Mike Francessa says L Tomlinson is done as a 'Big Time Back'

[FeelingMN 273]

If his ankle was not and issue and he was practicing all week, I would not bench him against Balt.

With the other considerations...he may see my bench this week.

 

Also, don't underestimate the fact they lost two starting linemen Monday Night. If they don't return this week, or are hurt going forward, will that have an impact on the running game, or the offense in general?

[Sho Nuff 720]

Also, don't underestimate the fact they lost two starting linemen Monday Night. If they don't return this week, or are hurt going forward, will that have an impact on the running game, or the offense in general?

 

Yeah...I have him...and trying to work a package deal with some players but the main part of the deal will be LT for Steven Jackson

[WhiteWonder 3,005]

Watch the game next time, instead of memorizing the box-score.

 

umm trust me, i watched the game from start to finish. there was nothing that showed me that LT is done or that Sproles is the better player. All I saw was a terrible offensive line that for much of the game couldn't give Rivers time to throw the ball. Some of the sacks and hits were on rivers holding the ball too long, which is a result of the Raiders good secondary, but the line suffered multiple injuries, penalties and really couldn't open up any holes.

 

yet LT still broke a few 11 yard runs and managed to average over 4 ypc.

 

Besides scoring from 8 yards out in the final drive, what did you see from Sproles that says he is the better back? Was it the multiple muffed kick returns? The sub 3 ypc against the same defense? Oh Im sure that when Sproles struggle running the ball it was because of the line right?

 

Me thinks you need to "watch the game" and not just hype Sproles because its trendy.

[WhiteWonder 3,005]

Sproles looked better than LT in every way.

 

Maybe LT just had a bad day and Sproles just had the game of his life; I am inclined to think not.....

 

under 30 yards on 9 carries qualifies as the game of his life? Thats some life

[fanfootballtn 33]

Fred Taylor has more fantasy value than LT at this point. I'd expect the Chargers to draft a RB in the 1st round next year and release him in the summer.

[jgcrawfish 232]

count me on the side that says LT is pretty much done, however, I don't think Sproles is the better back. The Chargers, like the Steelers, are turning into a pass-first team. I think LT drops into the RB2 category this year, but will still have some productive games against the lighter defenses on his schedule. However, overreaction isn't called for right now. Things don't really settle in the NFL until about week 3 or 4, then you start to see teams true colors.

[WhiteWonder 3,005]

i really dont understand why everyone i saying he is done.

 

scratch that, i do understand, because most people panic when they see the numbers

 

 

the only things to panic about are how bad the offensive line looks and his ankle injury. Both of which could and probably will hinder his production. But his skill as a RB? Nothing in that game showed a decline in HIS personal skill level.

 

and certainly nothing showed Sproles as the better back.

[FeelingMN 273]

i really dont understand why everyone i saying he is done.

 

scratch that, i do understand, because most people panic when they see the numbers

the only things to panic about are how bad the offensive line looks and his ankle injury. Both of which could and probably will hinder his production. But his skill as a RB? Nothing in that game showed a decline in HIS personal skill level.

 

and certainly nothing showed Sproles as the better back.

 

But you're the one pimping the stats whenever you can.

 

I watched the entire game, and thought LT looked slower. He cannot cut like he used to.....one play in particular was a toss left....on the infield dirt. He strung it out then tried to cut it back inside. Old LT would have planted and accelerated. This LT kinda skidded before making his move upfield. Just ugly.

 

He's entering Thomas Jones territory...who I owned last year. That guy had also lost a step, and I think it was evident early in the season that he would struggle. Something happened during their bye, and after that TJ was on fire....but a lot of the credit should go to the Jets' O-line, which played well.

 

You've already pointed out that the SD O-line is struggling. No back with as many miles as LT can make things happen by himself. If that O-line doesn't improve, LT is in trouble. No two ways about it. Also, if the D takes the first three quarters off, SD will be in more shootouts and will rely on the passing game. Whatever you think about Sproles as a RB, he is clearly the better receiver....which is why he was showcased as such throughout the entire game Monday.

[Boston Three Party 6]

This is the exact reason I stayed away from him after getting crushed by him last year.

 

[surferskin 31]

Nothing in that game showed a decline in HIS personal skill level.

