Ping: LaDainian Tomlinson

[MizzouRah]

Yes my Rams lost to you today, but heck we're talking money here and your 42 points helped me crush my opponent today in FF.

Keep it up! :)

I am now tied for first at 6-2 baby and all of my bye week players are done.

[Raiders Army]

Damn you Marc Bulger for not doing better today. You too Steven Jackson! I'm now 5-3 unless Chester Taylor and Doug Gabriel do well tomorrow!

[MizzouRah]

LT is THE MAN. I love watching this guy play the game of football.

[MizzouRah]

RA,

Get rid of Bulger. :) I have him to, but sat his butt today.

[Eaglesfan27]

LT is THE MAN. I love watching this guy play the game of football.


He really is a joy to watch.

[Neuqua]

He's my favorite player outside the Bears. He just makes the game really look easy.

[ISiddiqui]

And people picked Larry Johnson over him in fantasy football this year? Those poor bastards ;).

[DeToxRox]

LT is better then Barry Sanders. And I'm as big as Sanders fan as they come. He is that good. He does everything. I think LT is going to go down at the best ever at RB.

[jbmagic]

LT better than Emmit?

[Eaglesfan27]

LT better than Emmit?

Yes. Fastest ever to 100 TD's. If he continues to stay healthy, I think he'll be one of the best ever, if not the best.

[ISiddiqui]

I'd put Sanders over Emmitt frankly.

But that's either of them are not the top. Ole' Jim Brown is still the #1 RB for me.

[DeToxRox]

LT is probably not going to break the yardage record, but he is well on his way to beating Smiths TD record. Add in all his receiving accolades he is bound to be the most complete RB ever at this pace.

[Izulde]

Emmitt Smith is probably the most overrated RB in the history of the NFL.

[Antmeister]

I am huge Chargers fan, and for an all-purpose running back, LT is the best there is. However, I have seen Barry Sanders do a hell of a lot with a lot less talent around him, including offensive lineman. So I can't quite put him past Barry Sanders as a pure running back. I just think he has a better skillset than Barry.

[JeffW]

Emmitt Smith is probably the most overrated RB in the history of the NFL.

I dunno, I think Eddie George and Jerome Bettis are more overrated. Emmitt Smith benefitted from greatly those great O Lines, but he missed very few games despite carrying the ball an absolute ton and he was very productive.

[Vegas Vic]

Emmitt Smith is probably the most overrated RB in the history of the NFL.

Franco Harris, and it's not even close.

[Kodos]

If he can stay healthy, I think he obliterates the career rushing total. And I couldn't think of a better guy to do it. Love him!

[Buccaneer]

Tomlinson, who scored on a 3-yard run in the first quarter, added a 3-yard TD run in the third to get to the century mark and cut the Chargers' deficit to 24-14. As usual, he didn't have a big celebration. He simply tucked the ball in his left arm and walked off the field to the Chargers bench.


Imagine that.

[INDalltheway]

I will add high fives to all of his LINEMAN...

[mrsimperless]

Franco Harris, and it's not even close.

I disagree. Terrell Davis by a mile. I can't believe this guy is on the hall of fame ballot. Denver has had so many good backs in recent years that it seems obvious he was more a product of the system / line than anything else.

[Vince]

(I'm on my way to look up stats as I post this)

But if I recall correctly, TD posted stats that are WAY better than those of the recent "product of the system" backs that have been in Denver.

[Vince]

Terrell Davis:
(Att-Yds-Avg-TD)
237-1117-4.7-7
345-1538-4.5-13
369-1750-4.7-15
392-2008-5.1-21


Denver Backs Since:
276-1159-4.2-7 (Olandis Gary, 1999)
297-1487-5.0-15 (Mike Anderson, 2000)
167-701-4.2-0 (Terrell Davis, 2001)
273-1508-5.5-15 (Clinton Portis, 2002)
290-1591-5.5-14 (Clinton Portis, 2003)
275-1240-4.5-6 (Reuben Droughns, 2004)
239-1014-4.2-12 (Mike Anderson, 2005)


Outside of Mike Anderson in 2000, none of these guys has produced near TD's level. I know, I know -- you're going to say Portis. But he also produced at a high level in Washington, so the "product of the system" argument fails with him (at least somewhat). I don't think it's fair to knock Terrell Davis as a product of the system.

Whether or not four seasons of goodness is enough to get into the Hall of Fame is another question...

