For a couple of years now, especially at this time of the NFL post-season, my younger brother and I have this ongoing argument (which I refuse to lose by the way) about how LaDainian Tomlinson- currently of the San Diego Chargers -is the greatest running back of all-time.
All-time? I don't think so.
Currently the greatest running back? Yes. With little argument from almost anyone, myself included. Anyone who plays fantasy football today would nearly undeniably select him first if given the option.
The fact is, as great as his (albeit) short career has been thus far, I can name (off the top of my head) five- no, six -greater. Without going into mindless, statistically-driven detail, here they are:
Jim Brown (nine grinding seasons with the Browns, considered ahead of his time)
Barry Sanders (he did so much more with so much less help than Tomlinson (and remember Barry spinning away from and breaking tackles because of his blinding speed?))
Marshall Faulk (one Super Bowl ring compared to Tomlinson's zero (remember when Faulk was considered by many “the greatest running back of all time”? I do))
The late Walter Payton (again, one Super Bowl ring compared to zero)
Thurman Thomas (4 Super Bowl appearances compared to Tomlinson's zero)
Emmitt Smith (back-to-back Super Bowl appearances and championship rings, again, compared to, well, you get the idea)
Nonetheless, I digress.
The point of this is not to discredit Tomlinson by any means, but rather to state simply this: Tomlinson is not done yet. His appearing in the AFC Championship game this past NFL post-season is perhaps just the beginning of cementing what's sure to be- once it's all said and done -an outstanding legacy as one of the greatest running backs of all time, and he may even break into that top five or six seen above.
Consider this: Would Thurman Thomas be considered the greatest running back of all time were he to have won all four Super Bowl appearances? Of course, with the argument (or lack thereof) being that no running back will be able to do that on one team ever again, with the current era of free agency as it is. Thomas could have cemented a dynasty for himself as a running back, other than being a four-time AFC Champion. Now he is remembered as a great running back, sure, but just another one who never won The Big One. Like Dan Marino. Like Jim Kelly. Like so many gifted and deserving others (even though Marino and Kelly are not runningbacks, you get the idea).
Which leads us back to Mr. Tomlinson.
He has everything going for him: great linemen, a half-way decent quarterback in Philip Rivers handing him off the ball and decoys like Gates and now Chambers; not to mention his own physical talent, ability, poise, guile and drive.
So you can say what you want now- and eventually you may be right, statistically anyway -but for now, let's enjoy watching Tomlinson's career unfold, his attempts to make it to and win the Super Bowl and see what comes of it. In the meantime, let's see what happens to 32, 20, 28, both 34s and 22's records. Careers- and legends -are not built on what ifs, might haves or could have beens, but on what did happen. -Eric Eswein
1 comment:
LT can't hold Jim Brown's cocaine vials!. Oops did I say that out loud??
Also, that little prissy punk Tiki Barber could have been great too if he kept his mouth shut. Instead he opted to pitch handbags and 'soft ladies news' on the Today show. Even gay guys think that's gay!
Post a Comment