LaDainian Tomlinson retires. (1 Viewer)

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Arguing whether or not Tomlinson deserves to be considered as a top 3 or top 5 or top 10 runner is very subjective. I personally would say he's a better overall player than Barry Sanders was, but I realize that most would want to tar and feather me for daring to besmirch Sanders' greatness. I also would say comfortably that I would rank Tomlinson behind Brown, Payton and Emmitt (again I realize many would put Sanders above Emmitt). And I probably would choose Marshall Faulk five out of 10 coin tosses versus Tomlinson if I were building a team.Either way, he's an astoundingly great player and someone that we had the privilege to watch. He's also one of the few clear "all time greats" that played most of their careers in the fantasy football era, which will no doubt keep him beloved in our circle for a long time to come.If someone like Curtis Martin got into the HOF so quickly, Tomlinson better get in right away. Not that "1st ballot" really means much in the grand scheme, but this guy deserves it in a huge way.

If Curtis Martin played for the Arizona Cards he wouldnt be in the HOF. Stat compiler with "marquee" (read east coast) teams

 

[Dentist]

when LT was rocking some of those absolutely sick seasons (and Faulk/Chiefs RB (priest/LJ)/Shaun Alexander) there was a legitimate debate over whether the #1 and #2 pick was just too strong.. it was the closest we ever got to going auction league.

Now its settled down some and the #1 pick hasn't been as strong lately.

LT is THE player of the Internet Fantasy football era. I think he was #1 or #2 for 6 consecutive years.

That's sick.. that's dominance... that's respect

 

[Steed]

Press conference in 35 mins. Get your Popcorn Kleenex ready

 

[Jason Wood]

Arguing whether or not Tomlinson deserves to be considered as a top 3 or top 5 or top 10 runner is very subjective. I personally would say he's a better overall player than Barry Sanders was, but I realize that most would want to tar and feather me for daring to besmirch Sanders' greatness. I also would say comfortably that I would rank Tomlinson behind Brown, Payton and Emmitt (again I realize many would put Sanders above Emmitt). And I probably would choose Marshall Faulk five out of 10 coin tosses versus Tomlinson if I were building a team.Either way, he's an astoundingly great player and someone that we had the privilege to watch. He's also one of the few clear "all time greats" that played most of their careers in the fantasy football era, which will no doubt keep him beloved in our circle for a long time to come.If someone like Curtis Martin got into the HOF so quickly, Tomlinson better get in right away. Not that "1st ballot" really means much in the grand scheme, but this guy deserves it in a huge way.

If Curtis Martin played for the Arizona Cards he wouldnt be in the HOF. Stat compiler with "marquee" (read east coast) teams

While I'm loathe to play the "if X played for Y" argument, I do agree that Martin should have been a fringe HOF candidate versus what seems to be an easy vote for the committee. I think it has as much to do with WHO he is as it does where he played. HE was a quiet professional that no one every found a reason to dislike. That goes a long way it seems, even if it shouldn't.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

LT is THE player of the Internet Fantasy football era. I think he was #1 or #2 for 6 consecutive years.That's sick.. that's dominance... that's respect

Other than 2006, LT's value was really in his consistency rather than him leaving the pack in his wake. He was a top 4 RB for six straight years. He actually only finished in the top 2 twice in his career.2001: RB72002: RB32003: RB32004: RB32005: RB42006: RB12007: RB12008: RB72009: RB192010: RB18

 

[Mario Kart]

Maybe I am bias because I had Faulk on my fantasy teams but never had Tomlinson, but I would take Faulk over Tomlinson in a historical draft. But, you can't go wrong with either. I would hate to see Tomlinson's stats had he been in Faulk's shoes.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

One of the last Superbacks from this era, he was a stud from his 1st 36 carry performance. Who should present LT? Schottenheimer of course.

LT was money in the bank in his prime, the same way Priest Holmes was in KC. LT was one of the very best receiving backs as well. He was a complete back and will truly be missed.

I also expect New England to take his temperature and see if he wants to come in. He could still catch the football and play the Kevin Faulk role for 2-3 more years.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

One of the last Superbacks from this era, he was a stud from his 1st 36 carry performance. Who should present LT? Schottenheimer of course.

Because that's who his first 36-carry performance was against?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

One of the last Superbacks from this era, he was a stud from his 1st 36 carry performance. Who should present LT? Schottenheimer of course.

Because that's who his first 36-carry performance was against?