Da Nile ain't just a river in Egypt.

[KSB2424 3,174]

i really dont understand why everyone i saying he is done.

 

scratch that, i do understand, because most people panic when they see the numbers

the only things to panic about are how bad the offensive line looks and his ankle injury. Both of which could and probably will hinder his production. But his skill as a RB? Nothing in that game showed a decline in HIS personal skill level.

 

and certainly nothing showed Sproles as the better back.

We watched him play late last year and on Monday night. Not sure what else to tell you. He's still good, but he's not the same. It's pretty obvious.

[Sho Nuff 720]

This is the exact reason I stayed away from him after getting crushed by him last year.

 

 

You got crushed by him?

Why, because you drafted poorly after taking him #1?

He ended up the #8 RB in my league last year. Pretty solid...even take away the last game which likely did not count for anyone...and he finished top 10 or so.

Yes, not worthy of the #1 or #2 overall draft pick...but not as bad as some other big time busts.

[WhiteWonder 3,005]

But you're the one pimping the stats whenever you can.

 

I watched the entire game, and thought LT looked slower. He cannot cut like he used to.....one play in particular was a toss left....on the infield dirt. He strung it out then tried to cut it back inside. Old LT would have planted and accelerated. This LT kinda skidded before making his move upfield. Just ugly.

 

He's entering Thomas Jones territory...who I owned last year. That guy had also lost a step, and I think it was evident early in the season that he would struggle. Something happened during their bye, and after that TJ was on fire....but a lot of the credit should go to the Jets' O-line, which played well.

 

You've already pointed out that the SD O-line is struggling. No back with as many miles as LT can make things happen by himself. If that O-line doesn't improve, LT is in trouble. No two ways about it. Also, if the D takes the first three quarters off, SD will be in more shootouts and will rely on the passing game. Whatever you think about Sproles as a RB, he is clearly the better receiver....which is why he was showcased as such throughout the entire game Monday.

 

ok first of all Im not pimping the stats whenever I can. There was nothing amazing about LT's stats at all, but they do tell part of a story which is why I posted them. Mainly his YPC. Unlike alot of people in this thread, I don't immeidately see his total yards or his fantasy points and say "oh my god, I knew it! LT is DONE!" and I think you know that alot of this is going on. It's called over reaction.

 

I look at what he was able to do on a per run basis. a 4.2 average is a nice average especially when I watched the game and saw that it wasn't full of 2 yard runs to go along with 1 random 20 yarder.

 

His o-line and injury do scare me. And no one in their right mind will tell you that LT is the back he was 4 or 5 years ago. So I totally agree that he can't do it by himself. But he doesn't have to. Few backs in this league can. LT was once one of them. Peterson is currently one of them.

 

 

Now the other side of the argument is the delusional people saying that Sproles showed them he is clearly the better back. Where did he show this?

[Sho Nuff 720]

And Sproles' longest run on the night...a 7 yard on a draw on 3rd and 30.

 

 

Im not saying "take it away and his average is worse".

Just that most of his runs did very little til the TD run.

[HTH 95]

One of the reasons I drafted him this year is that he had a 3 td game to close out last season.

 

Why did he have such a monster game if he was 'done'?

 

[mambokings 0]

LT went to some kind of body-alignment specialist during the off-season. After watching Tomlinson in Week 1, appearing that he didn't know how to run any more, I'd say it was the wrong call. Some great players are great because they do things normal bodies shouldn't. San Diego teammates used to call LT "the human joystick" because of how erratically he could shift and move his body, like you would a video game joystick. There weren't even shades of that guy on the field against the Raiders, even before the ankle injury.

[WhiteWonder 3,005]

he wasn't the human joystick last year either and was still a top 8 back. Top 5 in ppr.

 

Im not willing to say that he is any worse until ive seen 3-4 games.

 

We all know he wont do much this week against Baltimore. Its one of those games on his schedule where you wouldn't count on him for a ton, regardless of what he did in week 1.

 

But we all know after next week there will be several more threads like this one

[cubbie5150 0]

Were I an LT owner, I'd be most worried about the under-performing & now injured Chargers O-line

[Giants' Nicks = Plax who? 0]

If you classify the Raiders as an inspired defense with some talent, then everyone on the Bolts' schedule except KC, CLE and maybe Denver qualifies as the same. The AFC North and NFC East are full of run stuffing defenses. On top of that, they match up against MIA and TEN. If that's your argument....that a defense just needs to be inspired and have some talent to slow LT.....then it's gonna be a loooooong year.

