Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson legendary in real and fantasy football
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please.
At this time, we’d like you to remove your hats and observe a moment of silence for the fantasy football greatness that was LaDainian Tomlinson
Amen.
Tomlinson retired Monday, signing a one-day deal with San Diego so he could retire with the Chargers. It makes sense. He was a living bolt of lightning.
Tomlinson will be remembered for his explosiveness, his uncanny knack for finding the end zone, the best ability to change direction since Barry Sanders, his versatility, his ability to keep the Chargers near the top of the league, his ability to somehow make those powder blue jerseys even cooler and the fact that he was so good that he kept Michael Turner and Darren Sproles on the bench.
How I’ll remember him most is for being that guy.
You know, the one who, more than anyone else, you hope your fantasy football opponent for the week doesn’t have.
Here’s an example a typical conversation between owners involving Tomlinson, circa 2006:
Player going against Tomlinson: So, you’ve got L.T., huh?
Player with Tomlinson: Yep. He just scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter last week. I’m a little disappointed. He’s got more in him.
Player going against Tomlinson: Yeah, I know. (Sigh)
Or maybe you’re the one who had Tomlinson.
Player with Tomlinson: Hmm. I wonder who I’m going against this week?
Player without Tomlinson: Well, the schedule.
It doesn’t matter who I’m going against this week, the player with Tomlinson, sounding like The Rock, would gleefully exclaim. But whoever you are, know your role, shut your mouth and get ready for next week.
Tomlinson probably was responsible for more fantasy football championships than any player in the past decade. He was so good that even when he played for the Jets and he had lost a step or two, folks drafted him and stashed him their benches, hoping that at some point, the old L.T. would emerge and utter world domination would follow.
I tried to draft him two years ago. Tried to steal him in the seventh round. The person running the draft got things out of order, so I said I’d take Tomlinson. We then figured out we were out of order and someone who will remain nameless (Ryan Gaddy) was to go in front of me.
Guess who he took?
Afterward, he even said he wasn’t even thinking about Tomlinson until I mentioned him, but once I did, he couldn’t pass him up.
I was right on with my idea. At age 31, Tomlinson ran for 914 yards and had 368 yards receiving. I was mad about that one all season. Ryan, if you’re reading this, I still owe you one.
Few running backs in fantasy football history created as much nervousness as Tomlinson did, and for as long as he did. There were some who had their moments – Shaun Alexander, Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes had spurts. Marshall Faulk was that guy before Tomlinson was. He won me a title. Curtis Martin wasn’t a guy you wanted to face, either, but he wasn’t as explosive. Chris Johnson hasn’t been as consistent.
Tomlinson was so good that in his prime, you knew you had to get him No. 1. You knew you were going to get a second-rate quarterback because you took him first and the top quarterbacks would be gone by the time the serpentine draft got back to you.
And you didn’t care.
Here are the numbers, with all-time NFL rank in parentheses.
Rushing yards: 13,684 (5th)
Rushing touchdowns: 145 (2nd, behind Emmitt Smith)
Yards from scrimmage: 18.456 (5th)
Touchdowns from scrimmage: 162 (3rd, behind Smith and Rice)
The run to start his career was insane. Over 1,000 yards rushing his first eight years. Double-digit touchdowns his first nine years. He caught 100 passes in 2003, beastly in point-per-reception leagues, and he finished his career with 624 catches. There are plenty of receivers in the Hall of Fame with fewer.
His 2006 season was one of the best individual seasons in the history of the game. He ran for 1,815 yards and 28 touchdowns and caught 56 passes for 508 yards and three more scores.
Perhaps most impressive, he did all this in a passing era. Even with Drew Brees and Philip Rivers playing quarterback for him, Tomlinson piled up the rushing numbers.
We might never see fantasy greatness like this again, at least from a running back. In today’s game, there aren’t as many workhorses. Teams use two, sometimes three running backs – the dreaded running back by committee approach – so the opportunities for individual greatness are fewer.
Plus, Tomlinson is a rare talent. Once every 10 years ago, a talent like this comes along and rips up the league. Not just the National Football League. Your fantasy league.
So, respect a truly great football player, one of the best of all time. Respect a guy who ran for more yards than Jerome Bettis, Eric Dickerson and Jim Brown. Respect a guy who lived up to the initials L.T.
And most of all, thank your lucky stars that you never, ever have to face that guy again.
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So, was Tomlinson the greatest fantasy player ever? Did he win you a title or cost you one? Share with ISL in the comments section below.
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Also:
My 10 favorite stadium photos, from Butler to Beijing.
http://www.indysportslegends.com/my-10-favorite-stadium-shots/
