Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson has had some low individual moments this year. His season high in yards is 71 (on 23 carries against Oakland), and he was held under 25 rushing yards for the second time this season Sunday against the Giants.
After the game, Tomlinson was described by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune as emotional and reflective when talking about San Diego's comeback victory.
"I've been through a lot in my career; it's hard work," Tomlinson said. "I don't want to say I'm coming to the end. But I
don't know if I'll ever be in this stadium again. You cherish certain
moments. That's one I'll remember forever."
That certainly sounds like someone that realizes his proud career may be nearing its conclusion. The future Hall of Famer has averaged 3.18 yards per carry this season, easily the lowest mark of his career. He's no longer a big factor in the receiving game. (He has nine catches on the season, Darren Sproles has 25.) The Chargers owe $5 million to Tomlinson in 2010, and it will be difficult to keep him at that price.
For now, Tomlinson is just hoping to achieve the only think missing in his career -- a championship.
"Sometimes, for selfish reasons, I want to have a good game," Tomlinson
said. "I want to have 100 yards; I want to have a touchdown. Sometimes
it doesn't work like that. Yeah, I'm going to look back and feel
disappointed because I didn't have the numbers. But at the end of the
day, we won the game."
Tomlinson may see career finish line
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on November 10, 2009 2:10 PM ET
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It was all good just a few years ago.
Shaun Alexander much?
Future Hall of Famer????
He's put up some mad numbers (years ago), but what the hell has LT ever won? How many rings did he win for the Chargers?
He's a Hall of Fame cryaby, I'll give you that.
LT and LJ to NE in '10
In a way, I feel sorry for him. AJ Smith may have undermined his career by firing Marty. [You realize, of course, Marty is one ring away from Cowher...and Cowher would be hired tomorrow.] Running backs just don't last past 30.
On the other hand, the pouting on the sidelines, the outburst after New England beat them...good riddence. Another "great" San Diego player...without a ring.
Hey, AJ, keep up the great work.
Good to see him step down with soem class. LT was/is one of the greatest Rbs of all time. Everyone knows that, but RBs only last so long.
LT is a class player and it is rather sad to see him fall off as much as he has.
He is hitting the same wall as many backs and during his career (Eddie George, Edgerrin, Portis, Larry Johnson, Westbrook) so here is hoping the bolts can get him a ring in 09 or that he can go to another team in a limited capacity in 2010 with the prospects of a championship.
In an era of scumbags like Larry Johnson and selfish antics like Chad Johnson (thats right Johnson...) LT deserves a ring.
It sounds more like a guy who knows he won't be in the league for another 8 years to play in that stadium again.
With his production and playing time decreasing year after year, there will soon be a time when the Chargers will no longer need the venerable icon.
If Denver can come through with their expected second-half collapse, the Chargers could be looking at yet another AFC West title. This could very well be LT's last chance at a world championship...you can hear it in his voice, his time is running out and he knows it.
The stadium is closing after this season- he clearly won't be back ever again unless as a fan which is obviously not happening. He didn't actually say a heck of a lot.
LT21 is my favorite player in the NFL. The guy has done a lot for this organization and community. It's hard to see him not being his ol'self. I know he's not the same back from 2 years ago, but it doesn't help running behind that line. Even Sproles can't run the ball behind that line. I'll be sad if he's not a Charger next season. But I hope he'll go to a team like the Patriots will he'll continue to his career. I actually think if he's a Patriot next season, he'll have good success with them since there coach if far better than Norv. I hope he wins a Superbowl before he retires and I hope it's with the Chargers. But as long as he wins one. Ill be happy for him.
"But I don't know if I'll ever be in this stadium again. "
Isn't the stadium being replaced next year?
Boy charger fans have to be wishing they kept Turner instead of LT. Great player, but thats how it goes for most RB's they don't gradually lose it, its a very sudden thing. It has to be hard dealing with the end of your career like that. Lets be honest though hes been done for 2 years now.
ummm no one will be playing in that stadium next year...or ever again. New Giants Stadium opens its doors for the 2010 season. Old Giants Stadium becomes parking lot for said New Stadium
one of the best RB's of all time, to bad SD's run blocking is the worst in the league this year. I got a feeling LT is going to go out with a bang this year. Hardwick back this week, if Clary can hold up, i see a much better second half for LT and the Chargers running game.
