Tomlinson feels good, learning Jets’ offense - Jets Insider.com Forums

jayrad01 · 05-28-2010, 08:12 AM

Tomlinson feels good, learning Jets’ offense
By DENNIS WASZAK Jr., AP Sports Writer
12 hours, 57 minutes ago

Email Print FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP)—LaDainian Tomlinson(notes) took the handoff, saw a hole and flashed the form that once made him one of the NFL’s most exciting players.

Sure, he’ll be 31 soon, but New York Jets coach Rex Ryan likes the youthful moves he’s seeing from the eighth-leading rusher in NFL history.

“We had this little fold play and he just started boom, boom, boom, like this,” Ryan said Thursday, zigzagging his hand. “Two or three different cuts. Clearly he would have made about 20 yards. I was like, ‘Yeah, this is our guy.”’

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Granted, there’s no tackling during organized team activities, but it’s clear that Tomlinson isn’t coming to New York to just be a spare part.

“You always kind of gauge how you’re doing and I think with anything, you gain confidence as you go and you always have that belief,” Tomlinson said. “When you do it, it always reaffirms that belief that you had. You gain the confidence to keep going and do more.”

A half-dozen practices in, Tomlinson believes he can still be a major contributor.

“I feel pretty confident,” he said. “I mean, it’s football, something I’ve been doing all my life. I don’t think that will ever change.”

When the Jets signed Tomlinson in March, many believed the aging star was way past his prime—the years of heavy workloads and 12,490 yards finally taking their toll. And, it’s hard to argue with the stats: He had a career-low 730 yards rushing and 3.3 yards per carry last season for San Diego and was a non-factor against the Jets in the playoffs when he had 24 yards on 12 carries.

“His last game, as everybody is quick to point out, he never had a big game against us, but that was our day, I think,” Ryan said, referring to the Jets’ 17-14 win. “I believe he’s got a lot more left. When you watch him out here bouncing around doing a great job with protections, running the football, he’s still got that wiggle.”

The Jets’ backfield has a new look this season after Thomas Jones(notes), who ran for a career-high 1,402 yards in 2009, was cut and signed with Kansas City. The elusive but injured Leon Washington(notes) was also traded to Seattle during the draft. Shonn Greene(notes) showed lots of promise as a rookie, but the Jets jumped at signing Tomlinson and then drafted the versatile Joe McKnight(notes) out of Southern California.

While Greene is expected to handle the bulk of the carries as the starter, Tomlinson should see lots of playing time.

“It’s the same offense,” said Tomlinson, who turns 31 on June 23. “So, most of the things, I can relate to what I’ve done before so I’m able to pick it up and keep going. A little difference is I’m moving around, especially in passing situations, and moving all over the place—motioning, shifts—so those are the kinds of things I’ve got to get used to.”

The phrases used on offense are another thing Tomlinson is trying to get comfortable with.

“Just learning that terminology, different terminology how they call different plays here, that’s probably been the toughest for me,” Tomlinson said.

But, Tomlinson insists even that is going well. Plus, he feels good physically, something he couldn’t say for part of last season when he dealt with a sprained right ankle that sidelined him for two games.

“I feel great,” he said. “I’m just rolling right along.”

Add in the fact he’ll be playing in an offense that’s focused on the run— the Jets ranked No. 1 in rushing last season—Tomlinson might still have a few highlights left. Even some of his teammates have labeled him as one of the Jets’ standouts during OTAs.

“Well, that makes me feel great,” he said. “These guys, they really didn’t know me or what I was going to kind of bring to the team. To just go out there and show what I can do, I think it changes a lot of guys’ perceptions of what they thought before I came here.”

Meanwhile, Tomlinson has made a point of quickly warming up to his new neighborhood.

“It’s great to go into some of these restaurants and stick your head in some of these little delis and get sandwiches and talk to some of the owners, and even some of the police officers around town,” he said. “It’s been even more than what I expected. The people have been so nice. My family is happy to be here.”

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Dirtstar · 05-28-2010, 09:58 AM

**** yeah!

LaDainian Tomlinson is a NY Jet. i'm still amazed by that :yes:

sg3 · 05-28-2010, 10:13 AM

HUGE UPGRADE over Jones

Untouchable · 05-28-2010, 10:38 AM

[QUOTE=sg3;3609944]HUGE UPGRADE over Jones[/QUOTE]

I don't know about "Huge" upgrade, but he's better than TJ IMO, despite the difference in numbers last year.

LT is probably one of the Top 3 RB's of all-time. He's definitely Top 5.

A lot was made of his down year in '09, but that team has changed drastically the past 2-3 years. Their OL isn't what it once was and they've handed the team over to Philip Rivers.

