Ladanian Tomlinson announced his retirement from professional football yesterday and I think I speak for a lot of people when I say; "Oh yeah, forgot he was still around." If you would have told me just a few years ago that Tomlinson's retirement would be so low key, I wouldn't have believed it. However Tomlinson's career was different as the Charger's run in the AFC West was different. It's tough to go back and think of moments, moments are what defines a player's legacy and we I have nary a memory of Tomlinson's brilliance. Sure he reitres 5th all time in rushing yards, 2nd in rushing touchdowns, and first in single season touchdowns; but this retirement feels oddly insignificant. As insignificant as the underachieving Charger's run atop the AFC West coming to an end. You see, both of these endings lack the importance they had potential for, for two reasons. First, they never reached their full potential and second they peaked a few years ago and this seems like a formality.
Tomlinson was drafted 5th overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2001, a franchise that had struggled in recent years. Right away it was clear that they did not make a mistake. Despite playing on a 5-11 team, Tomlinson ran for over 1200 yards and 10 tds. In 2002 legendary coach Marty Schottenheimer was brought in and it appeared as though a new era was starting in San Diego as the team improved to 8-8 and Tomlinson made the leap to elite status among running backs. Tomlinson shined alongside young QB Drew Brees and ran for 1683 yards and 14 touchdowns. 2003 would be a much different story for the Chargers. Despite Tomlinson keeping pace as one of the league's best backs(1600+ yards, 13 tds), the Chargers regressed to 4-12 and much of the blame was heaped on quarterback Drew Brees. Brees fell so out of favor that the Chargers acquired Phillip Rivers in the first round of the NFL draft causing a quarterback contraversy of sorts. Meanwhile Tomlinson was making waves across the league as the "runningback of the future." He was quick, powerful, he had great vision, great hands (100 receptions in 2003) and he could even pass block. It was starting to become clear to many that Tomlinson may be the next big thing. In 2004 the Chargers had one the biggest bouncebacks in NFL history to finish 12-4 and win their first of five AFC West titles in six years. 2005 was the only year in that time period in which the Chargers didn't play into January. Quarterback Drew Brees was injured and after the season the Chargers didn't attempt to re-sign him. The message was clear, the team was going to go with Phillip Rivers. With a first time starter at the helm, it was clear who the leader on offense would be. After starting his career with five seasons that were as good as any to start a career, Tomlinon's time was now. He was now going to be the focus of the offense on one of the best teams in the NFL. This was time for him to define his legacy and he did not disappoint. He turned out one of the greatest regular seasons in NFL history with 31 touchdowns and over 2200 yards from scrimmage while leading San Diego to an NFL best 14-2 record and a first round bye. Tomlinson was named MVP and was nearly unanimously considered the best player in the league. However the fun didn't last as the Chargers were stunned by the Patriots in the divisional round. This would be the first of many disappointments for San Diego. 2007 was the second consecutive year Tomlinson lead the NFL in rushing. The Chragers started a bit slow however, but recovered in the second half and again won the AFC West. After a close call against the Titans, the Chargers were slated to play the defending Champion Colts in the divisional round. In the 4th quarter of a hard fought battle, both Tomlinson and Phillip Rivers were lost to injury. Incredibly backups Billy Volek and Michael Turner were able to finish the job and close out a victory. All week the internet and talking heads were abuzz over whether Rivers and Tomlinson would play. Both were considered game time decisions and at game time it became clear what was going to happen.
Although it may not seem clear now, this was a turning point for both the Chargers and Tomlinson. This wasn't just any AFC championship game, this was bigger for two reasons. First they were facing off against the then 17-0 New England Patriots who boasted the highest scoring offense of all time. Secondly this was Tomlinson's seventh year, you never know how long a running back can be effective but it usually isn't seven years. His career was at stake and so was the history of the San Diego Chargers. Phillip Rivers understood this and that's why he chose to take the field with a fully torn ACL. I can't speculate on how badly Tomlinson was hurt but the general consensus seemed to be that he wasn't hurt as bad as Rivers. Although they lost that day, things changed in San Diego. The dynamic of the team shifted and Ladanian Tomlinson's career was effectively over. Only none of us knew it yet.
This San Diego era of the past decade has been eerily similar to Tomlinson's career. It looks great on paper, there's some great stats to look at, but in the big moment you always walk away wanting more. The next year the Chargers suffered through the slowest start of all. In fact they didn't begin to turn it around until week 14. After a 4-8 start the Chargers barely crept into the playoffs as the #4 seed and only after a Denver collapse. Tomlinson was again banged up for the the first round match-up as back up Darren Sproles shined in breaking the playoff record for all purpose yards. It was in the divisional match-up against the mighty Steelers that Tomlinson began to earn a reputation as soft as he again sat out as his team was eliminated. It was just that he sat out of these games that bothered people, it was the manner in which he conducted himself. No one wants to see someone who's supposed to be a team leader sitting a bench by himself with his helmet on and tinted visor in. We can never know for sure what this meant to his teammates or how hurt he actually was. However what we do know is that he was not the same player in the playoffs that he was in the regular season. He ran the ball for nearly a yard per carry less and scored only seven touchdowns in ten games. But his shortcomings began to matter less and less as Phillip Rivers began to progess.
In 2009 Tomlinson suffered through what was then the worst season of his career. He ran for only 730 yards and 3.3 yards per carry(both career lows). But this did not stop the Chargers from having one of their famous second half runs and finishing 13-3 with a first round bye. Yet, in typical Charger fashion they were upset by the New York Jets. The window began to close on the Chargers just as it did on Tomlinson's career. They let too many good players leave via free agency while others were hurt too often. Meanwhile Tomlinson failed to every fully grasp the moment and play his best on the biggest stage. Now it was too late, in the offseason he was cut and signed with those same Jets. He had a bit of a resurgance early on but that petered out and he finished under 1000 yards for the second consecutive season. The Jets again made the AFC championship and again Tomlinson was a non-factor in the success. In his final season in 2011 he became something I never thought he'd become; irrelevant. He became a guy who couldn't get on the field for a team that couldn't make the playoffs. The Chargers also became familiar with missing the playoffs as they accomplished the feat two years in a row despite their being the most talented team in a weak division.
As is mentioned before and as you've no doubt heard, Tomlinson retires as the 5th all time leading rusher, 2nd in rushing touchdowns, and with the legacy of one of the pass catching backs ever. Yet he retires with the average fan unsatisfied. Deep down the sports fan in me wishes he turned out at least one marquee post season performance. Now he goes as does the early 2000's era Chargers, to a lifetime of being haunted by close calls and thinking "what could have been?"
No comments:
Post a Comment