irish Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 (edited) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writ.../march30/1.html Norv Turner just might run LaDainian Tomlinson until the wheels fall off. Of all the conversations I had at the league meetings, the one with San Diego coach Norv Turner surprised me the most. "I think LT's got a hell of a chance to win the rushing title,'' Turner told me. He said Tomlinson had "fluky injuries'' last year, and he expects him to get well over the number of carries -- 292 -- he had last year. "Maybe in the 320, 330 range,'' Turner said. Well, Tomlinson, who struggled to a 3.9-yards-per-carry average last year, would have to put his career in overdrive at age 30 this fall to compete for a rushing title with 320 carries. Last year, Adrian Peterson won the title with 1,760 yards on 363 carries. Michael Turner of the Falcons was second with 1,699 yards on 376 carries. For Tomlinson to hit 1,760 yards on 320 carries, he'd have to rush for 5.5 yards per carry, which is seven-tenths of a yard better than the terrific Peterson managed last year. I don't see it. No one does. But if that's going to be Turner's attitude with Tomlinson, it's obviously being done to tell Tomlinson: We don't see you in a steep decline, and we don't see you in a time-share with Darren Sproles. You're still our guy. Now, we'll see if Tomlinson has it in him. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have said on here before that if this is LT's last year in a Charger uniform than it is quite possible that the coaching staff gets everything they possibly can out of him. LT had 339 carries in '04, 339 carries in '05, 348 in '06, 315 in '07 and then 292 in '08. If he did in fact have some freak injuries last year and can come into the season 100% then maybe they try to give him 320+ carries. However, it just seems as though he's got too much wear and tear on those tires and if he tries to carry that much of the load that he'll surely breakdown at some point during the season. However, that may not stop Norv from giving it a go. Can he carry a huge load of 320+ carries for the full season (along with 50 receptions or so), without the nagging injuries which will keep his ypc average under 4 and of course not have Sproles siphon off too many touches to win another Rushing Title? Edited March 31, 2009 by irish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
i_am_the_swammi Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Can he carry a huge load of 320+ carries for the full season (along with 50 receptions or so), without the nagging injuries which will keep his ypc average under 4 and of course not have Sproles siphon off too many touches to win another Rushing Title? Since when is 320 carries a huge load? Thats 20 carries per game, and only 28 more than he had in an injury-riddled 2008. And no, he can't win the rushing title with that many carries...he'd need to be in the 360-380 carries range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 Since when is 320 carries a huge load? Thats 20 carries per game, and only 28 more than he had in an injury-riddled 2008. And no, he can't win the rushing title with that many carries...he'd need to be in the 360-380 carries range. I agree and is why I put the + sign after 320 cause I feel that he'll need much more than 320 carries as well. I also feel that he won't win the title as he won't be able to pull off 370 attempts. 350 carries at 4.5 ypc (1,575 yards) wouldn't even do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Can he sure? It is possible if he stays healthy. It isn't likely though. Turner also said on NFL N he would play the season by ear. I wouldn't pay much attention to what he says until after the draft. He could be trying to boost LT's value in a potential trade or disguise wanting to draft a RB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Hammock Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 The odds say that LT is going to become an above average NFL back, who will show some signs of old brilliance, from time to time, anytime he does the announcers will over call it just out of respect. LT has implanted himself as one of the best backs to ever play the game. That being said, his days of leading the league in rushing are over. It would probably take close to 400 carries for him to be able to do it. His body can’t take it. He will likely average around 4 yards a carry from now until the end of his career, which isn’t too far off in the distance. I give him 3 more playing years, unless he is willing to split (in half) the carries with someone else. Out of those three years I will predict that he will only break 1,000 yards once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 (edited) The odds say that LT is going to become an above average NFL back, who will show some signs of old brilliance, from time to time, anytime he does the announcers will over call it just out of respect. LT has implanted himself as one of the best backs to ever play the game. That being said, his days of leading the league in rushing are over. It would probably take close to 400 carries for him to be able to do it. His body can’t take it. He will likely average around 4 yards a carry from now until the end of his career, which isn’t too far off in the distance. I give him 3 more playing years, unless he is willing to split (in half) the carries with someone else. Out of those three years I will predict that he will only break 1,000 yards once. You know those predictions are pretty on target if you ask me. As a matter of fact, I might even go a step further and say that '09 will be LT's last season playing football because if the Chargers want no part of him after this year, I think he'll hang them up instead of going to another team to finish things up. Edited March 31, 2009 by irish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acheckeye Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I can't really see him winning the rushing title. He's still really good, but won't get the carries necessary. I think he'll have a more productive season than last though. Last year was a fluke imo. In fact, I can't really see anyone besides AP winning it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Tomlinson may move to another team if he thinks they have a real shot at a title (assuming SD doesn't win it this coming season). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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