A warm indoor stadium vs. cold outdoor stadium. Playing against the Lions twice vs. playing against the Patriots twice. Alongside someone named Adrian vs. alongside someone who misspells Shonn. Lining up behind Brett and his almost 20 years experience vs. lining up behind Mark and his one year under his belt. Throwing to Sidney who catches everything vs. throwing to Braylon who drops everything. Playing under the tutelage of easy going Brad vs. playing under a fat loudmouth with weight problems names Rex. Playing for a team who was one quarter away from the Super Bowl vs. playing for a team who was one quarter away from the Super Bowl. Oh, sorry. I guess I am out of clever ways to state that Ladainian Tomlinson would have been far better off had he signed with the Minnesota Vikings than the New York Jets.
Is LT in NY a good fit?
LT says that all he cares about is winning, and while I do believe him, I have to wonder if he chose the right situation. The Jets made it to the AFC Championship because of their defense and in spite of their offense. The Vikes made it because of their offense, and were slightly let down by their defense in the NFC Championship. Mark Sanchez will be called on to keep his team in the game, while Brett Favre will be asked to win his team the game.
Sure, Thomas Jones is gone, and that will mean more opportunity for LT to carry the rock. But as last season went on, Jones was partially fazed out in the Jets backfield anyway. Leon Washington was not there, but he will be this season, and Shonn Greene stepped up big time in the playoffs.
What I am saying is, there may not be much of an opportunity for LT as he was promised. Now, look at Minnesota. Yes, they have one of the most explosive running backs in the game, but he suffers from a severe case of fumblitis, especially in key situations. Gone is Chester Taylor, who caught many balls out of the backfield, and earned many carries behind Peterson. Enter LT. In on every third down. In on almost every goal line play. In even more after Peterson fumbles inside the ten. And most importantly, in to win that elusive championship, or at least reach a Super Bowl. He could have gone there to mentor Peterson, and hopefully help him get over having the word fumble always in his head, and always on the mind of every defensive player who tries to rip the ball out of his hands. What a great way to cap off your already spectacular legacy. Sure, you can help Greene, and sure you can catch passes from Sanchez. But is it the same?
The Jets offered a two year contract to LT for roughly a little over $5 million. If I were a Vikings executive, or coach, or fan, wouldn’t you want them to extend an offer slightly larger than that to lure him to Minny? It would not have taken much more, and if you are truly serious about wanting Favre to come back for at least one more season, then wouldn’t proving to him just how serious you are about winning a title help? I’m just saying…
This is a strange move for Tomlinson. I don’t know his cold weather stats, but being able to feast on the defenses of the Raiders and Chiefs for the last 10 years has probably padded his stats somewhat. Don’t get me wrong, he is/was a great running back, he could do it all. Going to NY is going to put at best 3rd on the depth chart. Leon Washington is the 3rd down back and can catch the ball out of the backfield with the best of them. I think he probably should have gone to a dome team. Could imagine a Colts team with a third down back like Tomlinson. Just one more passing option for the 2nd best QB in the league. They would be even more dangerous. I think even a move to the Packers, who are searching for someone to spell Grant. They don’t really have a great 3rd down or goal line option. I think that going to one of the toughest divisions was a bad idea for LT, but only time will tell if it is a good move.