Anyone else Lose alot of respect for LT today ? (1 Viewer)

[porkins]

QB with no ACL is easier then RB with sprained MCL.Rivers was still getting pretty good velocity on the ball, stepping into it. LT had no burst, would have no cut back ability, decreased power to break tackles.Everyone busting on LT is either LT hater, Charger Hater, or just dumb.....

I think more people are picking on the way he handled himself after being pulled out of the game.Sitting on the bench, all alone, wraped up in a jacket with a helmet on.Not exactly what you would expect from a team leader.

 

[Synthesizer]

QB with no ACL is easier then RB with sprained MCL.Rivers was still getting pretty good velocity on the ball, stepping into it. LT had no burst, would have no cut back ability, decreased power to break tackles.Everyone busting on LT is either LT hater, Charger Hater, or just dumb.....

I think more people are picking on the way he handled himself after being pulled out of the game.Sitting on the bench, all alone, wraped up in a jacket with a helmet on.Not exactly what you would expect from a team leader.

What if it was painful for him to stand? Or the doctors told him not to stand on the sidelines in order to avoid further damage? Or like most professional athletes he was just really pissed off that he had to be removed from the biggest game of his life. Never judge a player's career on 1 game, especially when you're sitting comfortably on your couch and have no idea what's going on down on the field.

 

[TD Ryan]

Everyone busting on LT is either LT hater, Charger Hater, or just dumb.....

I think more people are picking on the way he handled himself after being pulled out of the game.Sitting on the bench, all alone, wraped up in a jacket with a helmet on.Not exactly what you would expect from a team leader.

I would agree that those faulting Tomlinson for sitting out with an injury are being unfair.However, his behavior and mannerisms on the sideline left a lot to be desired.He appeared to be sulking all alone in the corner. And if, as some have suggested, he was just cold, then that's even worse. His teammates are playing in and enduring the same cold. There is no way you could categorize his behavior as "positive".

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

As LT2 said about the Pats "if they ain't cheatin' they ain't trying." Well, if Tomlinson ain't whining, he ain't talking. He has turned into such a little #####. What happened to this guy? What happened to the "classiest guy in the NFL"?

haha, i remember last year when they lost to the Pats he also said they would beat the Pats 9 out of 10 times. I guess it's now down to 7 out of 10?

reality is starting to set in that his career will be missing a Superbowl trophy

Please, the Chargers have as good of a chance as anyone over the next 5 years.

Not as good a shot as the Patriots. Or the Colts.

The Chargers have already shown they can beat the Colts and they are a young team. Harrison is just about done and Gonzalez still has a long way to go.

I believe the Colts are the youngest team in the NFL. If not the youngest, they are top 3. Gonzalez "doesn't" have a long way to go either. He's matured very fast.

I believe the two youngest teams in the NFL are the Packers and the Chargers. The Chargers' average age is 26.28. The Colts' roster doesn't list ages or birth dates, so it's hard to check them.

 

[Dman30]

People stop calling him LT already. He doesn't merit it.

 

[dornado]

I just wanted to list off a few of my favorite things in this thread:

1. An NFL runningback who feels like he can't cut well on his knee is criticized for stepping aside in favor of a more capable backup.

2. We know that Earl Campbell can barely stand right now, yet we lose respect for LT because he couldn't finish the game.

3. The standard Shark Pool "You can't criticize the content of this thread because you just joined the site" line... that's wonderful... as if when you joined Footballguys has anything to do with anything.

4. Just as an aside... leave Walter Payton out of this.

 

[Yitbos69]

First - IF his injury was wat it was said to be and just hyperextended knee and he was able to practice and feel good afterwards which he was reported to be - what wuss ! Gates is out there playing with a fubar'd toe , Rivers a partial ACL tear !! and his knee feels a little pain and he is out of the game. Is LT really that much of a coward ? During the game I thought Turner had to be saving LT for the late stretch and he couldn't really just be riding pine already. Your team is in the AFC title game and you site becasue of a little discomfort ? 2nd - WTF was he doing sitting the entire game on the bench with visor on sulking and feeling sorry himself. Rather than trying to talk up his teamates , maybe try and give Turner pointers , try to be the leader he likes to say he is ? Complainian should never be called LT again - LT - the real one would play if body parts fell off ! and even if had to site he would be rooting for his teamates.

you have no idea what the condition of his knee was. I think you are just on a fishing trip. A coward? Come on guy......grow up.

