While many people are automatically penciling LaDainian Tomlinson in behind Shonn Greene as a backup due to LT’s declining production in the last few years, Tomlinson is saying otherwise.
“I think at this point in my career, people put this label and this title on you once you get to a certain age: ‘Yeah, he has to be a backup now.’ I don’t believe that. I absolutely don’t believe that,” Tomlinson, 31 next month, said Thursday. “You determine your role on the football field, and that’s what the Jets have been so great about, allowing me to do that.
“They didn’t put a label on me at all. They didn’t say ‘You know what? You’re going to be a backup.’ They said, ‘No, you’re going to prove what you can do on the football field,’ and that’s all I can ask.”
I’m all for the open competition at starting running back, but I really don’t see LT as the starter. Shonn Greene ran like a monster during last season’s playoff run, and unless that was a complete fluke or he gets hurt, there’s no way Shonn isn’t the Jets #1 RB all season. I have been a skeptic of the LT signing all along, as I still think Thomas Jones is better then LT, but LT should make a solid third down back.
Shit, 4 years ago people would kill to have LT as a starter, let alone a Third Down Back! But this isn’t 4 years ago, and the window of oppurtunity in the NFL for running backs is extremely small. You like at guys that hit a certain age and just fall of the fucking map, aka Shaun Alexander, Clinton Portis, Edgerrin James, the list goes on and on.
In the end, LT will be a productive 3rd down back, and offer something TJ didn’t, the ability to catch passes. Will putting on a Jets uniform rejuvenate a certain Hall of Fame career for LT, I don’t see it, but it’s always a possibility.
|
Want more Jets news?
If so, join countless other New York Jets fans who subscribe to the Jersey Jets Fan newsletter. We hold FREE t-shirt giveaways, fantasy sport leagues, important news and more.
|
|
This post was written by...
Payday – who has written 561 posts on Jersey Jets Fan- a New York Jets Blog with Attitude.
Rob aka Payday is the founder of the Jersey Jets Fan and BROcrastinator. Rob is a 21 year old college student that has been a New York Jets fan for all his life, as well as a Qdoba burrito eating enthusiast, military history junkie and proud resident of New Jersey. Follow Rob on Twitter @JerseyJetsFan and Facebook