Behind our O-line, which is arguably the best in the league even with the loss of Faneca, it wouldn't surprise me at all if LT can put up something like 1100 yards and 8-10 TD's. I personally don't think that Greene is going to be the full time #1 guy. At least not this year.

k.Rhodes25 · 05-28-2010, 10:39 AM

I really believe Tomlinson is going to prove people wrong, I think he has more game left in him than people think, hes hungry and out to prove people wrong. People talked about LT not having as much burst or speed anymore, but TJ didn't have much burst or speed.... That he doesn't break many tackles, well he actually made about the same amount of people miss last year than TJ but TJ got 1,400 yards behind our OL.

bman · 05-28-2010, 10:40 AM

[QUOTE=sg3;3609944]HUGE UPGRADE over Jones[/QUOTE]

WHAT! T Jones has been fantastic the last 3 years..LT has NOT...The jury is out until september.

TurkJetFan · 05-28-2010, 10:49 AM

I just have a gut feeling at the core that LT is going to have a monster year this year.

I think it's great that nobody is EXPECTING huge things from him. That takes a ton of pressure off the guy especially coming from SD where they expected him to put up HOF numbers year in and year out. and can we blame them for that?

But now that he is here and the pressure is off and replaced by the something to prove mindset I think he is going to tear it up and be a HUGE contributor to this team.

But only time will tell.

RexRutha · 05-28-2010, 10:58 AM

[QUOTE=bman;3610005]T Jones has been [B][SIZE="3"]fantastic[/SIZE][/B] the last 3 years...[/QUOTE]

[IMG]http://www.cardcow.com/images/set128/card00389_fr.jpg[/IMG]

Buzzsaw · 05-28-2010, 11:55 AM

[QUOTE=Dirtstar;3609915]**** yeah!

LaDainian Tomlinson is a NY Jet. i'm still amazed by that :yes:[/QUOTE]

+ 1

Going to be cool to see him in a Jets uniform with that dark black visor.

jetsfan920 · 05-28-2010, 12:39 PM

I'm going to miss TJ, no doubt. The guy was a warrior and a leader. None the less, I am excited to see L.T. in a Jets uniform. The line in SD was designed for Rivers, not him. We have a O Line made for ground and pound. Plus he won't have to carry the load.

WestCoastOffensive · 05-28-2010, 09:22 PM

[QUOTE=jetsfan920;3610173]I'm going to miss TJ, no doubt. The guy was a warrior and a leader. None the less, I am excited to see L.T. in a Jets uniform. The line in SD was designed for Rivers, not him. We have a O Line made for ground and pound. Plus he won't have to carry the load.[/QUOTE]

I think being re-united with Brian Schottenheimer just feels good for LT. LT stood up for Marty when Smith canned him for no good reason except Norv Turner. LT is excited to find a place in this offense which suits him.

sameoldjets · 05-29-2010, 08:11 AM

ladanian is worth the shot if only because norv turner was his former coach. turner clearly wanted the chargers to be pass first so tomlinson was not able to get into a running groove. and the oline was being taught to run block. if the jets continue using a power run game then tomlinson will do just fine. it will be interesting to see if he can put his ego aside and watch if greene continues where he left off. but tomlinson is also an excellent pass receiver out of the backfield.

Savage69 · 05-29-2010, 08:24 AM

[QUOTE=bman;3610005]WHAT! T Jones has been fantastic the last 3 years..LT has NOT...The jury is out until september.[/QUOTE]

3 years ago LT had 1474 yds on a 315 carries and 14 tds 4.7 ypc.. 3 years ago TJ was 1119 on 310 carries 1 td and 3.6..The next 2 years TJ had better stats but in td's in the last 3 years in both rushing and receiving LT had 42 td's to 31 for TJ..

sg3 · 05-29-2010, 08:43 AM

[QUOTE=bman;3610005]WHAT! T Jones has been fantastic the last 3 years..LT has NOT...The jury is out until september.[/QUOTE]

things Tomlinson can do that Thomas Two Yards could NEVER do as a backup to the War Machine

1) catch a pass out of the backfield

2) turn the corner going outside

3) evade running into a pile

4) make a tackler miss

MCBNY · 05-29-2010, 09:07 AM

[QUOTE=sg3;3610740]things Tomlinson can do that Thomas Two Yards could NEVER do as a backup to the War Machine

1) catch a pass out of the backfield

2) turn the corner going outside

3) evade running into a pile

4) make a tackler miss[/QUOTE]

Truth.

