Recharged: Tomlinson aims to put Chargers back on title path - USATODAY.com

Turner doesn't see himself significantly reducing Tomlinson's load. "L.T. is our lead back," Turner says. "There are some games when he's going to carry the ball almost exclusively. There are games Darren (Sproles) is going to be a great changeup."

Tomlinson does not sound like a man worried about his role.

"I'm pretty confident in my ability and what I'm able to do," he says. "I know this team is still going to rely on me for big plays and in closing the game. That's what I've always done."

over 2 years ago John Gennaro 12 comments 0 recs |

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LT is far from done

He proves it to the non-believers & haters this year. He’ll get his touches as always provided he stays healthy.

I just want to see him strong & healthy for the post season this time around. That means that, while he remains the feature back, we utilize to the full extent our other weapons at RB. I believe that Gartrell will be key in taking some of the pounding off of LT. He’s a strong downhill runner who just finds a way to get yards.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jun 17, 2009 6:17 AM PDT reply actions

I don't like the above quote

There are some games when he’s going to carry the ball almost exclusively. There are games Darren (Sproles) is going to be a great changeup.

Why did we draft Gartrell? Why haven’t we learned from the last 2 seasons? LT getting 300+ carries does not equal a healthy LT come playoff time!

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Jun 17, 2009 6:21 AM PDT up reply actions

It's only an interview

Hopefully Norv was just mentioning the guys that the public knows & doesn’t want to show his hand too much yet.

If that isn’t the case, then someone better get Norv schooled up …. & fast.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jun 17, 2009 6:25 AM PDT up reply actions

I was thinking the same thing

…or “hoping for the same thing”.

Maybe Norv and his staff read BFTB? That would certainly help show them the light.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Jun 17, 2009 7:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Pretty sure we drafted Gartrell

to be a backup.

by Zach (maestro876) on Jun 17, 2009 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Sproles & Gartrell should be used as complements to LT

EOM

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jun 17, 2009 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm not so sure

The more I think about it, the more I believe Gartrell was drafted to be a complimentary to LT. It’s all about keeping LT fresh for the playoffs. Gartrell’s STRENGTHS is to take the pounding that LT is getting too old to take and Sproles is too small to.

I reall think we’ll be using Gartrell like a poor man’s Marion Barber. A little goal line work, a lot of short yardage and a guy to clsoe out games in the third quarter.

We drafted him to do a job that we’ve been searching for a couple of seasons now. Not to ride the bench until called upon.

by gman87 on Jun 17, 2009 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

This statement may be true

But it won’t be true for the 2009 season. Mark my words, Gartrell doesn’t see anything beyond mopup duty unless LT gets hurts hurt enough so that he can’t even attempt to play. Much like Marcus Thomas, Gartrell isn’t even guaranteed a spot on the roster. This isn’t a knock against Mr. Johnson, just that it doesn’t sound like Norv is changing his running back philosophy or his commitment to LT and I don’t think anybody’s job is safe until they’ve done something in the NFL.

Memo to baseball managers: You manufacture runs by NOT making outs, not by making them on purpose.

by Wonko on Jun 18, 2009 12:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Gartrell will be on the squad

and he will get reps. He was drafted to take some of the load off of LT & we’ll see plenty of him in short yardage situations. Doesn’t mean that LT won’t still be the featured back.

If that doesn’t happen (barring injury), I’ll film a video of me eating my powder blue LT jersey & post it here for all to enjoy.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jun 18, 2009 4:00 AM PDT up reply actions

Wow

You must really want to eat that jersey.

Memo to baseball managers: You manufacture runs by NOT making outs, not by making them on purpose.

by Wonko on Jun 18, 2009 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Gartrell will get reps

Wait & see. I stand by my statement.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Jun 19, 2009 2:10 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm torn

I want to see Gartrell get 10 or so carries each game, but I also want to see Buck eat a Chargers jersey. I guess I win either way?

Wonko, here’s why I think you may be wrong. Let’s say Gartrell hardly sees the field but makes the team (taking Tolbert’s roster spot). The Chargers do well enough to win the AFC West, but in the first playoff game Tomlinson gets injured. Then either 2007 or 2008 happens all over again. Don’t you think Norv would take a little heat for that? The UT, besides Acee, would rip him apart for not using Gartrell to keep his star RB healthy for the playoffs.

Same thing with Sproles. If him and LT are splitting the carries, Sproles gets hurt and the return game becomes mediocre. What will the fans and media say then? The difference between Gartrell and Marcus Thomas is this….the Chargers cut Thomas because they thought Hester was just as good. Now Gartrell isn’t competing with Hester or anyone else for that matter.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Jun 19, 2009 5:58 AM PDT up reply actions