There was a good story in the New York Post about former Charger Lorenzo Neal’s perspective and participation in regards to Ladanian Tomlinson becoming a Jet. The whole story is here, but here are a few exerpts:
On what the Jets will get with LT
“When LT comes into that locker room the Jets are getting a leader,” Neal said. “Is LT as good as he was? No he’s not. But he’s better than 70 or 80 percent of the backs in the league. Let’s be real: He’s not the guy he was when he first came into the league, but he still has it.”
On the use of LT in the playoffs
“All of a sudden, Norv wanted to run the ball. You want to run a guy who’s been on a chain and been caged up all season behind an offensive line that’s been caged up and hadn’t bowed their heads and run the ball all season?
How does Neal like LT’s chances?
“Now he’s in a place where he knows they have a running game with a purpose,” Neal said. “This guy will fly; I think he’s going to fly. He’s been backed into a corner like a caged cat and he’s going to scratch and fight.”
According to the article, Neal encouraged LT sign with the Jets all the way because of their commitment to the run. Neal is also excited that Tomlinson will be on a bigger stage in New York.
Most Charger fans know that Tomlinson had more gas in the tank and his production was suffering because of the shift from the run game to the passing game. Time will tell what LT’s impact with the Jets will be, but it looks like he’ll be given every chance to maximize his success with the run first mentality.
This fans only comment would be that the Chargers had that same run-first mentality for all, but the last year or two, of LT’s career and he had some great individual stats when the team’s focus was strengthening the run. Those were great years, especially for him individually, but each of them ended the same way last year did, without a Super Bowl.
If LT rebounds with a big season, and there’s a good chance he will, everyone can then say, ’see LT was right all along, see what he was capable of. The Chargers didn’t use him right.’ Well, fair enough. If the goal of your football team is to pad the stats of your running back, the Chargers didn’t do a great job last year.
However, does anyone think the Chargers would have won 13 games with a run-first offense built around a 9 year running back coming off of multiple injury plagued seasons?
The Chargers need to address the run and be more effective. They also need a back that doesn’t just keep his mouth shut about not liking his role and then, at the end of the season, complain about his role on a team that won 13 games.
Starting fresh through the draft, the Chargers will look to pick a running back that can make their own opportunities and do whatever role benefits the team, not just their pride or stats.
As for LT, I hope he goes out and wins the rushing title this year and has all of the success that made him one of the most popular athletes in San Diego. As for the Chargers, I’d rather win a Super Bowl this year.
