Attention Dynasty Owners: Is this the offseason to trade LT? (1 Viewer)

[ILoveMyLions]

I've been an LT owner in my main dynasty league since his rookie year and I have never considered trading him until this point. After this monster season, with hopefully a few great weeks to go, I can't help but think this may be the time to move him for maximum value. Granted, it would take a lot for me to trade him, but if the right trade where someone would overpay for him, I would have to consider the offer. I've listed some pros and cons and thought others might be contemplating the issue as well so I thought I'd bring it up in this forum. I just want to say that I'm not really advocating one way or another, just throwing out ideas and looking for insight from the board.

Pros for trading him

6 straight years of 300+ carries and at some point he has to slow down

Getting top value after his likely 30+ TD season

Adding multiple pieces to your team for years to come, including future draft picks, young RBs, etc.

Often when RBs do decline, it comes rapidly and can occur before the age of 30

RB are the most important fantasy player, they also are the most hurt and likely to be injured IMO

Cons for trading him

Only 27 and should have at least 2-3 top years left in him

Unquestioned focal point of his offense despite the trend to 2 backs sharing the load

Is on a running offense with good young players like Gates, Rivers, etc. to keep defenses honest

His OL is young and should continue to get better

The most consistent player the last 6 years with double digit TDs every year

Doesn't take many bad hits ala Barry Sanders which should extend his career

Will play hurt and is still productive

I would appreciate any thoughts on this as I'm trying to gauge the best time, if there is one, to deal LT or whether riding him until the wheels fall off is the best option...thanks...

 

[BigRed]

True his value will never be higher and in that sense this is definitely the time to move him. But amazing offer notwithstanding, I'd still play him till he retires (or falls off a cliff prod. wise). You can get high picks, promising young RBs etc...and not end up getting the production from all of them combined you'll get from LT for at least a few years as you said. He does have a lot of carries but kinda like Barry Sanders doesn't tend to take too many direct/bone-crushing hits due to his style so 2-3 yrs is probably worst case.

Basically, keep him unless someone makes you a simply sick offer, including very much top stud NFL player(s).

 

[toppshelff]

At the start of the year, I was offered LT in a 4-keeper league for Maroney, RBrown and "85", no draft pick needed. I should have taken it... I have draft picks 1.03, 1.04, 1.05 and 1.14 next year. Don't think the LT owner would take all the picks and the above players right now.

I think that LT will return to his earth, which is different than any other NFL player's earth next year. I think his numbers and LJs will be similar.

 

[thatguy]

I don't own LT in my dynasty league, but if I did, I'd trade him if the offer was something like SJax and Fitz. Basically, it would take at least two much younger can't miss players.

 

[thatguy]

Really, I think SJax and LJ are the only players that would get me to let go of LT, and in the case of SJax, it would take a top young WR (or a top QB if it was a need) on top of that. It it were LJ, it would take a little less, but I'm not sure how much.

 

[Val Rannous]

I would run with him for the forseeable future. How often can you get production out of one spot that equals 2-3 spots on your roster, PLUS whatever else you can field with him. Always be willing to field offers, but you'll be sick every time he goes nuts if you trade him.

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

I would run with him for the forseeable future. How often can you get production out of one spot that equals 2-3 spots on your roster, PLUS whatever else you can field with him. Always be willing to field offers, but you'll be sick every time he goes nuts if you trade him.

This is the best reason not to trade him. Yardage aside, LT can score 3 or 4 tds in a game. Even with SJax or LJ and a high-quality WR, you may get 3 total TDs at best on any given weekend. And that's using 2 roster spots instead of 1. You can't get this kind of production out of one roster spot. IMO, the only reasonable offer I would be to take several first round draft picks over the next few years and begin building a fantasy dynasty team.

 

[thatguy]

I would run with him for the forseeable future. How often can you get production out of one spot that equals 2-3 spots on your roster, PLUS whatever else you can field with him. Always be willing to field offers, but you'll be sick every time he goes nuts if you trade him.