 

[Liquid Tension]

I saw an interview with LT2 and he said he tried to go and couldn't. He said his injury is the type that takes 4-5 weeks to heal and he tried to come back in a week. He said the fact he couldn't cut on it made him think that "Turner and Sproles at 100% is better than me at 50%"

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I'm assuming all those getting on LT for sitting on the bench and not being rah rah w/ his team must have been at the game and kept their eyes fixed on him. Who knows if he was talking to his team during the game, the camera was not on him the whole time. There was no sound you could hear .You are just going by the few shots the network gave you.

 

[omally]

First - IF his injury was wat it was said to be and just hyperextended knee and he was able to practice and feel good afterwards which he was reported to be - what wuss ! Gates is out there playing with a fubar'd toe , Rivers a partial ACL tear !! and his knee feels a little pain and he is out of the game. Is LT really that much of a coward ? During the game I thought Turner had to be saving LT for the late stretch and he couldn't really just be riding pine already. Your team is in the AFC title game and you site becasue of a little discomfort ? 2nd - WTF was he doing sitting the entire game on the bench with visor on sulking and feeling sorry himself. Rather than trying to talk up his teamates , maybe try and give Turner pointers , try to be the leader he likes to say he is ? Complainian should never be called LT again - LT - the real one would play if body parts fell off ! and even if had to site he would be rooting for his teamates.

 

[TD Ryan]

Who knows if he was talking to his team during the game, the camera was not on him the whole time. There was no sound you could hear .You are just going by the few shots the network gave you.

truthfully, with the big jacket and Vader helmet, I don't even know if that really was Ladanian Tomlinson sitting there!

 

[switz]

It was a coaches decision. Maybe Turner felt they could win against NE w/o LT and wanted to save him for the next game. Who knows?

 

[Borat]

QB with no ACL is easier then RB with sprained MCL.Rivers was still getting pretty good velocity on the ball, stepping into it. LT had no burst, would have no cut back ability, decreased power to break tackles.Everyone busting on LT is either LT hater, Charger Hater, or just dumb.....

I think more people are picking on the way he handled himself after being pulled out of the game.Sitting on the bench, all alone, wraped up in a jacket with a helmet on.Not exactly what you would expect from a team leader.

What if it was painful for him to stand? Or the doctors told him not to stand on the sidelines in order to avoid further damage? Or like most professional athletes he was just really pissed off that he had to be removed from the biggest game of his life. Never judge a player's career on 1 game, especially when you're sitting comfortably on your couch and have no idea what's going on down on the field.

...and what if the doctor told him he'd go blind if he took off the helmet with the visor?Tomlinson is soft at worst, and not at all a team leader at best. Take your pick, or choose somewhere in between. Either way, he lost the respect of quite a few people last weekend.

 

[womb]

Regardless of the person to blame (I can not know if it is LaDanian or Norv or both), his status being from probable to not being on the list as the week progressed turning out to be a sulken Darth Vader show is sad.

 

[Synthesizer]

QB with no ACL is easier then RB with sprained MCL.Rivers was still getting pretty good velocity on the ball, stepping into it. LT had no burst, would have no cut back ability, decreased power to break tackles.Everyone busting on LT is either LT hater, Charger Hater, or just dumb.....

I think more people are picking on the way he handled himself after being pulled out of the game.Sitting on the bench, all alone, wraped up in a jacket with a helmet on.Not exactly what you would expect from a team leader.

What if it was painful for him to stand? Or the doctors told him not to stand on the sidelines in order to avoid further damage? Or like most professional athletes he was just really pissed off that he had to be removed from the biggest game of his life. Never judge a player's career on 1 game, especially when you're sitting comfortably on your couch and have no idea what's going on down on the field.

...and what if the doctor told him he'd go blind if he took off the helmet with the visor?Tomlinson is soft at worst, and not at all a team leader at best. Take your pick, or choose somewhere in between. Either way, he lost the respect of quite a few people last weekend.

That's ok, you probably judge Scottie Pippen's entire career and character based on that one play where he refused to enter the game.

 

[Franchise Playa]

QB with no ACL is easier then RB with sprained MCL.Rivers was still getting pretty good velocity on the ball, stepping into it. LT had no burst, would have no cut back ability, decreased power to break tackles.Everyone busting on LT is either LT hater, Charger Hater, or just dumb.....

I think more people are picking on the way he handled himself after being pulled out of the game.Sitting on the bench, all alone, wraped up in a jacket with a helmet on.Not exactly what you would expect from a team leader.

What if it was painful for him to stand? Or the doctors told him not to stand on the sidelines in order to avoid further damage? Or like most professional athletes he was just really pissed off that he had to be removed from the biggest game of his life. Never judge a player's career on 1 game, especially when you're sitting comfortably on your couch and have no idea what's going on down on the field.