I will always remember him being a quality back like Karim Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Bennett, Troy Hambrick, Barry Word & Rashad Salaam
About time! I'd take Rivers over the Fake LT any day.
CHARGERRICH: "LT is a class player…"
The guy quit and sulked under his helmet in the play-offs while Rivers was broken and balling in the AFC Championship. Yeah, that's class.
Imagine Ronnie Lott not getting his pinky cut off during a game or Kellen Winslow quitting that Monday night, Jack Youngblood plays in the through the playoffs and Pro Bowl with a broken leg, Farve not playing after his father died. Yeah, Fake LT is CLASSY!
I wonder if he would have been as good as he was without the black shield to hide his eyes. Linebackers look at a RB's eye to see where he might be going. I never liked LT because of the shield and his arrogance. I think he had and clear shield and didn't do squat. He gets the dark shield and all of the sudden he's good.
Plus, he is a poor winner always talking crap about the Raiders while Rivers was more of a pro.
Dolts are the ONLY AFC West team WITOUT a Super Bowl title! And the got spanked in the worst Super Bowl performance EVER!!! Lights out! Seau couldn't get a title with an undefeated team in the big game. KARMA IS A B@#CH!!!
HA HA HA!!!! Dolt fans!!!! You'll NEVER have a title. PERIOD!!!
Of course he won't ever be in that stadium again.... It's gettin' blown up after this season!
That was a brilliant move by Chargers management to let Turner walk and pay LT instead.
Nice job!
Richm2256 says:
November 10, 2009 2:16 PM
Future Hall of Famer????
--------------------------------------------------
If you don't think LT is a first ballot hall of famer you either don't know much about football or hate him/the Chargers. Or most likely both.
What silly goose, unless the Chargers are on the road against the Jets in the playoffs this year he won't ever play at that stadium again. Doy!!
@Richm2256: Are you inferrring LT is NOT a HOF RB? For your credibility's sake I hope not.
Unless I am mistaken....there is NO chance he will play in that stadium again: The Giants are moving to a new stadium next year.
Hes a definite Hall of Famer. He had years where he was easily the best RB in the game and he was dominant. He single handedly carried my fantasy team 2 years in a row which makes him Hall of Fame in my book.
In all seriousness, RB's just dont last as long as they used to. They take a beating and its hard to watch them run out of gas. He has had a great career, thanks for all the big plays LDT
Deegizzle,
Or maybe someone who knows Giants Stadium is getting torn down at the end of the year...
Deegizzle, that stadium is gone after THIS year. However, if the Chargers DON'T keep him past 2009, he might be with another team that DOES play the Giants next year.
On to more important issues....for all of you people who condemn LT for getting angry at the Patriots who defiled the Chargers' logo, or consider being angry at not scoring a TD "pouting"...name ONE PLAYER IN THE HALL OF FAME who DIDN'T have an outburst of some kind during their career. You CAN'T. That's what makes them competitors, and competition is what brings out their greatness. You people are hypocrites. If you just don't LIKE him, just say so. But don't mask your disdain for LT the person by insulting LT the HOF-caliber player. HATE THE GAME, BABY, NOT THE PLAY-AH!
"Future Hall of Famer????
He's put up some mad numbers (years ago), but what the hell has LT ever won? How many rings did he win for the Chargers?
He's a Hall of Fame cryaby, I'll give you that."
@Richm2256: You can talk about how much of a baby this guy has been throughout his career and you'd be right, but if you don't see the guy as a Hall of Famer, then you should probably be reading prochesstalk.com because you know nothing about this game.
@Deegizzle
The stadium will be demolished in '10.
And even if it wasn't, the Chargers will play at the Jets in 2 years smart a$$.
Tomlinson pretty much kissed his chance for a ring in SD goodbye when Norv Turner was given the job as head coach.
As for Tomlinson to Foxboro, probably too much bad blood between BB and LT.
Or it sounds like a guy who realizes this is the last year they'll have games in that stadium? Great job at leaving that out.
LT is just now figuring out what everyone else already knew....Done!
