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LT, The best ever? (Dallas/Ft Worth Star - 9/06) |
Former Frogs' star certainly scores highly
By Charean Williams Star-Telegram Staff Writer
September 7, 2006
In his 30 seasons in the NFL, San Diego Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer has seen most of the greatest running backs in NFL history -- Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Eric Dickerson, Earl Campbell, O.J. Simpson.
And Schottenheimer ranks his team's running back, LaDainian Tomlinson, above them all.
"I think he's the best I've ever seen," Schottenheimer said.
The Chargers have counted their blessings since making Tomlinson the No. 5 overall draft choice in 2001. He is a three-time Pro Bowler with career totals of 7,361 rushing yards, 2,392 receiving yards and 80 touchdowns.
"He's just a good football player," said C.O. Brocato, the Tennessee Titans' Arlington-based national college scouting director.
Tomlinson, 27, has rushed for more than 1,200 yards in each of his five seasons, including 1,462 in 2005 despite a rib injury late in the season. He also has made 342 catches and thrown four TD passes.
Touchdowns are his specialty.
Tomlinson tied the NFL record of Hall of Famer Lenny Moore by scoring in 18 consecutive games. Tomlinson's streak ended Oct. 23 when he had a career-low 7 rushing yards and no touchdowns against the Eagles.
So how would Tomlinson, whose goal is to become the NFL's best-ever running back, describe himself?
"I guess a guy that whenever he steps on the football field does anything and everything to help his team win," he said.
The vitals
Height: 5-10
Weight: 221
Age: 27
College: TCU
NFL: 6th year
What they're saying
"He is good at everything. He is good at running the football, receiving the football, and obviously, if they need him to throw the ball, he's good at that, too."-- Eagles coach Andy Reid
Hands
In 2003, he became the first back in NFL history to gain more than 1,000 rushing yards and catch at least 100 passes in the same season. He has 342 career catches for 2,392 yards and eight touchdowns.
Arm
He has completed five of seven passes for 106 yards and four touchdowns in his career.
Ball security
After losing five fumbles his rookie season, Tomlinson has lost only four in the past four seasons.
Feet
He has been compared to Barry Sanders, because he says of "our cuts, our jump cuts, and being able to cut it back against the grain." Said Chargers linebacker Donnie Edwards, "It's tough to even put your hands on him. I haven't seen anybody cut the way he does. It's almost like he has cleats on the side of his feet."
Vision
Denver Broncos defensive lineman Trevor Pryce has wondered aloud if Tomlinson has eyes in the back of his head. Pryce isn't alone. "He has great vision," Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said. "He sees the hole and knows when to cut back or take the ball outside, and he is dangerous out there."
Speed
Tomlinson turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2001 when he ran a 4.38. It sealed his becoming the fifth overall pick in the draft by the Chargers, who traded down from the top spot to No. 5. Tomlinson has 45 career runs of 20 or more yards and 15 career catches of at least 20 yards.
Smarts
Tomlinson held out of training camp for the first 30 days his rookie season. When he finally signed, coaches were impressed that his playbook was well worn.
Hips
After the 2003 season, Tomlinson hired one of the nation's top personal trainers, Todd Durkin. Durkin noticed Tomlinson's hamstrings, hip flexors and hip rotators were weaker on one side. Simple balancing drills, which frustrated Tomlinson at the beginning, helped him learn to cut to the right without even thinking.
Heart
He has missed only one game in his NFL career, and not for an injury. Marty Schottenheimer held Tomlinson out of the regular-season finale in 2004. Even though the game was meaningless for the Chargers, who already had clinched the AFC West, Tomlinson privately was upset with the decision. He had a rib injury last season, among the many injuries he has played through in his career.
Key number
80 Tomlinson's career touchdowns, only three behind Lance Alworth's Chargers team record. It took Tomlinson only 79 games to score 80 touchdowns, tying Emmitt Smith for the second-fastest player to reach that mark (Jim Brown scored 80 touchdowns in 76 games). "When you get down by the goal line, you've kind of got to have a different mind-set of not letting anyone stop you from getting across that goal line," Tomlinson said. "You just kind of set your mind that no matter what, I won't let them stop me." Signature game In 2002, his second NFL season, Tomlinson led the Chargers to a 27-21 overtime victory in Oakland. He carried a career-high 39 times for 153 yards -- including the winning touchdown -- and added 28 receiving yards and a touchdown on five catches. After reaching the end zone on his final 19-yard run, Tomlinson dropped to his knees, raised his arms out to his side and lifted his head to the heavens. The Black Hole -- the Raiders' fans -- began littering him with debris, which was the ultimate recognition that he had arrived.
Stop sign
Opponents hope he has back-to-back 100-yard games before they play the Chargers. Only once has Tomlinson had three consecutive 100-yard rushing games. "If you're trying to figure out how to stop, or try to stop any dominant player, you just put a lot of people around him," he said. "You make sure all eyes are on him. But the good ones still are able to make something happen." The Chargers love the Power O inside running play. Although opponents know what's coming, they still have trouble stopping him. |
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