...and what if the doctor told him he'd go blind if he took off the helmet with the visor?Tomlinson is soft at worst, and not at all a team leader at best. Take your pick, or choose somewhere in between. Either way, he lost the respect of quite a few people last weekend.

That's ok, you probably judge Scottie Pippen's entire career and character based on that one play where he refused to enter the game.

Or it could have been Pippen's annual "I wanna be traded so I can have my own team" requests that may have helped in that perception just a tad.

 

[NY/NJMFDIVER]

QB with no ACL is easier then RB with sprained MCL.

Rivers was still getting pretty good velocity on the ball, stepping into it.

LT had no burst, would have no cut back ability, decreased power to break tackles.

Everyone busting on LT is either LT hater, Charger Hater, or just dumb.....

I think more people are picking on the way he handled himself after being pulled out of the game.Sitting on the bench, all alone, wraped up in a jacket with a helmet on.

Not exactly what you would expect from a team leader.

What if it was painful for him to stand? Or the doctors told him not to stand on the sidelines in order to avoid further damage? Or like most professional athletes he was just really pissed off that he had to be removed from the biggest game of his life. Never judge a player's career on 1 game, especially when you're sitting comfortably on your couch and have no idea what's going on down on the field.

...and what if the doctor told him he'd go blind if he took off the helmet with the visor?Tomlinson is soft at worst, and not at all a team leader at best. Take your pick, or choose somewhere in between. Either way, he lost the respect of quite a few people last weekend.

That's ok, you probably judge Scottie Pippen's entire career and character based on that one play where he refused to enter the game.

The playoffs are where you make your legend. Jack Morris is a HOF candidate for in large part a stellar Game 7 in the World Series, Emmitt Smith has basically universal respect from GIANTS fans for what he did against them(229 yards in a winner take all regular season finale with separated shoulder). We all feel pretty good about judging guys when its one good game, so the converse is, you can face scrutiny for a bad moment.

If a guy is hurt, he's hurt, they know their bodies better than me. What I and most people here have an issue with is his zombie like demeanor while other guys were also battling some very serious injuries on his team. He's bummed out, he's depressed, he wants to withdraw, disengage, he shouldn't put weight on his leg, ALL FINE. Take your visor to the trainers room then, put some ice on that knee and don't look like the weight of the world is on YOUR shoulders because YOU choose not to play, while your TEAM is scraping.

 

[4 - Digit Shark]

The playoffs are where you make your legend. Jack Morris is a HOF candidate for in large part a stellar Game 7 in the World Series, Emmitt Smith has basically universal respect from GIANTS fans for what he did against them(229 yards in a winner take all regular season finale with separated shoulder). We all feel pretty good about judging guys when its one good game, so the converse is, you can face scrutiny for a bad moment.

If a guy is hurt, he's hurt, they know their bodies better than me. What I and most people here have an issue with is his zombie like demeanor while other guys were also battling some very serious injuries on his team. He's bummed out, he's depressed, he wants to withdraw, disengage, he shouldn't put weight on his leg, ALL FINE. Take your visor to the trainers room then, put some ice on that knee and don't look like the weight of the world is on YOUR shoulders because YOU choose not to play, while your TEAM is scraping.

Has it be confirmed that the decision for LT2 to sit was his, and not Turners?Or, are you saying LT2 "chose" to be injured to a point in which he could not play?

 

[David Yudkin]

It was a coaches decision. Maybe Turner felt they could win against NE w/o LT and wanted to save him for the next game. Who knows?

I think they later changed the story that LT wanted out . . . so the coaches decided not to play him.As far as the thread goes, I'm interested to hear LT's new math, given that the Bolts have lost 3 in a row to NE after he assured everyone last year that the Chargers would win 9 games out of 10 from the Patriots.

 

[gianmarco]

Posted by Mike Florio on January 22, 2008, 6:59 p.m.

As reported on Tuesday night by ESPN, it was announced in the press box at Sunday’s Chargers-Patriots game that San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson “can return” to the game.

There was no mention of L.T. being probable or questionable or doubtful to return. The announcement was that he “can” return. One media source told us that such a description is virtually unprecedented.

And thus his failure to return fairly can be regarded as a decision made by Tomlinson, and no one else.

The source has expressed to us a belief that the Patriots were targeting Tomlinson’s knees during his limited time on the field, and that this prompted Tomlinson to opt for the sidelines.

So while the pissing match between Deion Sanders and Tomlinson is grabbing much of the attention, the broader issue is whether Tomlinson could have played, and whether he simply chose not to.

