The fact that he has turned 30 doesn’t mean LaDainian Tomlinson’s too old to engage in a little “neener, neener, neener.”
Speaking to Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times, Tomlinson flashed jealousy about a recent Sporting News article in which Jim Brown interviewed Adrian Peterson.
One question posed by Brown suggests that Tomlinson is overrated.
The article, in which Brown says he believes Peterson is “the most complete back he’s seen in a long time,” was given to Tomlinson by a Chargers staffer.
“I was sitting there reading it thinking, ‘Wow,’ ” Tomlinson told Farmer. “The difference with me is you can put me out on that field and there will be nothing I can’t do. I won’t have to come off the field. Adrian has to come off sometimes on third down. Running routes, he’s still not there yet. Great downhill runner, powerful, fast, all that stuff. . . .
“But anything on that field you want me to do — throw it, block — I can do it. That’s what I pride myself on is not having any weaknesses. And that’s what makes me the best back.”
It’s a predictable response from Tomlinson. In 2006, he was being touted as the heir apparent to Brown. Two injury-marred seasons later, and Brown’s prodding Peterson to call L.T. overrated while they sip lemonade on the veranda.
Given the pride Tomlinson takes in his craft, making sure L.T. read all about it was, in the short-term, a wise motivational move by the Chargers.
But if it causes him to push too hard from September through December, leaving him used up and/or injured come the playoffs, the smarter move might have been to put the thing in a box marked “Do not open until Christmas.”
I’m a huge AP fan, but Tomlinson is certainly correct in saying that he is, at this point, the more complete back for exactly the reasons he specifies. Now if you are looking at it from the direction of who is considered the #1 back in the NFL as per their present value, then it is AP and there isn’t even a contest. I don’t think there is a coach or GM in the league that wouldn’t take AP over any other back in a heart beat.
Jim Brown is an idiot. I think that guy took too many hits to the head.
Brown also said that Tiger Woods doesn’t do enough in the community. Since when did Jin Brown become God? I didn’t get that memo.
LT was the best-IN HIS PRIME… Now it’s time to pass the torch to AP….
That’s because LT isn’t black enough for Jim Brown. Who cares what Jim Brown thinks? I mean really…Why does everyone give so much credence to the biggest waste of talent + opportunity in the history of football?
Normally he just cries on the field.
We wouldn’t want a guy who gets paid millions to work to hard all year. If you can’t work hard and make it through the season, than you probably need to retire.
Another example of the self admitted “most humble” guy in the NFL. LT is a great running back, but his ego gets in his was all to often. He talks like he expects people to just hand him trophies and superbowl victories. The past few seasons what has gotten in the Chargers way wasn’t a lack of talent, it was a lack of an ego check, which leads to overconfidence, which leads to complacency, which leads to a seat on the couch during SuperBowl Sunday. Good to know that LT and the Chargers are right on track for yet another round of playoff exits.
Such talent on that team. Too bad there is no one there to force a reality check on them so they can utilize that talent.
LT better watch it, or Jim will dangle him over a balacony.
LT is overrated,
AP is way better than LT hands down, LT chokes in the playoffs and cries when other players taunts him.
@CDN Mike,
Tiger does not do enough in the community, & u don’t have to be god to know someone is not giving back.
AP is still young, if he keeps it up he could be in best ever stats wise. Too early to mention in best ever overall. He could develop.
LT is one of the top active current guys stat wise. It was just a few years ago he had 30 tds in a season.
I’d take AP over LT this season or any future seasons, but would be nice to see LT push 30 tds again.
Anyone who reads or comments on this thinking that LT is right in saying that he is “the best back” needs to hold off on the nostalgia. Yes, LT was at one time the greatest back in the NFL. But this isn’t 2006 anymore. He’s getting old, run-down, and injury prone. In that interview, he talks like he’s still able to do all of those things–but he’s not. Plus, he has the young and talented Darren Sproles breathing down his neck.
LaDainian Tomlinson WAS the best back. Adrian Peterson IS the best back.
I hope LT is right. My fantasy team (one of them) counts on it…
The torch was passed in 2007 when AP went for 296 in Tomlinson’s presence. The “best back” doesn’t struggle to average 4 yards a pop while Darren Sproles becomes more valuable to the team’s success.
LT is a more COMPLETE back, AP is a better RUNNING back. Subject to change as AP gets better at receiver out of the backfield and blocking.
I strongly dislike Tomlinson. With that said, he was a top-3 back from around 2002 to 2006. As of 2009, I think he’s pretty far down the list of top 10 RB’s.
But hey, at least he’s a “very classy individual”. Don’t take my word for it, just ask him.
AP is the best pure runner hands-down. He has a long ways to go before he’s a complete back, though. Jim Brown ought to know that.
AP comes out on many 3rd downs and fumbles way too much….don’t forget that.
Anthony,
Ever heard of the Tiger Woods Foundation!!!! Tiger gives a shit load of his time to his foundation and has helped many kids.