This is the best reason not to trade him. Yardage aside, LT can score 3 or 4 tds in a game. Even with SJax or LJ and a high-quality WR, you may get 3 total TDs at best on any given weekend. And that's using 2 roster spots instead of 1. You can't get this kind of production out of one roster spot. IMO, the only reasonable offer I would be to take several first round draft picks over the next few years and begin building a fantasy dynasty team.

It's just not likely that LT will continue to score 3 TDs every game. It's been an amazing run, but history tells us that it will end - not only because the mileage is piling up, but because it's just not sustainable.As for taking several first round draft picks, I'm not sure it makes sense. Why would you take a bunch of draft picks for LT yet turn down the likes of SJax and Fitz. Even if you get 5 first round draft picks, you'll be lucky to get two players of SJax and Fitz caliber, and you'll have to clear up a lot of roster space just to make room for 5 new players. That's why I said I'd only trade him for at least 2 young sure things.

I don't know, in SJax you get a 23 year old RB with far less mileage who has the potential to surpass LT in terms of production in the next year or two. In Fitz you get 23 year old super talented WR who is in the perfect situation to put up great numbers for a long time.

It all depends on your expectations. If you expect this type of production to continue for 2 - 3 more seasons, then he really isn't tradeable. I for one don't think it will continue.

 

[Sonny Lubick Blowup Doll]

May be off-topic but don't you just love the people that relied on LDT never ending a year at #1?

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

I would run with him for the forseeable future. How often can you get production out of one spot that equals 2-3 spots on your roster, PLUS whatever else you can field with him. Always be willing to field offers, but you'll be sick every time he goes nuts if you trade him.

This is the best reason not to trade him. Yardage aside, LT can score 3 or 4 tds in a game. Even with SJax or LJ and a high-quality WR, you may get 3 total TDs at best on any given weekend. And that's using 2 roster spots instead of 1. You can't get this kind of production out of one roster spot. IMO, the only reasonable offer I would be to take several first round draft picks over the next few years and begin building a fantasy dynasty team.

It's just not likely that LT will continue to score 3 TDs every game. It's been an amazing run, but history tells us that it will end - not only because the mileage is piling up, but because it's just not sustainable.As for taking several first round draft picks, I'm not sure it makes sense. Why would you take a bunch of draft picks for LT yet turn down the likes of SJax and Fitz. Even if you get 5 first round draft picks, you'll be lucky to get two players of SJax and Fitz caliber, and you'll have to clear up a lot of roster space just to make room for 5 new players. That's why I said I'd only trade him for at least 2 young sure things.

I don't know, in SJax you get a 23 year old RB with far less mileage who has the potential to surpass LT in terms of production in the next year or two. In Fitz you get 23 year old super talented WR who is in the perfect situation to put up great numbers for a long time.

It all depends on your expectations. If you expect this type of production to continue for 2 - 3 more seasons, then he really isn't tradeable. I for one don't think it will continue.

You make a good point on the first round draft picks. I wasn't thinking that the good players are already on rosters. So the picks are speculative to begin with. I think if I liked SJax or Fitz that much, I'd try desperately to find another way to get one or both. I just wouldn't give up LT. LT will be the difference between a win and a loss several weeks in the season. But he's not feast or famine. You usutally get either good, very good or incredible production. I don't see that with the other guys you mention...at least not yet.

 

[fsufan]

I do not see why LT cannot be a stud for another 3 or 4 more years(nothing like this year of course). Barber has been productive him his late 20s and earlier 30s.

I think LT is in the prime of his career and can win us dynasty and keep owners multiple Superbowls

 

[Davej626]

I would be willing to trade him if the right offer came around. However, I don't think anyone in my leagues could put together the 'right' offer. It would have to include at least two other studs and draft picks. Basically, they would be selling their team for the next couple of years for one player. Other than that, I wouldn't trade him.

 

[Titans2003]

I was offered the following for LT in a dynasty league:

Peyton Manning

Chester Taylor

1st round rookie pick (probably 1.12)

The downside is if I make this deal, the other guy would have LT and LJ.