# chargerrich says: November 10, 2009 2:31 PM
LT is a class player and it is rather sad to see him fall off as much as he has.
He is hitting the same wall as many backs and during his career (Eddie George, Edgerrin, Portis, Larry Johnson, Westbrook) so here is hoping the bolts can get him a ring in 09 or that he can go to another team in a limited capacity in 2010 with the prospects of a championship.
In an era of scumbags like Larry Johnson and selfish antics like Chad Johnson (thats right Johnson...) LT deserves a ring.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'd have to agree. He's done a lot for the community in SD. And I'm not even a chargers fan; I'm a steelers fan. AJ Smith is an egomanial, shit hole of a GM. The chargers were getting it done with Marty. They were 14-2 in his last season and pretty much the only reason they lost that playoff game to NE that year is because dumbass McCree decided to try to get his Deieon Sanders on instead of just falling down (he fumbled on the INT return and gave the ball back). Their next opponent would have been Indy (who the chargers have pretty much owned the last four years) and the game would have been in SD if I recall correctly. I think any of the 4 teams left in the AFC that year could've beaten the Bears in the SB.
Instead, McCree gives the ball back to Brady. Pats win, lose to the Colts, and the Colts go on to win the SB. Marty is fired. The chargers' regular season record since is 24-17.
To all you who think his performance this year is his fault, try watching a Chargers game.
Nick Hardwick, Pro Bowl Center was lost with an injury in Game 1. Next to that is Rookie RG, Luis Vasquez and next to him is RT Jerome Clary, who shouldn't be on an NFL starting unit.
I would venture to guess that AP, Steven Jackson and Chris Johnson would have about the same amount of yardage as LT. It's a race to the handoff for LT against the opposing D - it's that sort of jail break on every play. It's truly pathetic. I have only seen 3-4 small holes open for LT this year.
LT still is in top shape and his legs are young. It's just a shame that the perception around the league is that he can't get it done anymore when it's clearly the O-Line's problem. I know that his best years are behind him. Whenever you score 31 TDs in one season then the best years will always be behind you.
And for those who don't agree with me with the OL comment, look at this:
LT 3.1 YPC, Sproles 3.5 YPC, Bennett 3.1 YPC, Hester 2.1 YPC and Tolbert 3.7 YPC.
When Hardwick returns, so will the will to run.
He's the ultimate teammate, the ultimate competitor and a great family and community guy. We in San Diego have been lucky to have him here in spite of all of the twisted, inaccurate views that are perpetuated on the Internet.
"chargerbitch says:
November 10, 2009 2:31 PM
In an era of scumbags like Larry Johnson and selfish antics like Chad Johnson (thats right Johnson...) LT deserves a ring."
Chargerbitch (that's right bitch...) thinks LT deserves a ring.
"If you don't think LT is a first ballot hall of famer you either don't know much about football or hate him/the Chargers. Or most likely both."
"Are you inferrring LT is NOT a HOF RB? For your credibility's sake I hope not."
To all who questioned me on Tomlinson's HOF credibility; the man put up outstanding numbers for a few years, as have many other backs throughout the years.
I'll give him that.
But he never produced a single championship. Not one. No need to question my "credibility"., I'll be the first to admit it: I am a Patriots fan and have zero respect for Tomlinson, and many other San Diego crybabies.
Dan Marino also had awesome numbers and he never won a Super Bowl either, but dude would've had to have his legs cut out from under him before he'd ever think about sitting on the sidelines sulking, when his team needed him the most.
THAT is a Hall of Famer, Bolts fans.
It will give him something else to sulk about when year after year his name gets passed up on the HOF voting.
@ Gasm,
You're EXACTLY right. What made LJ look so unstoppable in his short run on the Chiefs was that unbelievable line. Does anyone really think LJ went from an 1800 yard back to a backup RB in one year because he got old? NOPE. He lost 2 HOF OLinemen.
It's the same story with Adrian Peterson. He looks unstoppable and a monster but is really only running against DB's because his OL is manhandling on the line of scrimmage. Even Taylor could run for 1500 pretty easily with that line.
Throughout LT's career he's been a insane all around back. He's a three down RB and has spies every game. Pre 2004, his line was very average and still gained an insane amount of yards and catches. Since 2004 his line peaked in 06 then instability on the right side and injuries has really cost them. They are the absolute worst run blocking OL in the league right now. Pass blocking they're OK, but run blocking they're just awful.