Also, why is it that every super popular athelete is expected to give half of his/her life to the community. Sure, they should do something, but why does Jim Brown get to decide what is enough. What a crock!!
In my opinion, which is just as valid as Jim Brown’s, Tiger does enough.
Try staying healthy, then you might be able to claim you’re “the best back”!!! But right now Sproles is kicking you’re @ss!!!
LT’s career is a testament to why football is the greatest sport in the world. It is truly a team sport. As good as LT was in his prime, the Chargers still never really did squat. If you put a stellar player like he was then in any other sport, you could surround him with mediocre talent and still dominate the sport, as a team. In the NFL, it isn’t so easy. It’s sad, really, that someone as complete as he was/is didn’t win a couple championships, or even play in any. It just goes to show you that you need a stellar TEAM to compete in the NFL.
Greatest sport on the planet.
LT is not overrated in the least, the guy has done great things in his career. He was the best RB in the NFL, but the key word there is WAS!! He should know that much by now, and I wouldn’t expect a guy to say otherwise, that is a sign of weakness.
He saw first hand just how impressive AD is, because as a rookie AD set the single game rushing record with 296 yards against LT’s Chargers. This was just a few weeks after he dropped 224 against Chicago.
AD is the best back in the NFL today, and anyone that says otherwise whether a player, coach, or fan is just jealous.
I’ll always remember Tomlinson, after another playoff gag, saying “I guess we aren’t as good as people say we are”, when he should have said, “I guess we aren’t as good as WE THINK we are.
And he’s not even the best back on his team!!!!
He’s gotta have something to cry about. One thing that he is best at for sure, going waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Ap is not and won’t be the best back for a long time.
LT was completely right in his assessment. AP can’t block, fumbled nine, count em nine, times last season, can’t catch out of the backfield, and running style will render him useless within 3 years. He will give you big yardage numbers, bcus he is such a threat for the big play, but he will never ever be a complete back like lt, and I hate san diego.
Nine fumbles in 1 season is a major problem, a running backs main job is to carry the ball, for him to put it on the turf nine times, what others do in a career, in 1 season right off the bat takes him out as best overrall back. There are 4 to 5 other backs that are more complete better running backs than AP.
He is a great runner, his speed and strength should be against the law, but he is useless in the pass, will soon be injury prone, and doesn’t do the intangibles that can’t get recorded on paper, see mjg versus shawn merriman.
Ask a defense coordinator who’d they’d rather have to face AP or players like westbrook, lt, mjg. I guarentee they say AP because he is easier to defend.
Having all that said I have both on my fantasy team, now that’s the type of arguement I want to see!
LT was the best because he was complete, played in a weak division for defensive lines, and did not get hurt. Now he is older and has gotten hurt. AP has had knee problems, and if any of you think, with the way AP runs, he wont be hurt again your crazy. Its not if, its when. APs offensive line is so good right now it may be a few seasons away, but when it happens, there may be another blog with Jim Brown doing the same thing with Matt Forte or some unseen future running back. Jim Brown can not stay out of the spotlight. He keeps doing things to remind people to compare these RBs to his self proclaimed greatest of all time status. And many may agree that Jim Brown is the best of all time (I don’t) but we all know Jim Brown doesn’t think he was the best, he KNOWS he was the best…
LT smells a little like fish… on a good day.
He has been the most overrated back in the league for several years.
Whiny, pouty, little crybaby. Seeing him sitting on the sidelines whimpering about his hurt feelings is priceless.
Peterson is a stud.
Jim Brown is trying to gather another 15 minutes of fame, a few seconds at a time. What a moron.
Yeah, Tiger Woods is such a d*ck…
More than 10 million young people have been touched by the Tiger Woods Foundation. Through character development programs, scholarships, grants, junior golf teams, and the Tiger Woods Learning Center, the Foundation is helping young people reach their goals.
He must not give to the same organizations as Jim Brown, which makes him greedy.
Nobody (except LT) can argue that AP is the better runner…he just has to prove he can do it as consistently as LT over a long career.
Just like everyone is saying…he WAS the best. Time is not your friend when you are a running back. Now that LT has hit 30, hes got nowhere to go but down.
“AP is still young, if he keeps it up he could be in best ever stats wise.”
Unlikely. He runs like other great backs whose knees took too much punishment in the front half of their career. A RB has to be a 1000 yard rusher for 17 effing seasons to get there. Realistically, he would have to average 1500/season for about 12 years. It was only about 3 years ago that LT had a shot at breaking all the stats and now his body is turning on him. There is a world of difference between being a 21/22 year old rookie and a 30 year old veteran.
And we haven’t even gotten into the high probability of a knee injury to guy who runs the way he does.
LT sure is the biggest cry baby I can think of for a diva back.
New England shouldnt have celebrated you know,
kicking there butts
“From getting it reinjured the first play, I just knew I didn’t have it,” Tomlinson said. “I’m kind of at a loss for words.”