 

[Banger]

The guy is on the a team with a young and potentially very good QB, a great TE, a young good line signed for several years, a young improving defense signed for several years. The Chargers are going to be a very good team for the next few years. LT is thrashing the record books. He's doing what's never been done, is in his prime and his team is set for the next few years. You can throw out all the stats of what prior RB's did because he's likely one of if not the best RB to ever play. Unless LT is the only player on your dynasty team I seriously don't see how you can trade him. He's a one in a decade (or more) type player. You don't trade those guys, you trade for them.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

The chances of getting a package equal to LTs true worth is so remote that I think the answer to this question can be simplified to NO.

 

[ffgiant]

We've seen the best of LT, think about Payton Manning's record-breaking year. Mannning is still a stud, but not as dominating as that one year. I will definitely trade LT is for 2 yound stud. Sell high always a good strategy.

 

[dirtyhalos]

The chances of getting a package equal to LTs true worth is so remote that I think the answer to this question can be simplified to NO.

oh, it can be done..

 

[Banger]

We've seen the best of LT, think about Payton Manning's record-breaking year. Mannning is still a stud, but not as dominating as that one year. I will definitely trade LT is for 2 yound stud. Sell high always a good strategy.

That's so not true.

 

[salmonstud]

I traded Larry Johnson for Portis, Betts, Javon Walker, & Chargers D this year before Portis was injured. I woulnd't have done the trade except my overall depth was horrible at WR & I had been rotating bad defenses in and out for the past year. It was an upgrade at 2 positions and slight downgrade at RB.

It would take even more for me to trade LT. However, it's plausible if you get 2 studs & 1 good player. I would need a 3 for 1 deal to move LT.

 

[humphrp]

As a LT owner I know that I am experiancing his best year. This probably will not be repeated. On the other side prior to this year everyone ranked him as the third best RB behind SA, and LJ, but he was #1 on my list because of his consistency. This is the guy that finished top three in rushing for the past three years and will be #1 this year. This type of consistency is hard to come by. I think that his talent will keep him in the top 5 for 4-5 more years.

The trick is not selling when he is the highest but when you are going to see the largest decline in his abilities. A few years ago I had Priest Holmes and decided mid year that I was worried about his ability to continue. I shopped him around the league and got to first round picks the next year. I took it. Sure enough a few games latter he went down with an injury. He has never came back. This is what you hope to do with any stud RB. Rid him and trade him before the wheels fall off. This being said, I think that LT has a few more good years and then I might start looking to trade him. Right now though it would take an awful lot to get me to trade him away.

P.S. It sure was fun to have the two headed monster of Priest and LT. That's what I am hoping for again.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

Trade him now before he ends up on Madden '08!!!

 

[derek19]

Trade him now before he ends up on Madden '08!!!

I was thinking the samething. If i find out he's on The cover, i'll probably trade him....Which sucks because i'd rather lose than trade LT

 

[fruity pebbles]

Unless I got a really good offer, I think I'd ride him one more year then look to trade him when he's 29. Once he turns 30, his perceived value in a dynasty drops substantially.

 

[-OZ-]

...it's plausible if you get 2 studs & 1 good player. I would need a 3 for 1 deal to move LT.

I concur. While he's one of my favorite players, sometimes a great deal can happen. I'm in the position of having LT, McGahee, Tiki and the 1.01 in one league where we start 2 RBs.While Tiki is probably done, I could see trading LT for a RB like Reggie Bush (I would like the AD/Bush combo for the future, and don't mind starting McGahee until they're both rolling up to their potential), or just because of the makeup of my team, a combination of Peyton Manning and a couple elite WRs might do it. Without digging into my team too much, I would take a ####load of upgrades at other positions, most owners wouldn't be able to pay the price. So, most likely, LT remains on my team for the foreseeable future.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I would take a ####load of upgrades at other positions, most owners wouldn't be able to pay the price. So, most likely, LT remains on my team for the foreseeable future.

To even consider trading LT you need to get a package including one top 10 player, and two other top 40-50 players - in other words, the core of a dynasty team.

 

[Delusions Of Adequacy]

This is somewhat like a Michael Jordan owner asking if he should trade him in mid-career because 'his value can't go any higher'.

 

[heckmanm]

LTD's contract expires this year in my league, so he'll be back in the draft. I contacted the guy in line for the #1 pick, offered 2-3 players (e.g., Marion Barber, Deuce, D-Jax, Matt Jones) plus my 1st-rounder, which will be around #10. Turned me down.