I was very fortunate to be at that game, by the way. For Charger fans, it was fantastic. The previous season, the team was 1-15, and the only game they won was a 17-16 squeaker on a last-minute 52-yard field goal against the Chiefs. The Chargers weren't good.In Tomlinson's first game, they came out and spanked the Redskins 30-3. Tomlinson rushed for over 100 yards. (The previous year, the Chargers' leading rusher for the season had fewer than 400 yards.) It felt really good. Too bad that after a 5-2 start, they finished 5-11.

 

[Tau837]

Obviously, he is an all time great and deserving 1st ballot HOFer. However, I think some people are overrating him in this thread and, inevitably, in the media due to the recency effect.IMO it is not debatable that Jim Brown, Walter Payton, and Barry Sanders were better and are the top 3 RBs of all time. I think there are strong arguments to be made that Emmitt Smith, Eric Dickerson, and Marshall Faulk were better. And, while it is impossible to compare across such divergent eras, I'd rank Gale Sayers higher also. I'd probably rank Tomlinson #8 on my all time RB list.

I think Walter Payton and LaDainian Tomlinson were extremely similar in an awful lot of ways. They were both tremendously versatile (as runners, receivers, blockers, and even passers). They both were good soldiers on perennial losing teams early in their careers, and stuck with their teams until they turned things around and enjoyed success. They both played with tremendous heart, and were well respected, high-character guys off the field. They even both had that same little stutter step in the open field — probably because Tomlinson copied it from Payton.Rather than being "not debatable" as to which was better, I think they're pretty even.

I agree Tomlinson, like Payton, was very versatile and well rounded, and I already agreed he is a top 10 RB. However, I think Payton was better in every phase of the game: running, receiving, blocking, passing, returning, and kicking, as well as intangibles like leadership.Tomlinson was better passing in a smaller sample size, but Payton threw nearly 3 times as many passes and was actually the Bears' emergency QB; I believe he had more ability as a passer.Payton was an excellent kickoff returner in a small sample size and punted once for 39 yards. Tomlinson didn't do those things, so it seems safe to assume Payton was better at them.But, while those skills (passing, punting, returning) are part of being well rounded, they really shouldn't factor much into a comparison of RBs. The most important RB skills are running, receiving, and blocking.Unfortunately, there are no numbers to measure blocking, so there is no way I know of to prove which guy was better. My own impression from watching them play is that Payton was better, and I believe that is supported by reputation. But I think we have to set this aside, given there is no way I know of to quantify blocking effectiveness.So it essentially comes down to running and receiving. Payton ran the ball a lot more times (3838-3174) for a lot more yards (16726-13684) with a higher average per carry. And consider how each of them performed compared to other RBs on their teamsayton averaged 4.36 ypc over his 13 year career. During that 13 year span, all other Bears RBs combined to run for 3.91 ypc.During his 9 seasons with the Chargers, Tomlinson averaged 4.34 ypc, while other Chargers RBs combined to run for 4.61 ypc. During his 2 seasons with the Jets, Tomlinson averaged 4.06 ypc, while other Jets RBs averaged 4.05 ypc.I don't see how anyone can argue that Payton wasn't a better runner than Tomlinson.Payton had a huge edge in yards per reception. Tomlinson caught a lot more passes and had narrow edges in receiving yards and receiving TDs, but the raw numbers reflect differences in era and, to a lesser degree, team philosophy. Payton led the Bears in receptions 6 times and was second on the team 5 other times. IMO he was clearly a better receiver.And Payton was better despite playing with a poorer supporting cast on offense. Bears QBs only made the Pro Bowl one time during Payton's career. Meanwhile, Tomlinson played most of his career with Brees and Rivers... heck, even Sanchez was better than the QBs Payton played with. Payton never played with even an 800 yard receiver; no Bears WR or TE made the Pro Bowl during his career. Tomlinson played alongside Gates and Vincent Jackson. Both Tomlinson and Payton generally played with poor OLs, but Payton's OL made 5 Pro Bowls in 13 seasons, compared to 10 Pro Bowls in 11 seasons for Tomlinson's OL. Plus, Tomlinson got the benefit in his prime of having Lorenzo Neal as his FB.Payton was also more durable, missing only 4 games in 13 seasons and starting 178 straight games, the NFL record for RBs. This despite the fact that Payton was known to dish out a lot of punishment on his runs.Like I said, I don't think it's debatable.

And as much as I loves me some Gale Sayers highlights, I don't think he's in the same tier as all the other guys you mentioned.

