Assuming he can stay healthy, something that he has been remarkable adept at doing, the only thing keeping Ladainian Tomlinson from becoming the greatest running back of all time is his desire to play the game. LT has stated in the past that he wants to be able to walk away from the game on his on two feet, both figuratively and literally speaking. So while he certainly is on pace to becoming the best running back of the modern era, which career would Tomlinson prefer to mirror - Barry Sanders' or Emmitt Smith's?
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More 'Greatest Of All Time' Talk
Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 12:58 AM Posted under Labels: Tomlinson
Ladainian Tomlinson: Is He Breaking Down?
Monday, June 09, 2008 at 9:13 PM Posted under Labels: Fantasy Football, Tomlinson
Ladainian Tomlinson has become the face of fantasy football over the past four years, but there are some out there who doubt that LT can continue his dominance. After an eye-popping rookie season, there are many who feel Adrian Peterson is set to become the new king of fantasy football. Both players are elite running backs but there is a clear difference between the way Peterson runs with the ball and the way Tomlinson does. Peterson is a wrecking machine who puts his body through some brutal collisions, but Tomlinson smartly avoids the unnecessary hit. It's that foresight that has allowed LT to be so consistent through the years. Ladainian has never missed a regular season game due to injury, whereas Peterson missed time in college and missed two games in his rookie NFL season.
So if you had the opportunity to draft either running back, who would you take? Fantasy Football guru TD Hill from Football Jabber says he wont draft Tomlinson #1 and presents some arguments to back his case:
We all love LT. For seven years, he’s averaged nearly 2,000 total yards and over 18 TD’s a year on average of 338 carries. It’s jaw dropping when you look at the numbers. But let’s look a little deeper and compare him to the only RB who put out similar production over the same amount years and dominated our fantasy hearts in his prime: Marshall Faulk.
FACT: Marshall Faulk at the age of 27 sets the TD in a season record (at the time) with 26
FACT: LT at the age of 27 shatters the TD in a season record
FACT: At the time of the accomplishment, Faulk recorded his 2155th carry of his career
FACT: At the time of the accomplishment, LT recorded his 2050th carry of his career
FACT: The season after, Faulk enjoyed another good season of over 2,100 total yards from scrimmage while scoring 21 TD’s
FACT: The season after (last year) LT enjoyed another good season of almost 2,000 total yards from scrimmage while scoring 18 TD’s
FACT: With injuries mounting, Faulk plays 10 games the following season and is never the same player again
FACT: With injuries mounting, LT plays ? games in 2008 and ????
FACT: After his 2,367th carry of this career, Marshall Faulk never rushes for 1,000 yards again
FACT: LT starts this season with his 2,366th carry
So what do you guys think? Does TD Hill make solid points or is he way off base here?
Read: THE NUMBERS CRUNCH: Why I’m Not Drafting LT # 1 This Year
LT Already In Greatest Of All Time Discussion
Thursday, June 05, 2008 at 12:02 PM Posted under Labels: Tomlinson
ESPN went around and asked some of the top football people on the planet to list who they think would be the ten greatest running backs of all time. Tomlinson's name was frequently mentioned among the greats...and according to the ESPN poll, he ranks in at #6. In just seven seasons, Ladainian Tomlinson has amassed a staggering 10,650 rushing yards, 3,375 receiving yards, and 129 touchdowns.
"If Tomlinson keeps going the way he is, call me back in a few years. We might have to put him at the top of the list. If Peterson keeps playing like he did as a rookie, call me back in 10 years and we might have to redo the whole list." - Don Shula
Read: ESPN - After Jim Brown, best-ever RB debate gets interesting
Video: Tomlinson At Gatorade's Event In Seaport Villagi
Monday, May 19, 2008 at 6:43 PM Posted under Labels: Tomlinson, Video
I feel like we have worn out the words "class act" when describing Ladainain Tomlinson, but its such an accurate description. LT is just a real cool dude who San Diegan's are lucky to call their own. In case you missed him at Gatorade's Tiger Moonshot Event down in Seaport Village, we've got some video for ya:
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Tomlinson Hanging Out At Seaport Village On Thursday
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 6:47 PM Posted under Labels: Tomlinson
If you are in the Seaport Village area on Thursday, be sure to stop by and meet Ladainian Tomlinson. LT will be making an appearance between 11am and 6pm at the Gatorade Tiger event where you can enter a golf challenge for the longest drive in a golf simulator. There is going to be a chance to win a trip to New York City as well. Show some support!
