LT's Career with Chargers Will Be Defined Down Stretch

In a season where Ladainian Tomlinson has been criticized for his record-low numbers and injury, the Chargers greatest back can redeem his season by producing down the stretch into the playoffs.

Due to the success in his nine-year career as a Charger, Tomlinson has positioned himself to set new NFL records and climb up the ranks of running back greats.

Last game against Cleveland, LT moved into eighth place on the career rushing list becoming the fastest player to reach 150 touchdowns in his 137th game, surpassing Emmitt Smith, who did it in 160 games. Tomlinson also climbed up the ranks of rushing greats surpassing Brown great Jim Brown and SDSU Alumn Marshall Faulk.

Tomlinson’s regular season numbers speak for themselves (stats) but in the past few years it has been his lack of production in the playoffs that has the Chargers and fans unsure about their once MVP.

In the Chargers two playoff games last year, LT accounted for 25 yards on five rushes and a touchdown. After an early touchdown against the Colts, LT was ineffective and  Sproles carried the Chargers into Pittsburgh, where LT sat out due to injury.

Tomlinson started the 2007 playoffs with an okay day against Tennessee rushing for 41 yards on 21 attempts and a touchdown, but the during the following two games No.21 battled injury once again running the ball for a total of 9 times (7 Colts, 2 Patriots) for 33 yards.

With the last two playoff years not going as planned for Tomlinson and Charger fans, many have forgotten his MVP season in the playoffs against the Patriots. Maybe because Charger fans wanted to erase that game from their minds completely, but Tomlinson had an MVP type game rushing for 123 yards and two touchdowns. He also grabbed two balls for 64 yards receiving.  

The 2009 season has been frustrating for Tomlinson with career lows in rushing yards, rushing yards per attempt, and touchdowns. LT is also in danger of going under the 1,000 yard rushing mark, the first time in his career, needing 439 yards over the next four regular season games.

Before the 2009 season began, many critics discussed LT losing a step as he reached the age of 30 -- an age that is infamous for good backs to decline in productivity. As of now Tomlinson’s critics look like they knew what they were talking about, but all can be forgotten if No. 21 produces in the playoffs and helps the Chargers get to or win the Super Bowl.

It is now easier more than ever for Tomlinson to get his Super Bowl win with the Chargers.

In 2006, the Chargers relied on Tomlinson to carry them through the playoffs and on, but now the experienced supporting cast of Rivers, Gates, and Jackson aleaves Tomlinson of that duty.

This is now Phillip Rivers' team so LT doesn’t have to put up daunting numbers or play every snap anymore to win games for the Chargers. As long as he can stay healthy and be a factor in the playoffs, LT and the Chargers can get to the Super Bowl.

Whether due to injury or age there is no doubt LT has lost a step. He doesn’t hit the holes as he once did and his once cutback jump step is now merely a skip, but if Tomlinson were to turn it around for his team and legacy this would be the time.

The Chargers, No. 2 in the AFC, are in the spotlight and what better time to break out. Tomlinson is receiving more touches and the team is beginning to rely on him more as the season moves along.

A smart move by Norv Turner to get LT more involved because if there is one thing No. 21 is good at it is reaching paydirt and scoring touchdowns are crucial come playoff time.

Nearing towards the end of his contract, LT’s future with the Chargers will depend on how productive he is down the stretch into the playoffs.

I understand numbers and records are great and all Tomlinson wants to do is win a Super Bowl. However, the matter of the fact is, if Tomlinson doesn’t produce in big games with two years left on his contract, then LT won’t have the chance to win a Super Bowl with the Chargers.