LaDainian Tomlinson - going downhill?

Matthew Jones · 11-16-2008, 05:32 PM

This guy seems to be going downhill pretty fast in my opinion. While at one point he was clearly the best running back in the league, I don't think this year he's even in the top five. Over the past three years, he's gone from 28 touchdowns to 15 touchdowns to 5 (incl. so far in the Steelers game) and his YPC has dipped significantly (about 1.5 yards.) Does LT just have too many touches? He seems to be doing what Edgerrin James is and just becoming a three yards and a cloud of dust guy.

So far:

2 games with 5-5.9 yards per carry
1 game with 4-4.9 yards per carry
2 games with 3-3.9 yards per carry
4 games with 2-2.9 yards per carry (5 if he finishes this game how he started it)

2 games over 100 yards (Raiders/Saints)
3 games under 50 yards (not incl. this game)

3 games in which he has scored a rushing touchdown (incl. this game)

I'm trying to give the guy the benefit of the doubt for having taken so many carries but I just can't really see him as one of the five or ten best running backs in the league this year. Even guys like Thomas Jones are way ahead of him statistically, and I can't shake the feeling that with the coming of Norv Turner, the Chargers became Philip Rivers' team, where Tomlinson is a member of Rivers' supporting cast rather than a focal point. What do you all think?

BmoreBlackByrdz · 11-16-2008, 05:36 PM

I don't this hes going to be that "fantasy star" anymore but I think he will still be an effective RB for maybe 2 more years, then he can go be the next Shaun Alexander, RB's do have short careers and I think L.T. will prove it to us in a couple years. Hope he gets a ring though..

Rayray52 · 11-16-2008, 05:43 PM

I was hoping that he would break some of Emmit Smith's records and get a ring but at the pace hes going it seems unlikely, hopefully his foot/toe is still bothering him and he will rebound.

Mr. Stiller · 11-16-2008, 05:44 PM

I think San Diego Lacking a passrush/defense is really limiting his opportunities in all reality.

Jimmy · 11-16-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Stiller

I think San Diego Lacking a passrush/defense is really limiting his opportunities in all reality.

wouldn't that increase his carries and time on the field?
and its not liek he's not getting carries, he's 9th in the league in touches

jballa838 · 11-16-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy

wouldn't that increase his carries and time on the field?
and its not liek he's not getting carries, he's 9th in the league in touches

Good D= Shor Drives for Opponents = Punts = SD Leads = More Rushes.

Paranoidmoonduck · 11-16-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenOfProphecy

Even guys like Thomas Jones are way ahead of him statistically, and I can't shake the feeling that with the coming of Norv Turner, the Chargers became Philip Rivers' team, where Tomlinson is a member of Rivers' supporting cast rather than a focal point. What do you all think?

I think this is what the Chargers desperately want to believe, but that offense is screwed without Tomlinson. That passing game has deep strike ability, but it doesn't consistently stay on the field, which makes their defense play an extremely high number of snaps. And their defense isn't in great shape this year even without spending excessive time on the field.

Tomlinson has had a rough season, but that offensive line hasn't been the same in the run game and toe injuries are a bit thing for a guy who plants and cuts as often as he does.

Tomlinson isn't 25 anymore. He isn't going to be the best runner in the NFL anymore. But I've thought I saw him slowing before (2004) and he came back with three excellent seasons. In short, I can't make any sort of prediction, because I honestly think that if that Charger offensive line was in its 2006 form and LT was healthy, he'd be near the top of the rushing pile.

Wait until next year. Either the Chargers, who get to see him every practice, will stick with him and that team will hopefully improve around him, or they'll go out and land a replacement.

RaiderNation · 11-16-2008, 05:55 PM

He is 29 years old now. Thats the age where most RB's start slowing down. I expect him to still be a factor, but not like he was the last couple years

BmoreBlackByrdz · 11-16-2008, 05:56 PM

I also think under Norv, the Chargers are more of a pass first team. Plus they've got injuries everywhere. I think the team itself is just having a bad year.

Gay Ork Wang · 11-16-2008, 06:08 PM

He is still the best receiving RB in this game

Matthew Jones · 11-16-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *** Ork Wang

He is still the best receiving RB in this game

I think Westbrook and Bush better, and maybe even Kevin Faulk.

Tomlinson projected - 59 catches
Westbrook projected - 52 catches (and he's been hurt)
Bush projected - 75 catches (and he's been hurt)
Faulk projected - 48 (as a backup)

Rayray52 · 11-16-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

He is still the best receiving RB in this game

Reggie Bush

bantx · 11-16-2008, 06:19 PM

If people actually watch a game instead of looking at stats, u would see that the line has been playing piss poor in run blocking.