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LT Takes Us Behind The Scenes For Commercial Shoot
Friday, May 09, 2008 at 12:10 PM Posted under Labels: Tomlinson, Video
Ladainian recently wrapped up shooting a commercial for Campbell's Chunky soup. LT takes the fans around with him as he personally shoots some behind-the-scenes video at the set in Los Angeles. With Norv Turner making a cameo, this is looking like it just might be the best soup commercial ever...
“I think Norv’s been doing a great job on the set. So good, that I’m kind of worrying about Chunky wanting to bring him back. That’s how it goes. Once they see you doing a good job with it, they ask you to come back over and over again, so he might not need to coach much longer.” - Tomlinson
Tomlinson Talks About His Dynamic/Functional Training With Nike
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 12:10 PM Posted under Labels: Tomlinson
Ladainian Tomlinson is in the prime of his career and a big reason for his success in the National Football League has been his dedication and commitment to training. In addition to working with his trainer Todd Durkin, Tomlinson also works with Nike SPARQ (Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction, and Quickness) and is also coming out with new signature cleats for next season.
Check out Nike's MyBetter campaign...I've always been a huge fan of Nike and their new SPARQ training gear looks pretty sick.
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'You're Remembered By Super Bowls'
Saturday, March 01, 2008 at 8:49 PM Posted under Labels: Tomlinson

"I want you to know something," Smith said. "Trust me a little bit on this: I promise you, your career will not be in vain."
| A BoltHype post |
Lots Of Mileage On Those Tires
Saturday, November 24, 2007 at 4:40 PM Posted under Labels: NFL Draft, Tomlinson
As star runningbacks approach their 8th or 9th season in the NFL, smart franchises prepare for the realistic possibility that their franchise player will begin to wear down. The punishment of carrying the football for so many seasons eventually catches up to even the most talented of athletes. We have seen in the past that as a player approaches the amazing milestone of 10 successful years in the NFL, the thought of retirement inevitably creeps in.
One of the best examples is Barry Sanders, who hung up the cleats after a prolific run of 10 seasons in the National Football League. Sanders called it a career on his own terms and did so with class and dignity. He had accomplished just about all there was to accomplish in the game, although winning a SuperBowl is one achievement he never attained.
Recently, Tiki Barber retired after 10 great seasons with the New York Giants. Edgerrin James had a very successful seven year run with the Indianapolis Colts, but the franchise allowed Edge to become a free agent and replaced him with a young stud in Joseph Addai. Fred Taylor has played for 10 seasons in Jacksonville but the Jaguars felt they needed to add some youth to the position and have paired Taylor with the dynamite Maurice Jones-Drew. Deuce McAllister is only in his 7th season but the Saints nonetheless drafted Reggie Bush last year. Shaun Alexander has played for 8 seasons but after winning the MVP award in 2005 has shown signs that his body might be breaking down. Alexander missed 6 games last season and it looks like he will miss his third game in a row in 2007.
As beloved a player that Ladainian Tomlinson is, he isn't invincible. Certainly there are few in the league that is as body-aware as Tomlinson is, and there might not be a harder working guy in football than LT. But the fact of the matter is that 2008 will mark the 8th season of Tomlinson's career and while he has shown no signs of slowing down there are few players, especially runningbacks, who can keep up such an amazing pace of carries for that long. This isn't a doom and gloom post and I am not claiming that LT is slowing down or has lost a step (LT still averages over 4 yards per carry and is second among runningbacks for first downs). I am simply pointing out that the fact that at some point the San Diego Chargers will need to prepare for the future and should help protect both themselves as a team as well as Ladainian Tomlinson's career by drafting a running back within the next two years.