Ah guys, if u didn’t notice peterson wasn’t even the best back last year, michael turner and deangelo williams had better years all around, and williams was sharing the backfield with stewart. You guys watch too much espn and his highlights, if you have ever watched a complete AP game you will see a lot lacking.
I was able to watch him play against my birds, eagles, twice and we shut him down the first time and held him pretty much in check the second, he had one 40+ yard run otherwise terrible day.
9 fumbles in 1 season is about equivalent to a qb throwing 30 picks, I don’t think you’d be calling that qb, aka brett favre, the best qb after one of those seasons now would you?
I’ve said it before, AP is nothing more than a faster, stronger, less crazy, hershel walker. Zero lateral movement, can’t find holes unless completely blown open, but if they get their shoulders turned up field, nothing can stop them.
LT has always had a chip on his shoulder, why he has been so good, and now I think its gonna be an even bigger 1 this season so watch out.
I’m not drinking the AP kool aid yet
AP certainly has some flaws which have been noted, which you’d hope in year 3 would start to be resolved. That being said, the Vikes can “fix” his flaws by subbing Chester Taylor in right now, so the pressure to correct those issues isn’t as great.
He runs so hard, he’s gonna get hurt at some time as others have noted.
LT is a great back, but I’m not sure he’s best or most feared back in the game right now. Still probably more complete than AP.
Any of the “best” running backs in the NFL are just one play away from being Terrell Davis or Jamal Anderson, and going from that conversation to the “had a chance to be among the best if hadn’t got injured”.
Declining stars are so delusional. LT needs to just accept that he is not #1 anymore.
If LT wants to really talk about Peterson not being able to play 3 consecutive downs in a row. Lets have LT talk about his inability to play through the playoffs.
Lets be serious, health is key to longevity in the NFL and Peterson puts 100+ and touchdown a game by playing 2 downs a series. Sounds like he is doing something right. (Not to mention Peterson is only coming into his 3rd yr of his career)
LT do something this year and we will see what your really made of.
Adrian Peterson is not a complete back. He puts the ball on the carpet way too much for me. I’m a Bolts fan and I realize that LT will not be the LT that we enjoyed from 2006. As long as he can get 1,300 – 1,400 with 12TDs I will be happy. Until Peterson stops fumbling, I will not count him as the best back in the league (and no I’m not holding out saying LT still is either).
@mezzle – The AP kool aid is coming in another large serving this fall, so drink up buddy.
How can you even compare LT or those other guys you mentioned to Peterson? Did you see him blow by the entire Texans D on Monday? Two of the corners had an angle and didn’t even come close to catching him. Would you say that burst from the middle of the field to the sideline counts as lateral movement? I’m pretty sure it does.
The only reason he has ever been held in check is because of 9 man fronts due to poor qb play. And I’m pretty sure it also took some lateral movement to go for 296 and 224 his rookie year. Have Turner, LT, etc even gotten close to those numbers?
LT sucked last year and will this year, if he even makes it through the season.
I’m sorry but Reggie Bush is the king of overrated RB’s. At least L.T. can look back and say man I really kicked a$$ back in the day. Bush hasn’t even come close to living up to all the hype.
More than 10 million young people have been touched by the Tiger Woods Foundation. Through character development programs, scholarships, grants, junior golf teams, and the Tiger Woods Learning Center, the Foundation is helping young people reach their goals.
—-
Since you know it all about Tiger Woods, tell us how much of a tax write off he gets from all this “philanthropy”…
Adrian Peterson is 24 years old
L.T. is 30 years old
A.P. does need to work on “minor” things like route running, catching the ball, and pass protection….
I dont think LT learned all that overnight…. He says he is the most complete back in the league????? Try getting a lighter colored face mask shield so you can see the light of day! Try making it the whole season with out injury this year LT!
LT is right, to a degree. He’s more complete, but he’s also injury-prone, and not near the threat on the ground running any more as AP is. AP’s problem isn’t catching passes as much as it is blocking and to a lesser extent, route running. The question LT should ask himself is what player would GMs pick if they now had the choice — 99% would pick AP.
God the vikings look dangerous. Peterson looks as big as a fricken linebacker this year with the speed to outrun d-backs. Old man river needs to use whats left of his brain and not throw anymore dirty blocks that not only put the defender in danger but himself as well. Know your place, you are 40. Big vikes fan but seeing that block in a pre-season game especially is just horrible it made me cringe. But seriously All Day is like 230 pounds of muscle and can run a 4.3 40. The first guy never gets him it takes at least 2. PLEASE stay healthy AP
Jim Brown half-jokingly contemplated unretirement in 1984, even posing in a Raiders jersey, wanting to protect his rushing record. He thought Walter Payton was “pretty good.” No surprise he is underimpressed with Tomlinson.
As for LT’s “proclamation”: On the one hand, it’s not bragging if you back it up. On the other, if you put a feather in your own cap, it always falls out.
tomlinson as a running back couldn’t shine jim brown’s shoes.
nor for that matter MANY other former great nfl running backs
Step aside LT as Darren Sproles will keep you off the field on 3rd downs this yr.
