[TheGuardian]

Originally Posted by LaChapelle

L.T. proclaims he's "the best back"
Posted by Tom Curran on September 2, 2009 9:13 AM ET (PFT)

The fact that he has turned 30 doesn't mean LaDainian Tomlinson's too old to engage in a little "neener, neener, neener."

Speaking to Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times, Tomlinson flashed jealousy about a recent Sporting News article in which Jim Brown interviewed Adrian Peterson.


One question posed by Brown suggests that Tomlinson is overrated.

The article, in which Brown says he believes Peterson is "the most complete back he's seen in a long time," was given to Tomlinson by a Chargers staffer.

"I was sitting there reading it thinking, 'Wow,' " Tomlinson told Farmer. "The difference with me is you can put me out on that field and there will be nothing I can't do. I won't have to come off the field. Adrian has to come off sometimes on third down. Running routes, he's still not there yet. Great downhill runner, powerful, fast, all that stuff. . . .

"But anything on that field you want me to do -- throw it, block -- I can do it. That's what I pride myself on is not having any weaknesses. And that's what makes me the best back."

It's a predictable response from Tomlinson. In 2006, he was being touted as the heir apparent to Brown. Two injury-marred seasons later, and Brown's prodding Peterson to call L.T. overrated while they sip lemonade on the veranda.

Given the pride Tomlinson takes in his craft, making sure L.T. read all about it was, in the short-term, a wise motivational move by the Chargers.

But if it causes him to push too hard from September through December, leaving him used up and/or injured come the playoffs, the smarter move might have been to put the thing in a box marked "Do not open until Christmas."

Tomlinson could NEVER run with power. Between the tackles he was merely average.