Certainly the team will need to have a plan when current backup Michael Turner departs as a free agent in 2008, so it would make sense to draft someone in April. Elite franchises stay elite by drafting elite players and with that in mind I am prepared for the very real possibility that AJ Smith and the San Diego Chargers entertain the idea of selecting a running back with one of their top picks. There is still plenty of time to analyze the current Chargers roster as well as evaluate potential NFL prospects but it would not come as surprise to see the Chargers pull the trigger on a talented runner in April.
In the coming week I will be profiling some intriguing college prospects who might be a good fit in San Diego as a second runningback as well as updating, in my opinion, what the San Diego Chargers 2008 draft needs are.
LT And Wife LaTorsha Give Back For The Holidays
Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 8:57 PM Posted under Labels: Charities, Tomlinson
For many people, football is more than just a game. Its life. Fans and players alike live and die with their team. But with the holidays just around the corner, its appropriate to think about the things for which we are thankful. For Tomlinson, the sport of football and how it has brought blessing to his family and to his community is something to be truly thankful for:
I'm thankful for just being in this position. I'm able to bless other people by giving them a turkey dinner or something like that. I'm thankful for my family. I'm thankful for just being in this position. I really enjoy being in the National Football League and playing football at this level. I'm thankful for that.
Earlier today, Fox6 News caught up with LT and his wide LaTorsha at their charity "Giving Thanks with LT and Friends" holiday program:
Link: FOX 6 Video
Tomlinson Eighth Among Pro Bowl Vote Getters
Friday, November 16, 2007 at 8:52 AM Posted under Labels: Pro Bowl, Tomlinson
Ladainian Tomlinson, despite a somewhat pedestrian year (stats-wise) is still getting plenty of Pro Bowl Votes. Adrian Peterson and Joseph Addai have thus far earned more votes, but Tomlinson is third among Running Backs and at this point is going to make the AFC squad. There is still time to get those votes in, so lets make sure we send our guys to Hawaii.
Through November 13, these are the top 10 vote getters:
1. Brett Favre (458,837)
2. Peyton Manning (441,852)
3. Tom Brady (440,354)
4. Randy Moss (342,250)
5. Tony Romo (319,959)
6. Adrian Peterson (317,388)
7. Joseph Addai (297,504)
8. LaDainian Tomlinson (261,259)
9. Terrell Owens (255,490)
10. Devin Hester (249,212)
ProBowl Ballot at NFL.com by way of ESPN Hashmarks
Stating The Obvious: LT's Carries Are Down This Year
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 11:17 AM Posted under Labels: Tomlinson
Tomlinson is averaging less that 20 carries per game this season. I truly believe, if you give that man the ball 20-30 times a game, good things can happen. We are nine games into the season, and LT is still not on track. The offense is having an identity crisis and lack the confidence that they can move the ball at will.
There was a consensus in 2006 that with a first time starter at quarterback, the Chargers were going to lean on Tomlinson and the running game. Fast forward to the start of the 2007 season and everyone expected Philip Rivers to emerge as an elite QB. Unfortunately Rivers is having some growing pains and the coaching staff has not gone back to leaning on the running game as much.
Ladainian Tomlinson 2006 (through nine games)
190 carries, 44 catches
Ladainian Tomlinson 2007 (through nine games)
176 carries, 36 catches
So does the lack of rushes have something to do with Norv Turner not dialing up the right plays? Is Turner pushing Rivers too hard and expecting too much out of his young Quarterback? Should the offense stick to the running game and try to be more creative in blocking for LT, or does that same old Power-style run game still work?
"I don't really think about what's being called. I'm too focused on whats going on out in the field and when the opportunity does present itself to try to make a play. I'm caught up in that moment. So I don't really ever say 'Well we haven't ran the ball enough right here...' I'm never thinking like that. I'm caught up too much in whats going on on the football field instead of being the one trying to call the plays and saying what Norv should be calling. I've never been like that."
LT wont outright say it, but he is certainly intimating that he would like to carry the ball more. And I would agree.