Sayers only played 2 games in each of his 6th and 7th seasons due to injury and retired. But he was 1st team All Pro in each of his first 5 seasons. In those 5 seasons:1. He was in the top 5 in rushing yards in each of those 5 seasons and led the league 2 times.2. He was in the top 3 in rushing yards per game in each of those 5 seasons and led the league 3 times.3. He was in the top 4 in rushing TDs in 4 of those 5 seasons.4. He was in the top 4 in yards from scrimmage in 3 of those 5 seasons and led the league 1 time.5. He was in the top 5 in all purpose yards in each of those 5 seasons and led the league 3 times.His production per touch was amazing:5.0 yards per carry11.7 yards per reception14.5 yards per punt return30.6 yards per kickoff returnIn addition to excelling as a RB, he is the best kick returner of all time, despite what a lot of people say about Devin Hester nowadays.Aside from all that, consider the recognition Sayers has received for how he ranks in various all-time lists:1. He was named the all-time NFL halfback in 1969 (NFL's 50th anniversary).2. He was one of 7 RBs named to the 75th Anniversary Team in 1994.3. I have seen references saying he was named to the All-time NFL Team in 2000, but I can't find that team online, so I don't know much about it.4. He was #22 on the NFL Top 100 Greatest Players list released in 2010, behind only 4 RBs: Brown, Payton, Sanders, and Nagurski.As far as I can tell, he has been chosen as being among the very best RBs of all time for every official all-time team selected since the middle of his career more than 40 years ago. I'm surprised you would say he doesn't belong in the same tier as any of the RBs I named.

 

[sn0mm1s]

I am not suffering from "the recency effect" whatsoever.Would take LT ahead of Barry, hands down.

I watched them both and I wouldn't take anyone over Barry.

 

[jesseasi]

I am not suffering from "the recency effect" whatsoever.Would take LT ahead of Barry, hands down.

I watched them both and I wouldn't take anyone over Barry.

Agreed. I am a Chargers season ticket holder and have seen LT light it up time and time again. But I grew up in Chicago and watched Barry do some truly magical things on what had to be the worst offenses in the league. The travesty is that Detroit never did anything to surround Barry. Imagine what Barry would have done with LT's Chargers or Faulk's Rams! Just sick to think.....

 

[Borat]

It will always put a smile on my face to know that Tomlinson retired without ever winning a Super Bowl.

 

[Raider Nation]

With LT now retired, which active RB is the current leader in yards from scrimmage?

NO CHEATING!

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Really nice post JWB

 

[BoltBacker]

Running backs I would take over LT to win one big game.

As much as Timmy Smith might think that's the best way to measure a running back, which of those RB's would you take over LT if you were starting an NFL franchise and had that RB over the course of their entire career?Walter Payton was the best RB I've ever seen play. Never saw Jim Brown but it would be difficult to argue with someone that made that selection.After that I think Tomlinson falls into a tier with Sanders and Faulk. IMO the TD difference puts LT at the top of that pack but I'm an admitted homer.Smith, Dickerson, and Martin all played in better situations than guys like Tomlinson and Payton but I don't think those guys were as talented.OJ Simpson is interesting because he didn't play 16 game schedules. He might have been able to accumulate better stats if he had the extra games, or conversely it may have worn him down. The amazing thing about guys like Payton/Tomlinson/Sanders is they played at such a high level for so many games.I don't think it's fair to compare guys like Gale Sayers and Earl Cambell because they simply weren't able to do it long enough.Dorsett, Thomas and Allen don't even belong in the conversation.Peterson has a chance, but many people think he's already on the slide and he hasn't even hit 70 games yet. I would take a wait and see approach. He's in the running for having a better career but the longevity is key and I'm not sure his style of running lends itself to longevity. Tomlinson and Sanders had a great knack for avoiding big hits. Maybe that's one of the reason I was in such of awe of Payton - he was one of the most physical RB's I ever saw play the game and still rarely missed any playing time even though for most of his career he was the only weapon on offense. So, overall I'd take Tomlinson #2 on your list of players but I didn't see Jim Brown play the game.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

With LT now retired, which active RB is the current leader in yards from scrimmage?NO CHEATING!

Steven Jackson?Michael Turner?Frank Gore?got to be one of these 3 unless there is a seasoned vet I am forgetting. thomas Jones? I dont think he is in the league

 

[Buckna]

With LT now retired, which active RB is the current leader in yards from scrimmage?NO CHEATING!