Like I said before, only a power RB would do decent with this OL only because they could push the pile but that home run threat would be gone. The Chargers need Hudson Houck back BAD!!!!!!!
Richm,
So an OBVIOUS injury that cost LT the playoffs and most of the next season means he's "sulking" on the sidelines? The man was obviously injured. He's a RB for god's sake! A QB might play with a bad knee but a RB actually has to run the ball. And the "sulking" you speak of was in freezing temperatures (which is why his helmet was on) sitting next to the offense, which is why you only see close ups. Boston media has really put LT through the ringer for his Belicheat comments which were later proven to be RIGHT!
Use common sense.
And to discount a player from the hall because they don't have a ring is just stupid. LT is the RB of the decade and had one of the best seasons of a RB in modern history.
Your hatred is making you stupid.
It takes more than one player to win a SB, that is just common sense. No, LT doesn't have a SB ring, but that is not his fault.
By the time Norv took over, LT was already beginning to ware down. Under Marty, IMO he was run into the ground. I believe LT's career would have lasted much longer if Marty hadn't been a Charger head coach.
I do think the Chargers should have cut LT lose, or traded him and kept Michael Turner, but I am among the minority of Charger fans who thinks that.
The offensive line is doing him no favors, but he has definitely lost a step, regardless.
@Richm2256: You truly are a Patri*ts fan if you can't see that LT, whose knee was screwed in that playoff game (it's a lot harder to run than throw a pass) is a HOF'er. Matter's not, for LT has missed only three games in his entire career and you come off as nothing but a hater.
Whine on Richy....
"outstanding numbers for a few years"?
Go find how many other running backs started their careers with 8 consecutive 1000+ yard season to go along with double digit TD's in each of those 8 seasons (including '06 where he banged out 31 TD's - an NFL record) ...and 3 or 4 of those seasons he had over 2000 yds from scrimmage.
C'mon bud, you can hate the guy all you want, but recognize the greatness at the very least. He's a top-10 back of all time whether he's a sulking baby or not.
*** It sounds more like a guy who knows he won't be in the league for another 8 years to play in that stadium again. ***
Exactly... people read into things wayyyyyyy too much.
Running backs who are currently inducted in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame who never won a league championship: Barry Sanders, Thurman Thomas, Earl Campbell, Gayle Sayers, (ahem) O.J. Simpson. And those are just the ones I remember.
Having won a league championship is in no way whatsoever a prerequisite for being inducted into Canton.
LT was a good one. That is all.
And he was talking like he was the best in the game and had the nerve to say earlier in the year he is better than AP. Get out of here you bum.
Anyone who says LT2 isnt a hall of famer is clearly just trolling for reactions.
QBs and Defense's win championships. Don't hang the ring thing on LT.
LT is an HOF'er and you don't think so you're a moron. And I'm no Charger fan, I'm just not an idiot.
It is amazing how quickly top rate RB's, WR's, and corners can go to nothing once their speed and agility is reduced some by wear and tear.
WR's can move to the slot. Corners can move to the slot or safety. RB's can become 3rd down backs. But for the most part, they go from good to bad real quick. Much faster than other positions.
lt's had a hell of a career. hats of to his many accomplishments. hopefully he can rack up a few more highlights before he retires.
as a long time vikes fan, i try to catch every possession that adrian gets, because none of the all-time great backs last forever...
".... I'll be the first to admit it: I am a Patriots fan and have zero respect for Tomlinson, and many other San Diego crybabies.... "
wow dude... that's a real shocker. Pat fans have so much to "respect" about their team & coach. Crybabies or cheaters..? Maybe I'll go with the crybabies.
@ Richm2256
that might be the most ignorant comment ever lol.
let's take away marino's HOF place because of lack of a ring while we're at it.
I don't think the comment is that ignorant. If this trend continues with RBs, then so be it, he should make the HOF, but consider a few facts:
-He set the TD/scoring records in a year where almost his entire line was pro-bowlers.
-When LT would get hurt in games, Michael Turner would also burn up the other team for 100+ yards (or amazing yards/carry averages), because of the O-line.
