Today, one of the best to
ever play at his position walked away.
LaDainian Tomlinson retired
after being in the league for the last 11 years. For much of that time, few
were better than he was at the running back position. If there were any that
were better, they didn’t appear to be better for the most part. Tomlinson
proved to be a different kind of running back, as he along with Marshall Faulk
were two of the best dual threat running backs in league history.
Beyond a shadow of doubt
there is no reason for Tomlinson not to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame in
five years, if not six or seven. Despite his dwindling performances since 2009,
from 2001-1008 he was damn near untouchable. His 2006 season sticks out the
most, where he posted 2,323 yards from scrimmage, including a league best 1,815
yards rushing and 28 rushing touchdowns. Tomlinson found the end zone three
times that year on the receiving end, ending with 31 total touchdowns, a mark
that will stand for a very long time. He followed that season up with another
rushing title, and was perhaps the last season that he was the best running
back in the league.
To put this all into
perspective, Tomlinson had two rushing titles, three seasons above 1,500 yards
rushing, five seasons where he was over 1,400, and three seasons where he had
2,000+ yards from scrimmage. His 145 rushing touchdowns is second all time only
to the 164 that Emmitt Smith had during his tenure, and his 162 total
touchdowns ranks third all time, to only Emmitt Smith and the incomparable
Jerry Rice. His 18,456 yards from scrimmage ranks fifth all time, behind the
likes of Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Marshall Faulk, and Walter Payton.
The common factor here?
Tomlinson’s in elite company, and sooner or later, he’ll continue to be.
Thanks #21.
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