 

[nxmehta]

Ahhh Mike Florio. You can always count on a quote from him to increase the sleaze factor in an already sketchy thread.

Seriously this guy makes a living out of taking a tiny, minute piece of sketchy information and turning it into "commentary" or even worse, "reporting".

 

[teamroc]

I thought Rome today pretty much nailed it.

You have to give the benefit of the doubt to LT2 about whether he can go. He almost never misses a game, he's been in the league for years, and there's nothing to suggest he'd pull out of a game because he's soft. That's a huge stretch, and I just can't buy it.

But you have to take issue with how he acted after. Take the helmet off. Try to inspire your teammates. Encourage them. Tell Turner things you're seeing, things he should focus on. Tell him to stay positive. Sure it sucks you can't play, but you need to check your emotions and try to help your team. Keeping the helmet on, sitting alone on the bench, with the big jacket on, I'm sorry it was weak. I'm sure he was disappointed, but he needs to regroup and try to help his team however he can. You can't just check out after 2 plays and fall asleep on the bench. You're the best player on the team. You're the team "leader".

I have no problem with his not being able to physically play. But how he acted after, was pretty brutal. You gotta man up more then that. What do his teammates think about him sitting alone on the bench with the helmet and visor on? Is that helping his team? LT2 was a black hole of pouting on the bench, and he should have sucked it up and tried to urge his team on.

And this doesn't totally change my opinion of him. He got caught up in the disappointment of missing the biggest game of his life. Doug Flutie pretty much did the same thing when he was benched for Rod Johnson. He didn't say a word to him, didn't offer any help, pretty much stood there pissed. So players do get caught up in the emotions, they're human, and I'm sure LT2 regrets it.

 

[braven112]

A healthy Turner is better than an unhealthy LT2.I give him credit to sit without being greedy and giving his team the best chance to win....to bad Rivers did not do the same!

LT2 has proven throughout his career he's a gamer and a team player.

 

[FUBAR]

I think LT (yes, he is LT. I'm not giving some crackhead the privilege of owning those initials) needs to eventually come up big in the playoffs, but he was hurt this week. He tried to go but couldn't. I'm sure it bothered him that he couldn't be out there.

As far as "coaching" Turner...I'm not convinced they're all that tight. Turner thinks that he's good enough to start, and he's probably right. I don't think he's enjoyed playing behind "the man" for years.

LT is a pretty classy player. Sure, you can pick out isolated incidents that make him look like a tool, but you can say that about almost any athlete. He gets emotional, and he's not Brett Favre-syle classy. So what? The real issue is coming up big when it matters most, and he hasn't done that yet.

But LT plays hurt and he plays hard. He carries the ball a lot and maybe he's wearing down. But he's still a great player and he didn't drop in my eyes this weekend. I also thought Rivers was on good behavior after the game.

I agree with almost all of what you said here so I'm hesitant to call you out on this, and I do love Favre. But I don't get why Favre is on another level of class above anyone. He has all but run the way Green Bay does business the past few years, he's kept fans and management waiting on his "will-he-or-won't-he" retirement antics for years, and he was 100% in the wrong on the Javon Walker contract issue a few years back.Just saying, Tomlinson is as class as they come in the NFL...Favre included.

These are football players, not the most refined gentlemen you'll find.

 

[Jercules]

LT2 is smart, by professional football player standards. Honestly, in the grand scheme of things, there's nothing wrong with what he did - he's taking care of himself, protecting his future, and giving a talented backup a chance to shine. I don't think any of us go to work and give it the same dedication and intensity that we expect from these guys on the field (because it's the playoffs!!! Yeeaahhhh!!!!)

In fact, I'd be willing to wager most of you are at work right now, logged on to an internet message board talking about how disgusted you are with LT2's lack of dedication.

The thing is, it is a fair point; the guys who are truly remembered as greats, the guys who becomes heros in the eyes of fans, are the guys who give it their all in playoff games. Terrell Davis couldn't see he had a migraine so bad, and he still goes into the game so that the Packers will buy a Denver playfake. LT2 didn't do that, and into the ultra-masculine world of pro football he's going to take some heat for being soft. Nonetheless, you really can't fault the guy. I'd do the same thing.

This is something I'm wondering about; are the Chargers better in that game with A) LT2 toughing it out and Rivers behind center, or B) Turner and Volek? In other words, who ultimately did the right thing? LT2 for sitting, or Rivers for playing with a bum knee and no practice? You can make a case for either one of them being selfless or selfish, IMO.

 

[mozzy84]

has LT even said why he came out of the game? Or what was going on with him on the bench the whole game? Maybe I missed the quotes, dunno....

