Tomlinson retires

[Gehrig]

Thought this deserve it's own thread.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/tomlinson-retires-charger-today-charger-life-185007814--nfl.html

Tomlinson decided to call it career today. He signed a one day contract with the Chargers and retired afterwards.

 

[ColdCat]

Six or seven consecutive seasons as the No. 1 pick in everybody's fantasy league. We may never see a run like that again.

 

[KYSportsWriter]

Nobody cares about your fantasy team! [hadtodoit]

 

[Cubbiebum]

He had eight straight 10+ rushing TD seasons, seven of which he had 1,000 yards, and he was a great receiver and blocker. Pretty clear 1st ballot.

If he wanted to pull an Emmit and sign with a crappy team that will give him some touches he could probably pass Emmit on the rushing TD list and take No. 1. He'd be a near lock to take over No. 2 on the total TD list. Emmit had 16 TD's after Tomlinson's current age (in three seasons). Tomlinson is still a very good third down back because of his receiving and blocking skills.

 

[Cubbiebum]

Now for the real debate ... where does he belong in the all-time RB list?

For me it is:

1a Barry Sanders
1b Jim Brown
3 Walter Payton
4-6 Emmit Smith, Marshall Faulk, LaDainian Tomlinson (order depends on individual preference).

 

[Armchair_QB]

I'd put Payton at No. 1, Brown at 2 and Sanders at 3.

Brown was a great power back and Sanders was a great speed/moves back. Payton was both.

 

[Mark2010]

Was just doing that today with someone. My list starts with the AFL-NFL merger, because those are the guys I actually got to see play live.

1) Walter Payton

2) Emmitt Smith

3) Earl Campbell

4) Barry Sanders

5) O.J. Simpson

6) Eric Dickerson

7) LaDanian Tomlinson

8) Marcus Allen

9) Marshall Faulk

10) John Riggins

 

[Cubbiebum]

Was just doing that today with someone. My list starts with the AFL-NFL merger, because those are the guys I actually got to see play live.

1) Walter Payton

2) Emmitt Smith

3) Earl Campbell

4) Barry Sanders

5) O.J. Simpson

6) Eric Dickerson

7) LaDanian Tomlinson

8) Marcus Allen

9) Marshall Faulk

10) John Riggins

Not sure how you list Campbell over most of those guys and especially Sanders. Well unless this is your favorite RB's to watch. Never mind, even then Sanders would be above him.

Also, I think people underestimate Faulk. He's fourth in yards from scrimmage and fourth among RB's in TD's. Plus his peak is arguably the best.

 

[Mark2010]

I got to see Campbell several times early in his career and the guy was just a beast. Defenders were scared to try to tackle him, he was so big and strong and if he got up a full head of steam, look out. He was John Riggins with more speed. His career was shorter, but while he played he was fierce.

Sanders didn't seem so intimidating. If you could keep him in the box, he might well lose yards on any given play. He'd break his share of long runs. But, as John Madden once put it, his line might look something like: 1 yard, no gain, minus-2, one yard, 65-yard touchdown.

Allen and Faulk get higher marks for catching the ball out of the backfield. In that respect, I might move them ahead of Dickerson. But Dickerson, in his prime, like Campbell, was just fearful with that high-step running style.

Understandably, the list is subjective. Not all had the same quality of supporting cast. How good would Payton, Campbell, Sanders or Simpson be if they played with a HOF quarterback?

 

[Cubbiebum]

I got to see Campbell several times early in his career and the guy was just a beast. Defenders were scared to try to tackle him, he was so big and strong and if he got up a full head of steam, look out. He was John Riggins with more speed. His career was shorter, but while he played he was fierce.

Sanders didn't seem so intimidating. If you could keep him in the box, he might well lose yards on any given play. He'd break his share of long runs. But, as John Madden once put it, his line might look something like: 1 yard, no gain, minus-2, one yard, 65-yard touchdown.

Allen and Faulk get higher marks for catching the ball out of the backfield. In that respect, I might move them ahead of Dickerson. But Dickerson, in his prime, like Campbell, was just fearful with that high-step running style.

Understandably, the list is subjective. Not all had the same quality of supporting cast. How good would Payton, Campbell, Sanders or Simpson be if they played with a HOF quarterback?

Agreed on most parts although it should be noted Tomlinson was a better receiver than Allen. More receptions and slightly fewer yards and TD's in five less years. If Tomlinson wanted to play for a crap team for five years like Allen did he would likely be right around Faulk in total numbers for receiving which is way past Allen.

 

[Armchair_QB]

I got to see Campbell several times early in his career and the guy was just a beast. Defenders were scared to try to tackle him, he was so big and strong and if he got up a full head of steam, look out. He was John Riggins with more speed. His career was shorter, but while he played he was fierce.

Sanders didn't seem so intimidating. If you could keep him in the box, he might well lose yards on any given play. He'd break his share of long runs. But, as John Madden once put it, his line might look something like: 1 yard, no gain, minus-2, one yard, 65-yard touchdown.

Allen and Faulk get higher marks for catching the ball out of the backfield. In that respect, I might move them ahead of Dickerson. But Dickerson, in his prime, like Campbell, was just fearful with that high-step running style.

Understandably, the list is subjective. Not all had the same quality of supporting cast. How good would Payton, Campbell, Sanders or Simpson be if they played with a HOF quarterback?

Payton didn't play behind an all-pro offensive lineman until he was 10 years into his career.

 

[Guy_Incognito]

I think Allen is overrated - I'd take him off the list and replace him with Dorsett or Harris. I also agree that Campbell is too high, thought the rest of the list looks pretty good.

 

[Steak Snabler]

I know his career was very, very short, but this guy deserves mention:

 

[Guy_Incognito]

I know his career was very, very short, but this guy deserves mention:

I Was just thinking, if Campbell is there, what about Bo. Terrell Davis & Herschel Walker can also make the all asterisk list.

 

[Armchair_QB]

I know his career was very, very short, but this guy deserves mention:

I Was just thinking, if Campbell is there, what about Bo. Terrell Davis & Herschel Walker can also make the all asterisk list.

Outing Alert: Steak Snabler is Brian Bosworth.

 

[User 1019]

Tomlinson is one of my all-time favorites. Dude had one helluva run. And I hate Auburn with all my worth, but ******* Bo was amazing.

 

[Mark2010]

Yeah, I thought long and hard about Terrell Davis. For me, Jackson just didn't play long enough to make the list.

I thought about Dorsett a bit. But Franco Harris always seemed a bit overrated to me. Played on some very good teams; sort of the opposite of Simpson and Payton. I wonder how good he would have been on a bad team.

As always, these are subjective and good water cooler conversation. I certainly would not oppose Tomlinson being voted into the HOF when he's eligible.

 

[Cubbiebum]

Wow. I've been waiting for someone to bring up the person almost always brought up very quickly by someone over 50. No one has mentioned Gale Sayers.

To me he may have been one of the most talented ever but injuries are part of the game and he simply doesn't belong in the conversation. Anyone who says Sayers belongs in the top 5 MUST have Terrell Davis right behind him. Problem is you never see or hear that. Sayers was the first to use agility to a great degree and not try to either outrun or overrun every defender. Old people remember that and vastly overrate him.

 

[93Devil]

If you are measuring their best season, and only their best season, Campbell is easily on the list. For an entire career, probably not.

 

[Killick]

Bo knows Tecmo, but doesn't sniff this list.