[mrsimperless]

Terrell Davis:
(Att-Yds-Avg-TD)
237-1117-4.7-7
345-1538-4.5-13
369-1750-4.7-15
392-2008-5.1-21


Denver Backs Since:
276-1159-4.2-7 (Olandis Gary, 1999)
297-1487-5.0-15 (Mike Anderson, 2000)
167-701-4.2-0 (Terrell Davis, 2001)
273-1508-5.5-15 (Clinton Portis, 2002)
290-1591-5.5-14 (Clinton Portis, 2003)
275-1240-4.5-6 (Reuben Droughns, 2004)
239-1014-4.2-12 (Mike Anderson, 2005)


Outside of Mike Anderson in 2000, none of these guys has produced near TD's level. I know, I know -- you're going to say Portis. But he also produced at a high level in Washington, so the "product of the system" argument fails with him (at least somewhat). I don't think it's fair to knock Terrell Davis as a product of the system.

Whether or not four seasons of goodness is enough to get into the Hall of Fame is another question...

Alright, I'll give you that he seems to be a bit more than the product of the system. I'm wondering though about the years of Gary, Anderson, etc. if they split time with other backs and how close the team total rushing was to the team total rushing in the TD years.

Also, from your stats TD had one awesome year, two great years, a good year and a mediocre year. That doesn't seem hall of fame worthy to me. Where does he stand on the all-time list?

[Ragone]

Honestly though.. if Gale Sayers is in the hof.. Terrell Davis has to be too, and i don't care for that fact at all.. but it stands to reason

[JeeberD]

Yes. Fastest ever to 100 TD's. If he continues to stay healthy, I think he'll be one of the best ever, if not the best.

The Cowboys also had more weapons than the Chargers do...

[Mustang]

And people picked Larry Johnson over him in fantasy football this year? Those poor bastards ;).

No, those poor bastards are all in Washington.. most people in that state probably would have taken Alexander #1 and then #2 and #3 would have 'settled' for LT and LJ...

[albionmoonlight]

I cannot beleive that Walter Payton has not come up in this discussion yet in some way, shape, or form.

[Kodos]

The Cowboys also had more weapons than the Chargers do...

So opposing teams couldn't concentrate on Smith like they can on Tomlinson.

[miami_fan]

I think Payton is a guy who you would have had to see every week and really know how bad those Bears teams were to appreciate his greatness.

[Kodos]

Yep. Those '85 Bears sucked. ;)


Sanders also played on crap teams and did it largely by himself, outside of Herman Moore.

[MizzouRah]

Emmitt Smith is probably the most overrated RB in the history of the NFL.

Agreed 100%

[Kodos]

And the most overrated dancing star of all time.

[fantastic flying froggies]

LT scores roughly 50% of my fantasy points every week, and as a tribute to him, I have renamed my Camargue Wild Bulls to the Camargue Tomlinsons.

[Kodos]

Kinda like my Rigel IV Mannings from a couple season ago. :)

[sterlingice]

Kinda like my Rigel IV Mannings from a couple season ago. :)

Well, Danny Manning did have a couple of really good years in the early 90s but I couldn't see naming my team after him ;)

(My other best option was "In 1881 the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago%2C_Milwaukee%2C_and_St._Paul_Railroad) was also constructing a road across Iowa, south of and parallel to the Northwestern. These railroads interesected at what is now Manning." describing Manning, Iowa but I thought that was even more esoteric)

SI

[Maple Leafs]

I have Tomlinson in both of my leagues. They're keepers, so I've had him for years.

If I want to make love to him just a little, does that make me gay? I'd be OK with it, I just want to know how I'm supposed to feel about Madonna.

[cthomer5000]

LT is legitimately in the discussion for best running back of all time. I think in the end Jim Brown, Walter Payton, and now Ladanian Tomlinson are going to be viewed as guys who were simply a cut above the rest.

[Danny]

I should get myself a powder blue LT jersey. Drives the ladies wild!

[IMetTrentGreen]

emmitt is quickly approaching most underrated.

[JeffW]

LT is legitimately in the discussion for best running back of all time. I think in the end Jim Brown, Walter Payton, and now Ladanian Tomlinson are going to be viewed as guys who were simply a cut above the rest.

I think Marshall Faulk needs to be in the conversation. He had longevity(7 strong seasons) and exceptional peak value and he is 3nd on the all time for fewest fumbles/attempt(almost dead even with Corey Dillon in 2nd) list among qualifying RBs. I am a diehard Chargers fan(San Diego born and raised) and I'd definitely put Faulk over Tomlinson.

[INDalltheway]

I too thought about Faulk, but LT is well on his way to becoming one of the best ever. Faulk was such a dangerous receiver, which was what made him so good. I think Reggie Bush should watch game film of him.

[MizzouRah]

I heart LT.

They should rename fantasy football to LT Football.