 

[Alias]

This what I found so far:

LT left the game before five minutes had elapsed, and watched most of what followed solemnly seated on the sideline. He said that he lacked the “burst” to be an effective running back and that returning to the field would have hurt his team rather than helped it.

and this...

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson, the NFL's leading rusher for a second consecutive season, managed just 5 yards on two carries yesterday before he took himself out of the game. It seems his left knee, which the Chargers had said was hyperextended, was more damaged than that.At least that's what Tomlinson said after New England beat San Diego, 21-12, to win the AFC championship and advance to Super Bowl XLII.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

This what I found so far:

Try looking for quotes from Norv Turner or AJ Smith. Look in this very thread.

 

[Kit Fisto]

A snapshot on leadership:

Just last week vs. the Colts, Philip Rivers on one gimpy knee already, tears his ACL. He goes to the trainer's room, yet comes back to cheer on his teammates and help Volek.

Now I think Philip Rivers is a whiny b*tch (albeit very talented), but his enthusiasm on the sidelines vs. the Colts against Tomlinson's sulking on the sidelines vs. the Pats speaks volumes to me about who's the real leader on that team.

 

[switz]

It was a coaches decision. Maybe Turner felt they could win against NE w/o LT and wanted to save him for the next game. Who knows?

I think they later changed the story that LT wanted out . . . so the coaches decided not to play him.As far as the thread goes, I'm interested to hear LT's new math, given that the Bolts have lost 3 in a row to NE after he assured everyone last year that the Chargers would win 9 games out of 10 from the Patriots.

Except that DURING THE GAME the sideline reporter said she spoke to Turner and he said he pulled LT. Now maybe afterward Turner said LT told him he couldn't go, but at the initial point, Turner took the responsibility. And honestly, when doesn't a coach tell a player to get his #### back on the field, if he's really healthy enough to play?????

 

[switz]

Posted by Mike Florio on January 22, 2008, 6:59 p.m.

As reported on Tuesday night by ESPN, it was announced in the press box at Sunday’s Chargers-Patriots game that San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson “can return” to the game.

There was no mention of L.T. being probable or questionable or doubtful to return. The announcement was that he “can” return. One media source told us that such a description is virtually unprecedented.

And thus his failure to return fairly can be regarded as a decision made by Tomlinson, and no one else.

The source has expressed to us a belief that the Patriots were targeting Tomlinson’s knees during his limited time on the field, and that this prompted Tomlinson to opt for the sidelines.

So while the pissing match between Deion Sanders and Tomlinson is grabbing much of the attention, the broader issue is whether Tomlinson could have played, and whether he simply chose not to.

That's very believable, as the Pats are filled with dirty players for the most part.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

2nd - WTF was he doing sitting the entire game on the bench with visor on sulking and feeling sorry himself. Rather than trying to talk up his teamates , maybe try and give Turner pointers , try to be the leader he likes to say he is ?

that's really the only thing you can fault him for.if he isn't physically able to play, it isn't his fault.but sitting on the bench with the Darth Tomlinson Helmet on? not so good. not exactly being a "positive" influence for your team.

concur.... not much of a positive influence or team leader.

 

[gianmarco]

A snapshot on leadership:Just last week vs. the Colts, Philip Rivers on one gimpy knee already, tears his ACL. He goes to the trainer's room, yet comes back to cheer on his teammates and help Volek.Now I think Philip Rivers is a whiny b*tch (albeit very talented), but his enthusiasm on the sidelines vs. the Colts against Tomlinson's sulking on the sidelines vs. the Pats speaks volumes to me about who's the real leader on that team.

I agree.I guess it's because it was warmer in the RCA dome than in Foxboro?

 

[thayman]

QB with no ACL is easier then RB with sprained MCL.

Rivers was still getting pretty good velocity on the ball, stepping into it.

LT had no burst, would have no cut back ability, decreased power to break tackles.

Everyone busting on LT is either LT hater, Charger Hater, or just dumb.....

I think more people are picking on the way he handled himself after being pulled out of the game.Sitting on the bench, all alone, wraped up in a jacket with a helmet on.

Not exactly what you would expect from a team leader.

What if it was painful for him to stand? Or the doctors told him not to stand on the sidelines in order to avoid further damage? Or like most professional athletes he was just really pissed off that he had to be removed from the biggest game of his life. Never judge a player's career on 1 game, especially when you're sitting comfortably on your couch and have no idea what's going on down on the field.

...and what if the doctor told him he'd go blind if he took off the helmet with the visor?Tomlinson is soft at worst, and not at all a team leader at best. Take your pick, or choose somewhere in between. Either way, he lost the respect of quite a few people last weekend.