Two-Hundred Yards Rushing
Thursday, November 01, 2007 at 12:36 PM Posted under Labels: Minnesota Vikings, Tomlinson
Adrian Peterson, as highly touted as any running back prospect in recent memory, has burst onto the NFL scene. Anytime a running back rushes for over 200 yards in a game, people take notice. And with Ladainian Tomlinson and the Chargers going up to Minnesota this week, the comparisons between the two backs inevitably come.
Peterson is on his way to being a great player for many years, but he hasn't quite arrived in the minds of some of his teammates. Thats not a slight against Peterson, but rather wisdom from a veteran of the game, Darren Sharper:
“He hasn’t done what LT has done in his career,” Sharper said of Peterson. “You have to be consistent if you want to be compared to someone. Or if someone wants to say you’re better than they are you have to be as consistent as they have been and do more than they’ve done year after year. But you’ve watched Adrian and you know he has all the ability to do exactly what LT has done; he could be an offensive MVP in this league sooner rather than later. He can do it all. There is nothing he can’t do out on the football field.”
So while Adrian Peterson is on his way to greatness, certainly Tomlinson's place is already among the game's best ever. OJ Simpson holds the record with 6 games of 200 yards rushing, and he is followed by Earl Campbell, Barry Sanders, and Ladainian Tomlinson with 4 each.
But just how close has Tomlinson come to breaking Simpson's career record? Lets take a look:
2002
27 217
37 220
2003
28 187
26 200
31 243
2005
21 192
25 184
2006
25 183
18 172
28 178
25 199
2007
24 198
As you can see, over Tomlinson's career he has come within a stone's throw of 200 yards rushing plenty of times. He was 8 yards or less in three separate games. And all together he has 12 career games of 170 yards rushing or more. And keeping in mind his relative youth and ability to keep his body healthy, Tomlinson could easily smash yet another prestigious record.Chargers Ridiculously Predictable On First Down
Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 9:12 PM Posted under Labels: Green Bay Packers, Tomlinson
As the Chargers fall to 1-2 following a heart-breaking loss at Green Bay, a couple of trends seem to be emerging. One of those trends is a poor ability to run the ball, especially on first down. Ladainian Tomlinson carried the ball 22 times and for 62 yards - his highest rushing total on the season thus far.
While Tomlinson has not shown to be the runner fans have come to appreciate, blame cannot fall on LT's shoulders. No, the problem does not lie in Tomlinson's abilities, but rather the culprit is an unimaginative offensive coordination on the part of the Chargers coaching staff.
Tomlinson carried the ball 22 times on Sunday, but what is particularly of concern is that 13 of those 22 carries came on first down. On those 13 first-down carries, LT gained only 26 yards. This choice in playcalling did nothing to catch the Packers defense off guard. The Packers, and just about everyone watching the game, could easily predict a run play when the Chargers were in first down situations.
Making things even easier on the Packers defense was the Chargers' personnel groupings that lined up on first down. Lorenzo Neal and Brandon Manumaleuna lining up on the field at the same time was all but a guarantee the playcall was a run play, and yet even after adding two extra blockers to the play, the Chargers were disgustingly ineffective. When the Packers see the extra blockers the Chargers bring in on first down, its easy for the Pack to dial up a blitz and stuff the run. And thats what they did all game long.
I called for more spread offense, and its astonishingly clear how much more effective the Chargers were when they called pass plays with three receiver sets. Philip Rivers went 27 of 36 for 306 yards and 3 touchdowns. Rivers went for a span of about 13 passes before throwing an incompletion. His interception on the day came under 2 minutes left in the game during a time of desperation.
Six different Chargers caught passes, three of whom contributed a touchdown reception. That is incredible balance in the passing game, but an uncreative gameplan running the ball killed the Chargers today, and have killed them all season long.
Unless the coaching staff can start mixing it up in the run game, opposing defenses are going to continue to be successful at selling out to stop number 21.
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Time To Run More Spread Offense?
Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 12:39 PM Posted under Labels: Green Bay Packers, Norv Turner, Tomlinson
Having just faced two great defenses in Chicago and New England, the Chargers have seen first hand what eight and nine men in the box is doing to our run game and ability to score points. Teams are overloading up front, and the Chargers could do a better job at making adjustments.
The Chargers offense utilizes many two tight end sets and will often times have two backs in the backfield. All this does is play exactly into the hands of the defense. When the entire offensive is lining up inside the box, the defense is going to have a much easier time keying in on the one man who can hurt them most; Ladainian Tomlinson.
What the team needs to do is to take a page from the way the New England Patriots dominated them and run more spread-type offense. I want to see more single back formations, single tight end formations. Put all three receivers in the game and put Philip Rivers in the shotgun. Punish the defense when the blitz comes by hitting an open man and gaining some yards. Put Michael Turner in as the lone back and have him block. Or use LT on routes coming out of the backfield. Use the spread to force the defense into 3 deep zones and pull that safety out of the box.
The Chargers are heading into Green Bay this week and are going to be facing a talented but young defense. The Packers have made improving their defense a top priority the past few seasons, and it is paying off for them. The Pack are enjoying a six game win streak (dating back to last season) and are gaining some respectability back. But they are still very young, and are prone to mistakes. The Chargers can exploit the Packers D if they mix things up enough on offense, and I think running more no-huddle, spread-style offensive plays will help them in this way.
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Bears At Chargers Post-Game Impressions
Monday, September 10, 2007 at 11:40 AM Posted under Labels: Chicago Bears, Eric Weddle, Lorenzo Neal, Marlon McCree, Michael Turner, Norv Turner, Postgame Impressions, Ron Rivera, Stephen Cooper, Ted Cottrell, Tomlinson, Vincent Jackson
The Chargers won a slugfest on Sunday in a game that feature two of the NFL's elite defenses. Not the easiest game to watch, the Bolts nonetheless came away with a victory. There were a number of players that caught my eye and I'd like to share my impressions of their performances in my post-game thoughts and impressions. Click on to read part one of two.
Eric Weddle continues to impress. While only credited with one sack, Weddell had two sacks in my eyes. He is a game changer and its only a matter of time before he starts opposite Marlon McCree on the base defense. Ted Cottrell and Ron Rivera are dialing up safety blitzes left and right and it’s a pleasure to watch. Using the defensive backs to blitz was something I would have loved Wade Phillips to do, and I called for them often last year. This is just another clear difference in philosophy that the defense under Cottrell/Rivera has versus the old Wade Phillips style of defense.
While he unquestionably has the physical tools to dominant in this league, it’s the mental aspect of the game that hinders Vincent Jackson’s ability to prosper. Jackson was called for a couple of penalties; one was an acceptable offensive pass interference that prevented a possible interception, but on the same drive Jackson was again flagged, this time for a costly false start. The knock remains against him about using his hands to catch so watching a football hit him directly in the chest and bounce off was both expected and yet heart-breaking. Jackson is expected to have a breakout year this season, and Coach Turner is certainly using him in a variety of roles – including lining him up in the backfield as a blocker. If Vincent can just wrap his head around the game, he is going to be a good one. He will never have a better opportunity than this season; no veterans ahead of him on the depth chart, and a thorough knowledge of the offense. He needs to have a nice season if he is going to have any shot at remaining the number one receiver. C’mon VJ!
The offensive playbook has certainly expanded, and if you were seeing the Chargers run plays that you never saw in years past, you weren’t alone. Its not too early to see why Norv Turner carries to reputation for being an offensive mastermind. The way the Bears defense was playing on Sunday, it’s a marvel the Chargers scored at all, let along two touchdowns in the second half. Its going to be awesome watching the Bolts run more of these new plays throughout the year. I’d expect a reverse play for next week’s matchup against New England.