[Lorena]

He's a freaking stud man

[Antmeister]

Although he was stuffed for most of the game, he does know how to score when he get near the endzone. The record breaking run was fantastic.

[kingfc22]

LT is the man.

[spleen1015]

I hope he never agrees to do a Madden cover.

[Lorena]

I hope he never agrees to do a Madden cover.

Curse!!! I hope not.

[Logan]

I hope he never agrees to do a Madden cover.

Seriously...what's the etiquette on that?

[SplitPersonality1]

I'm seriously considering changing the name of my fantasy team to the Tomlinsons, as he has vaulted me into the playoffs and helped me win the first round.

Thank you LT!

[sterlingice]

Seriously...what's the etiquette on that?

"LaDainian, I'd love for you to do the cover of Madden 08"
"With all due respect, John, *bleep* no. I think the folks at EA make a fine game but have you seen what happens to everyone who is on the cover of your game? Remember Duante and Donovan and their season ending injuries? Or how about Eddie or Marshall and how they were never the same again? And Dorsey Levens? Last I heard, he was running a car dealership. So, John, I'm going to have to pass."

SI

[Mustang]

My fantasy team this year consists of LT, Brees and Gore... and some other guys that chip in a few points but, I only need those 3 it would seem.

[Maple Leafs]

Having both LT and Gates on your fantasy teams just brings a certain feeling of peaceful zen. Every time the Chargers get to the red zone, you know you're getting a touchdown. If you're lucky, LT will throw a TD pass to Gates.

(Note to the Chargers: that little trick play thing to Neal was cute. Quite clever. Don't do that again, please.)

[MIJB#19]

I'm seriously considering changing the name of my fantasy team to the Tomlinsons, as he has vaulted me into the playoffs and helped me win the first round.

Thank you LT!That appears to be the trendy thing to do amongst Tomlinson owners lately.

[Ryche]

He put me in the playoffs as well. Between LT and Willie Parker, I survived facing Drew Brees in the first round this week.

The last touchdown was the one that showed to me how good LT is. 90% of the backs in the NFL would have been tackled for no gain on that by the unblocked guy, LT didn't even get touched.

[MizzouRah]

He vaulted me to a bye week in the first round of the playoffs this week, that's for sure.

I will give some love to the Bears D though.

[Kodos]

Should've followed my gut and chose LT over Johnson. :(

[QuikSand]

Most years, there are defining players in fantasy football -- guys that just make a difference, and send their teams to the playoffs.

Usually, it's guys who are real surprises -- last year Steve Smith was that way. If you took Steve Smith last year in round seven or so of your draft, and got rewarded with the #1 WR in the whole league, you were in great shape. Sometimes it's guys who come out of nowhere -- the Kurt Warner debut year, that sort of thing. A few years ago, teams who picked up Billy Volek or Muhsin Muhammad down the stretch were rewarded with some really big numbers in the make-or-break weeks and into the FF playoff period.

Pretty rarely is it one of the top guys in the whole draft, though. A player has to be sensational to drmatically exceed the draft capital it costs to be that kind of player. In his prime, Terrell Davis was that sort of player, and Emmitt Smith, too - both to some degree. Steve Young, as well, especially in QB-friendly leagues.

LT, this year, almost can't help but vault his FF team to prominence. Even if you took him #1 overall, you got exceptional value. There are going to be tons of #1 seed teams in the playoffs with the same RB in the hotseat. That's a real rarity, I think.

[spleen1015]

Most years, there are defining players in fantasy football -- guys that just make a difference, and send their teams to the playoffs.

Usually, it's guys who are real surprises -- last year Steve Smith was that way. If you took Steve Smith last year in round seven or so of your draft, and got rewarded with the #1 WR in the whole league, you were in great shape. Sometimes it's guys who come out of nowhere -- the Kurt Warner debut year, that sort of thing. A few years ago, teams who picked up Billy Volek or Muhsin Muhammad down the stretch were rewarded with some really big numbers in the make-or-break weeks and into the FF playoff period.

Pretty rarely is it one of the top guys in the whole draft, though. A player has to be sensational to drmatically exceed the draft capital it costs to be that kind of player. In his prime, Terrell Davis was that sort of player, and Emmitt Smith, too - both to some degree. Steve Young, as well, especially in QB-friendly leagues.

LT, this year, almost can't help but vault his FF team to prominence. Even if you took him #1 overall, you got exceptional value. There are going to be tons of #1 seed teams in the playoffs with the same RB in the hotseat. That's a real rarity, I think.

This is a very good point. In all 3 of the leagues I play in, the best team has been the best team without a doubt all year. Every single one of those teams have LT. Something else interesting, all 3 had McNabb as well.