I don't know about going blind, but I do know that he wears the dark visor because he gets migraines from the lights. So perhaps he couldn't take it off.

 

[Koya]

It was a coaches decision. Maybe Turner felt they could win against NE w/o LT and wanted to save him for the next game. Who knows?

I think they later changed the story that LT wanted out . . . so the coaches decided not to play him.As far as the thread goes, I'm interested to hear LT's new math, given that the Bolts have lost 3 in a row to NE after he assured everyone last year that the Chargers would win 9 games out of 10 from the Patriots.

Except that DURING THE GAME the sideline reporter said she spoke to Turner and he said he pulled LT. Now maybe afterward Turner said LT told him he couldn't go, but at the initial point, Turner took the responsibility. And honestly, when doesn't a coach tell a player to get his #### back on the field, if he's really healthy enough to play?????

When the coach is Norv Turner and the player Ladanian Tomlinson.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Except that DURING THE GAME the sideline reporter said she spoke to Turner and he said he pulled LT. Now maybe afterward Turner said LT told him he couldn't go, but at the initial point, Turner took the responsibility.

After the game, Turner said the trainers told him LT couldn't go.They weren't telling him anything LT didn't already know, of course. LT knew he couldn't go after he re-injured it on the first play and then tested it on the screen pass.

 

[Gr00vus]

SD Union Tribune Notes

Tomlinson turmoil

LaDainian Tomlinson was clearly stunned by the criticism of his not playing more than four snaps in the Chargers' AFC Championship Game loss Sunday. But he did not lash out at the people who are ripping him for letting his team down.

“I don't have big expectations and high hopes in people,” he said. “I know how they change. I'll just keep on going and see what they say next year. If we win the championship next year, we'll see then.”

One thing that was evidently not noticed by the national media or fans complaining about Tomlinson's demeanor on the sideline Sunday is that he was standing up most of the times when the offense was on the field and was talking on the bench with Michael Turner when the defense was on the field.

“I was definitely depressed,” he said. “But I was there for guys.”

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

SD Union Tribune Notes

Tomlinson turmoil

LaDainian Tomlinson was clearly stunned by the criticism of his not playing more than four snaps in the Chargers' AFC Championship Game loss Sunday. But he did not lash out at the people who are ripping him for letting his team down.

“I don't have big expectations and high hopes in people,” he said. “I know how they change. I'll just keep on going and see what they say next year. If we win the championship next year, we'll see then.”

One thing that was evidently not noticed by the national media or fans complaining about Tomlinson's demeanor on the sideline Sunday is that he was standing up most of the times when the offense was on the field and was talking on the bench with Michael Turner when the defense was on the field.

“I was definitely depressed,” he said. “But I was there for guys.”

This thread isn't for facts. It's for still bitter Patriots fans hung up about LT calling their cheating coach classless and formerly dormant Giants fans who dislike his nickname. Remove yourself from this thread.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

No.

 

[Bill Lust]

Posted by Mike Florio on January 22, 2008, 6:59 p.m.

As reported on Tuesday night by ESPN, it was announced in the press box at Sunday’s Chargers-Patriots game that San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson “can return” to the game.

There was no mention of L.T. being probable or questionable or doubtful to return. The announcement was that he “can” return. One media source told us that such a description is virtually unprecedented.

And thus his failure to return fairly can be regarded as a decision made by Tomlinson, and no one else.

The source has expressed to us a belief that the Patriots were targeting Tomlinson’s knees during his limited time on the field, and that this prompted Tomlinson to opt for the sidelines.

So while the pissing match between Deion Sanders and Tomlinson is grabbing much of the attention, the broader issue is whether Tomlinson could have played, and whether he simply chose not to.

That's very believable, as the Pats are filled with dirty players for the most part.

Considering he was on the field for all of two plays, this should be pretty easy to determine. Of course, it's easier to just act all too cool for school about it.

 

[Koya]

SD Union Tribune Notes

Tomlinson turmoil

LaDainian Tomlinson was clearly stunned by the criticism of his not playing more than four snaps in the Chargers' AFC Championship Game loss Sunday. But he did not lash out at the people who are ripping him for letting his team down.

“I don't have big expectations and high hopes in people,” he said. “I know how they change. I'll just keep on going and see what they say next year. If we win the championship next year, we'll see then.”

One thing that was evidently not noticed by the national media or fans complaining about Tomlinson's demeanor on the sideline Sunday is that he was standing up most of the times when the offense was on the field and was talking on the bench with Michael Turner when the defense was on the field.

