http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/tomlinson_green_willing_to_be_rd_SlPW7hoRSHJOfzpV5V4v4M He seemed like a happy camper last season, so I wasn't expecting a big issue if we cut back on his carries. But I really hope that we do, I want to see what some of the kids can do. Of course, McKnight and supposedly Powell can catch the ball, too, but LT is the best we have in that regard.
The fact the younger backs will be able to use LT as a resource to learn and hone their craft from....is a major coup for this offense. Anything over and above that, is bonus material, imo. That's the biggest reason why I'm glad LT decided to come back for another season with the Jets.
I love that he did this. Not only does it show what a class act he is (again), but it sends a message to Schotty: "You got bruisers who are ten years younger than me and need carries. I know we're boys but stop pretending I'm 2005 LT."
i definitely think it would be a mistake to let LT go. There really is no reason to not let him just slide into this role where he gets some carries here and there and is still a valuable weapon for Sanchez out of the backfield. Plus, McKnight Powell and even Greene still have a lot they can learn from LT. Greene has not proven he can be counted on for 16 games, McKnight is a big question mark (even though I think he will be productive), and we have a rookie with durability concerns. One thing that was very clear last year is that Sanchez and the coaching staff trust Tomlinson a great deal. Keeping him fresh and letting him handle this specific role would be a major boost for the team i think.
This is why some of us were calling for him to come back this season while others were writing him off as an easy cut. He's at JW right now instructing Joe McKnight, helping his progress, and willing to do whatever is necessary to help this team win. That's invaluable.
Obviously LT isn't what he used to be any more. However, I think he's invaluable on this team, as a veteran leader. The rest of our entire RB corps has the following experience: Shonn Greene - 2 years, minus injury time Joe McKnight - 1 game Bilal Powell - 0 Clearly we need some kind of veteran presence around this very young corps of running backs. Who better than Ladanian Tomlinson?
The less work LT gets the better. He was shot by the end of the season, we all saw it and I think he knows it. Imagine first half LT in the playoffs last year? Would have been such a difference. I think he's still got it, but he can't do it for a whole season, no way.
Seems like LT is settling in to the role he's best suited for at this point in his career. Keeping him on was a great decision for J. McKnight's development and I don't the improvements Greene has shown in the passing game are simply a coincidence, either.
Like everyone else I still love having LT on the team. Great leader, great pass catcher, and great situational runningback.
LaDainian Tomlinson has a trump card come game time, that is Brian Schottenheimer and no matter what is said L.T. will get his carries. Unfortunately for us, is we have to witness the injustice... I wish Rex or someone actually stand up to the meatball and let him have it. L.T. is definitely not what he used to be and we really need his locker-room presence and have LaDainian ready for playoff time. As the season wears down so does L.T. Maybe with the drafting of Bilal, both Schotty and Callahan can devise a better rotation for L.T. and crew.
Rex has made his mark on the offense more than once. When it comes to Schotty, being an extremist on either side of the equation makes it tough to see the truth. The younger guys will see more time. Greene is in his 3rd year, McKnight will be ready to go for a full season. Powell will be inactive early until late in the season when he's fresh. Schotty went to LT a lot last year because early on he was hot and he was invaluable to the 2nd year QB behind center. With Sanchez being what he is now, LT's role can be diminished.
If you read between the lines, kind of begs the question who's going to be our goal-line back next season.
