Take notice, fantasy football geeks. LaDianian Tomlinson is healthy again. Last season LT had the worst season of his NFL career, averaging only 3.8 yards a carry. The critics came out of the woodwork saying he was over-the-hill, injury prone, and that his best days were over. However, LT did manage to rush for over a thousand yards (1,110), score twelve touchdowns (11 rushing, 1 receiving) and catch 52 passes, which most backs would be happy with. LT is not like most backs. He set the bar so high after his MVP season in 2006, that a season like 2008 had to be a disappointment. A number of factors led to 2008 being a down year for LT:
1. The injuries. In the season opener he hurt his right toe which prevented him from performing his signature "jump-cut" move which makes him so hard to tackle. In the last game of the regular season, after his toe had completely healed, he hurt his groin and only had five carries in the first playoff game.
2. Injuries in the offensive line. The Chargers have three Pro Bowl lineman. Two of them were hurt when the season started and it took a while for them to heal and get back into game shape.
3. The fullback position. Lorenzo Neal, one of the best fullbacks ever, was let go and the Chargers relied on two rookies to block for LT. Mike Tolbert was the starter, but got hurt so Jacob Hester replaced him. Hester might have been the league's smallest fullback at 5-11 and 225 pounds.
4. Philip Rivers. Because the running game wasn't productive in 2008, the Chargers had to rely more on the arm of Philip Rivers. The young QB responded by leading the league in passer rating and touchdown passes. With Norv Turner as the head coach the offensive focus has changed from power running to the passing game.
5. The defense. Last year the Bolts defense spent more time on the field and allowed other teams to control and chew up the clock. That meant less time and opportunities for LT to run.
This year there are good reasons for LT to have one of his best seasons ever. They are:
1. LT's health. Despite turning 30 recently, LT looks like a kid again. He shows no signs that any of last year's injuries have lingered to bother him.
2. A healthy offensive line. The left side of the line is healthy and nasty again.
3. Fullback improvement. Hester has bulked up to 238 and now has some experience in blocking for LT.
4. The receivers. The Chargers have some of the biggest receivers and tight ends in the league and they love to block for #21.
5. Offensive balance. Head coach Norv Turner has vowed a more balanced attack which means that the Bolts should be running the ball more.
6. The defense. Oddly enough, this may be the biggest factor contributing to an MVP type season for LT. Shawne Merriman is back and with new defensive coordinator, Ron Rivera, the Bolts defense should allow fewer points, turn the ball over more and spend less time on the field.
With a high powered offense scoring lots of points and a better defense, the Chargers should find themselves in more situations where they are ahead in the fourth quarter. That means they will want to run the ball more to eat up the clock and that equals more carries and yards for LT. A healthy dose of LT is bad medicine for the rest of the NFL. If he can stay healthy, LT has a good shot at winning his second MVP award and his first Super Bowl.
Tim Wayne has been following the Chargers since the mid-sixties and was a half-time participant in the first game ever played at San Diego Stadium (Now Qualcomm). Okay, he was dressed up as a clown, don't rub it in! He also was at the last AFL game ever played in San Diego when the Chargers beat the Bills in December of 1969. He is a fee lance writer and published poet.