“I was definitely depressed,” he said. “But I was there for guys.”

This thread isn't for facts. It's for still bitter Patriots fans hung up about LT calling their cheating coach classless and formerly dormant Giants fans who dislike his nickname. Remove yourself from this thread.

Why the hell would a Patriot fan be bitter, especially in comparison to a Charger fan? The last time the Chargers won a super bowl (or were on the verge of a perfect season) was when?Who's bitter here?

 

[discofan]

SD Union Tribune Notes

Tomlinson turmoil

LaDainian Tomlinson was clearly stunned by the criticism of his not playing more than four snaps in the Chargers' AFC Championship Game loss Sunday. But he did not lash out at the people who are ripping him for letting his team down.

“I don't have big expectations and high hopes in people,” he said. “I know how they change. I'll just keep on going and see what they say next year. If we win the championship next year, we'll see then.”

One thing that was evidently not noticed by the national media or fans complaining about Tomlinson's demeanor on the sideline Sunday is that he was standing up most of the times when the offense was on the field and was talking on the bench with Michael Turner when the defense was on the field.

“I was definitely depressed,” he said. “But I was there for guys.”

This thread isn't for facts. It's for still bitter Patriots fans hung up about LT calling their cheating coach classless and formerly dormant Giants fans who dislike his nickname. Remove yourself from this thread.

Why the hell would a Patriot fan be bitter, especially in comparison to a Charger fan? The last time the Chargers won a super bowl (or were on the verge of a perfect season) was when?Who's bitter here?

And yet they are. It doesn't make much sense.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

SD Union Tribune Notes

Tomlinson turmoil

LaDainian Tomlinson was clearly stunned by the criticism of his not playing more than four snaps in the Chargers' AFC Championship Game loss Sunday. But he did not lash out at the people who are ripping him for letting his team down.

“I don't have big expectations and high hopes in people,” he said. “I know how they change. I'll just keep on going and see what they say next year. If we win the championship next year, we'll see then.”

One thing that was evidently not noticed by the national media or fans complaining about Tomlinson's demeanor on the sideline Sunday is that he was standing up most of the times when the offense was on the field and was talking on the bench with Michael Turner when the defense was on the field.

“I was definitely depressed,” he said. “But I was there for guys.”

This thread isn't for facts. It's for still bitter Patriots fans hung up about LT calling their cheating coach classless and formerly dormant Giants fans who dislike his nickname. Remove yourself from this thread.

Why the hell would a Patriot fan be bitter, especially in comparison to a Charger fan? The last time the Chargers won a super bowl (or were on the verge of a perfect season) was when?Who's bitter here?

And yet they are. It doesn't make much sense.

Exactly. I never said they had a reason to be bitter. They just act that way. This thread speaks for itself. It's been a year since LT called the Belichick classless and Patriot fan is still so butthurt about it that they attempt to villainify LT at every opportunity.

 

[Koya]

SD Union Tribune Notes

Tomlinson turmoil

LaDainian Tomlinson was clearly stunned by the criticism of his not playing more than four snaps in the Chargers' AFC Championship Game loss Sunday. But he did not lash out at the people who are ripping him for letting his team down.

“I don't have big expectations and high hopes in people,” he said. “I know how they change. I'll just keep on going and see what they say next year. If we win the championship next year, we'll see then.”

One thing that was evidently not noticed by the national media or fans complaining about Tomlinson's demeanor on the sideline Sunday is that he was standing up most of the times when the offense was on the field and was talking on the bench with Michael Turner when the defense was on the field.

“I was definitely depressed,” he said. “But I was there for guys.”

This thread isn't for facts. It's for still bitter Patriots fans hung up about LT calling their cheating coach classless and formerly dormant Giants fans who dislike his nickname. Remove yourself from this thread.

Why the hell would a Patriot fan be bitter, especially in comparison to a Charger fan? The last time the Chargers won a super bowl (or were on the verge of a perfect season) was when?Who's bitter here?

And yet they are. It doesn't make much sense.

Exactly. I never said they had a reason to be bitter. They just act that way. This thread speaks for itself. It's been a year since LT called the Belichick classless and Patriot fan is still so butthurt about it that they attempt to villainify LT at every opportunity.

As someone who has been a big LT2 fan, he disappointed here, big time. When someone is not only so talented, but also constantly lauded for the class act he is and great teamate etc, then he disappoints like this, expect a (deserved) backlash. Perhaps he is just not what we thought he was, maybe LT2 is more introverted or whatnot than we'd prefer. Thats part of life.

And FWIW, he never earned the LT moniker, there is and always will be one real LT.