Steven Jackson?Michael Turner?Frank Gore?got to be one of these 3 unless there is a seasoned vet I am forgetting. thomas Jones? I dont think he is in the league

Turner spent too many years behind LT. SJax is my guess since Gore was a backup most of his first season. SJax wasn't really a starter either but he did split a lot of time with Faulk. Came into the league before Gore IIRC, too.

 

[Raider Nation]

With LT now retired, which active RB is the current leader in yards from scrimmage?NO CHEATING!

Steven Jackson?Michael Turner?Frank Gore?got to be one of these 3 unless there is a seasoned vet I am forgetting. thomas Jones? I dont think he is in the league

Turner spent too many years behind LT. SJax is my guess since Gore was a backup most of his first season. SJax wasn't really a starter either but he did split a lot of time with Faulk. Came into the league before Gore IIRC, too.

It's Jones. He's a free agent but still "active"..Jackson is a close second.

 

[Statcruncher]

1.     Emmitt Smith+     18,355      1990-2004      2TM2.     Walter Payton+     16,726      1975-1987      chi3.     Barry Sanders+     15,269      1989-1998      det4.     Curtis Martin+     14,101      1995-2005      2TM5. >>>    LaDain Tomlinson 13,684  2001-2011      2TM6.     Jerome Bettis     13,662      1993-2005      2TM7.     Eric Dickerson+ 13,259      1983-1993      4TM8.     Tony Dorsett+     12,739      1977-1988      2TM9.     Jim Brown+     12,312      1957-1965      cle10.     Marshall Faulk+ 12,279      1994-2005      2TM11.     Edgerrin James     12,246      1999-2009      3TM12.     Marcus Allen+     12,243      1982-1997      2TM13.     Franco Harris+     12,120      1972-1984      2TM14.     Thurman Thomas+ 12,074      1988-2000      2TM15.     Fred Taylor     11,695      1998-2010      2TM16.     John Riggins+     11,352      1971-1985      2TM17.     Corey Dillon     11,241      1997-2006      2TM18.     O.J. Simpson+     11,236      1969-1979      2TM19.     Warrick Dunn     10,967      1997-2008      2TM20.     Ricky Watters     10,643      1992-2001      3TM

Interesting that IMO the top 3 RB's to ever play the game stuck with one team their whole career.

 

[Amused to Death]

1.     Emmitt Smith+     18,355      1990-2004      2TM2.     Walter Payton+     16,726      1975-1987      chi3.     Barry Sanders+     15,269      1989-1998      det4.     Curtis Martin+     14,101      1995-2005      2TM5. >>>    LaDain Tomlinson 13,684  2001-2011      2TM6.     Jerome Bettis     13,662      1993-2005      2TM7.     Eric Dickerson+ 13,259      1983-1993      4TM8.     Tony Dorsett+     12,739      1977-1988      2TM9.     Jim Brown+     12,312      1957-1965      cle10.     Marshall Faulk+ 12,279      1994-2005      2TM11.     Edgerrin James     12,246      1999-2009      3TM12.     Marcus Allen+     12,243      1982-1997      2TM13.     Franco Harris+     12,120      1972-1984      2TM14.     Thurman Thomas+ 12,074      1988-2000      2TM15.     Fred Taylor     11,695      1998-2010      2TM16.     John Riggins+     11,352      1971-1985      2TM17.     Corey Dillon     11,241      1997-2006      2TM18.     O.J. Simpson+     11,236      1969-1979      2TM19.     Warrick Dunn     10,967      1997-2008      2TM20.     Ricky Watters     10,643      1992-2001      3TM

Interesting that IMO the top 3 RB's to ever play the game stuck with one team their whole career.

Good point, except for those 2 years Emmitt spent in Arizona.