 

And I do see a trend. The guy never.....ever.....missed time due to injury. Two years ago he went through the entire season without much problem. The postseason was a different matter. Last year, despite not missing any games....until the postseason.....he was more nicked up than in previous years. This year he's already hobbled. He's got a ton of miles on his 30 year old legs.....it's just a matter of time before the wheels fall off.

 

Do I think he's completely useless? No. And I think he can still put up decent numbers because he has stretches in the schedule where he can capitalize. But his next three games BAL, MIA, @PIT will speak loudly to the fact that you just can't depend on him to post solid numbers no matter the opponent. He's a RB2, and as such, he'll be more dependent on the matchup than ever before.

 

Is every defense that he is playing going to have a pro-bowl, 3 time Super Bowl champion playing their first game for his new team? Not to mention the fact that it was at home, on a Monday night? I think not.

 

If you think 15TDs are not achievable in that offense, you are sadly mistaken.

[Kent 228]

He hurt his ankle in the first quarter. He stays healthy and he could just have easily had 90 yards and 2 TDs and this thread isn't made.

 

He's not the same LT of course, but I don't think the panic level should be so high given the fact he's so hurt right now he can't practice. When healthy he's going to deliver. But injuries happen. Nature of the beast.

 

All the LT owners shouldn't panic.

[FeelingMN 273]

Is every defense that he is playing going to have a pro-bowl, 3 time Super Bowl champion playing their first game for his new team? Not to mention the fact that it was at home, on a Monday night? I think not.

 

If you think 15TDs are not achievable in that offense, you are sadly mistaken.

 

 

Are the Raiders even in the same discussion as PHI/NYG/BAL/PIT/TEN defenses? I think not.

 

I'm not saying he sucks. He doesn't. But he's not gonna deliver on peoples' expectations.....like 15 TDs....hell, like 10 TDs....like producing as a first round RB.

 

LT will quickly turn into a matchup play, and so therefore should be considered a RB2.

 

RB2 <> Big Time Back

[Boston Three Party 6]

You got crushed by him?

Why, because you drafted poorly after taking him #1?

He ended up the #8 RB in my league last year. Pretty solid...even take away the last game which likely did not count for anyone...and he finished top 10 or so.

Yes, not worthy of the #1 or #2 overall draft pick...but not as bad as some other big time busts.

 

Basically. Didn't draft bad after him at all, just expected too much.

 

As NE homer I love the guy, he's always injured, always out in some capacity for the big games, etc. Was a risk I was glad I didn't take this year.

 

I love the tag for Sproles though, pocket rocket.

[BoltFan 0]

I'm not sure why anyone was high on him this season.

 

People should have watched his touches in preseason, instead of buying all of that ridiculous hype in the off-season.

 

He can't make people miss anymore, while also not being able to break tackles. After that, there really isn't much left.

 

He can definitely still be a decent RB for them to split carries with, but Sproles is just the better player right now, and has been for a while now.

 

And what the fock is the OP talking about? Does he really think someone is going to trade for LT? You might get Nate Burleson for him, if you're lucky.

 

I wish I had tards like you in my league.

[BoltFan 0]

Sproles looked better than LT in every way.

 

Maybe LT just had a bad day and Sproles just had the game of his life; I am inclined to think not.....

 

blind much?

[stonewall 647]

Fantasy owners are sure slow to quit on ex-fantasy studs. I have been saying in threads all off season that LT has lost a step/lost toughness/pulls himself outta games regularly and that Sproles would have more yards from scrimmage.

 

Nobody was listening........only hatin'

 

Shuan Alexander, anyone?

[RaiderHaters Revenge 4,582]

Look, I am a Charger Fan, I have posted this in other LT/Sproles type threads, LT is my favorite player of all time and I think he is the most complete back of all-time, just to let you know where I am coming from

 

Yah his numbers looked decent 4.2 ypc is nice, but 2007 or earlier LT would have had 100+ yards on those same exact carries. 3 times monday he tripped on his own, and every other run (except the stiffarm 13 yard run) the FIRST defender took him down.

