Best NFL Players of All Time: LaDainian Tomlinson . Ranking the Top Players in History. Place a bet on an NFL football game now.
Best NFL Players of All Time: LaDainian Tomlinson
Starting in 2001, LaDainian Tomlinson spent his first eight seasons as the NFL’s top running back.
He was so good that on 292 carries in 2008, he gained 1,110 yards and 11 touchdowns through the air. He also added another touchdown to his 426 yards and 52 receptions grabbed.
Clearly, that was the worst season of his career so far.
It didn’t matter that Tomlinson’s career took a sharp turn for the worst in 2009 and ended after the 2011 season.
Part Walter Payton, part Barry Sanders, Tomlinson had been throughout his first seven seasons in the NFL. He was a running back with the ability to chuck passes when necessary, block linebackers like they were little kids, and catch passes like a wide receiver. In just his 106th NFL game, he became the fourth-fastest player to surpass 10,000 running yards. During those first seven seasons, he scored 129 touchdowns overall and threw for seven more.
Tomlinson entered the league with a chip on his shoulder because some people disregarded his incredible college career at Texas Christian because, well, it was at Texas Christian, where many didn’t think the competition was that fierce. However, not many scouts who attended his games or reviewed his recordings agreed with that assessment. They viewed Tomlinson as a running back with superhuman abilities, possessing leg springs that enabled him to quickly recover from tackles and resume his peak pace.
The late John Butler observed, “That’s what I saw when I studied his college career,” in a 2002 interview with Chicago radio station WSCR. “He was incredibly skilled at bouncing out of tackles, not just arm tackles. Unless you were in near-perfect form and got everything into the tackle, you just could not bring him down. Whether the WAC wasn’t as excellent as the Big 12 or the SEC didn’t concern me. Tomlinson never went down lightly, and they were very skilled at tackling.
Before Butler passed away in 2003, he witnessed Tomlinson begin to bully the NFL. Marty Schottenheimer, the former head coach of the Chargers, who has always been a running game enthusiast, was Tomlinson’s biggest admirer. When he made the choice to pass the ball to Tomlinson, he was in his element when playing the ground game. “It is my belief that LaDainian Tomlinson is the best player to ever don an NFL uniform,” Schottenheimer stated to the press.
When it came to Tomlinson, Schottenheimer had a lot of data to support his claims, but he also loved to speak in exaggeration.
Tomlinson’s achievements were astounding, and it was appropriate to draw comparisons with the greatest players in history. Tomlinson warmed up to the challenge of rushing in the NFL following a rookie season of 1,236 yards, during which he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. In his second year, he ran for 1,683 yards and 14 touchdowns; the next year, he rushed for 1,645 yards and 13 touchdowns. Tomlinson caught 179 receptions in those two identical seasons, essentially carrying the Chargers. Though they were still far from being a great squad, they were getting there.
In 2004, they would discover their winning combination, finishing 12-4.
awarded them the AFC West’s top spot. Despite running for 1,335 yards and an incredible 17 touchdowns that season, the Chargers were a little less reliant on Tomlinson. However, with a stellar season from quarterback Drew Brees, the Chargers found the balance they needed. Tomlinson learned from it that a winning record was more about sharing the spoils than it was about one player controlling the stat sheet.
Tomlinson declared, “I will do everything within my power to win every time I step onto the field, regardless of the situation.” This is the NFL, though. We have repeatedly learned these lessons. Maintaining equilibrium and avoiding monotony are key. It involves passing when your opponents anticipate you will pass and running when you anticipate they will pass. That’s what we discovered in 2004 because we were much more consistent. We lost in the playoffs [against the Jets in overtime], but I believe a lot of us learned that the more you help others, the stronger your team will be.
Tomlinson was obviously aware of what it required to succeed in the NFL.
But Tomlinson’s supporting cast in San Diego wasn’t always there to help him capitalize on that knowledge. With a league-high 28 touchdowns rushing into the end zone in 2006, Tomlinson had one of the most spectacular seasons in NFL history, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and running for 1,815 yards. Along with 508 yards and three more scores, he also caught 56 passes. Arguably, that was the best season ever for a running back in NFL history.
The end of the Schottenheimer era in San Diego came when the Chargers, who finished 14-2 and held the top seed in the AFC playoffs, were unable to overcome the New England Patriots. The coach had gained recognition for being a strong defensive coordinator and a fan of the rushing game, but he lost his job due to his inability to remain composed when watching playoff games and his strained relationship with general manager A.J. Smith.
It was also a changing of the guard in the national media during that 2006 season. The question of whether Tomlinson was among the all-time best backs has changed. Without question, he was. Even the admirers of the legendary Walter Payton had to concede that Tomlinson had outstanding stats. But how was Tomlinson going to be able to replicate that form after 2006? People would ask questions. Did his career seem to be declining at this point?
