Fantasy Index Reader Column
As an LT owner, I am very frustrated by the season thus far. Not so much for his performance, but with the lack of clarity to what is behind it. I suppose it doesn't really matter; whether it is his bum toe, his age (and wear and tear), his less dominant offensive line or a combination.
What disturbs me is his insistence on playing through his injury. If he is really being ailed by his toe, why not take a couple weeks off and heal? Would it not serve himself, his team and (most importantly) his fantasy football owners to get well? The NFL season is a marathon, not a sprint after all. The Chargers are 2-2 since LT suffered his injury. Could they not have gone at least 2-2 in his absence against the weak part of their schedule? Would they not be served to have a healthy LT as they enter the meat of their season?
The problem is, I don't think it's the toe, and LT knows it. LT has been the prize of the NFL for a long time, and I don't think he's ready to gracefully accept his diminishing talents. But I also don't think it's all LT. His line is not creating holes it once did, either. In any case, it doesn't appear to be his year, and his dominating days seem long, long gone.
This is not to say he cannot still be a serviceable running back for both his team and fantasy owners. He'll have his share of multiple TD games I am sure, but they'll come far and fewer in between his 17 for 65 stinkers. And as an owner who paid top dollar for this, I just cannot sit by idly for a guy who is sliding so fast. I would much rather have some fresh legs with upside than a running back on the down. It's just how I am. Show me the upside!
I tried to talk myself out of the truth about LT – especially after his "renaissance" against the Raiders. I held on to the belief that he was back, he was healthy and all was well. But then came the gross performance this week against Miami. All of a sudden his injury was all he could talk about. I fear I blew my chance to move LT while he still had value.
To all you LT owners, here's hoping he'll do an about face and return to prominence. Or that you're able to deal him for talent. I know I'll be trying feverishly this week.
Bryan Bertsch is a meditation coach and fantasy football enthusiast. Visit him online at www.bryanbertsch.com.
Reader Columns are submitted by Fantasy Football Index readers. Opinions expressed in Reader Columns are not endorsed by the publishers of Fantasy Football Index. We're just contributing to the marketplace of ideas. Learn more about how to submit your own reader column.
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Posted by Joe Faragalli | Oct. 08 at 11:03 AM
If you are in a keeper or dynasty league like I am, I can see considering deals right now. I am 2-3 in my dynasty league, but still want to see how my team does the next two weeks before trading him for young guys and picks. I think it is premature to say he is fading fast. Last year, he ripped it up and was at the top of his game for most of the year. Two bad games out of four don't consititute fading that quickly for a player so talented. Talk to me after he reels off three or four stinkers in a row and we'll see. Losing Lorenzo Neal was huge loss. So I don't see it time to hit the panic but in a redraft league, just yet.
Posted by IAN ALLAN | Oct. 08 at 12:32 PM
In my opinion, Tomlinson has played poorly in all five games. I watched the entire Carolina game and didn't like the way he looked. He was saved from a very mediocre outing against Oakland with the late 41-yard touchdown, but I didn't see any special in that run. I didn't see the old LT.
Posted by Joe Faragalli | Oct. 09 at 05:36 AM
Comments like, " he was saved by that 41 yd td run " make no sense to me. The fact is that he ran 41 yds for a td. The points don't mean any less cause you think he didn't look liek the old LT...Bottom line, if someone in a redraft league dumps him now in a package deal for someone like deangelo williams and marvin harrison to me is making a pointless lateral move...If you can get gore, barber, TO for him, fine, but anyone else is not guarentee to make the deal worth it just yet.
Posted by BRYAN BERTSCH | Oct. 09 at 12:44 PM
I agree with Joe that it would be foolish to trade LT for mid range talent...but his name just may still bring in a TO or Gore...maybe, just maybe. But if not I'll gladly stick with him and hope he makes a second half surge ala years past, but I ain't couting on it. Heck, maybe he'll become the most valuable RB3 in my league!
Posted by Glenn Person | Oct. 09 at 05:01 PM
I've had the luxury of having LT the past two years and the one thing about him is that he is a slow starter. He will pay big dividends when it matters. The only thing that concerns me though is that Turner doesn't seem to use him like Schottenheimer did. Also, he will have more 3-5 yard carries then you would like, but he will rumble off a 25-40 yard gain in the second half of games. I would rather have him then my first round pick, #10 overall, Marshawn Lynch.