"Last year, tailback LaDainian Tomlinson was a Jet with something to prove. This season, he's hoping to better preserve his body.

Tomlinson, 32, returned to the field in a new role Thursday night after the players ratified a new collective bargaining agreement. Set to transition into a third-down running back this season as Shonn Greene ascends into the starting slot, Tomlinson has adapted a mentality of looking toward another season on the field past 2011. He prepared the same as in past offseasons, but maintained that he is primed to watch Greene grow into the starting role while he complements him on third downs. Running backs coach Anthony Lynn plans to get Greene up to 300 carries in the regular season. Tomlinson carried 219 times in 2010.

"I just think how I feel, obviously God willing and knock on wood and all that stuff, how I feel physically, mentally that's why I can say I'm going to continue to play after this year," Tomlinson said yesterday.

In carrying the load as the offense's workhorse last season, Tomlinson gained 914 yards and scored six touchdowns, but he stalled down the stretch, unable to match his early-season form in the playoffs. The lasting image of the AFC Championship Game at Heniz Field was Tomlinson being stood up by the Pittsburgh Steelers defense on the goal line following a fourth-and-1 attempt.

"Obviously at the time and probably a week afterward you think, 'Man, what would have happened if I made it in?' " he said. "You know, but at this point, it's a new year, you really can't think about it. I don't think it does any good really thinking about it.""