05-28-2010, 08:12 AM	#1
jayrad01 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cocoa,FL Posts: 2,087	Tomlinson feels good, learning Jets’ offense Tomlinson feels good, learning Jets’ offense By DENNIS WASZAK Jr., AP Sports Writer 12 hours, 57 minutes ago Email Print FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP)—LaDainian Tomlinson(notes) took the handoff, saw a hole and flashed the form that once made him one of the NFL’s most exciting players. Sure, he’ll be 31 soon, but New York Jets coach Rex Ryan likes the youthful moves he’s seeing from the eighth-leading rusher in NFL history. “We had this little fold play and he just started boom, boom, boom, like this,” Ryan said Thursday, zigzagging his hand. “Two or three different cuts. Clearly he would have made about 20 yards. I was like, ‘Yeah, this is our guy.”’ ADVERTISEMENT Granted, there’s no tackling during organized team activities, but it’s clear that Tomlinson isn’t coming to New York to just be a spare part. “You always kind of gauge how you’re doing and I think with anything, you gain confidence as you go and you always have that belief,” Tomlinson said. “When you do it, it always reaffirms that belief that you had. You gain the confidence to keep going and do more.” A half-dozen practices in, Tomlinson believes he can still be a major contributor. “I feel pretty confident,” he said. “I mean, it’s football, something I’ve been doing all my life. I don’t think that will ever change.” When the Jets signed Tomlinson in March, many believed the aging star was way past his prime—the years of heavy workloads and 12,490 yards finally taking their toll. And, it’s hard to argue with the stats: He had a career-low 730 yards rushing and 3.3 yards per carry last season for San Diego and was a non-factor against the Jets in the playoffs when he had 24 yards on 12 carries. “His last game, as everybody is quick to point out, he never had a big game against us, but that was our day, I think,” Ryan said, referring to the Jets’ 17-14 win. “I believe he’s got a lot more left. When you watch him out here bouncing around doing a great job with protections, running the football, he’s still got that wiggle.” The Jets’ backfield has a new look this season after Thomas Jones(notes), who ran for a career-high 1,402 yards in 2009, was cut and signed with Kansas City. The elusive but injured Leon Washington(notes) was also traded to Seattle during the draft. Shonn Greene(notes) showed lots of promise as a rookie, but the Jets jumped at signing Tomlinson and then drafted the versatile Joe McKnight(notes) out of Southern California. While Greene is expected to handle the bulk of the carries as the starter, Tomlinson should see lots of playing time. “It’s the same offense,” said Tomlinson, who turns 31 on June 23. “So, most of the things, I can relate to what I’ve done before so I’m able to pick it up and keep going. A little difference is I’m moving around, especially in passing situations, and moving all over the place—motioning, shifts—so those are the kinds of things I’ve got to get used to.” The phrases used on offense are another thing Tomlinson is trying to get comfortable with. “Just learning that terminology, different terminology how they call different plays here, that’s probably been the toughest for me,” Tomlinson said. But, Tomlinson insists even that is going well. Plus, he feels good physically, something he couldn’t say for part of last season when he dealt with a sprained right ankle that sidelined him for two games. “I feel great,” he said. “I’m just rolling right along.” Add in the fact he’ll be playing in an offense that’s focused on the run— the Jets ranked No. 1 in rushing last season—Tomlinson might still have a few highlights left. Even some of his teammates have labeled him as one of the Jets’ standouts during OTAs. “Well, that makes me feel great,” he said. “These guys, they really didn’t know me or what I was going to kind of bring to the team. To just go out there and show what I can do, I think it changes a lot of guys’ perceptions of what they thought before I came here.” Meanwhile, Tomlinson has made a point of quickly warming up to his new neighborhood. “It’s great to go into some of these restaurants and stick your head in some of these little delis and get sandwiches and talk to some of the owners, and even some of the police officers around town,” he said. “It’s been even more than what I expected. The people have been so nice. My family is happy to be here.” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

05-28-2010, 09:58 AM	#2
Dirtstar Snubbed a man just to watch him cry. Hall Of Fame Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 15,792	**** yeah! LaDainian Tomlinson is a NY Jet. i'm still amazed by that :yes:

05-28-2010, 10:13 AM	#3
sg3 REX AND THE I-MAN - BACK ON TRACK Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The Big Apple, USA Posts: 20,401	HUGE UPGRADE over Jones

05-28-2010, 10:38 AM	#4
Untouchable Hall Of Fame Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 22,404	[QUOTE=sg3;3609944]HUGE UPGRADE over Jones[/QUOTE] I don't know about "Huge" upgrade, but he's better than TJ IMO, despite the difference in numbers last year. LT is probably one of the Top 3 RB's of all-time. He's definitely Top 5. A lot was made of his down year in '09, but that team has changed drastically the past 2-3 years. Their OL isn't what it once was and they've handed the team over to Philip Rivers. Behind our O-line, which is arguably the best in the league even with the loss of Faneca, it wouldn't surprise me at all if LT can put up something like 1100 yards and 8-10 TD's. I personally don't think that Greene is going to be the full time #1 guy. At least not this year.

