rd down late in 4Q of AFC Wild Card Playoff game vs. Indy… Chargers then drove for game-tying FG before winning game, 23-17, on first series of OT.

  2007: Wk 2 at NE, recorded nine stops at ILB after Matt Wilhelm left contest in 1Q (calf)…ST FF and team-high three stops in Dec. 16 blowout win vs. Detroit…led team with two STTs in AFC Championship Game at NE. 2006: Scored first-career TD, recovering muffed punt in end zone Dec. 31 vs. Arizona.

  COLLEGE: First-team All-Big 12 as senior and honorable mention as junior…Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of Year in ’04…spent 2002-03 seasons at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College in Mississippi…all-state honorable mention in Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges as soph…finished JC career with 210 tackles, 13 sacks and four INT…played at Iowa State from 2004-05…sociology major.

  PERSONAL: Born in Nashville, Tennessee…all-state linebacker at Glencliff HS...selected to play in 2002 Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star Game in Knoxville…married, Amanda…has two daughters, Anna and Timera.