-Now when LT is hurt or innefective, they use Darren Sproles, who often proves to be more effective.
He'll likely make the HOF just because he set those records, but his "dominance" is more short-lived than I think some of you are realizing, his position in rushing yards per season:
2001 - 13th
2002 - 2nd
2003 - 3rd
2004 - 10th
2005 - 6th
2006 - 1st
2007 - 1st
2008 - 10th
Only time will tell how you can judge this era's RBs, but even if he makes it to the HOF, he has always been put on a way bigger pedestal than he should have been.
He set those records so he'll likely make it, but his dominance was more short-lived than some of you may realize.
He was the NFL rushing leader just twice, and only in the "top five" four times over his career ..... those are Hall of Fame stats????
Injured? He bruised a knee in a conference championship for cripe's sakes. Ronnie Lott would laugh at that. You think a HOF running back takes a seat at a time like that????
He was a solid runner for four good seasons, none of which he led the Chargers to a Super Bowl title. You don't get into the Hall of Fame for that.
Facts are facts, people.
Tomlinson has HOF numbers, but he went off the rails a few years ago when he started believing his own press. He could have willled his team to a ring at least once this decade, but never got it done.
@ richm2256: he was a solid runner EVERY year up until this year. you don't get double digit TD's every single year of your career and only have "four good seasons". and it was a sprained MCL, an injury that for skill positions that require planting your feet and making hard cuts, that requires usually a minimum of 6 weeks for recovery. and he carried the team on his back in 2006, Rivers first year as a starter. regretfully he couldn't play defense as well, or San Diego probably would've won. do you remember the four key plays that helped New England win? 1. Drayton Florence headbutting a New England player on a failed 3rd down to revive NE's drive and allow a FG; 2. Eric Parker muffing a punt that set up NE in good field position and allowed them to get a FG; 3. McCree doing too much after his INT and fumbling the ball, giving the ball back to Brady, allowing them to score a TD; and 4. Kaeding missing the FG that would've tied the game with 0:08 seconds left.
like you said, facts are facts. maybe you should know them.
Since AJ firing Marty and hiring Norv the Chargers have sunk into mediocrity. A slow and painful process to be sure. Norv is a "pass" to open up the "run" coach where Marty was the opposite. As witnessed by Norv annointing Rivers the "leader" of the team where Marty let the team and deeds do the talking. When AJ let Lorenzo Neal go they took LT's legs out from under him. You have the most prolific running back in the NFL you don't change the dynamics.
Norv was not only NOT fired for going 8-8 last year but was rewarded with a contract extension. For that AJ should be fired as well. If Michael Turner would have been running in this offensive scheme he would be languishing as well. We are a "pass" first team with one of the best running backs ever to set foot on turf. WOW! I think AJ wants to take the team to LA. Why else would you dismantle such a great team and put a proven losser as the Head Coach? Lastly, if you had to deal with all this crap you'd be sulking on the sideline as well. Yes you would.
To all you haters out there...LT is in the top 10 greatest running backs of all time. Honestly, he has lost some burst but he can still get it done. Look back at all the highlights, the O-line is horrible (due to injury and youth). How come I don't hear any cries for Sproles...because even as small as he is, he can't even get through those holes. Put LT on a line like Dallas or Minnesota and he would average 5 yards per carry again. Also, has anyone noticed that he started to decline once Lo Neal left the team? They have no FB...Jacob Hester isn't good enough to play in the new UFL. Thanks, by the way AJ. I'm just sick and tired of all these haters out there crapping on a first ballot Hall of Famer and saying that he is a crybaby. All these morons that complain about LT when he was upset at New England when he came to the defense of one of his teammates (Merriman) are the same morons that complain when Phillip Rivers carves up secondary's and jaws at the fans after. Long live LT...us real fans got your back!!! Go Chargers
another thing about LT....4th fastest to 12,000 yards. enough said. boy, he must suck!!!
I hope he makes a comeback in the next two or three games and scores 6 TDs and gets 350 yards rushing. I inherited him on my fantasy league and I need him to increase his value so I can trade him.