He said he might consider trading the pick, IF Tomlinson is on the cover of Madden next year. Not sure if he was joking or not...

 

[dirtyhalos]

I would take a ####load of upgrades at other positions, most owners wouldn't be able to pay the price. So, most likely, LT remains on my team for the foreseeable future.

To even consider trading LT you need to get a package including one top 10 player, and two other top 40-50 players - in other words, the core of a dynasty team.

hmmm....so reggie/vince/caddy get it done?

 

[shake zula]

I would take a ####load of upgrades at other positions, most owners wouldn't be able to pay the price. So, most likely, LT remains on my team for the foreseeable future.

To even consider trading LT you need to get a package including one top 10 player, and two other top 40-50 players - in other words, the core of a dynasty team.

hmmm....so reggie/vince/caddy get it done?

do it Bloom! NOW!

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I would take a ####load of upgrades at other positions, most owners wouldn't be able to pay the price. So, most likely, LT remains on my team for the foreseeable future.

To even consider trading LT you need to get a package including one top 10 player, and two other top 40-50 players - in other words, the core of a dynasty team.

hmmm....so reggie/vince/caddy get it done?

I knew this would come back to haunt me...

 

[humphrp]

Trade him now before he ends up on Madden '08!!!

I was thinking the samething. If i find out he's on The cover, i'll probably trade him....Which sucks because i'd rather lose than trade LT

Like what I saw on another thread. "If LT is on the cover of Madden, Madden dies. LT is superman."

 

[dirtyhalos]

I would take a ####load of upgrades at other positions, most owners wouldn't be able to pay the price. So, most likely, LT remains on my team for the foreseeable future.

To even consider trading LT you need to get a package including one top 10 player, and two other top 40-50 players - in other words, the core of a dynasty team.

hmmm....so reggie/vince/caddy get it done?

I knew this would come back to haunt me...

7/42/35

 

[dirtyhalos]

fyi....16 team, ppr, idp dynasty league

i keep dangling all of mr blooms favorites to him for lt...but he is standing firm on

lt (only, he wont part with turner)

for

bush/caddy/vince/markclayton

this is too rich for my blood, but he does value lt that much......just thought some would find that interesting......

btw.......per his dynasty rankings thats #1 for #8/#35/#42/#72 overall

 

[-OZ-]

fyi....16 team, ppr, idp dynasty leaguei keep dangling all of mr blooms favorites to him for lt...but he is standing firm on lt (only, he wont part with turner)for bush/caddy/vince/markclaytonthis is too rich for my blood, but he does value lt that much......just thought some would find that interesting......btw.......per his dynasty rankings thats #1 for #8/#35/#42/#72 overall

FWIW, and you didn't ask, I think that's reasonable. If you have the depth.I would demand Turner as part of the package, if you included a high 2nd round pick (or something of similar value).

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

fyi....16 team, ppr, idp dynasty leaguei keep dangling all of mr blooms favorites to him for lt...but he is standing firm on lt (only, he wont part with turner)for bush/caddy/vince/markclaytonthis is too rich for my blood, but he does value lt that much......just thought some would find that interesting......btw.......per his dynasty rankings thats #1 for #8/#35/#42/#72 overall

FWIW, and you didn't ask, I think that's reasonable. If you have the depth.I would demand Turner as part of the package, if you included a high 2nd round pick (or something of similar value).

Just for some background here:My QB sitch is terrible (Garrard/McNair/Carr/TJackson)this league is start 1 RB and one RB/TE flex - my flex right now is Dunn.This deal is something I would consider more because of how glaring my weaknesses are than because I am looking to deal LT. and I do have VY manlove.Also, Turner is worth a mid first at worst.