Let’s forget Jim Brown for a moment. AT the same stage in their careers LT was not know as a great blocker either. The reason AP comes out on some 3rd downs is b/c of Chester Taylor. If LT had a Chester Taylor on his teams Marty would’ve subbed him out as well to preserve his superstar. AP is faster, stronger, bigger & has more will than LT at ANY TIME in his career. AP just keeps the naysayers wishing as he has since the day he stepped into an Oklahoma uniform. The run against Houston was demonstrated how quick (lateral) & fast (up field) he is. We haven’t seen this before, ever.
@ Meezle
You should be working for ESPN or something…
Oh wait Im sur ethey dont hire based on ignorance and failure to properly analyze players….
Get a new hobby!
Regarding Peterson’s fumbles: Let’s see what happens this year. Being in MN I have watched all of his games to date and virtually all of his fumbles are from twisting around after contact & trying to get that last yard while defender after defender plows into him and yanks at the ball. He should be learning when to say when and just go down as the situation calls for it rather than risk injuries and fumbles.
LT is dead on. Peterson is a better pure runner but he’s no where near the complete back that LT is even at age 30. LT still had more TDs than him last year and only a couple hundred less all purpose yards. LT in his prime, it’s not even a contest. Never mind the fact that AD runs behind a fantastic offensive line.
When AD starts catching 50 balls a year and throwing TD passes, then maybe he can start approaching the level of “complete back” that LT was. This is coming from someone who can’t stand the Chargers or LT.
Barry Sanders was the best back ever…END OF STORY.
LT was the most complete player ever, after all, he played linebacker for the Giants earlier in his career before he became a running back.
Jim Brown just wears wierd beanie hats
LT is soft very SOFT!
When you hear guys say “I would go to war with that guy” They are NOT talking about LT.
Classy, LdT, totally classy once again. You’re old, you’re a crybaby whiner and any coach in their right mind would take AP over you. Who gives a shit about your ability to throw? Jesus cockeyed christ with these pussies on the Chargers. Get over yourselves. What’s next, Merriman re-introducing his ‘look at me dance’ this year?
“But anything on that field you want me to do — throw it, block — I can do it. That’s what I pride myself on is not having any weaknesses. And that’s what makes me the best back.”
-LT
Sorry LT, but I would consider getting injured every year, and disappearing in the biggest game of the season, year after year, being a major weakness, just saying…
Such a class act. HA!
Tell me if you were re drafting the NFL that LT would be among the top 3 backs drafted. It would not happen.
Nothing like an aging beauty, clinging ungracefully to the glory days.
LT needs a hug.
There’s a difference between best runner and best running back. AP is not the best running back. He fumbles WAY too much, comes out on passing downs because he can’t run routes, catch well or pass block.
Many of the posters on this thread have forgotten that LT is talking about which RB is the most COMPLETE RB, not the RB who can put up the most yards. LT has earned his right to sound his opinion and anyone who says he’s a cry-baby for doing so is foolish at best and more likely a (L)east coast dweller.
When AP’s career is done his Total Rushing yards & TD #’s will be lower than LT’s. You can take that to the bank.
Are you ready for some football!?!
AD (ALL DAY) not AP as you homers have been calling him is the most electric/ devastating runner in the league since Jim Brown. Jim Brown knows it and all you homers know it 2. Exibit A) 296 yards in a game in HIS ROOKIE SEASON B) The NFL rushing record year 2. LT should be a more “complete” back hell hes been in the league six more years than AD, but AD is hands down the most ferocious, punnishing, combination of size, speed, agility, and exceleration that the league HAS EVER SEEN. Another running back in the league better than AD?? CHILD PLEASE!
LT is the best complete back since Marshall Faulk…hands down! Presently, AP is the best RB in the game, but by far NOT the “most complete.”
LT could have responded in another fashion about this though.
It’s funny how little a lot of you don’t know about actual football. You look at madden stats and decide who’s the best back in the league by that.
Fact is, LT is still one of the top 3 backs in the league because of his catching ability and blocking ability. Also he’s verging on top 10 all time, some seem to forget about that. Over the next two years he’s going to pass Curtis Martin and Jarome Bettis. The guy is one of the greatest RB’s of all time and you act like he’s not a top 3 RB because he and his OL was badly injured last year.
I also don’t think LT said anything insulting in the article. AD is a pure runner but has fumbled more in one year than LT has fumbled his whole career. Also, AD is just not a threat out of the backfield. LT caught 100 passes one year and ran for 1600 yards in the same year. Some also forget about that.
Fact is that most people wouldn’t argue that AD is the best runner but when it comes to COMPLETE back LT has got to be #1. As a runner there’s just so much you have to account for. AD has the best run blocking OL in football but he gets all the credit because he gets the stats. Put AD in Oakland and he probably doesn’t crack 1000 yards this year.