But, I think some of the comments about him not being a Hall of Fame running back are silly. The Hall of Fame is about individual achievement, and Championships are a team stat. Not having won a championship is no reason for someone to not make the Hall of Fame. Dan Marino never won a championship and I doubt anyone would be silly enough to attempt to argue that he is not deserving of the Hall of Fame.
"He was the NFL rushing leader just twice"
@richm2256 - Hilarious. Do me a favor and go back and see how many RB's have led the NFL in rushing "just twice" since 1957.
I'll help you out:
Edge James
Barry Sanders (4)
Emmitt Smith (4)
Eric Dickerson (4)
Earl Campbell (3)
OJ Simpson (4)
Gale Sayers
Leroy Kelly
Jim Brown (8)
Not a bad list to be a part of, no?
i don't think a player has to have a ring to be in the hall of fame. a ring is something players on good teams get. you mean to tell me there are no good players on bad teams?
come on.... barry sanders is in the hall of fame, he played on a crap team. i wouldn't call the chargers crap by any stretch, but i think LT is on a path for a HOF residency after he retires.
Electrogasm you are very right.
Too many morons here don't know much about football. A Running back can only be as good as his line allows him to.
Looking at Football Outsiders, who seem to know their stuff, the Chargers O-line is ranked 27th in runblocking. Which explains why every runner on the roster is averaging around 3 yards per carry. Look at the best lines, you'll see Dallas and New Orleans. Stick LT in one of those backfields, and let him run through a 4 foot wide hole, He'd have twice as many yards as he does now. Couple that with 2 hybrid fullbacks blocking for him when it used to be Lorenzo "mini lineman" Neal and you see what's really holding Tomlinson back. Yes, he's only 90% of what he used to be, but given a good enough line, that means he's good for 1800 scrimmage yards per year. AJ and Norv just don't see it. They are both stubborn, though Norv at least tries. Predictably, but he tries.
Inigo Montoya, by your own admission, Tomlinson compares only to Sayers, James, and Kelly on that list, as all the others all led the league more than LT's two times.
Let's see how this washes out:
LT has 11,900yds/127TDs, and zero Super Bowl titles.
James' stats were 12,246yds/80TDs and 1 SB title. He and Emmitt Smith were in fact "dominant" players for their time, and they have the titles to prove it.
Sayers' stats were 4,956yds/48 TDs in just five short seasons, two cut short by knee surgeries. No titles, but his Bears teams were much less talented than Tomlinson's Charger teams. As great as Sayers was, the argument could be made that he didn't have a career long enough to validate the numbers he did compile.
Kelly's stats were 7,274yds/74TDs over 10 seasons, with no titles. I don't agree with his inlusion into the HOF either; while he was also a solid runner, he wasn't a "dominant" player in his position.
Again, let me remind you that this is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Pretty Darn Good. Curtis Martin was a damn good back, out-gaining Tomlinson with 14,101yds to go with 102TDs (and no SB titles) ....... are those good enough numbers to get him into the Hall? Solid as he was, was he one of the dominent running backs in his era?
Tomlinson was a damn good runner in his day, but if he was so dominant, why weren't his Chargers in even one single Super Bowl? Don't tell me it's because of his team, they had a roster full of quality players, and a dominant runner gets the job done, regardless.
In their prime playing days between 2001-2008 (LT's career years), when the game is on the line, which of these three do I want carrying the ball: LT, Edgerin James, or Marshall Faulk?
You tell me.
He is definitely way past his prime. They should have tried to trade him away for something a couple of seasons ago.
The thing is all of those runners are already in the Hall of Fame. That's not my opinion or your opinion, that is a fact. In your words, he's in a class with those players (and I could easily argue that he's better than those players). Therefore, being in that class (or better - which he is) makes him a Hall of Famer.
Not only that, but you rattled off Edgerrin James stats and then called him dominant. Edge has 300 more rushing yards and 40 less TD's...and that's not even including rec. yards and rec. TD's. By the way:
Edge's first season - 1999
LT's first season - 2001
So is Edgerrin James "dominant" based only on his 1 SB ring? Really? ...because you yourself know that he doesn't win that ring if Manning doesn't bring the Colts back from 18 down in the AFC Championship game vs. NE.