05-28-2010, 10:39 AM	#5
k.Rhodes25 All League Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,875	I really believe Tomlinson is going to prove people wrong, I think he has more game left in him than people think, hes hungry and out to prove people wrong. People talked about LT not having as much burst or speed anymore, but TJ didn't have much burst or speed.... That he doesn't break many tackles, well he actually made about the same amount of people miss last year than TJ but TJ got 1,400 yards behind our OL.

05-28-2010, 10:40 AM	#6
bman All League Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 4,936	[QUOTE=sg3;3609944]HUGE UPGRADE over Jones[/QUOTE] WHAT! T Jones has been fantastic the last 3 years..LT has NOT...The jury is out until september.

05-28-2010, 10:49 AM	#7
TurkJetFan Praise Idzik All Pro Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 6,097	I just have a gut feeling at the core that LT is going to have a monster year this year. I think it's great that nobody is EXPECTING huge things from him. That takes a ton of pressure off the guy especially coming from SD where they expected him to put up HOF numbers year in and year out. and can we blame them for that? But now that he is here and the pressure is off and replaced by the something to prove mindset I think he is going to tear it up and be a HUGE contributor to this team. But only time will tell.

05-28-2010, 10:58 AM	#8
RexRutha Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 227	[QUOTE=bman;3610005]T Jones has been [B][SIZE="3"]fantastic[/SIZE][/B] the last 3 years...[/QUOTE] [IMG]http://www.cardcow.com/images/set128/card00389_fr.jpg[/IMG]

05-28-2010, 11:55 AM	#9
Buzzsaw Jets Insider VIP Board Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 26,305	[QUOTE=Dirtstar;3609915]**** yeah! LaDainian Tomlinson is a NY Jet. i'm still amazed by that :yes:[/QUOTE] + 1 Going to be cool to see him in a Jets uniform with that dark black visor.

05-28-2010, 12:39 PM	#10
jetsfan920 Lets Get It Veteran Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,606	I'm going to miss TJ, no doubt. The guy was a warrior and a leader. None the less, I am excited to see L.T. in a Jets uniform. The line in SD was designed for Rivers, not him. We have a O Line made for ground and pound. Plus he won't have to carry the load.

05-28-2010, 09:22 PM	#11
WestCoastOffensive Lying to the Smithsonian Board Moderator Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: SF via Strong Island Posts: 26,667	[QUOTE=jetsfan920;3610173]I'm going to miss TJ, no doubt. The guy was a warrior and a leader. None the less, I am excited to see L.T. in a Jets uniform. The line in SD was designed for Rivers, not him. We have a O Line made for ground and pound. Plus he won't have to carry the load.[/QUOTE] I think being re-united with Brian Schottenheimer just feels good for LT. LT stood up for Marty when Smith canned him for no good reason except Norv Turner. LT is excited to find a place in this offense which suits him.

05-29-2010, 08:11 AM	#12
sameoldjets All Pro Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,483	ladanian is worth the shot if only because norv turner was his former coach. turner clearly wanted the chargers to be pass first so tomlinson was not able to get into a running groove. and the oline was being taught to run block. if the jets continue using a power run game then tomlinson will do just fine. it will be interesting to see if he can put his ego aside and watch if greene continues where he left off. but tomlinson is also an excellent pass receiver out of the backfield.

05-29-2010, 08:24 AM	#13
Savage69 Jets Insider VIP Charter JI Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 39,294	[QUOTE=bman;3610005]WHAT! T Jones has been fantastic the last 3 years..LT has NOT...The jury is out until september.[/QUOTE] 3 years ago LT had 1474 yds on a 315 carries and 14 tds 4.7 ypc.. 3 years ago TJ was 1119 on 310 carries 1 td and 3.6..The next 2 years TJ had better stats but in td's in the last 3 years in both rushing and receiving LT had 42 td's to 31 for TJ..

05-29-2010, 08:43 AM	#14
sg3 REX AND THE I-MAN - BACK ON TRACK Jets Insider VIP Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The Big Apple, USA Posts: 20,401	[QUOTE=bman;3610005]WHAT! T Jones has been fantastic the last 3 years..LT has NOT...The jury is out until september.[/QUOTE] things Tomlinson can do that Thomas Two Yards could NEVER do as a backup to the War Machine 1) catch a pass out of the backfield 2) turn the corner going outside 3) evade running into a pile 4) make a tackler miss

05-29-2010, 09:07 AM	#15
MCBNY Token Liberal All League Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 2,973	[QUOTE=sg3;3610740]things Tomlinson can do that Thomas Two Yards could NEVER do as a backup to the War Machine 1) catch a pass out of the backfield 2) turn the corner going outside 3) evade running into a pile 4) make a tackler miss[/QUOTE] Truth.