 

[Raider Nation]

1.     Emmitt Smith+     18,355      1990-2004      2TM2.     Walter Payton+     16,726      1975-1987      chi3.     Barry Sanders+     15,269      1989-1998      det4.     Curtis Martin+     14,101      1995-2005      2TM5. >>>    LaDain Tomlinson 13,684  2001-2011      2TM6.     Jerome Bettis     13,662      1993-2005      2TM7.     Eric Dickerson+ 13,259      1983-1993      4TM8.     Tony Dorsett+     12,739      1977-1988      2TM9.     Jim Brown+     12,312      1957-1965      cle10.     Marshall Faulk+ 12,279      1994-2005      2TM11.     Edgerrin James     12,246      1999-2009      3TM12.     Marcus Allen+     12,243      1982-1997      2TM13.     Franco Harris+     12,120      1972-1984      2TM14.     Thurman Thomas+ 12,074      1988-2000      2TM15.     Fred Taylor     11,695      1998-2010      2TM16.     John Riggins+     11,352      1971-1985      2TM17.     Corey Dillon     11,241      1997-2006      2TM18.     O.J. Simpson+     11,236      1969-1979      2TM19.     Warrick Dunn     10,967      1997-2008      2TM20.     Ricky Watters     10,643      1992-2001      3TM

Interesting that IMO the top 3 RB's to ever play the game stuck with one team their whole career.

Good point, except for those 2 years Emmitt spent in Arizona.

What does Emmitt have to do with the top 3 RBs to ever play the game?

 

[Amused to Death]

1.     Emmitt Smith+     18,355      1990-2004      2TM2.     Walter Payton+     16,726      1975-1987      chi3.     Barry Sanders+     15,269      1989-1998      det4.     Curtis Martin+     14,101      1995-2005      2TM5. >>>    LaDain Tomlinson 13,684  2001-2011      2TM6.     Jerome Bettis     13,662      1993-2005      2TM7.     Eric Dickerson+ 13,259      1983-1993      4TM8.     Tony Dorsett+     12,739      1977-1988      2TM9.     Jim Brown+     12,312      1957-1965      cle10.     Marshall Faulk+ 12,279      1994-2005      2TM11.     Edgerrin James     12,246      1999-2009      3TM12.     Marcus Allen+     12,243      1982-1997      2TM13.     Franco Harris+     12,120      1972-1984      2TM14.     Thurman Thomas+ 12,074      1988-2000      2TM15.     Fred Taylor     11,695      1998-2010      2TM16.     John Riggins+     11,352      1971-1985      2TM17.     Corey Dillon     11,241      1997-2006      2TM18.     O.J. Simpson+     11,236      1969-1979      2TM19.     Warrick Dunn     10,967      1997-2008      2TM20.     Ricky Watters     10,643      1992-2001      3TM

Interesting that IMO the top 3 RB's to ever play the game stuck with one team their whole career.

Good point, except for those 2 years Emmitt spent in Arizona.

What does Emmitt have to do with the top 3 RBs to ever play the game?

The list he quoted? 1,2,3? Guess I assumed his comment referred to his quoted table.

 

[Buckna]

With LT now retired, which active RB is the current leader in yards from scrimmage?NO CHEATING!

Steven Jackson?Michael Turner?Frank Gore?got to be one of these 3 unless there is a seasoned vet I am forgetting. thomas Jones? I dont think he is in the league

Turner spent too many years behind LT. SJax is my guess since Gore was a backup most of his first season. SJax wasn't really a starter either but he did split a lot of time with Faulk. Came into the league before Gore IIRC, too.

It's Jones. He's a free agent but still "active"..Jackson is a close second.

Didn't realize he was still active. Here's a another question, who is the current active leader in yards from scrimmage regardless of position?

 

[Raider Nation]

1.     Emmitt Smith+     18,355      1990-2004      2TM2.     Walter Payton+     16,726      1975-1987      chi3.     Barry Sanders+     15,269      1989-1998      det4.     Curtis Martin+     14,101      1995-2005      2TM5. >>>    LaDain Tomlinson 13,684  2001-2011      2TM6.     Jerome Bettis     13,662      1993-2005      2TM7.     Eric Dickerson+ 13,259      1983-1993      4TM8.     Tony Dorsett+     12,739      1977-1988      2TM9.     Jim Brown+     12,312      1957-1965      cle10.     Marshall Faulk+ 12,279      1994-2005      2TM11.     Edgerrin James     12,246      1999-2009      3TM12.     Marcus Allen+     12,243      1982-1997      2TM13.     Franco Harris+     12,120      1972-1984      2TM14.     Thurman Thomas+ 12,074      1988-2000      2TM15.     Fred Taylor     11,695      1998-2010      2TM16.     John Riggins+     11,352      1971-1985      2TM17.     Corey Dillon     11,241      1997-2006      2TM18.     O.J. Simpson+     11,236      1969-1979      2TM19.     Warrick Dunn     10,967      1997-2008      2TM20.     Ricky Watters     10,643      1992-2001      3TM

Interesting that IMO the top 3 RB's to ever play the game stuck with one team their whole career.