 

He is clearly on the decline, and I think the Chargers need to goto a pass first Offense, with as many talented receivers as they have with Sproles in the backfield, kinda a run/shoot/westcoast hybrid. Their best offense is clearly the 2 min offense, I dont think they ever get stopped, yet the Chargers and the Browns were the ONLY 2 teams never to score in 2008 on the first series. Why is that? Cause they constantly are in 3rd and long on the opening series of EVERY game after 2 pathetic runs up the middle.

 

The Oline sucks as runblocking and LT doesnt have what it takes to create his own anymore, but they are very good pass protectors

[Yer mom 2]

Look, I am a Charger Fan, I have posted this in other LT/Sproles type threads, LT is my favorite player of all time and I think he is the most complete back of all-time, just to let you know where I am coming from

 

Yah his numbers looked decent 4.2 ypc is nice, but 2007 or earlier LT would have had 100+ yards on those same exact carries. 3 times monday he tripped on his own, and every other run (except the stiffarm 13 yard run) the FIRST defender took him down.

 

He is clearly on the decline, and I think the Chargers need to goto a pass first Offense, with as many talented receivers as they have with Sproles in the backfield, kinda a run/shoot/westcoast hybrid. Their best offense is clearly the 2 min offense, I dont think they ever get stopped, yet the Chargers and the Browns were the ONLY 2 teams never to score in 2008 on the first series. Why is that? Cause they constantly are in 3rd and long on the opening series of EVERY game after 2 pathetic runs up the middle.

 

The Oline sucks as runblocking and LT doesnt have what it takes to create his own anymore, but they are very good pass protectors

 

This guy gets it

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

This is the exact reason I stayed away from him after getting crushed by him last year.

 

 

 

I was hoping he'd be gone by the 8th spot so I wouldn't be tempted and a guy drafted LT2 4th overall. I ended up with SJax which isn't looking so good right now.

[fanfootballtn 33]

What you guys are not getting is you have to factor every element about LT in order to predict his future. Why do you think people have been saying all summer if you draft LT, handcuff Sproles with him? Not because he doesnt have the ability to gain 100 yards 2 TD's in a game but he might be labeled as a injury prone back now. So for you guys to say he would have had ......... if he hadn't got hurt is foolish. I think the people who drafted LT are guys who have never had him and thought he could still produce the games he did against them. Let's face it, dude is through! PERIOD, POINTBLANK!

[DankNuggs 305]

lol @ morons...don't have enough brain cells to comprehend that offensive lines have something to do with RB success...

[DankNuggs 305]

I wish I had tards like you in my league.

this dude henrychinaski played at bodog poker, i remember him being so bad it was laughable...

[HTH 95]

Again, if Tomlinson was 'done' or 'washed up' last season then why did he have a three td game late in the year?

[BMoney 0]

I thought mike francessa was done when chris russo left

[RaiderHaters Revenge 4,582]

Again, if Tomlinson was 'done' or 'washed up' last season then why did he have a three td game late in the year?

 

Dee Brown had a 3 td game in week 16 2004

 

hes not done, he can still have a big game here and there, but its not a weekly expectation

[Phurfur 70]

lol @ morons...don't have enough brain cells to comprehend that offensive lines have something to do with RB success...

 

So LT was never a big time back but a product of his O-line? If you can't see that his skills have diminished you are throwing stones in a glass house.

[Filthy Fernadez 2,696]

Again, if Tomlinson was 'done' or 'washed up' last season then why did he have a three td game late in the year?

 

 

Because my opponent that week had him starting?

 

Same with Larry Johnson's big game last year.

[Cal_Fan_AG 0]

Obviously I'm just another schmuck LDT owner so my opinion means about as much as that of Francessa's dog, but I just need to vent a little frustration.

 

Why would anybody say LDT is DONE without a qualifier, such as "as a top 5 RB" or "as a must start every week." You'd have to be blind, retarded, or both not to admit that the guy has lost a step (or two). He had happy feet on that first drive monday and didn't look to be hitting the holes as hard or as decisively as Past-LDT.