Also, the game where AD ran for 296, 7 defensive players left the game in the first half and stayed out and 2 more got hurt and came back in. SD had a MLB playing DE in Carlos Polk. AD had 46 yards at halftime and 296 at the end of the game. You THINK injuries had ANYTHING to do with having 250 yards in a single half??? hmmmmmm
AP does need to work on his pass-blocking
BUT, don’t blame him his doofus coach takes him out every chance he would have to improve on it.
He can’t control that. Remember, is is not HIS decision to leave the field.
I’s that brilliant coach who runs the “Kick Ass” offense.
This is efiing hilarious. LT is not even the best RB on his TEAM and he thinks he’s the best in the NFL. HAHAHAHAHAH at the little crybaby. Maybe if he could play one game where he doesn’t get hurt or cry like a little girl people would give him more respect. AP is twice the runner and twice the man he is. dudes 5 feet tall and he thinks he’s the man.
Stuart you are in idiot. You spout these numbers from 5 years ago. What has he done lately? NOTHING. go stare at the sun idiot
Open your OTHER eye StuartScott.
Quit making excuses for the Chargers for that horrible tackling performance. If you don’t have capable backups get out of the league.
The didn’t make excuses for it, why are you?
Sourdough says:
Many of the posters on this thread have forgotten that LT is talking about which RB is the most COMPLETE RB, not the RB who can put up the most yards.
__________________________________________
I’m pretty sure the title of the article is L.(d)T. proclaims he’s “the best back”, not the “most COMPLETE RB”. Retard.
I don’t dislike LT and i’m sure as hell not going to disparage his talent and what he has done in his career…..But it seems every time he opens his mouth, he sounds like a whiny 12 year old girl….Yes LT we are all aware of what you have accomplished, of your talent, and your contribution to the game, but it just seems to me at least he’s a crybaby, seems after years in the NFL he could have handled this with more decorum…..The crybaby persona that is attached to his name only seems more justified when he speaks…..
LT WAS the best back, not anymore
AP IS the best back, but only for another 3-4 years, tops, especially in this day and age.
People tend to forgot just how short a lifespan RBs have in this league. What are Priest Holmes and Shaun Alexander doing right now?
WeMissYouDan:
You can dominate as a team in any sport with one good player?
What you’re saying is true for basketball, where one player can dominate.
Steve Carlton once earned 27 wins on a team that only won 53 games, but baseball isn’t a team sport at all.
Ray Borque was the best defenseman in the NHL for 15+ years, but he could never win a title until he was traded to a complete team.
It’s not really a fair comparison, as LT doesn’t play a down of defense, and every other sport the team plays both (with the exception of the pitcher and DH in the AL). You can argue that each city has two football teams: offense and defense, and some players also join the special teams.
That argument is ridiculous, but has merit.
Aside from that, I agree with you.
LT disgusts me much the same way Favre does.
Glad to see some reasonable people on here,
But just because he plays for ur team doesn’t mean he’s the best.
I’ve forgotten more about football then most of u have ever known, disagree? Respond, logically to what I’ve said.
AP is good, not the best or close to the complete. Jim brown needs to remember the level of competition was different then.
@ Meezle you are an idiot.
Ya so what Peterson fumbled 9 times, do you idiots forget that even the best backs in history had double digit fumbles in a season.
LT needs to grow up, he’s being a child. AP is the better running back by far. Maybe not in recieving but thats not been asked of him as much. Why should it? If you have someone like Chester Taylor you would want to use him to his strengths. AP will be a good pass catcher and blocker oneday but thats not what he is. He likes the contact, and looks forward to every hit.
LT on the other hand doesn’t enjoy getting hit, and when he does hes out for a long time when his team needs him..
To CdnMike:
Couldn’t agree More. An utterly washed up has been who didn’t take care of his money and now has to take any little embarrassing gig he can get.
To NachoBidness:
Couldn’t agree More, but why does it have to become a racial issue?
To Gopherb24:
Simply could not agree more!
First of all he’ll need an excuse for why he’s having such a poor season. It’ll be due to ‘lingering effects’ from last seasons injury(s). Then he’ll be ‘injured’ before the season is half over when Darren Sprouls starts to accumulate better numbers. The fact is that he’s washed up and can’t quite come to grips with it.
There’s nothing sadder than a great athlete who gets used up before he’s accomplished at least some of his goals and keeps trying until he ends up embarrassing himself. I’m afraid the once great LT falls into this category
Adrian Peterson at this time should be considered the best back in pro football. We should also understand LT is a man of immense pride and should not expect anything less than being disappointed.
Now for the idiots who prefer to sully Jim Brown, I realize you are the same folks hollering and screaming against the healt care reform at the town hall meeting. Mr. brown is a highly intelligent and very smart man. He has done more good in one day than most of us will do in a lifetime.
His comments on Tiger Woods as well as Michael Jordan are right on target. They could do more for the community by speaking out on the injustices that go on daily. Their voice could make a world of difference and bring alot of attention to the plight of some suffering from a unjust system. Instead Tiger and Mike put their resources on th issues like playing golf and neighborhood centers where kid can learn . Yes, they should be commended for that and in no way criticized for it. However, their voices could be much more powerful if they would just stand up and speak out on isuses. They are afraid because they donot want to lose endorsement money.