Number 10 · 11-16-2008, 06:27 PM

You have to take into consideration the amount a toe injury can affect a RB, especially one like Tomlinson. His best days were a direct result of his ability to cut on a dime and sneak through a hole that many backs couldn't. I don't care what reports say, his toe isn't and won't be 100% this year.

Number 10 · 11-16-2008, 06:27 PM

With that said, San Diego needs to get a compliment RB back there other than Sproles.

Basileus777 · 11-16-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number 10

With that said, San Diego needs to get a compliment RB back there other than Sproles.

They did trade up for Hester, he just isn't any good.

bantx · 11-16-2008, 06:40 PM

Please dont remind me that we did that

619 · 11-16-2008, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *** Ork Wang

He is still the best receiving RB in this game

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rayray52

Reggie Bush

Stats don't lie.

I've heard that for the better part of the season LT has been running 'scared' or afraid of contact. If that's the case it may be more of a mental issue rather than physically although I'm still not 100% certain what to make of this toe injury to this point.

CC.SD · 11-16-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bantx

Please dont remind me that we did that

Why, you don't think this team could use it's 2nd rounder next year instead of a useless white slow rb/fb tweener? It's okay, maybe New England will give it back to us.

I'll always love SD but this team is officially circling the drain. AJ Smith's recent major gaffe's (replacing 14-2 Marty with NORV, 1st round nonfactors like Davis and Cason, 2nd round busts like Eric Weddle and Jacob Hester, Ted Cottrell, no free agency, refusal to address the O-line) have closed the door on our championship window.

For the record I was ridiculously high on Cason but the guy has disappeared since the opening month of the season, and that's unacceptable.

I was also ridiculously high on this team but all you have to do is look at the players laughing and joking after these losses, continue dancing after insignificant tackles, and just hope wholesale changes are coming.

Ward · 11-16-2008, 06:52 PM

Honestly, with recent "best" RBs in the league fizzling out so fast after reaching the top, this makes me appreciate what Emmitt Smith did even more. It's just another reminder of the old Not For Long cliche.

Matthew Jones · 11-16-2008, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number 10

You have to take into consideration the amount a toe injury can affect a RB, especially one like Tomlinson. His best days were a direct result of his ability to cut on a dime and sneak through a hole that many backs couldn't. I don't care what reports say, his toe isn't and won't be 100% this year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 619

I've heard that for the better part of the season LT has been running 'scared' or afraid of contact. If that's the case it may be more of a mental issue rather than physically although I'm still not 100% certain what to make of this toe injury to this point.

Tomlinson doesn't look tough or quick at all this year, which is what happened to Shaun Alexander immediately preceding his free fall. LaDainian: stop whining about being nicked up - we're past halfway into the year, every player is nicked up. Deal with it.

Zyro_1014 · 11-16-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavenOfProphecy

Tomlinson doesn't look tough or quick at all this year, which is what happened to Shaun Alexander immediately preceding his free fall. LaDainian: stop whining about being nicked up - we're past halfway into the year, every player is nicked up. Deal with it.

Alexander also had the benefit of having the best left side maybe in the history of the game with Walter Jones and Hutchinson...they never ran to the right lol.

i think alot of LT's problems this year have come from the injury. just seems like an injury that would just keep bothering him with the way he runs.

Shiver · 11-16-2008, 07:00 PM

Why don't you guys get a shovel.. Count him out at your own peril. He will not return to his MVP form, but I don't think he is going to fade into oblivion as easy as you all think he will.

tjsunstein · 11-16-2008, 07:06 PM

One bad year doesn't break a career. You also have to look at the overall team play.

CC.SD · 11-16-2008, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ward

Honestly, with recent "best" RBs in the league fizzling out so fast after reaching the top, this makes me appreciate what Emmitt Smith did even more. It's just another reminder of the old Not For Long cliche.

I'm sorry I told myself I was going to stay out of this thread, but this is just revisionist history.

LT has been setting records since 2001. I don't know if you're watching Charger games but the blocking hasn't been there, and the defense couldn't get off the field if it was on fire (which it might be by our next home game).

To lump him in with any one-shot wonder is just plain dumb. To put "best" in quotes...also dumb. As much as I pride myself on sarcasm I usually make it a point to avoid anything personal or actually insulting.

The casual fan wondering "LT might be slowing done" or "LT is having a bad year," that's okay with me. Everyone is entitled to their opnion.

But when the line gets crossed to "LT was never that great, he fizzled out fast", that is straight up stupid.

and now it's time to get drunk. I suspect threads like this will be popping up for the rest of the season, so I've gotta pace myself. :D