"LaDainian Tomlinson is ready to slow it down, but not shut it down.

The Jets running back said yesterday he's excited about being a third-down back this season, and he wants to keep playing beyond this season.

"I will say that this is not the last year that I will play football," the 32-year-old former MVP said. "I hope I continue to play here. This won't be my last year playing."

Tomlinson rushed for a team-leading 914 yards last year, though he thought he would be a complementary back when he signed with the team.

This year, the plan is for Shonn Greene to take over as the starter, and Tomlinson to give the Jets a change of pace and quarterback Mark Sanchez a target out of the backfield. You would think that a six-time All-Pro running back might not want to hear he is going to be used less, but Tomlinson said he's ready."