Happy Trails, Old Stud ~ LaDainian Tomlinson

This guy, my friends, will go down in history as one of the top 10 greatest RBs of all time. He has been a first round pick every year after he burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2001, including this year unfortunately, despite all the warnings of having well over 3000 touches under his belt and turning 30 before the season. Ladanian Tomlinson's demise was apparent during the 2008 season when he didn't seem able to absorb very many hits, became tentative, and had minor injuries sideline him during the playoffs. I was absolutely astounded by the multitudes of mis-lead owners drafting him in the first round this year.

In his limited action this year, he has looked slower and tentative and has finally given in to the massive amount of wear and tear throughout his career by missing two regular season games to injury for the first time in his career. In the fantasy football there are far too many red flags to be able to trust LT in your starting lineup during the playoffs. Granted, he has been finding the endzone lately, but you need to rely on those TDs for good fantasy stats from him. There will still be many owners who drafted him too early and didn't trade him while he was still a hot name, and also didn't acquire enough RB depth to back him up. Those owners who have made the playoffs will have to rely on other players on their team to win a Championship and hope LT can contribute a TD or two.

We will certainly remember him for his amazing achievements throughout his career and not his disappointing 2009 season. He should retire after this year, but I have a hunch he wants to break some career records like most TDs or yards. Besides, his contract with the Chargers is through the 2011 season.

Here are his current NFL records, many of them achieved during his record shattering 2006 campaign:

~Single season total TDs (31)
~Single season rushing TDs (28)
~Most points scored in a season (186)
~Consecutive games with a rushing TD (18)
~Consecutive multi-TD games (8)
~Fewest games needed to achieve 100 total TDs (89)
~Only player ever to rush for 1000 yards (1645 total) and receive 100 passes (100 even)
~Most TDs in a five game span (16)
~Second player ever with 1800 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season
~Second most career rushing TDs (138)
~One of five RBs to have consecutive seasons of 20 or more total TDs

The best thing about LT if you own him, is he is still a big name to a few owners here and there. The trading deadline for all leagues has passed, but once trading is reopened in dynasty and keeper leagues, I would highly suggest finding those owners, if they are in your league, and immediately starting up LT trade talks. If you are lucky and you do find that owner who is still enamored with LT's namesake, you might be able to get a RB like Ryan Grant or Laurence Maroney in return, use LT to upgrade your second or third WR into a stud WR like trading Santonio Holmes and LT for Vincent Jackson, or acquire an early to mid-second round rookie pick for him.

LT is 30 years old, has 3368 touches through week 14, and is finally succumbing to injuries, so it's time to cut ties with him via a trade (and for God's sake, don't plan on drafting him next year before at least the 6th round in redrafts) and wish him...

"Happy trails, LT. You helped God only knows how many team owners win their League Titles from 2001-2008. In 2006 you may have single-handedly won Titles for teams everywhere, but for now, we will look forward to seeing you in your yellow jacket at Canton."

Happy Trails, Old Stud ~ Larry Johnson

His career is completely finished. To start the 2009 season, he was a starter who was a featured RB in Kansas City, until his now infamous gay-slurring remarks. He is now employed very tentatively by the Bengals, and he is splitting backup RB duties with Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard. I was savvy enough to avoid him in all of my leagues this year, and for that matter, the only time I owned him was in his breakout year of 2005 as a 10th round pick. My disdain for him was inspired by, not only his blatant futility this year, but also his so-called renewed committment to the Chiefs, before the season, and to being a workhorse RB.

His legacy (on the field) will all be based on his 2005 and 2006 seasons, when he totaled 3539 rushing yards on 752 attempts for a 4.7 average per carry and 37 TDs, and 753 receiving yards on 74 catches for a 10.2 average per catch and 3 TDs. That's 4292 yards and 40 TDs over 25 starts. After getting completely ran into the ground, by his own request, in 2006 with an NFL record 416 carries and a grand total of 457 touches, he predictably had a season-ending injury (sprained foot) in the middle of his 2007 campaign, after already having a rough start to that season. Furthermore, his offensive line, which was considered one of the best in NFL history who helped Priest Holmes achieve fantasy glory, setting team and NFL records, started to fall apart with All-Pro left tackle Willie Roaf retiring before the 2006 season and All-Pro guard Will Shields retiring before the 2007 season. Also, trading Trent Green to Miami before the 2007 season allowed defenses to stack the box, not being threatened by the likes of Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard. The end results of all this trading, retirement, and injuries were a big part of LJ's miserable performances in 2008 and into this season.

Unfortunately, Larry Johnson's value was pretty low before this season started, and now resides in the cellar now that his renewed commitment coming into this season has meant nothing, and he has been left to rot as nothing more than a thirdish-string RB. His career is finished.

If you are a Larry Johnson owner in any league (redraft, keeper, or dynasty) don't be afraid to release him if a better option pops up on the waiver wire. He certainly won't help anyone win a Championship anymore, and I wouldn't even trust him as a desperate injury replacement if Cedric Benson misses one of these final games. Since he is now 30 years old and has that 416 carry season under his belt, it is time to wish him...

"Happy trails, Larry. Thank you for the memories of your magical 2005 season, and your workhorse 2006 season. Also, thank you for giving renewed meaning to the phrase 'think before you speak.' Unfortunately, your career may not be remembered for those 2005 and 2006 seasons, but something tells me you don't care."