 

[dirtyhalos]

fyi....16 team, ppr, idp dynasty leaguei keep dangling all of mr blooms favorites to him for lt...but he is standing firm on lt (only, he wont part with turner)for bush/caddy/vince/markclaytonthis is too rich for my blood, but he does value lt that much......just thought some would find that interesting......btw.......per his dynasty rankings thats #1 for #8/#35/#42/#72 overall

FWIW, and you didn't ask, I think that's reasonable. If you have the depth.I would demand Turner as part of the package, if you included a high 2nd round pick (or something of similar value).

this is true, it is a decent offer..........lt in this league is currently outscoring ljohnson by 130 points 447 to 317.......so its basically like gettting an extra player every single week.....it boils down to i just dont like what it does to my team ..... and my rule in trading with bloom is that if he wants to do it....its probably not good for me

 

[sheetstainer]

my rule in trading with bloom is that if he wants to do it....its probably not good for me

i know the type. lol.

i'm in a 3 player keeper league where the players get thrown back into the pool after 3 yrs with the same owner. Lt was available this yr along with SA, portis, etc. so, after this yr, i still have 2 yrs with mr. wonderful. i see myself contending for the title every yr with him on my team. i wouldn't see it that way if i had bush/brown/young/clayton, or any other combo for that matter. dynasty is definetly different though. different value imo.

 

[Biabreakable]

As a LT owner I know that I am experiancing his best year. This probably will not be repeated. On the other side prior to this year everyone ranked him as the third best RB behind SA, and LJ, but he was #1 on my list because of his consistency. This is the guy that finished top three in rushing for the past three years and will be #1 this year. This type of consistency is hard to come by. I think that his talent will keep him in the top 5 for 4-5 more years.

I agree with this. LT is by no means done. And no other player offers the consistency that he does. In past years Edge or Marshall Faulk were close to his value. Anything can happen like Edge getting injured. But I think its safe to say that LT will continue to hold premium value for at least 3 more years and I don't want to look at windows larger than 3 years. 3 years is plenty enough time to readjust your position and still get maximum value in return for LT even if he missed a year due to injury *knock on wood. I am pretty confident that he would return to being a top Rb again after that in time to help my team and once again be tradeable.

The trick is not selling when he is the highest but when you are going to see the largest decline in his abilities. A few years ago I had Priest Holmes and decided mid year that I was worried about his ability to continue. I shopped him around the league and got to first round picks the next year. I took it. Sure enough a few games latter he went down with an injury. He has never came back. This is what you hope to do with any stud RB. Rid him and trade him before the wheels fall off. This being said, I think that LT has a few more good years and then I might start looking to trade him. Right now though it would take an awful lot to get me to trade him away.

LT unlike Priest or other great Rbs is not at the apex of his career yet. While this may be his career year and he may never score this high again that does not mean he wont continue to score in the top 3 like he always has over the next 3 years. In 2009 or 2010 is when I would begin looking at moving on without LT and a LT owner should still be able to reap top value for him then I would think.Selling high is a fine strat but only effective if you are getting greater value in return for what you give up. LT is so valuable pound for pound that I think you would be very hard pressed to actualy get enough in return for him. If your team has reasonable depth of talent then I don't see much reason to sell him at all regardless of the offer as it still may not improve your lineup. If you have holes in your roster then I could understand giving him up.. but for what?

2 1st round picks 1 top 10 Rb your comfortable with and a top 10 Qb or Wr is what I think I would insist on at a minimum if I had needs to fill those other positions. And that would not be my initial asking price but the floor of what someone could possibly talk me down to.

In 2 years perhaps I would be more reasonable about giving up LT but not right now.

 

[fruity pebbles]

As a LT owner I know that I am experiancing his best year. This probably will not be repeated. On the other side prior to this year everyone ranked him as the third best RB behind SA, and LJ, but he was #1 on my list because of his consistency. This is the guy that finished top three in rushing for the past three years and will be #1 this year. This type of consistency is hard to come by. I think that his talent will keep him in the top 5 for 4-5 more years.

I agree with this. LT is by no means done. And no other player offers the consistency that he does. In past years Edge or Marshall Faulk were close to his value. Anything can happen like Edge getting injured. But I think its safe to say that LT will continue to hold premium value for at least 3 more years and I don't want to look at windows larger than 3 years. 3 years is plenty enough time to readjust your position and still get maximum value in return for LT even if he missed a year due to injury *knock on wood. I am pretty confident that he would return to being a top Rb again after that in time to help my team and once again be tradeable.