[MizzouRah]

Should've followed my gut and chose LT over Johnson. :(

So says the guy who picked just before I did. :D

[Kodos]

I don't even LIKE Johnson, whereas LT is my favorite active RB and probably second only to Terrell Davis and Barry Sanders on my all-time favorites list.

I was figuring LT was due for a TD-like injury due to his number of carries over the years.





Stupid!

[MizzouRah]

I don't even LIKE Johnson, whereas LT is my favorite active RB and probably second only to Terrell Davis and Barry Sanders on my all-time favorites list.

I was figuring LT was due for a TD-like injury due to his number of carries over the years.





Stupid!

Johnson was the #1 pick by most FF publications and sites.

[sterlingice]

Johnson was the #1 pick by most FF publications and sites.

I disagree- I thought it was pretty split this year with LJ and LT both at the top. Shaun Alexander was a conensus third but that didn't turn out so well...

SI

[Maple Leafs]

Actually... a survey of seven top magazines in pre-season had it this way:

avg hi lo rankings
1 RB Larry Johnson KC 1.1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1
2 RB Shaun Alexander Sea 2.1 1 3 2 2 3 1 2 2 3
3 RB LaDainian Tomlinson SD 2.7 2 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 2

Source: FBG

[Buccaneer]

Congrats LT on breaking one of the big NFL records (most points scored in a season - Hornung's record). I didn't see Jim Brown play, but LT is the best RB I have ever seen (and I'm biased too being my favorite player and team and all).

[MizzouRah]

Get Some!!! WHOOOOO HOOOO!!!

[Logan]

He is Un. Real.

[MizzouRah]

Me love him.

[Danny]

I need to order my Tomlinson powder blue, and I'm a Raiders fan.

[kcchief19]

I'm torn between wanting Marty Schottenheimer to get the critics off his back and win a Super Bowl and wanting somebody to cheap shot LT like Shawne Merriman cheap shot Priest Holmes.

LT is a lot easier to love when your team doesn't have to play him twice a year. I like that he seems like a good guy and a hard worker, but I'd love him a lot more if he were a Chief or even a Cowboy.

[Julio Riddols]

Goddamn you LT. And any owner who owns you. You all are getting a freebie, you better send the motherfucker a thank you card for bailing your otherwise mediocre teams out. My team personally blew all sorts of ass all over the field this week, so I'm not mad about that particular game.. But fuck LT and his superior skills.

Sincerely,
a completely dumbfounded fan.

How the hell do you stop this guy?

How good is Philip Rivers really? When will we finally see the powder keg that is Michael Turner go off and explode somewhere in a featured role?

Will the Chargers even have to work to win the super bowl?

I don't think a team has been anywhere close to as consistently dominant and overpowering as the Chargers have been this season except for the Bears on "good Rex" days.

[Maple Leafs]

He's getting an x-ray today for a possible broken jaw.

[Julio Riddols]

whoa......

[MizzouRah]

One more good week LT! I'm playing in my first FF Championship thanks to you!!!!!!

[Kodos]

If only I'd gone with my gut instead of the hype surrounding Johnson. :(

[sterlingice]

If only I'd gone with my gut instead of the hype surrounding Johnson. :(

As someone living in KC, I was deciding between LT and Shaun Alexander if I had a top pick. In the league I had that choice, I went LT so I'm happy.

SI

[Kodos]

I figured that Alexander was reaching the threshold where years of beatings would finally take their toll on him. To a lesser extent, I figured the same for Tomlinson. My choice was between Tomlinson and Johnson.

I chose poorly. Nice to know that I lost my league with the very first pick... :(

[Maple Leafs]

In one of my leagues, a keeper format, I have LT and LJ.

Good times.

[Warhammer]

Tomlinson is great, but he is no Payton. The more I hear these greatest RBs of all time conversations, the more I realize that Payton is underrated. People don't realize how great he really was.

[MizzouRah]

Well, LT had a ho-hum week, but Bulger gave me 42.4 points and for the first time ever, I won our Fantasy Football league!!!

$150 in my pocket, will be nice as I need some new speakers for my home stereo. :)

[QuikSand]

Well, LT had a ho-hum week, but Bulger gave me 42.4 points...

Congrats.

I was in a league title game today, and my team's core was Tomlinson, Willie Parker, and Steve Smith. LT was solid but didn't score, the other two were total no-shows, and I lost to Marc Bulger. So it goes.

[MizzouRah]

Congrats.

I was in a league title game today, and my team's core was Tomlinson, Willie Parker, and Steve Smith. LT was solid but didn't score, the other two were total no-shows, and I lost to Marc Bulger. So it goes.

I've been VERY lucky this year.