Keep pounding the rock. Last year when the run game wasn’t there, Cam Cameron stopped calling it. Not so with Norv Turner. The Chargers kept running the ball, knowing they were facing eight and nine men in the box. The running backs accounted for 31 rushes in total, for only 78 yards. But the important thing is that the team remained committed to their bread and butter and forced the Bears defense to respect the run. LT didn’t gain but 25 yards rushing, but he needs his carries to thrive. He is still getting into his game-shape after sitting out the entire preseason as a precautionary measure. There is no better tune up than facing those Bears and their D-linemen. Especially considering Tomlinson will be taking the team into Foxboro next week where he is going to be counted on to lead the offense in hostile territory.
I have always liked Stephen Cooper, and I eagerly anticipated the day where he would take the reigns as a full-time starter. Cooper was forever around the ball, and hits with tremendous force. He has a compact and punishing build, similar to Michael Turner and Lorenzo Neal. Those two players are renowned for the blows they deliver to opposing teams, and Cooper is no different. He led the team in tackles and had a forced fumble to boot. Cooper will be more than an adequate replacement for Randall Godfrey and will bring a menacing presence to the middle of the field.
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Capturing The Essence Of LT's Field Vision
Saturday, August 04, 2007 at 5:10 PM Posted under Labels: Tomlinson, Video
Down by five with only ten seconds left in the game, the ball is going to #21.
Shot in San Diego at Qualcomm Stadium, Nike filmed a commercial to creatively portray the uncanny field vision that Ladainian Tomlinson possesses.
Cameos from teammates Philip Rivers, Shawne Merriman, and Antonio Gates. Tommie Harris of the Chicago Bears can also be seen.
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For An Encore, Could Tomlinson Break 2000?
Monday, July 30, 2007 at 4:06 PM Posted under Labels: Team Record, Tomlinson
Coming off an MVP season and holding a barrel full of records, it would seem that LT has nothing left to prove. His trophy case is lined with accolades and awards, and his name will forever be in the history books as one of the greatest ever to play the sport of football.
However, there remains one awards missing from LT's collection.
“I've heard some people say how he hasn't won anything in the playoffs,” Tomlinson said of himself. “Well, they're right. We'll just have to see what happens.”
A win in the playoffs and a victory in the SuperBowl is every player's dream. LT is no different. It is clear that he would rather have team wins than personal glory. So lest someone should be confused, make no mistake; Ladainain Tomlinson wants a ring.
But if there was one thing, aside from a championship victory, that would surely merit instant enshrinement in Canton, it would be Tomlinson's name among legends of the game Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson, and OJ Simpson. The 2000 yard rushing club is so exclusive that, even if Tomlinson went his entire career without a SuperBowl victory, he could very well be remembered as the greatest player ever seen in the NFL.
Below is a list of 2000+ yard rushers:
2003 - Jamal Lewis: 16 games, 387 att, 2066 yds, 5.3 avg, 14 td
1998 - Terrell Davis: 16 games, 392 att, 2008 yds, 5.1 avg, 21 td
1997 - Barry Sanders: 16 games, 335 att, 2053 yds, 6.1 avg, 11 td
1984 - Eric Dickerson: 16 games, 379 att, 2105 yds, 5.6 avg, 14 td
1973 - OJ Simpson: 14 games, 332 attt, 2003 yds, 6.0 avg, 12 td
I would much LT emulate the style of Barry Sanders than Terrell Davis in doing more with less carries. Davis carried the ball a punishing 392 times to a highly respectable 5.1 YPC. However, Sanders carried the ball only 335 times in 97 (a low-ish amount for a featured back) but averaged 6.1 yards per carry en route to 2053 rushing yards.
If LT can remain healthy all season long - which up to this point he has consistently proven he can - and if Norv Turner can help elevate the offense to a point where LT is facing less pressure, I can see Tomlinson approaching 6.0 yards a carry in 2007. With the offensive line he has now, LT wont face nearly the number of defenders in the backfield that Sanders suffered through. And with the quarterback and offensive system that the Chargers have, hopefully defenders will be forced to remain honest and LT will have a little more breathing room. Because all he needs is a crease.