The trick is not selling when he is the highest but when you are going to see the largest decline in his abilities. A few years ago I had Priest Holmes and decided mid year that I was worried about his ability to continue. I shopped him around the league and got to first round picks the next year. I took it. Sure enough a few games latter he went down with an injury. He has never came back. This is what you hope to do with any stud RB. Rid him and trade him before the wheels fall off. This being said, I think that LT has a few more good years and then I might start looking to trade him. Right now though it would take an awful lot to get me to trade him away.

LT unlike Priest or other great Rbs is not at the apex of his career yet. While this may be his career year and he may never score this high again that does not mean he wont continue to score in the top 3 like he always has over the next 3 years. In 2009 or 2010 is when I would begin looking at moving on without LT and a LT owner should still be able to reap top value for him then I would think.Selling high is a fine strat but only effective if you are getting greater value in return for what you give up. LT is so valuable pound for pound that I think you would be very hard pressed to actualy get enough in return for him. If your team has reasonable depth of talent then I don't see much reason to sell him at all regardless of the offer as it still may not improve your lineup. If you have holes in your roster then I could understand giving him up.. but for what?

2 1st round picks 1 top 10 Rb your comfortable with and a top 10 Qb or Wr is what I think I would insist on at a minimum if I had needs to fill those other positions. And that would not be my initial asking price but the floor of what someone could possibly talk me down to.

In 2 years perhaps I would be more reasonable about giving up LT but not right now.

I don't think you can expect top value for him in 2009 or 2010 when he's in his 30's. Think you'd be a year late in trying to move him then.

 

[Biabreakable]

As a LT owner I know that I am experiancing his best year. This probably will not be repeated. On the other side prior to this year everyone ranked him as the third best RB behind SA, and LJ, but he was #1 on my list because of his consistency. This is the guy that finished top three in rushing for the past three years and will be #1 this year. This type of consistency is hard to come by. I think that his talent will keep him in the top 5 for 4-5 more years.

I agree with this. LT is by no means done. And no other player offers the consistency that he does. In past years Edge or Marshall Faulk were close to his value. Anything can happen like Edge getting injured. But I think its safe to say that LT will continue to hold premium value for at least 3 more years and I don't want to look at windows larger than 3 years. 3 years is plenty enough time to readjust your position and still get maximum value in return for LT even if he missed a year due to injury *knock on wood. I am pretty confident that he would return to being a top Rb again after that in time to help my team and once again be tradeable.

The trick is not selling when he is the highest but when you are going to see the largest decline in his abilities. A few years ago I had Priest Holmes and decided mid year that I was worried about his ability to continue. I shopped him around the league and got to first round picks the next year. I took it. Sure enough a few games latter he went down with an injury. He has never came back. This is what you hope to do with any stud RB. Rid him and trade him before the wheels fall off. This being said, I think that LT has a few more good years and then I might start looking to trade him. Right now though it would take an awful lot to get me to trade him away.

LT unlike Priest or other great Rbs is not at the apex of his career yet. While this may be his career year and he may never score this high again that does not mean he wont continue to score in the top 3 like he always has over the next 3 years. In 2009 or 2010 is when I would begin looking at moving on without LT and a LT owner should still be able to reap top value for him then I would think.Selling high is a fine strat but only effective if you are getting greater value in return for what you give up. LT is so valuable pound for pound that I think you would be very hard pressed to actualy get enough in return for him. If your team has reasonable depth of talent then I don't see much reason to sell him at all regardless of the offer as it still may not improve your lineup. If you have holes in your roster then I could understand giving him up.. but for what?

2 1st round picks 1 top 10 Rb your comfortable with and a top 10 Qb or Wr is what I think I would insist on at a minimum if I had needs to fill those other positions. And that would not be my initial asking price but the floor of what someone could possibly talk me down to.

In 2 years perhaps I would be more reasonable about giving up LT but not right now.

I don't think you can expect top value for him in 2009 or 2010 when he's in his 30's. Think you'd be a year late in trying to move him then.