Good point, except for those 2 years Emmitt spent in Arizona.

What does Emmitt have to do with the top 3 RBs to ever play the game?

The list he quoted? 1,2,3?

He didn't mean Payton, Sanders and Smith. He meant Payton, Sanders and Brown.

 

[Amused to Death]

1.     Emmitt Smith+     18,355      1990-2004      2TM2.     Walter Payton+     16,726      1975-1987      chi3.     Barry Sanders+     15,269      1989-1998      det4.     Curtis Martin+     14,101      1995-2005      2TM5. >>>    LaDain Tomlinson 13,684  2001-2011      2TM6.     Jerome Bettis     13,662      1993-2005      2TM7.     Eric Dickerson+ 13,259      1983-1993      4TM8.     Tony Dorsett+     12,739      1977-1988      2TM9.     Jim Brown+     12,312      1957-1965      cle10.     Marshall Faulk+ 12,279      1994-2005      2TM11.     Edgerrin James     12,246      1999-2009      3TM12.     Marcus Allen+     12,243      1982-1997      2TM13.     Franco Harris+     12,120      1972-1984      2TM14.     Thurman Thomas+ 12,074      1988-2000      2TM15.     Fred Taylor     11,695      1998-2010      2TM16.     John Riggins+     11,352      1971-1985      2TM17.     Corey Dillon     11,241      1997-2006      2TM18.     O.J. Simpson+     11,236      1969-1979      2TM19.     Warrick Dunn     10,967      1997-2008      2TM20.     Ricky Watters     10,643      1992-2001      3TM

Interesting that IMO the top 3 RB's to ever play the game stuck with one team their whole career.

Good point, except for those 2 years Emmitt spent in Arizona.

What does Emmitt have to do with the top 3 RBs to ever play the game?

The list he quoted? 1,2,3?

He didn't mean Payton, Sanders and Smith. He meant Payton, Sanders and Brown.

The quoted table confused me as to his meaning. Why attach the table and make a comment unrelated to it? Oh well. Carry on.

 

[Raider Nation]

1.     Emmitt Smith+     18,355      1990-2004      2TM2.     Walter Payton+     16,726      1975-1987      chi3.     Barry Sanders+     15,269      1989-1998      det4.     Curtis Martin+     14,101      1995-2005      2TM5. >>>    LaDain Tomlinson 13,684  2001-2011      2TM6.     Jerome Bettis     13,662      1993-2005      2TM7.     Eric Dickerson+ 13,259      1983-1993      4TM8.     Tony Dorsett+     12,739      1977-1988      2TM9.     Jim Brown+     12,312      1957-1965      cle10.     Marshall Faulk+ 12,279      1994-2005      2TM11.     Edgerrin James     12,246      1999-2009      3TM12.     Marcus Allen+     12,243      1982-1997      2TM13.     Franco Harris+     12,120      1972-1984      2TM14.     Thurman Thomas+ 12,074      1988-2000      2TM15.     Fred Taylor     11,695      1998-2010      2TM16.     John Riggins+     11,352      1971-1985      2TM17.     Corey Dillon     11,241      1997-2006      2TM18.     O.J. Simpson+     11,236      1969-1979      2TM19.     Warrick Dunn     10,967      1997-2008      2TM20.     Ricky Watters     10,643      1992-2001      3TM

Interesting that IMO the top 3 RB's to ever play the game stuck with one team their whole career.

Good point, except for those 2 years Emmitt spent in Arizona.

What does Emmitt have to do with the top 3 RBs to ever play the game?

The list he quoted? 1,2,3?

He didn't mean Payton, Sanders and Smith. He meant Payton, Sanders and Brown.

The quoted table confused me as to his meaning. Why attach the table and make a comment unrelated to it? Oh well. Carry on.

It's clear what he meant if you look at the column all the way to the right.Payton, Sanders and Brown are the only ones with one team listed.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

With LT now retired, which active RB is the current leader in yards from scrimmage?NO CHEATING!

Steven Jackson?Michael Turner?Frank Gore?got to be one of these 3 unless there is a seasoned vet I am forgetting. thomas Jones? I dont think he is in the league

Turner spent too many years behind LT. SJax is my guess since Gore was a backup most of his first season. SJax wasn't really a starter either but he did split a lot of time with Faulk. Came into the league before Gore IIRC, too.

It's Jones. He's a free agent but still "active"..Jackson is a close second.