The issue with kids learning are a priority for me, however unless you’ve been living under a rock there are some great social ills they Tiger and Mike could speak about or even tackle where their status would bring much needed attention.
J. Cannon – So all those stats make him the “most complete” back in the NFL!? Do you even understand what “most complete” means? It means of all aspects of being a RB! Whether it’s running, catching, blocking, holding on to the ball, acceleration, agility, cut ability, etc…
AD / AP (whatever the abbreviation is) is no where close to dominating in all those areas!? He may top a few of those areas, but not all. LT topped all of that in his prime. Right now I can’t say that about LT, but in his prime…yes.
I guess you are in your own little warped world.
Also, “AD / AP” will eventually get seriously injured running the way he does. Just watch….he’ll end up being like Larry Johnson. Count on it.
LT / AP meet Ray Rice. The two of you will be long forgotten.
JSpicoli says:
September 2, 2009 12:02 PM
Nothing like an aging beauty, clinging ungracefully to the glory days.
——————————
Sounds like the guy handing off to AP.
Oh C’mon the BEST running back in the NFL is Larry Johnson, without a doubt, Duh.
We’re having a conversation about the best all-time all-around backs and not s single mention of Walter Payton?
Gretaest ever, hands down. Period, point blank, end of discussion.
Not a bad guy, either.
As for Adrianne–he’s a great rusher, I admit. (ouch, it hurts when I do that).
But he’s fairly one-dimensional in that regard:
His blitz pick-up sucks, poor pass blocking, can’t catch out of the backfield, fumble-prone, a pretty big injury history–there’s just no versatility.
Now, in THAT regard–sheer versatility, being a COMPLETE back–Matt Forte will be the best all-around back in this league in course of the next 5 or so years to come.
Bank on it.
There, that’s my (admittedly) homer-istic nickel.
(My contribution > 2 cents).
AP has had a few good seasons but he’s also fragile. He won’t come close to any of the records. In a few years you’ll be using him in the same sentence as “toast of the town one season, pariah the next” Shaun Alexander, Priest, etc, etc.
Adrian runs like Jim Brown and Walter Payton did.
LT is a scat back. He has no power.
I don’t think Peterson is a bad blocker at all.
Chilly just likes Chester Taylor in that role. Same with pass catching. Adrian just hasn’t been given a chance to prove himself in those roles.
They all fumble at times. I don’t think that’s a factor. Somebody puts their helmet on the ball or puts a focdus on stripping it, you’ll fumble, END OF STORY.
Jim Brown saying Tiger doesn’t do enough in his community is fun. Jim Brown should focus on not being arrested for domestic assault and less on other people’s behavior.
As far as who is the better back, who cares! It’s just entertainment.
Great. LT off right before he plays us in the opener. Just great. As if we needed that.
Jim Brown was a great back, but not the highest source of brain power. What he DID was great. What he SAYS is nonsense.
BTW. Screw Eldrick. How much effort does it take to open your wallet, especially when you make over 100 mil a year? He is so full of himself. A major idiot in what used to be a gentleman’s game.
Earlier this offseason L.T made it known he was going after Smiths rushing record now he is getting pissy and proclaiming himself as the best back…….he isnt not even in the top 5 best backs…….Where the chargers get their arrogance from is beyond me……
AP is an awesome back but he’s nowhere near LT2! So he’s gotten hurt the last two season’s, he’s getting older…blah, blah! Until AP can put consistent numbers like LT2 then you can say he’s a complete back. LT2 has had 8 good years (11,760 yds rushing, 510 receptions, 141 total TD’s!!!) and I think he has every right to call himself “THE BEST BACK”!
LOL @ those who say that AD is not the best RB in football. I read some comments about ask a DC who they would rather face in a RB out of guys like AD, Westbrook, and guys like that and you guarantee that they would say AD because he is the easiest to defend?
Give me a f’n break.. Then why does every DC the Vikings play stack the line to STOP AD, and he still explodes through their lines like they are NOTHING!!
Every defense fears AD because they know damn well that all he needs is the slightest little lane and he is gone.. No defender can catch him in the open field once he gets going, nobody..
And for those that say that AD will become injury prone, that is like saying your girlfriends will become hot, it won’t happen.. The only games he missed were the two immediately after Al Harriass took a cheap shot at his knees.. What would put any other RB in the league on IR, made him miss two games to which he immediately came back (with a brace on his knee) and put up over 100 yards rushing in his first game back..
Then he went on to completely demolish that cheap shot artist Al Hairriass when Harris finally had the balls to go man to man with him.. I highly doubt Harris will take that chance again seeing as though he went head over heels the only time he tried it..
So to all you doubters of AD, the proof is in the numbers.. When you look at rushing records, the top dog is Adrian Peterson, and he did that in his rookie season.. The guy is unstoppable, and he is only going to get better..