LT born: 06/23/1979 So he will have just turned 30 entering the 2009 season and I believe he will still be at the top of his game then. 1st window I would consider trading him away in. Some players I will choose to move earlier than 30 to be a year ahead of the game.. I agree with that tactic.. however with Rbs careers now being extended successfully into thier early 30s now.. and the kind of player LT is.. I think he will still hold premium value in 2009 and possibly in 2010

When I said in 2 years I might be more reasonable in giving up LT that would mean 2008 not 2009 when LT is 29 years old. However at 29 years old I still may see him as having a 3 year window of performance left and so the offer would have to be very strong.. similar to what I suggested in the previous post.. and would only be considered if I had holes/weaknesses in other positions of my team. So without those conditions I would not consider selling him "high" before he loses his value when I may still see him being in a 3 year window of high performance.

Generaly I agree with your point about 29 being the age to consider selling before a Rb loses value though. It is a good bench mark and other owners do shy away from the dreaded 30. But due to recent evidence contradicting that I think you have to take that information into consideration regardless of what your competitors may believe.

 

[ILoveMyLions]

bump...

 

[Cold Steel]

I'd have to say that you should get as much value as you can for him after the season. However, make sure that you trade him before EA Sports releases next year's Madden, because he's a sure bet to be on the cover...

[Edit:] I saw Funkypluto's post about 30 sec. after I hit the "Submit" button. So "Ditto"

 

[lions327]

As a LT owner I know that I am experiancing his best year. This probably will not be repeated. On the other side prior to this year everyone ranked him as the third best RB behind SA, and LJ, but he was #1 on my list because of his consistency. This is the guy that finished top three in rushing for the past three years and will be #1 this year. This type of consistency is hard to come by. I think that his talent will keep him in the top 5 for 4-5 more years.

I agree with this. LT is by no means done. And no other player offers the consistency that he does. In past years Edge or Marshall Faulk were close to his value. Anything can happen like Edge getting injured. But I think its safe to say that LT will continue to hold premium value for at least 3 more years and I don't want to look at windows larger than 3 years. 3 years is plenty enough time to readjust your position and still get maximum value in return for LT even if he missed a year due to injury *knock on wood. I am pretty confident that he would return to being a top Rb again after that in time to help my team and once again be tradeable.

The trick is not selling when he is the highest but when you are going to see the largest decline in his abilities. A few years ago I had Priest Holmes and decided mid year that I was worried about his ability to continue. I shopped him around the league and got to first round picks the next year. I took it. Sure enough a few games latter he went down with an injury. He has never came back. This is what you hope to do with any stud RB. Rid him and trade him before the wheels fall off. This being said, I think that LT has a few more good years and then I might start looking to trade him. Right now though it would take an awful lot to get me to trade him away.

LT unlike Priest or other great Rbs is not at the apex of his career yet. While this may be his career year and he may never score this high again that does not mean he wont continue to score in the top 3 like he always has over the next 3 years. In 2009 or 2010 is when I would begin looking at moving on without LT and a LT owner should still be able to reap top value for him then I would think.Selling high is a fine strat but only effective if you are getting greater value in return for what you give up. LT is so valuable pound for pound that I think you would be very hard pressed to actualy get enough in return for him. If your team has reasonable depth of talent then I don't see much reason to sell him at all regardless of the offer as it still may not improve your lineup. If you have holes in your roster then I could understand giving him up.. but for what?

2 1st round picks 1 top 10 Rb your comfortable with and a top 10 Qb or Wr is what I think I would insist on at a minimum if I had needs to fill those other positions. And that would not be my initial asking price but the floor of what someone could possibly talk me down to.

In 2 years perhaps I would be more reasonable about giving up LT but not right now.

I couldn't agree more. I have him in 3 leagues and I'm looking ahead to after 2009 at the earliest, depending on my team and offers, of course. The point about waiting for the largest decline in his abilities hit the nail on the head...much like those of us who moved alexander after last season. LT is not to the point of declining yet. Of course, this season is unlikely to be repeated, but he still has 2-3 years of high level playing before I will think about moving him.

 

[ExtraPoint]

Depends on how strong or weak the rest of your team is. If you have a weak team, and you can get multiple young studs for him, its definately something to consider. If you have a deep strong team, then its only a consideration if you get one heck of an offer.