On a par with Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky in their respective sports
2006-12-21 16:29:35 · 26 answers · asked by Mojave 1 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
LT could certainly become the best running back ever, but I don't think it is possible for a football player to be the greatest in the same way that Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player. In basketball or hockey each player has a different but essentially similar role. In football, every position has its own very unique task. It is really impossible to compare a running back to a linebacker in any way beyond dominance with respect to other players that play the same position. At best for a football player we can say that he is the greatest ever at that position.
2006-12-21 16:40:21 · answer #1 · answered by Ape Ape Man 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that he does have the potential. I think what makes a player great in any professional league is their ability to put their team on their shoulders in the good times and the bad. Michael Jordan did that, Wayne Gretzky did that, and LT did just that last Sunday when Philip Rivers was off his game. Jordan and Gretzky were the greatest because they did it in multiple seasons. If LT has another year like this one, he could be considered the greatest.
If there is a greatest NFL player, I would have to give that award to Brett Favre. He has also been setting records this year as well, and anyone with 256 consecutive starts is just uncanny.
2006-12-22 06:12:18 · answer #2 · answered by generalsmoketh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definately. In today's game, the RB is asked to do alot more than it was in Jim Brown's time. Today, the RB needs to be able to run AND catch the ball. Jim Brown just had to run the ball and even tough he did that better than LT, I wonder how Brown would have done in today's NFL having to catch the ball like LT is able to. U throw Payton and Sanders in the mix and make arguements for any of them. I'd go so far as to say that Emmit Smith deserves to be in the discussion even though I am not anywhere close to being a cowboys fan.
As far as being on par with MJ or Gretzky there is no way you can even think that at this point in LT's career.........but he has a GREAT start!
2006-12-22 06:07:27 · answer #3 · answered by GAud_13 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many people are already considering him a top 5 player all time, and if he stays healthy and doesn't get scared like tiki, then there is no question that he will be the best ever to play the game. He already has set the record for tds in a season with 2 games still left to play. As long as nobody asks him to be on a Madden Cover he should be alright.
2006-12-22 00:35:27 · answer #4 · answered by GHAAD 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LT has many years left in him, due to his style of running. unlike LJ who is a brusing running back(probably wont be around as long as LT, but you never know). if he keeps it up there is no doubt that he could be one of the greatest ever. but dont forget about terrel davis who had a few gerat years and then injuries started and he was done. im not a chragers fan(im actauly a chiefs fan) but im a fan of LT, he is a great athlete and lets hope that he stays healthy and watch him break some more records, hes a phenominal player, hes one that some of us may only see a few of in a lifetime.
2006-12-22 02:48:06 · answer #5 · answered by mitchell_8_5 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Potential yes, but he also has a lot of talent surrounding him. Look what happened to James when he went from Indy to Arz. not quite as good as he once was. You're only as good as the guys blocking for you and LT recognizes that and is a very humble player.
2006-12-22 01:17:05 · answer #6 · answered by mbattista884584 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no. first, throw out the TD totals, next to meaningless. Outside of that, Tomlinson is an outstanding back in every way, a lot like Walter Payton in the way that he is good at everything - but he's not nearly as tough of a blocker as Payton was.
As for a pure, devastating Runner, no way. In their primes, I'd take Jim Brown, OJ Simpson, Eric Dickerson, Earl Cambell and Terrell Davis over Tomlinson.
2006-12-22 00:53:56 · answer #7 · answered by The Brain 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
He has the potential to be the best RB of all time. I wouldn't say player though. I would say best player would have to be reserved for a QB, since they are the team leaders and the ones that have to orchestrate where the ball goes on the field.
2006-12-22 00:47:13 · answer #8 · answered by dudeman612 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is 5 tool as they say in Baseball, he can slash, or power run, he can block, he can throw the ball and he is an excellent receiver. His leadership skills are super as well maybe a little to quiet. But overall he may end up the best ever not one of the best.
2006-12-22 06:47:19 · answer #9 · answered by armyofoneonone 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is sometimes difficult to compare players until they finish their career. If you compare LT to the all time greats at the same point in time in their careers, you can make a good argument that he's one of the best ever. He's certainly the best in the game now.
2006-12-23 03:32:26 · answer #10 · answered by Carl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