Didn't realize he was still active. Here's a another question, who is the current active leader in yards from scrimmage regardless of position?

Tony Gonzales

 

[Bossman]

Exciting and dynamic player .... but please don't let him go into broadcasting.

"Den dey do da dance dat Merriman made famous ... dat's disrespectful."

I can't stand it.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Here's a another question, who is the current active leader in yards from scrimmage regardless of position?

Moss?

 

[Ghost Rider]

LT2 was a class act, and a surefire first ballot HOFer.

Also, if we are talking RBs to have to win one game, Terrell Davis has to be mentioned. Over 1,200 rushing yards and 5.6 YPC in eight playoff games is BEASTLY.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

I don't disagree that Ladainian is a sure fire first ballot HOFer. But he was reportedly given a chance to sign on with Peyton Manning and the Broncos to try for an elusive Super Bowl ring. I guess winning never mattered to LT2. He said as much in a recent interview with PFT. He tries to separate himself, his career from his scrub teammates that never brought home a trophy. I'm not going to say his comments make him any less HOF worthy, but I'm glad he never played for my team with that attitude. Winning is everything, the only thing. All other hardware other than Lombardi trophies and superbowl rings are dime store party favors. That's the kind of fake jewelry that LT2 is about.

tomlinson: I would-take-the-hall-of-fame-over-a-super-bowl-ring

 

[belljr]

I don't disagree that Ladainian is a sure fire first ballot HOFer. But he was reportedly given a chance to sign on with Peyton Manning and the Broncos to try for an elusive Super Bowl ring. I guess winning never mattered to LT2. He said as much in a recent interview with PFT. He tries to separate himself, his career from his scrub teammates that never brought home a trophy. I'm not going to say his comments make him any less HOF worthy, but I'm glad he never played for my team with that attitude. Winning is everything, the only thing. All other hardware other than Lombardi trophies and superbowl rings are dime store party favors. That's the kind of fake jewelry that LT2 is about.

tomlinson: I would-take-the-hall-of-fame-over-a-super-bowl-ring

Yeah he sounds like a jerk

"The only team I really gave a thought to was the Broncos, because of Peyton," Tomlinson said Saturday. "We talked. Tom (Condon, Tomlinson's agent) talked with them ... It made me pause a little (and think), 'Was this what I really want to do?'

"I said, 'They got Peyton, they have a good defense already. They went deep in the playoffs with Tim Tebow. What are they going to do with Peyton?' I seriously thought about it."

Tomlinson said he would not have left San Diego for the New York Jets if the Chargers had won a Super Bowl after the 2009 season. The Chargers had a 13-3 record that season despite Tomlinson playing through an ankle injury. They lost in the AFC divisional playoffs.

"If we would have won the Super Bowl after nine years," he said, "I would have retired a Charger. Then I wouldn't even have gone to New York."

He said he signed as free agent with the Jets to pursue a Super Bowl ring. It was the same reason he nearly signed with the Broncos before deciding to retire.

"That was the only reason I considered Denver," he said. "At the same time, I thought, 'How much is a Super Bowl ring really going to do for you at this point?' Because it's not with the team I really wanted to do it with."

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/tomlison-considered-broncos-retiring-charger-170013611--nfl.html;_ylt=Au12NZlvk_jn0XlAtC_ptGaqOot4

 

[CalBear]

Here's a another question, who is the current active leader in yards from scrimmage regardless of position?

Tony Gonzales

That's insane. Tony's career has been incredible.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Here's a another question, who is the current active leader in yards from scrimmage regardless of position?

Tony Gonzales

That's insane. Tony's career has been incredible.

very quietly too.

 

[Riffraff]

I don't disagree that Ladainian is a sure fire first ballot HOFer. But he was reportedly given a chance to sign on with Peyton Manning and the Broncos to try for an elusive Super Bowl ring. I guess winning never mattered to LT2. He said as much in a recent interview with PFT. He tries to separate himself, his career from his scrub teammates that never brought home a trophy. I'm not going to say his comments make him any less HOF worthy, but I'm glad he never played for my team with that attitude. Winning is everything, the only thing. All other hardware other than Lombardi trophies and superbowl rings are dime store party favors. That's the kind of fake jewelry that LT2 is about.

tomlinson: I would-take-the-hall-of-fame-over-a-super-bowl-ring

Decent 6 minute interview here. Good info IMO.

