04/25/24
April 02, 2010
LaDainian Tomlinson: My 2009 Stats Are Misleading: "The things that happened in San Diego, everything was taken away from me. There wasn't an emphasis on running the football anymore, my best fullback was gone, the linemen were pass blocking and it was a passing quarterback and a passing coach. So, the situation's kind of misleading when you look on film." -- LaDainian Tomlinson, now with the New York Jets
Excuses, excuses, excuses. It seems to me every time the gave him the ball he did very little with it. Maybe that's why things changed.
posted by Atheist at 05:28 PM on April 02, 2010
Not his fault? You can't post a 3.3 ypc and not shoulder at least some of the blame.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 06:09 PM on April 02, 2010
It seems professional athletes tend to boost their abilities/past performances when entering a new city. Whether that be for the sake of doubting fans, or for the benefit of improving his new teammates' perception of him, I don't know. Could be both. This sounds like that.
But instead of blaming everyone else, maybe he should focus on how he can improve the Jets, rather than directing his shortcomings to a franchise that paid him $400 trillion dollars* over 9 years.
If I were a Jet fan, I'd much rather hear about the positives than the negatives.
*Not actual size
posted by BoKnows at 08:50 PM on April 02, 2010
While I do agree that LT can't blame everything on others, I think if you read the article that he's being realistic about where he's at, career-wise.
He statement of "At this stage of my career, I've got to outwork everybody else and prove that I can still play" tells me that he knows where he stands, and he acknowledged that he'll be sharing carries with Green. If I'm a Jets fan, I'd be glad to have him for a couple of years...might have two years left in him, and he's a solid partner for Green. (that being said, I think he drops way down in the fantasy draft this year)
posted by dviking at 09:44 PM on April 02, 2010
I did read the article and I agree that the quote you pulled implies his desire to show he can still walk the walk and not just talk the talk. We'll see. I wish him the best in that personal challenge.
But I find it surprising that a professional NFL team would change their philosophy in such a way that negates the ability of what was arguably the best player in the league. The explanation for that seems to be either A) that player just doesn't have what he once did, and the change is necessary or B) the owners and coaches are complete idiots.
posted by BoKnows at 10:06 PM on April 02, 2010
But I find it surprising that a professional NFL team would change their philosophy in such a way that negates the ability of what was arguably the best player in the league. The explanation for that seems to be either A) that player just doesn't have what he once did, and the change is necessary or B) the owners and coaches are complete idiots.
The Steelers moved from a very much run-oriented team, to a passing philosophy recently. They still run the ball, but they use the pass to open up the run, which was the opposite of what they used to do. And with the Steelers I don't think it was due to a falloff from RB or dumb coaching as much as it was an improvement in QB play and change in the game. I think the same goes for SD. They found they can win games on River's arm without needing a fullback, pounding the ball on the ground, and winning close games with defense. I think that's all that LT was pointing out. I don't happen to agree with his assessment about how much he has left in the tank, but I don't disagree with his reasoning.
posted by bdaddy at 10:31 PM on April 02, 2010
Fair enough bdaddy, I guess we will see how it plays out.
posted by BoKnows at 11:00 PM on April 02, 2010
And with the Steelers I don't think it was due to a falloff from RB or dumb coaching as much as it was an improvement in QB play and change in the game.
Willie Parker certainly wasn't getting the job done which may have also contributed.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 12:19 AM on April 03, 2010
BoKnows, keep in mind that you're talking to a Minnesota Vikings fan.
I had to endure an idiot GM that didn't listen to his idiot coach, and went out and traded the team's current and future players away for a player the coach didn't want. (Herschel Walker in case someone was wondering). The coach promptly decided that he'd show that GM who was the bigger idiot and refused to play the guy to anything near his full potential. So, while Walker might not have been the player that LT was, yes, I can imagine a team negating the ability of their best player.
One more year, and a few more therapy sessions, and I'll be over that trade...no really I promise, I'll let it go. Until then, if Mike Lynn or Jerry Burns steps in front of my car, they're dead where they stand.
posted by dviking at 01:45 AM on April 03, 2010
Willie Parker certainly wasn't getting the job done which may have also contributed.
Mendenhall did get the job done however, which is why they sent Parker packing.
posted by bdaddy at 02:21 PM on April 03, 2010
Okay, I in no way mean to demean LT's career (no doubt career-wise he is a HoF), but at some point will we hear him take any responsibility for the decline in his #'s the last few years?
And if he really thinks that after the respectable rookie campaign Shonne Green had last year that he's getting 20+ carries a game, he is verging on complete myopia.