 

With that said, the guy sprained his ankle on his 4th carry out of 13. Yes, at 30 he seems to be getting these minor injuries more frequently, which you have to factor into his overall value. But he also got that first goal-line carry before his ankle tightened up (and had to go through a guy to get that TD). Opening weekend, monday night, at home, that raider D looked very frisky in the 1st half. The chargers had very little run attack (with LDT or Sproles). Sure, Sproles looked fantastic on the kick returns, but he had exactly ZERO runs over 10 yds. I think it's important to note that the chargers offense as a whole was getting outplayed by the raiders in the 1st half. Why is this important? Sproles looked great in the 4thQ. When the raiders inexplicably got away from their man coverage that had been dominating and went into a prevent defense (you would know this if you watched the game because Steve Young would not shut up about it). The LB started dropping back and giving Sproles TONS of space to catch passes up the middle. Passes. Not runs.

 

And here come the critics, saying "Exactly! Sproles was in the game! Not LDT!" But since we all can agree that the Pocket Rocket has explosive speed and had a franchise tag slapped on him for a reason, who would you rather have playing for you in the 4thQ mon night? Sproles? Or LDT with a sprained ankle prob playing at 80% (maybe less)? I don't think there are more than a small handful of backs in the NFL that I would take playing at 80% over Sproles.

 

So is Tomlinson an injury risk going forward? Yes, but you knew that when you drafted him. Should you handcuff him with Sproles? Of course. Is Sproles the better RB all things being equal? No way. Is LDT still one of those very few elite RB you play regardless of the matchup? Seems that way. Will he finish the year as a top 10 RB? My vote is yes. Obviously I've ranted enough, but if he finished last year as the #6 RB in ESPN standard scoring leagues with a toe injury (for how that effects RBs see McFadden in 2008) and then a groin pull (see Fred Taylor's entire career), I think he can finish as a top 10 RB.... you know.... as long as his O-line doesn't continue to stink.

[nobody 2,937]

Come on, Cal_Fan, he played most of the game on an ankle that's now in a protective boot. Obviously the Chargers should just cut him. He's got nothing left.

[WhiteWonder 3,005]

We all know LT has lost a step. but has he lost a step from last year when he was a top 8 fantasy back? No one seems to want to answer that question.

 

They all want to blindly state that Sproles is the better back. Ummm based on what evidence?

 

They also want to forget that LT starts out slow EVERY year. Granted he actually played in 2 preseason games this time around but it was still 3 weeks or so since he had any game action heading into Monday night.

 

Everyone has a right to question the Charger o-line and a right to question LT's current injury status but please, don't post garbage in here about him being totally done based on one week where he didn't even look bad. And for the love of god please don't compare him to Shaun Alexander. When you do that, you only show that you don't know much about football in general.

[Mossome84 0]

Part of having sucess in playing fantasy football is being progressive. Past performance can only go so far in todays NFL. To those that say that people are overreacting to LT's first game I can't disagree more. LT is over a full season away now from being a top 5 fantasy runningback. I see LT as a best case senario being in the 10-12 range but that is if most everything goes right for him and he ends up getting at least 60% of the carries. The most likely senario for LT is that he plays in a RBBC and neither him nor Sproles finishes as a top 20 back. If one finished top 20 it will likely be Sproles. If I had to bet the mortgage on it I would say Sproles outperforms LT this year. There were many warning signs heading into this season that LT was heading for a fall. I watched LT alot last year and he just wasn't the same back. Sproles made LT look old and slow. I remember when LT looked like (or better) than Sproles does now. Sproles is the better back right now. When LT was 27 he was the better back but 3 years and bundles of carries will make a world of difference. LT has always relied on quickness. Typically those types of backs have shorter stud status as NFL backs. Backs like Bettis or Jamal Lewis can be more effective at age 30 because they rely on power which seems to stand the test of time a bit more than quickness.

 

One of the reasons that I actually drafted Philip Rivers this year was because I saw Sproles as being the main back as the season wore on. Since he is the better explosive player I figured San Diego would be better off and more likely to be going to a passing game. Granted San Diegos line didn't look good but but even if the Chargers offense gets on track I believe it will be because of Sproles, Rivers, Gates and Vincent Jackson doing alot of the work. I see LT as the 5th best offensive player on his own team. Some people still consider him about the 5th best back in fantasy football.

 

To each his own but age 30 is age 30 for a reason.