Tomlinson was the best back in the NFL from 2001-2008...and that includes Edgerring James. To suggest Edge was more "dominant" than LT is ridiculous. In fact, I deem this conversation over based on lack of credibility because you lost it all with that assertion.
Thank you and have a nice day.
You obviously missed the point of my last point.
YOU are the one who put Tomlinson in the class with James, Sayers, and Kelly, and my point is that the only one of those three who put up true HOF numbers for a full career was Edgerin James.
Sayers never played enough to put up the numbers a HOF running back should have, and Kelly has no business stacking up against the great backs of the game.
James DOES. He has fewer TDs than Tomlinson, yes, but more yards and a Super Bowl title. he produced when it counted most. The Colts were always in the playoffs with James providing a solid compliment to a solid passing attack, can you say the same about the Bolts?
"To suggest Edge was more "dominant" than LT is ridiculous."
Patriots fans from 2001 on knew that James was always a bigger threat to them than Tomlinson. THAT is what a "dominant" back does. We knew Tomlinson couldn't stop us, and he didn't, not in 2007, not in 2006. James and the Colts DID. That's the key reason that James' numbers puts him in the Hall and not Tomlinson.
You SD fans can stick your heads in the sand, or cover your ears and shout "nya nya, I'm not listening", but that doesn't change the facts. LT was damn good, but not HOF good.
Have a good night as well.
RichM said:
"James' stats were 12,246yds/80TDs and 1 SB title. He and Emmitt Smith were in fact "dominant" players for their time, and they have the titles to prove it."
Um, the Colts won their Super Bowl the year after Edge left. I think they gave him a ring because they felt sorry for him, but he was not part of the team that season.
In fact Edge was on the Cardinals that year.
Oh boy, where to start...
Edge James has no SuperBowl ring. He never "stopped" the Patriots . As far as I know, he never played defense, so he never stopped anybody...In terms of running backs being relied on in close games, Edge has one of the lowest “% of touches” among running backs in situational splits for close games. LT has one of the highest (actually THE highest I could find). Feel free to dig into the actual splits yourselves instead of just spewing non-facts.
The last two years have obviously taken a toll on Tomlinson’s performance. We can all agree on that. But some of you are taking revisionist history way too far. Yes, he's been hurt in the Playoffs the last two years. It happens. Football injuries are luck. He was incredibly lucky to have 8 years of good health, too bad his team sucked for most of that (many of you seem to think the Chargers were loaded with talent beyond the last three years, which is not true). The last time he WAS healthy in the Playoffs, he SHREDDED the Patriots for almost 200 total yards and two scores, but the Chargers lost by 3 points due to Philip Rivers having one of his typically abysmal games against Belichek. What would’ve happened in that game if San Diego had kept Drew Brees? Rivers may be great now, but his early growing pains in critical situations were historically bad, especially against the Pats. The QB is the most important part. I can't think of a single "dominant" back that has "willed his team to a Super Bowl," so that supposed criteria for the Hall of Fame is out. Running backs simply don't do that. Ever. Jim Brown has zero. Faulk needed Warner to get him there. Walter Payton's teams (and many consider the '85 and '86 teams to be the best in football history) only won ONE ring and Sweetness himself SUCKED in that game. Was he overrated?
Tomlinson has the HOF numbers, that is simple truth, and nobody who analyzes football AND GETS PAID TO DO IT would echo the contrarian slop being tossed around here. He has some amazing records that haven’t even been mentioned here, not just records from his 31 TDs year. He led the league in total rush/receive yards three times overall, even in an era when we have seen several one-hit-wonder years from various guys like Holmes, Williams, Alexander and Lewis. He outlasted all of them in terms of quality years. You can pick and choose whatever petty reasons you need to dislike him, but to deny the greatness he ran with for almost a decade is nothing but an attempt to glorify your own premature thought-gasms backed by demonstrably inaccurate claims.
Richm2256, I realize that you're new to football,
but did anyone explain to you the nature of
the injury that kept LT out of that playoff game?
His knee could not allow him to cut.
Do you understand that cutting is most of
what a running back does?
So LT admitted that the team had a better chance
of winning with a healthy back-up, than a gimpy LT.
Especially since the Chargers had great confidence
in their back-up:
The healthy & well-rested Michael Turner.