Tomlinson began to suffer with persistent problems to her knee and ankle at the same time as those questions. They were serious enough to slow him down, but not so much that they forced him out of the lineup. Early in the divisional playoff victory over Indianapolis in 2007, Tomlinson hurt his knee, and the Chargers went on to defeat the Colts, with him missing the most of the contest on the sidelines. Tomlinson was unable to have an impact in the AFC championship game against the Patriots.
In 2008, he had his worst statistical season and was not at his best. Despite not being at 100% fitness, he achieved performance levels for which ninety percent of NFL running backs would have traded half of their pay.
Five to six years of rigorous running is usually regarded enough for running backs in the NFL. Even though Tomlinson had eight more years, Father Time eventually caught up with him at that point.
Darren Sproles would finally unseat him, and he would have two forgettable seasons with the New York Jets to cap out his career.
With 13,684 yards of rushes (5th all-time) and 145 touchdowns (2nd all-time), Tomlinson had a great career. Had Tomlinson been able to maintain his high level of play for two more seasons, he probably would have overtaken Payton to take the second spot in the rusher standings and eclipsed Emmitt Smith to take the lead in running touchdowns all-time in the league.
That being said, even in the absence of such prestige, the TCU child had a unique career that will live on in memory.
Best NFL Players of All Time: LaDainian Tomlinson Stats
Regular Season
Year | Age | Tm | Pos | No. | G | GS | Att | Yds | TD | 1D | Succ% | Lng | Y/A | Y/G | A/G | Tgt | Rec | Yds | Y/R | TD | 1D | Succ% | Lng | R/G | Y/G | Ctch% | Y/Tgt | Touch | Y/Tch | YScm | RRTD | Fmb | AV |
2001 | 22 | SDG | RB | 21 | 16 | 16 | 339 | 1236 | 10 | 68 | 43.7 | 54 | 3.6 | 77.3 | 21.2 | 74 | 59 | 367 | 6.2 | 0 | 12 | 47.3 | 27 | 3.7 | 22.9 | 79.70% | 5 | 398 | 4 | 1603 | 10 | 8 | 10 |
2002 | 23 | SDG | RB | 21 | 16 | 16 | 372 | 1683 | 14 | 96 | 44.6 | 76 | 4.5 | 105.2 | 23.3 | 101 | 79 | 489 | 6.2 | 1 | 21 | 44.6 | 30 | 4.9 | 30.6 | 78.20% | 4.8 | 451 | 4.8 | 2172 | 15 | 3 | 15 |
2003 | 24 | SDG | RB | 21 | 16 | 16 | 313 | 1645 | 13 | 83 | 43.1 | 73 | 5.3 | 102.8 | 19.6 | 137 | 100 | 725 | 7.3 | 4 | 26 | 32.1 | 73 | 6.3 | 45.3 | 73.00% | 5.3 | 413 | 5.7 | 2370 | 17 | 2 | 19 |
2004 | 25 | SDG | RB | 21 | 15 | 15 | 339 | 1335 | 17 | 74 | 43.4 | 42 | 3.9 | 89 | 22.6 | 66 | 53 | 441 | 8.3 | 1 | 16 | 40.9 | 74 | 3.5 | 29.4 | 80.30% | 6.7 | 392 | 4.5 | 1776 | 18 | 6 | 18 |
2005 | 26 | SDG | RB | 21 | 16 | 16 | 339 | 1462 | 18 | 72 | 46.9 | 62 | 4.3 | 91.4 | 21.2 | 77 | 51 | 370 | 7.3 | 2 | 15 | 33.8 | 41 | 3.2 | 23.1 | 66.20% | 4.8 | 390 | 4.7 | 1832 | 20 | 3 | 18 |
2006 | 27 | SDG | RB | 21 | 16 | 16 | 348 | 1815 | 28 | 83 | 47.7 | 85 | 5.2 | 113.4 | 21.8 | 80 | 56 | 508 | 9.1 | 3 | 23 | 48.8 | 51 | 3.5 | 31.8 | 70.00% | 6.4 | 404 | 5.8 | 2323 | 31 | 2 | 26 |
2007 | 28 | SDG | RB | 21 | 16 | 16 | 315 | 1474 | 15 | 75 | 44.1 | 49 | 4.7 | 92.1 | 19.7 | 86 | 60 | 475 | 7.9 | 3 | 20 | 38.4 | 36 | 3.8 | 29.7 | 69.80% | 5.5 | 375 | 5.2 | 1949 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