 

[Alias]

LT didn't have the power to push off, so Turner and Sproles were more effective.

"Well, don't get into that," Turner told reporters. "I mean, that's the stupidest thing you could ask. The guy was not able to go. The doctors and trainers said he couldn't go."

The only real news here is that it could fuel speculation that the Chargers will franchise Turner next year if LT needs offseason surgery.

Is this the quote you are talking about? It is not very conclusive to me, sounds more like Turner defending Tomlinson.How about this one from Tomlinson...

Tomlinson said he knew he was done when he didn't have his usual explosiveness after catching the screen pass.

"If I would have played, I clearly wouldn't have been effective," he said. "My thinking also was, a 100-percent Michael Turner and Darren Sproles was way better than a 50-percent me. It just didn't make sense for me to try to play."

It sure as hell sounds like he made the decision.http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-c...p&type=lgns

Whatever, I am a Patriots fan and will be judged accordingly.

 

[cstu]

SD Union Tribune Notes

Tomlinson turmoil

LaDainian Tomlinson was clearly stunned by the criticism of his not playing more than four snaps in the Chargers' AFC Championship Game loss Sunday. But he did not lash out at the people who are ripping him for letting his team down.

“I don't have big expectations and high hopes in people,” he said. “I know how they change. I'll just keep on going and see what they say next year. If we win the championship next year, we'll see then.”

One thing that was evidently not noticed by the national media or fans complaining about Tomlinson's demeanor on the sideline Sunday is that he was standing up most of the times when the offense was on the field and was talking on the bench with Michael Turner when the defense was on the field.

“I was definitely depressed,” he said. “But I was there for guys.”

This thread isn't for facts. It's for still bitter Patriots fans hung up about LT calling their cheating coach classless and formerly dormant Giants fans who dislike his nickname. Remove yourself from this thread.

Why the hell would a Patriot fan be bitter, especially in comparison to a Charger fan? The last time the Chargers won a super bowl (or were on the verge of a perfect season) was when?Who's bitter here?

And yet they are. It doesn't make much sense.

Exactly. I never said they had a reason to be bitter. They just act that way. This thread speaks for itself. It's been a year since LT called the Belichick classless and Patriot fan is still so butthurt about it that they attempt to villainify LT at every opportunity.

As someone who has been a big LT2 fan, he disappointed here, big time. When someone is not only so talented, but also constantly lauded for the class act he is and great teamate etc, then he disappoints like this, expect a (deserved) backlash. Perhaps he is just not what we thought he was, maybe LT2 is more introverted or whatnot than we'd prefer. Thats part of life.



And FWIW, he never earned the LT moniker, there is and always will be one real LT.

You're disappointed in him and not willing to give him the LT title because Taylor is the "real LT" - even though he's a crackhead?

 

[Dacomish]

Not sure is if anyone posted this already, and I don't have a though either way on why he sat, just thought this was a bit funny:

LT Action Figure

 

[Little Lord Humpleroy]

Not sure is if anyone posted this already, and I don't have a though either way on why he sat, just thought this was a bit funny:

LT Action Figure

It's funny.

 

[Road Warriors]

Not sure is if anyone posted this already, and I don't have a though either way on why he sat, just thought this was a bit funny:

LT Action Figure

It's funny.

If only the helmet were on.

 

[Mr. PadresLakers]

San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson was diagnosed Tuesday with a second degree knee sprain of the medial collateral ligament that will require at least six more weeks to heal, according to his agent, Tom Condon.

Condon told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that Tomlinson was examined by Los Angeles orthopedic specialist Dr. Neal Elattrache, who said the injury was positioned near an attachment that also "caused disruption of the hamstring fibers."

"The doctor said this is the type of injury that would seriously hamper LaDainian's ability to cut or push off the leg," Condon said. "His quadriceps muscle had already atrophied one inch. He absolutely can't play in the Pro Bowl and there shouldn't be any question as to why he couldn't go when [the Chargers] played New England."

Ravens running back Willis McGahee earned his first Pro Bowl appearance when Tomlinson pulled out.

Tomlinson carried the ball twice in the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots. After San Diego's 21-12 loss, NFL Network commentator Deion Sanders questioned Tomlinson's grit.

"You're a big-time player. And big-time players must play big-time games," he said.

Tomlinson fired back.

"You tell me what running back has played with a sprained MCL and been effective," he said. "You might go out there and try to limp around and play, but it's not going to happen. I don't know how information gets passed on, but until you talk to the source of the problem, what's going on with me, I think it's ridiculous when people make comments like that."

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?i...ce=NFLHeadlines