Tomlinson's Legacy

[bkrich83]

Quote: Originally Posted by 55

Surely you jest?

From 2001-2007 who was better?

[bkrich83]

Quote: Originally Posted by jth1331

People always bring this up but look at the stats for the RB's that year. Priest Holmes - 1400+ rushing yards, 27 TD's, 74 receptions, 600+ receiving yards Jamal Lewis - 2000+ rushing yards, 14 TD's, 26 receptions, 205 receiving yards Clinton Portis - 1500+ rushing yards, 14 TD's, 38 receptions, 300+ receiving yards Probably deserved to go in the Pro Bowl over Portis, but not over Holmes or Lewis for All Pro. Heck, Ahman Green you could say would be over Tomlinson that year. That was a beast year for RB's.

5 yards a carry, 1,600 yards rushing and 100 receptions.

First ever to rush for 1,600 yards and have 100 receptions. 2nd most yards from scrimmage in the HISTORY of the NFL (at the time). Yeah he deserved more accolades than he got that year.

[grunt]

Quote: Originally Posted by bkrich83

Part of the issue was he took such a beating in the regular season he was rarely healthy when it came to the postseason. When he was (see Pats game in '06) he had a monster game, but the team around him melted down. The only game where he was healthy in the post season and he didn't really play well was the Jets game in the '04 season. And to be honest the Jets dominated the LOS in that game.. To me his legacy is, he's the best player the Chargers have ever had.

Naw, he is one of the greatest all around backs ever. He is in the mold of Walter Payton and Emmit. He could do it all including blocking. (take that Jim Brown). The playoffs stuff is nitpicking.

[CW McGraw]

Quote: Originally Posted by bkrich83

Part of the issue was he took such a beating in the regular season he was rarely healthy when it came to the postseason. When he was (see Pats game in '06) he had a monster game, but the team around him melted down. The only game where he was healthy in the post season and he didn't really play well was the Jets game in the '04 season. And to be honest the Jets dominated the LOS in that game.. To me his legacy is, he's the best player the Chargers have ever had.

It's really hard for a workhorse RB like LT to carry his team through the playoffs. When the Cowboys were pounding Emmitt Smith at defenses in the regular season, they had an effective passing game to lean on in the playoffs. In his prime, LT didn't have particularly good QBs and when he did, the primary pass catchers were LT and Antonio Gates. I don't think LT's playoff struggles tarnish his legacy at all. Even all time great RBs like Eric Dickerson and Barry Sanders didn't necessarily dominate in the playoffs.

[Senator Palmer]

Just to add another point to him being beat up by playoff time... in his prime during those playoff seasons, before he started to break down, he was averaging almost 400 touches a season. 330+ rushing and banging his head in there on those power plays that Marty used to love, then 50+ in the passing game. It's remarkable he held up as long as he did.

Regular season during the playoff years -- 04, 06, 07

04 - 339 rushing attempts 53 receptions
06 - 348 rushing attempts 56 receptions
07 - 315 rushing attempts 60 receptions

Conversely, Marshall Faulk who you can compare him to this generation, only had 300 rushing attempts twice in his career, and both times were in Indianapolis. No shame in that. There's a reason why it took 27 Super Bowls for a regular season rushing champ (Emmitt Smith) to win a Super Bowl.

And how in the world Emmitt Smith held up with all the pounding he took is still somewhere akin to a miracle -- it was 360 plus rushing attempts a season during their run. Nowadays a running back does that for one season and he's no good the next.

[bkrich83]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scott812313

He also took himself out of the playoff game against the Patriots in 06-07, while Rivers played on a torn acl and Gates played through an injury too. Great regular season player, huge disappointment in the playoffs.

You should recheck your facts.

[Scottdau]

Wow BK, that is saying a lot about him being the best Chargers. I do agree, wow they have had some great players too. Jefferson was one of my favorite WR growing up.

[bkrich83]

Quote: Originally Posted by Senator Palmer

Just to add another point to him being beat up by playoff time... in his prime during those playoff seasons, before he started to break down, he was averaging almost 400 touches a season. 330+ rushing and banging his in there on those power plays that Marty used to love, then 50+ in the passing game. It's remarkable he held up as long as he did. Regular season during the playoff years -- 04, 06, 07 04 - 339 rushing attempts 53 receptions 06 - 348 rushing attempts 56 receptions 07 - 315 rushing attempts 60 receptions Conversely, Marshall Faulk who you can compare him to this generation, only had 300 rushing attempts twice in his career, and both times were in Indianapolis. Now shame in that. There's a reason why it took 27 Super Bowls for a regular season rushing champ (Emmitt Smith) to win a Super Bowl. And how in the world Emmitt Smith held up with all the pounding he took is still somewhere akin to a miracle -- it was 360 plus rushing attempts a season during their run. Nowadays a running back does that for one season and he's no good the next.

Emmitt was a physical runner as well. It truly is amazing he was as durable as he was. He was about as good at finishing runs as there was.