 

[Raiderfan32904]

I've never had a bad thing to say about LT2 until now, even though he played for the hated Chargers. But it says a lot when Rivers and Gates were both saying comments that inferred that it was best for the team when LT2 moved on, insinuating that he was bigger than the team. His playoff highlight reel is lightweight stuff, and will be ignored on the day he gets inducted. Nothing to see there, and for LT2 to point at others for his postseason failures tells you all you need to know about his character. 10 career postseason games averaging less than 50 yards a game and contributing mightily to the premature postseason flameout after a string of brilliant regular seasons. That's what he should be remembered for.

 

[Buckna]

Here's a another question, who is the current active leader in yards from scrimmage regardless of position?

Tony Gonzales

That's insane. Tony's career has been incredible.

very quietly too.

Yep, correct. Hard to believe a TE is the league leader in yards from scrimmage but his career has been phenominal. I can remember people arguing he was done 3 or 4 years ago.

 

[Ghost Rider]

His playoff highlight reel is lightweight stuff, and will be ignored on the day he gets inducted. Nothing to see there, and for LT2 to point at others for his postseason failures tells you all you need to know about his character. 10 career postseason games averaging less than 50 yards a game and contributing mightily to the premature postseason flameout after a string of brilliant regular seasons. That's what he should be remembered for.

Nonsense. Saying he less than averaged 50 yards per playoff game is a distortion of the truth, considering the last four were when he was a part time RB for the Jets, two of them he only partially played in because of a sprained MCL, and one of them he had to leave the game early after his torn groin got worse. And you are ignoring his receiving yards, which you probably did to make your case look better. How did he contribute mightily to the their premature postseason flameouts? In the 20-17 loss to the Jets in 2004, Tomlinson had 133 total yards from scrimmage.In the 24-21 loss to the Patriots in 2005, Tomlinson had 187 total yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. So, how exactly are those his fault, in the sense of him contributing mightily to the failures? Yes, he only had 24 rushing yards in the 17-14 loss to the Jets following the 2009 season, but that was when he was past his prime and being hurt by injuries all of the time.In other words, the Chargers had three (what most would call) premature postseason failures in LT2's tenure in SD, and in two of them, he did his job, and did it well. And then in the other one, he was hurt and past his prime, so blaming him for that is like blaming a way past his prime Junior Seau for the Patriots 2007 Super Bowl loss.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

In the 20-17 loss to the Jets in 2004, Tomlinson had 133 total yards from scrimmage.

Only 3 yards a carry in the '04 game.That only leaves his game a against the Pats, which was a loss. It really is lackluster.http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TomlLa00/gamelog/post/

 

[gianmarco]

I know I'm probably in the minority here, but while there's no question the guy had a sensational career and is definitely 1st ballot HOF worthy based on his numbers and accomplishments, I was very rarely "wowed" by watching him play. That may actually be a testament to how easy he made it look, but watching highlight reels of LT don't make my jaw drop or think I'm watching one of the best RBs to ever play the game.

 

[Ghost Rider]

In the 20-17 loss to the Jets in 2004, Tomlinson had 133 total yards from scrimmage.

Only 3 yards a carry in the '04 game.That only leaves his game a against the Pats, which was a loss. It really is lackluster.http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TomlLa00/gamelog/post/

Well, it's not his fault that the team only made the playoffs three times in his first seven seasons (his prime). He was never the same after spraining his MCL in that playoff game against the Colts following the 2007 season. But to act like his lack of postseason success should define him is ridiculou (referring to Raiderfan. not you).

 

[finito]

If the question is whether I'd rather be Dan Marino or Brad Johnson, I'd pick Marino. I know you "play to win a ring", but I'd much rather have had a HOF career and be considered one of the best ever than just be good and have a ring. So I'm siding with Tomlinson on that one. Maybe it's selfish, but it's a no-brainer to me.

 

[Tau837]

I know I'm probably in the minority here, but while there's no question the guy had a sensational career and is definitely 1st ballot HOF worthy based on his numbers and accomplishments, I was very rarely "wowed" by watching him play. That may actually be a testament to how easy he made it look, but watching highlight reels of LT don't make my jaw drop or think I'm watching one of the best RBs to ever play the game.

I agree. He reminds me of Emmitt Smith in that regard.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I don't know about that. I remember being wowed by Tomlinson many times. And as a Bronco fan, I remember being scared to death of him every time the Broncos and Chargers played. I remember this game where the Broncos seemed to be on their way to victory, and Tomlinson simply took over the game in the 2nd half, and the Chargers came back and won.