Tomlinson not feeling like ‘ancient old man’ at 30

[Hawkeye]

FORT WORTH, Texas(AP)—LaDainian Tomlinson(notes) laughs about the phone call he got on his 30th birthday this week from his younger brother, who referred to the Chargers’ running back as an “ancient old man.”

Tomlinson not feeling like 'ancient old man' at 30 - NFL - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=txchargersltat30&prov=st&type=lgns)

[StevenSD]

he's going to have the best season a 30 year old RB can have, count on it... hopefully he stays healthy all the way through camp

[Texecutioner]

he's going to have the best season a 30 year old RB can have, count on it... hopefully he stays healthy all the way through camp

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see that happen.

[Hawkeye]

he's going to have the best season a 30 year old RB can have, count on it... hopefully he stays healthy all the way through camp


I would like to see him bounce back and have a great year.

Oh, btw.....that is the scariest sig I have ever seen.

[FreeAtLast]

he's going to have the best season a 30 year old RB can have, count on it... hopefully he stays healthy all the way through camp

this man is a great athlete, I hope he has a hell of a year.....(except for 2 games I can think of). But I don't know how you can be so sure and 100% doubtlless that he will come back as great as he can be. I think I see him slowing down a bit and succumbing to injuries more often.

I think it is a good chance, but not guaranteed.

[StevenSD]

this man is a great athlete, I hope he has a hell of a year.....(except for 2 games I can think of). But I don't know how you can be so sure and 100% doubtlless that he will come back as great as he can be. I think I see him slowing down a bit and succumbing to injuries more often.

I think it is a good chance, but not guaranteed.

last year was the first year he had to play a season riddled with injuries...

nothing in his past performances suggests he'll see that again, especially with the extreme conditioning he does this time of year.

it's not fair to assume he is slowing down and piling up injuries until it's actually happening.

[FreeAtLast]

last year was the first year he had to play a season riddled with injuries...

nothing in his past performances suggests he'll see that again, especially with the extreme conditioning he does this time of year.

it's not fair to assume he is slowing down and piling up injuries until it's actually happening.

you are right it is not fair to assume. But it is fair to make an educated guess with all available information.

[StevenSD]

But it is fair to make an educated guess with all available information.

What info is suggesting LT is going to have a similar season as last?

[BigBenCan7]

What info is suggesting LT is going to have a similar season as last?

The fact that his numbers have been steadily free falling since 2006?

[FreeAtLast]

The fact that his numbers have been steadily free falling since 2006?

NO! don't look behind the curtain!

[Tronix]

Yep, gotta go with BBC and the FNG on this one, Stevens...age and history shows his numbers will continue to decline.

He's still better than alot of RB's out there, so don't panic...not yet anyway.

[StevenSD]

The fact that his numbers have been steadily free falling since 2006?

Lol not one runningback will be able to have a season like that for awhile...

kinda of convienant you picked his BEST year...

[Tronix]

he picked his best year as a starting point for the decline. In three years, his numbers have dropped progressively, and steadily. One year slumps are broken, two year down periods occasionally return, but three years is pushing it. Is it possible, but if he has another year that is declined, I'd say 100%, without a doubt his career is winding down and fast.

[StevenSD]

he picked his best year as a starting point for the decline. In three years, his numbers have dropped progressively, and steadily. One year slumps are broken, two year down periods occasionally return, but three years is pushing it. Is it possible, but if he has another year that is declined, I'd say 100%, without a doubt his career is winding down and fast.

So 2007 was a down year even though he led the league in rushing and TDs (over 1400 yards and 15 TDs)?

Wow everyone has such high standards...

[MrSlurpee]

Well he's also carried the ball less each year since the Chargers have thrown the ball more each year since 2006. I'm not saying he isn't in decline, but I think people are overreacting about how far he is really falling. The good news for LT is that he hasn't had injuries to his knees yet, which are the first thing (usually) to go for RBs. The injuries that he had last year are ones that anyone can come back from in a year or two. However, his age suggests that he won't be able to put up 1400+ yards, 15 TDs, but the Chargers don't need that anymore. If LT ran for 1250-1400 yards, scored 10-12 times, the Chargers will be fine, and those are pretty damn good numbers for a 30 year old RB. Could he run for 1400+ yards, sure, he says he's in the best shape he's been in in awhile, and who are we to say he's lying. But, if he doesn't and he gives them 1250-1400 and 10-12, the Chargers will be pretty content with that type of production.

[Tronix]

MrSlurpee you essentially put into stats what I was implying. By me saying he is declining is in no way saying he still isn't an effective weapon.

[MrSlurpee]

The problem is that LT has set the bar so high that when if he has a 1250, 12 TD season, people are going to say that he's dropping off, when in reality, that is a pretty damn good season for most players.

Interesting stat for fantasy heads on here- Matt Forte and LT were the only RBs last year to score at least 10 fantasy points in at least 13 out of 16 games (in standard scoring leagues). LT is still a top 5-6 RB in the league even at 30 years old.

[pentekno2]

I think LT will have a big year. I wouldn't go so far as to make bold predictions like he'll lead the league in rushing, etc. Not that it isn't possible, just a gut feeling that some of these younger RBs are going to start to take over for good at the top of the hill.

LT is still the RB that frightens in the AFC West no question, LJ is pretty much done and with Todd Haley in the mix, RBs probably wont play a big rushing role. As well with Denver, who did go after Moreno, who I think will turn out to be a Solid back and may give LT a run for his money, but that will be based more on how much on the run Denver may end up going to if Orton Struggles, and ESPECIALLY if Marshall continues to be a disturbance and/or gets traded.
As far as overall rushing ability from a TEAM WIDE standpoint, Oakland may well be on the rise.. And I HATE to have to say that..., But I think that Cable will see that the games Oakland won last year, they pretty much won running the ball, not on the arm of Russell. But I don't know that Oakland will produce a 1000 yard back, or if they do it'll be JUST over, like, in the 1050-1100 range. I only say that based on a seemingly deep backfield in Oakland. Denver may end up falling into this category as well since half their roster seems like RBs.

Anywho, after THAT tangent, LT was pretty beat up last year, yes, but he is well known for being one ofthe hardest working in the offseason, and well conditioned athletes playing in this league. And ultimately, if he needs a breather, he needs to just take it. I think that in that team, with Sproles there to relieve pressure, he should take complete advantage of it. Health will be the key, and with Rivers emerging as a QB that teams need to plan around as I believe he led the league in Pass TDs last season.

[MrSlurpee]

I agree with pretty much everything you said, pentekno. I think that a lot of people are overlooking the fact that LT won't be as much of a factor in the passing game this year. I think he'll still see the field a lot on passing downs, but he won't be much of a pass catcher. He's still one of the best RBs in the game at picking up the blitz, so the Chargers will leave him in for that, but for plays that are designed to have the RB in the flat, the Chargers will use Sproles a whole lot more. LT has averaged 63.75 catches a season (he has never had a season in which he had less than 51 receptions). With Sproles getting a lot more of those passing attempts, those are less hits that LT will be taking, which I think will help keep him fresher later in games and later in the season.