2008 | 29 | SDG | RB | 21 | 16 | 16 | 292 | 1110 | 11 | 52 | 43.2 | 45 | 3.8 | 69.4 | 18.3 | 77 | 52 | 426 | 8.2 | 1 | 18 | 44.2 | 32 | 3.3 | 26.6 | 67.50% | 5.5 | 344 | 4.5 | 1536 | 12 | 1 | 14 |
2009 | 30 | SDG | RB | 21 | 14 | 14 | 223 | 730 | 12 | 40 | 42.2 | 36 | 3.3 | 52.1 | 15.9 | 30 | 20 | 154 | 7.7 | 0 | 8 | 33.3 | 36 | 1.4 | 11 | 66.70% | 5.1 | 243 | 3.6 | 884 | 12 | 2 | 7 |
2010 | 31 | NYJ | RB | 21 | 15 | 13 | 219 | 914 | 6 | 43 | 43.4 | 31 | 4.2 | 60.9 | 14.6 | 79 | 52 | 368 | 7.1 | 0 | 19 | 45.6 | 21 | 3.5 | 24.5 | 65.80% | 4.7 | 271 | 4.7 | 1282 | 6 | 4 | 8 |
2011 | 32 | NYJ | RB | 21 | 14 | 1 | 75 | 280 | 1 | 15 | 45.3 | 20 | 3.7 | 20 | 5.4 | 61 | 42 | 449 | 10.7 | 2 | 12 | 31.1 | 74 | 3 | 32.1 | 68.90% | 7.4 | 117 | 6.2 | 729 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
Career | 170 | 155 | 3174 | 13684 | 145 | 701 | 44.4 | 85 | 4.3 | 80.5 | 18.7 | 868 | 624 | 4772 | 7.6 | 17 | 190 | 40.1 | 74 | 3.7 | 28.1 | 71.90% | 5.5 | 3798 | 4.9 | 18456 | 162 | 31 | 158 | ||||
9 yrs | SDG | 141 | 141 | 2880 | 12490 | 138 | 643 | 44.4 | 85 | 4.3 | 88.6 | 20.4 | 728 | 530 | 3955 | 7.5 | 15 | 159 | 40.2 | 74 | 3.8 | 28 | 72.80% | 5.4 | 3410 | 4.8 | 16445 | 153 | 27 | 145 | |||
2 yrs | NYJ | 29 | 14 | 294 | 1194 | 7 | 58 | 43.9 | 31 | 4.1 | 41.2 | 10.1 | 140 | 94 | 817 | 8.7 | 2 | 31 | 39.3 | 74 | 3.2 | 28.2 | 67.10% | 5.8 | 388 | 5.2 | 2011 | 9 | 4 | 13 |
Playoffs
2004 | 25 | SDG | RB | 1 | 1 | 26 | 80 | 0 | 7 | 38.5 | 12 | 3.1 | 80 | 26 | 12 | 9 | 53 | 5.9 | 0 | 1 | 33.3 | 10 | 9 | 53 | 75.00% | 4.4 | 35 | 3.8 | 133 | 0 | 0 |
2006 | 27 | SDG | RB | 1 | 1 | 23 | 123 | 2 | 7 | 52.2 | 15 | 5.3 | 123 | 23 | 4 | 2 | 64 | 32 | 0 | 1 | 50 | 58 | 2 | 64 | 50.00% | 16 | 25 | 7.5 | 187 | 2 | 0 |
2007 | 28 | SDG | RB | 3 | 3 | 30 | 75 | 1 | 3 | 32.1 | 12 | 2.5 | 25 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 40 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 50 | 20 | 1.7 | 13.3 | 71.40% | 5.7 | 35 | 3.3 | 115 | 1 | 1 |
2008 | 29 | SDG | RB | 1 | 1 | 5 | 25 | 1 | 3 | 80 | 13 | 5 | 25 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 5 | 5 | 25 | 1 | 0 | |
2009 | 30 | SDG | RB | 1 | 1 | 12 | 24 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 24 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 75.00% | 0 | 15 | 1.6 | 24 | 0 | 0 | ||||
2010 | 31 | NYJ | RB | 3 | 3 | 35 | 141 | 2 | 7 | 50 | 23 | 4 | 47 | 11.7 | 8 | 6 | 19 | 3.2 | 1 | 3 | 37.5 | 13 | 2 | 6.3 | 75.00% | 2.4 | 41 | 3.9 | 160 | 3 | 1 |
Career | 10 | 10 | 131 | 468 | 6 | 27 | 44.4 | 23 | 3.6 | 46.8 | 13.1 | 36 | 25 | 176 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 38.7 | 58 | 2.5 | 17.6 | 69.40% | 4.9 | 156 | 4.1 | 644 | 7 | 2 | |||
5 yrs | SDG | 7 | 7 | 96 | 327 | 4 | 20 | 42.7 | 15 | 3.4 | 46.7 | 13.7 | 28 | 19 | 157 | 8.3 | 0 | 4 | 39.1 | 58 | 2.7 | 22.4 | 67.90% | 5.6 | 115 | 4.2 | 484 | 4 | 1 | ||
1 yr | NYJ | 3 | 3 | 35 | 141 | 2 | 7 | 50 | 23 | 4 | 47 | 11.7 | 8 | 6 | 19 | 3.2 | 1 | 3 | 37.5 | 13 | 2 | 6.3 | 75.00% | 2.4 | 41 | 3.9 | 160 | 3 |
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