Don't Look For A 1000 Yard WR In San Diego
Saturday, July 07, 2007 at 1:15 PM Posted under Labels: Buster Davis, Fantasy Football, Gates, NFL Coaching, Norv Turner, Philip Rivers, Tomlinson
Its become somewhat of a recent trend in the NFL where teams are featuring two-back rushing attacks and a more opened up pass attack. Teams are throwing it around a lot, and this means the wide receiver position has become something to focus on when it comes to compiling your fantasy football draft board.
Michael Fabiano from NFL.com knows the Chargers will have one of the most potent offenses in the league, but he isn't too enamored with the Bolts' wide receivers fantasy potential:
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Keenan McCardell's release has opened the door for Vincent Jackson, who is now the team's top wide receiver and a terrific sleeper candidate for fantasy football owners. Eric Parker is the current No. 2, but he'll receive competition from rookie Craig Davis. Neither is worth more than a late-round flier in larger formats. Malcolm Floyd and Kassim Osgood are in the mix for the fourth spot, but neither has draft value. Antonio Gates will be the first tight end taken in almost all formats.
Who will emerge as the team's go-to guy? It's totally up in the air at this point. Vincent Jackson is the default number one right now. While Jackson is clearly the most physically gifted and has tremendous upside, Malcolm Floyd is the more talented and natural pass catcher. The Chargers spent a first round pick on Craig Davis, so there is certainly nice mix of youth and talent in the group.
The Chargers passing offense and the 49ers passing offense that Norv Turner ran last year is very similar. There is a nice distribution of catches among a number of players. The running back catches lots of balls in both offenses, and neither team featured a 1000 yard receiver. The main difference is that the Chargers were more efficient and generally had better production among a similar number of opportunities.
Bottom line? Don't expect any wide receiver on the Chargers to be a 1000 yard guy. Its just not a very likely scenario with Antonio Gates, LaDainian Tomlinson, and a nice mix of similarly talented young wide outs all on the roster.
If you look back to the 2005 season, the team featured an 1100+ yard Tight End (Gates), as well as a 900+ yard receiver (Keenan McCardell). So why would I claim that in 2007, its pretty unlikely a receiver reaches the magically 1000 mark?
In 2005, Drew Brees had an amazing 500 attempts passing...and the team went 9-7. The team had to play from behind at times, and did not do a great job of controlling the game. Also, in the 2004, 2005, and 2006 seasons, 2005 was the lowest rating for the Chargers starting QB. So for a receiver to get to 1000 yards, Philip Rivers will need to throw the ball in excess of 500 times this season.
Is it possible that Rivers is unleashed to that extent? Sure. Manning, Brady, Brees...those guys throw it more than 500 times a season. But neither of those QBs have, or are, the best player in the game. And neither of those QBs has the best tight end in the game. With the way the Chargers are built, its the LT and Gates show and the wide receivers just need to help take the pressure off of those guys.
I'll get some better insight when seeing the guys practice, but at this point I can confidently predict that because of the excellent dispersion of talent on offense, I can't foresee a wide receiver on the roster gaining 1000 yards receiving in 2007.
At This Point, Is Tomlinson A Hall-of-Famer?
Saturday, June 30, 2007 at 5:51 PM Posted under Labels: Hall Of Fame, Tomlinson
Has LT already earned his spot in Canton? If LT's career ended today, has what he accomplished in six professional years enough to garner him the requisite votes to become a Hall-of-Famer?
As a fan of not only Tomlinson and the Chargers, but in the NFL game in general, I would argue that LT is a first-ballot honoree. He holds records more impressive than many of his predecessors already enshrined in Canton, Ohio. The impact Tomlinson has had on the Chargers franchise, turning the team from a laughingstock to a powerhouse, as well as his great community work, are enough to permanently place him in a category of the NFL's best ever.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sportsline isn't totally sold on the idea that Tomlinson has already earned a spot in the HOF:
LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers
Decision: On the bubble.
If he has another LT-like season in 2007, he's in. So it's basically just a formality. He's halfway to the rushing record.
I think its funny that Prisco wants one more season of LT being LT to convince him that Tomlinson is one of the game's best ever. Does he really hate the Chargers that much?
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