LaDainian's Legacy - jmik58's Blog

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LaDainian's Legacy Stuck

Posted on June 18, 2012 at 10:24 AM.

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One question never asked of LaDainian Tomlinson's career was if he would be worthy of the NFL Hall of Fame.

The man known as LT2 has announced his retirement from the NFL and subsequently started the five-year countdown until his assumed welcome into pro football's highest shrine. Enough time to reflect on his accomplishments and ask ourselves a question worthy of debate.

Is LaDainian Tomlinson the greatest running back in NFL history?

Tomlinson -- whose choice to wear the number twenty-one was due to its placement between that of his idols Barry Sanders (20) and Emmitt Smith (22) -- performed at a level worthy of mention with the all-time greats.

The 2006 NFL most valuable player, Tomlinson dominated the game of football from the moment he assumed the field as a halfback -- a position he didn't play until his senior year of high school. A standout college player at TCU, the versatile runner led the Horned Frogs to their first bowl win (1998) in 41 years while setting several school records. LT2 tore through his final two years of college setting a record for most rushing yards in a game (406), and later earned a spot as a Heisman finalist as a senior thanks to 2,158 yards on the ground to go with 22 touchdowns.

But it was his performance from day one as a San Diego Charger that helped cement his fate near the top of the list of elite running backs.

Months after being selected as the fifth overall choice, Tomlinson blasted out of the gates to a stellar rookie season -- rushing for over 1,200 yards on one of the league's worst teams. His multifaceted skill-set enhanced the nightmare that teams faced when game-planning for LT2. Already established as a fantastic runner with the ball, Tomlinson's achievements as a receiver -- and sometimes passer -- were taken to levels never before seen in the NFL.

In each of his first seven seasons, Tomlinson rushed for at least 1,200 yards while hauling in over 50 passes. The greatest staple of the LT2 legend, however, may have been born during his third season when he became the first player in league history to rush for 1,000 yards and catch 100 passes.

A running back in his prime during the explosion of fantasy football, LT2 was a touchdown machine that could carry a virtual team as well as the real-world San Diego offense. His greatest season offensively came in 2006 when he set the NFL record for most touchdowns scored in a season with 31, and most points scored by one player (186).

As impressive as his �06 year was, Tomlinson�s stamp on the game is more than just a strong season or two. He ranks fifth in NFL history in career rushing attempts (3,174) and rushing yards (13,684). His career touchdowns total (162) puts him at third in league history behind only Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith, and his career rushing touchdowns mark rests at second-best with 145.

Unfortunately for Tomlinson, his teams in San Diego and New York were never able to push through for an appearance in a Super Bowl. Considering his unique combination of skills and overall good-guy character, it truly was a shame he never had the opportunity to perform for the world on the greatest stage in football.

His performance on the field excelled in an era when the NFL game transitioned to a pass-happy league, but the lack of a championship may be the missing piece that holds him back from the game's top place.

For others, however, LT2 is their RB1.

Where does LaDainian Tomlinson rank among the greatest running backs in NFL history?

Justin Mikels is a staff writer for Operation Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @long_snapper.

Comments

# 1 Reed1417 @ Jun 18

in my mind yes LT2 is a Hall of Famer. his stats speak for themselves and in my mind he should have at least 1 Super Bowl apparence and maybe even a ring when he was with the Chargers because i thought they had too much talent to finish they ways they did.

# 2 KSOR24 @ Jun 18

I don't know where he ranks but I think he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame (I'm mostly saying that because he's my favorite player of all time)

# 3 AiDub @ Jun 18

Hall of Famer?... Definitely... "Greatest running back in NFL history?" No... Let's think about running backs in their prime... LT was great in his prime but Barry Sanders... Man, Barry Sanders was amazing in his prime as was Emmitt Smith and even Marshall Faulk. It's hard to move LT above those three.

# 4 paconaifas @ Jun 18

I have no doubt that he will be in the Hall of Famer. He�s one of those guys that deserved a Superbowl ring, but unfortunately never got there.

# 5 NaturalSelected @ Jun 18

Quote:


	Hall of Famer?... Definitely... "Greatest running back in NFL history?" No... Let's think about running backs in their prime... LT was great in his prime but Barry Sanders... Man, Barry Sanders was amazing in his prime as was Emmitt Smith and even Marshall Faulk. It's hard to move LT above those three.

Saw this post on Twitter and Smith/Sanders are the two I thought of as well.

# 6 Jakeboutte @ Jun 18

I almost wish LT would have won or at least been in a Super Bowl as much as I wish my man Barry would have won a title! HOF, 1st ballet baby! Best of all time no way!

# 7 jWILL253 @ Jun 18

Honestly... LT is in the Top 5 RB's ever. Not only was he shifty AND powerful... he might have been the fastest guy on the field in every game. I mean, there would be highlights where he's jogging into the endzone, while outrunning everyone else who was sprinting...

# 8 shadia147 @ Jun 18

I had LT on my Fantasy team in 2006. (seems like just yesterday). To tell you how good he was that year... My last game of the season, I only started one player...LT!
I became a devoted LaDamian fan as well as a Charger fan that year. One week, my opponent had like a 50 point lead going into the Monday Night game.
I watched his lead go from 50 to 40, from 40 to 30, from 30 to 20 etc.. Finally winning by like 16. It was all LT! Like a machine! Ka-Ching, Ka-Ching, Ka-ching!
Hell Yes he belongs in the Hall of Fame if just thanks to that one season.

# 9 DGuinta1 @ Jun 18

LT is a legend! Remember when everyone thought he would break Emmitt' record.

# 10 jmik58 @ Jun 18

@misterkrabz You're either really young or I'm older than I realize. "LT" is Lawrence Taylor, the former New York Giants linebacker. Since LaDainian Tomlinson came after the original "LT" he was referred to as "LT2." Very good question though, and I think most people do just refer to Tomlinson as "LT". For those of us who grew up watching football in the 90's we have to pull out the LT2 to set him apart. It would be like someone who never watched Michael Jordan play start calling a current rookie "MJ" -- it just wouldn't sound right.