BTW, did any of you see that first play of the game the other night when he took the ball 75 yards for a TD? Has LT done that yet this preseason? NOPE.. Actually, when is the last time LT took a ball 50 or more yards for a score?
@keithguillory
Let me paraphrase your post for you:
As a black man, if you are not the activist/community organizer/victim-rouser 3000-type (i.e. a flaming, angry, liberal zealot who only sees the world through racially-colored goggles),
then you are a failure and a sell-out.
Does that sound about right?
By that definition, THANK GOD Jordan et el DID sell out, rather than just pandering to his “own people”.
See, for some people–doing good and doing right and seeking justice and being charitable and giving and making an impact on the world and all that–it TRANSCENDS race or any petty little political agenda you fixate on and cram down the maws of the gullible and the stupid and the unsuspecting and the vulnerable.
So I’d suggest taking those racially-colored glasses you view the world through off your face before some good, hard truth suddenly shatters the lenses and renders you COMPLETELY blind, rather than just myopic…
(to go along with your already being completely dumb).
I’m a huge die hard Chargers fan. AP is the most electrifying RB to enter the NFL since LT21, and all of you know it. But let’s be clear, AP has probably the best offensive line opening holes for him to run through. AP is still young and still has a lot to learn. He might be the best running back in the game right now, but he’s not themost complete running back right now. I still have to say LT21 is the most complete back. AP will improve, but I wonder if he’ll even reach 30 before he becomes injury prone?? This kid can do great things and has shown great play making. But with the way he runs, I don’t know if he’ll be talked about in the next 3 years. LT has earned the right to speak his mind, before AP came in to the league, a lot of you guys in here now dogging on LT21 had respect for him. He’s earned that respect. And even at the age of 30, he can still be a solid back. He had great numbers last year, better than a lot of starting RB in the league. The only downer is, it wasn’t LT like numbers. And please stop throwing LT under the bus because he missed the last 2 playoff’s. This guy wants a Superbowl more than anybody else in the league, do you really think he’s afraid of playing in the play offs?? Look at the game against NE when we had a 14-2 record?? LT was doing everything he can to win that game. LT has been hurt the past 2 years, but thats because he’s trying so hard to get there. If LT can stay healthy all the way to the playoff’s, Chargers will be very hard to stop. So please, give the man his respect. He’s earned. He single handedly brought this Charger team back from the ashes. HE IS THE MOST COMPLETE BACK IN THE NFL. No know on AP, AP is the best runner. But LT is the most complete. Put it to rest guys.
I think this argument is a little premature. Wait till both of their careers are over then we will see who the greater was. I really believe AP will have the shorter career due to his running style and over aggressive contact seeking. If AP never becomes a truly well-rounded back then all points are moot. Right now, i do believe LT is the better all-around back but AP is the better (younger) runner.
Vikes-N-Favre,
Can I ask how old you are? I gotta give you the benefit of the doubt by your stupid screen name and comments that you’re around 12, give or take a few years?
Funny how Al Harris who had only one way to tackle AP given that he was chasing him from the side, not in front wasn’t even called for a flag and left the game time with a boo boo on his knee, while Al Harris was “demolished” head on but got up instantly and was in the game the very next play.
To the other retard AP fanboys- when his own coach and other analysts (who talk to the coaches)point out that AP is pulled from games because he’s bad at pass protection and receiving, then I think it’s pretty safe to say he’s not good at them.
As to the Fumble excuses you make, it’s mostly because he tries to take on tacklers and often times gets caught running with too high of a pad level. Both are his fault, not the defenders tackling the football. Every defense is taught to go for the ball on running backs. Only one in the league seems to cough it up a league leading # of times.
whatthehellisgoingonoutthere says:
September 2, 2009 3:26 PM
Vikes-N-Favre,
Can I ask how old you are? I gotta give you the benefit of the doubt by your stupid screen name and comments that you’re around 12, give or take a few years?
…
____________________________
That reminds me:
Where are Bears-N-Cutler, Pack-N-Rodgers, Stafford-N-Culpepper-N-Lions anyway?
I haven’t heard from them in a while…
Afterall, THEY should be the ones out here debating this kid…
VikesNFavre,
You are an idiot if you think Harris’ tackle of Peterson was a cheap shot.
As far as his injury-prone status is concerned… It’s already established.
2005: high ankle sprain held him out of 4 games
2006: broken collarbone, misses the rest of the regular season and returns for the bowl game
2007: missed two games with knee injury
So in 3 out of the last 4 years he’s missed football games due to injury.
I’m a huge Vikings fan and I’ll say Tomlinson is right. AD is the best pure downhill runner in football but he is far from a complete back.
His pass protection is seriously lacking, he has a hard time catching passes and he fumbles waaaaay too much.
Dewey,
It is obvious you have a problem. I don’t know what color you are and what hillbilly town you grew up in but you seem to be in denial.
It is not asking too much of Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods to push for social change. It is folks like you who want to continue to pay them to keep their mouths shut.
