[Bette]

Some people believe the Chargers' injured star running back lacks heart. But that criticism is undeserved and hurtful.
Tomlinson is the league's most productive running back, busting through blockers and taking more hits than he delivers. He played through a strained groin in 2004 and bruised ribs in 2005.
And now that reputation for toughness is questioned. Because the Chargers loss? Because there's a need to find a San Die goat?

Perhaps the worst critic, if not hypocrite, in this open season on LT is NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders. He said that Tomlinson was failing to be a "big-time player" for missing most of a "big-time game."
Nobody, not even Sanders, who is far from being the exemplar of toughness since he rarely soiled a uniform or willingly engaged in physical contact during his days as a show-boating defensive back, should be asking any athlete to break his leg or risk having a lifelong limp for any game.
The fact that Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers played Sunday with two bad knees shouldn't make Tomlinson suffer by comparison. They have different roles in the offense and different joints that are essential to their effectiveness.
LT said his knee lacked the strength necessary to make explosive runs. He knows his own body better than anybody else could. He knows what pain he can endure and what pressure his body can handle. He knows how little he could have helped his team if a healthy Michael Turner had not taken his carries



Sports: Smith column: No one should be questioning Tomlinson's toughness | tomlinson, chargers, knee, nfl, toughness - OCRegister.com



I am thinking it hurt LT more to stay on the sidelines than to play.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

He is no Walt Garrison...I remember Garrison playing with a broken collar bone in the 1973 NFC Championship games for the Cowboys...that was a tough running back.

[Bette]

Tomlinson was afraid he would hurt his team more than help them and he knew that there was someone there who could carry the load. I am kind of siding with LT on this.

As for toughness, dont forget Emmitt Smith and his separated shoulder against the Giants. But there was no one else to help him out.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Bette

Tomlinson was afraid he would hurt his team more than help them and he knew that there was someone there who could carry the load. I am kind of siding with LT on this.

As for toughness, dont forget Emmitt Smith and his separated shoulder against the Giants. But there was no one else to help him out.

That might be...but most big time players want the ball, and will only come out, if they get forced out.

[Bette]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

That might be...but most big time players want the ball, and will only come out, if they get forced out.

He wanted that win over the Pats, goth, bad. I believe he would have done anything to insure that it happened, and if that meant taking himself out, he would. He told coach "use me sparingly if you must use me." Cant he be cut out of a different kind of cloth???