God gave them a forum to speak out to make this world better. They have chosen not to use it.
I do not get offended by folks like you who get personal. They are everywhere in todays society still living with the nostalgia of the past.
Lastly, Jim Brown clearly is refering to people like you when he speaks of the instituitional attitudes that influences the corrupt nature of man.
Did Jim Brown discuss the techniques of spousal abuse as well?……It being all he has done for the last 4 decades, it seems the subject would come up…sooner or later……I guess it’s my institutional attitude, that corrupted me, influenced me, while he beat his spouse..Yes, everyone else’s fault…..He was corrupt on his own being, not the nature of man………..The nature OF the man himself made him the spouse beating POS that he is……..Not anything anyone says on a football blog…….
While AP is without question the best running back in the NFL right now, I wouldn’t even call him a “complete back” let alone “the most complete back.”
Peterson struggles mightily in blitz pickup, in fact last year he was probably the worst starting RB in the NFL at it.
Peterson’s upright running style makes him a very big target in short yardage situations, which can be problematic.
Peterson does not have particularly good hands, and is not very good as a down-field receiver.
That being said, AP is the best back in football, bar none. But in terms of “most complete back”, he’s not even close. A complete back can do everything adequately. A great back just needs to be able to do one or two important things better than anybody else. LT is the closest thing to a truly complete back that anybody has seen in years, AP is not.
That’s always been the Chargers’ problem.
Talk talk talk talk talk
It’s always talk with those guys.
Who is “the best” takes care of itself if you shut your mouth.
Deangelo Williams is the best back in the NFL right now. Gruden agrees with me, so there’s no possible way I can be wrong.
I think people are SERIOUSLY confused about the subject and what LT was talking about.
LT didn’t say he was the best back in the NFL, like Florio says, he says AD can’t compete with the best backs because he comes off the field.
Please, before ANYONE comments on this read the article. If you think LT comes off like a whiner then comment but he does not. It’s called a play in words to draw a crowd.
And most true Vikings fans will agree that AD isn’t COMPLETE because the fact that he has to come off the field on third downs. Recognizing the blitzing backer and catching passes go along with being a all around RB. That’s what people are just not recognizing. Running the ball is only about half of what the RB does on the field.
Also, want to point out that throughout LT’s career there’s been good players that have great seasons that get handed the torch as the best back yet LT is always sitting there through the thick and thin. All Day has had 2 great years but needs to run less violently to have a better running career than LT because AD isn’t the biggest guy in the world and needs to stay healthy when his OLine isn’t killing teams on the LOS.
But as for most complete backs in the league the top 3 are LT, Westbrook and Steven Jackson. Everyone else is far behind.
AD is the best there is.
WATCH and LEARN, children.
The two posters who said LdT wasn’t the best back on his team…you’re both high on the fumes from Sproles’ jock. Stop sniffing. Sproles is a good change of pace back…give him 20 carries and he’ll break.
Sorry, still not buying the Tiger Woods thing…yes, he could do more, but couldn’t you? Instead of giving your $.02 on what others should be doing, you could be out there building houses with Kurt Warner or setting up an entire foundation/non profit company (like Tiger & his father did) but instead you say “they could do more.” Duh, that’s obvious. Angelina could also adopt 92 more kids.
Tiger is up the morning after a tourney hitting balls at the driving range to make sure he is the best, would he be a better person if he spent that time tracking down rapists or saving bunnys? Yes, but then he would be in the middle of the pack & nobody would listen to him.
Also, again, AP is not a better back until he does it for 8+ seasons…
@raiderfan…
Why are you the way that you are? I mean, honestly… Every time that I try to do something fun, or exciting (like read PFT), you make it not… that… way….
I hate so much about the things that you choose to be….
keep doubting LT. All this criticism is making a hall of fame running back mad. And you don’t want to see him angry (eyes turning green through the tinted facemask)
I think they’re turning purple as he watches Peterson from the sideline. :::snicker:::
Why does LT have to be a whinner when he expresses an opinion or self-confidence? Like all of you haters weren’t on LT’s jock until last year? I guess he has been overrated for his entire career. Even when the Chargers were garbage.
He is the most complete back in the league right now. The man can do everything. All I have to say is; when the media announces the all decade team for the 2000s, it will be LT on that list, not AD. Nuff said.
Jim Brown is an idiot. Since when is a one dimensional back “the most complete back he’s seen in a long time”? I didn’t realize not being able to catch passes and playing w/gloves made of butter made you “the most complete back.”
LT is getting old and beat up, but come on. Let AP play 8 full seasons before you decide to chalk it up.
Talk is cheap, show us LT
LT is gonna feel the pain this year, next year he will be in Detroit. mark my words.
i think that lt can still be considered the best ALL AROUND BACK but hear me out. i dont think think that AP or LT is the BEST back. AP loves to play butterfingers. LT is getting older. to be honest id take Turner over any other back in football. hes a very solid back to have on a team. AP is by no means the best in my eyes.
LT isn’t even the greatest back on his team