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LaDainian Tomlinson News & Rumors

LaDainian Tomlinson says quarterback Mark Sanchez was pampered due to lack of competition
January 19
New York Daily News
 
"A week after Jets players and members of the organization painted a polarizing picture of Mark Sanchez in a Daily News report, teammate LaDainian Tomlinson admitted that he believes that Sanchez is "a bit pampered because he has no competition" at quarterback. Tomlinson also said that Sanchez's rift with Santonio Holmes was "as bad as I've ever been around." Several key players and team officials questioned everything from Sanchez's leadership to the organization's coddling of him, as reported in The News' story last week. Although Tomlinson disagreed with one player's characterization that Sanchez was "lazy" on the practice field, the veteran running back firmly believes that the Jets"
Tomlinson: Rex's crew hurt by 'bad' locker room and Sanchez-Holmes rift
January 19
New York Post
 
"The Jets season has been over for nearly three weeks, yet the fallout from their 8-8 failure continues. The latest comes from respected running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who said the relationship between quarterback Mark Sanchez and wide receiver Santonio Holmes and the Jets locker room as a whole was "as bad as I've ever been around." Tomlinson, appearing on Showtime's "Inside the NFL," described the strain that existed between Sanchez and Holmes."
LaDainian Tomlinson may be in end zone for career, eyes retirement
January 7
New York Daily News
 
"LaDainian Tomlinson may have played his last game in the NFL. "I am contemplating retirement," the Jets running back told "The Scott and BR Show" on XX 1090-AM radio in San Diego on Friday. "That's what I told my coaches and told my agent. That's exactly what it is. This is the first time in my playing career that I've actually honestly thought . . . this may be it for me. That's kind of where I am right now. "We had some great times together," he added of the past two years with the Jets. "But I just think after 11 years of battling, getting close and not getting it done, it's hard for me to start over on that journey again. It's going to be hard." Tomlinson, 32, has finished his two-year"
LaDainian Tomlinson says no decision yet on retirement
January 2
New York Daily News
 
"LaDainian Tomlinson, the last Jet to leave the losing locker room inside Sun Life Stadium on Sunday, refused to issue a decision regarding his possible retirement following the 19-17 loss, citing a need to step back from his emotional state to make a measured decision. "I'm not going to say yes or no," said Tomlinson, offering a timetable of three weeks to decide. Tomlinson, 32, made an early push with six carries for 33 yards and continued to find openings past halftime, running for 79 total yards. He surpassed former Pittsburgh Steelers tailback Jerome Bettis to stand in fifth place on the NFL's all-time rushing list with 13,684 yards. Former Jet Curtis Martin is in fourth place with"
Jets' Tomlinson says this 'could be my last game'
December 30
New York Post
 
"Though LaDainian Tomlinson doesn't want it to end that way, the Jets running back is prepared for Sunday's game against the Dolphins to be his last in the NFL. Tomlinson, playing in his 11th season, said Thursday he wants to continue playing after this season but is uncertain how it'll all unfold. "I'm going to just wait and see what happens,'' he said. "I'm not under contract and I'll be a free agent, but I would like to keep playing. (But) there's definitely a thought that this possibly could be my last game, because you never know how things shake out."
Tomlinson scores first MetLife TD
December 12
New York Post
 
"The scent of a MetLife Stadium touchdown was in the air for LaDainian Tomlinson. With the Jets on the Kansas City 19-yard line with 1:23 to play in yesterday's first half, Tomlinson caught a screen pass from Mark Sanchez. He had never scored a touchdown in MetLife Stadium before. "As I got closer to the end zone, I could kind of smell it," Tomlinson said. Tomlinson said he was simply wishing he didn't get tackled by anybody, but he didn't have to worry. He made cornerback Travis Daniels miss, then scampered into the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown en route to the Jets' 37-10 rout of the Chiefs. In his 13th career game at the Jets' new home, Tomlinson finally scored his first touchdown."
Jets' Tomlinson back in lineup after missing two weeks
December 4
NFL.com
 
"New York running back LaDainian Tomlinson is expected to play Sunday for the first time in three weeks when the Jets take on the Washington Redskins, a league source said. Tomlinson has missed the past two games with a sprained knee he sustained during the Jets' Week 10 loss to the New England Patriots, but he made considerable progress as the week progressed and was listed as probable on the team's injury report Friday after fully participating in practice."
Rested Tomlinson hoping to supply spark down stretch for Jets
December 2
Bergen Record
 
"LaDainian Tomlinson was working out here at the Jets' facility last week when his former coach in San Diego, Marty Schottenheimer, dropped in. According to Tomlinson, Schottenheimer said, "I'm sorry, kid, I just wore you out when you were young." Tomlinson's reply? "Hey, I'm glad you gave me the ball." Tomlinson is even happier that he'll be getting it again this weekend, after two weeks of being inactive because of a knee injury. The 11th-year running back will return to action for the Jets when they visit Washington on Sunday, and he might even get more work than usual, considering starter Shonn Greene is playing through a painful rib injury. Tomlinson has "looked really good in the last"
LaDainian Tomlinson looks healthy and fresh for Washington Redskins
December 2
New York Daily News
 
"Rex Ryan preached a two-pronged philosophy to help the Jets find their way during a pivotal five-week stretch that will determine their playoff fate: 1. Run the football 2. Protect the quarterback Ryan will get back an important piece to help on both fronts against the Redskins on Sunday when veteran running back LaDainian Tomlinson returns from an MCL sprain that shelved him for two games. Tomlinson, the team's best pass protector in the backfield, may also see an increased workload down the stretch. Tomlinson, who spent the better part of a decade carrying the load for the Chargers, is relatively fresh after assuming the Jets' third-down role this season. For a player who averaged 23.2"
Tomlinson likely to miss Bills tilt with MCL sprain
November 27
NFL.com
 
"All signs point to LaDainian Tomlinson sitting out Sunday's against the Buffalo Bills, according to a league source. Tomlinson was listed as questionable on the team's injury report Friday, though, Jets coach Rex Ryan hinted that was an optimistic view. "If you're on a scale he's sliding into that one (doubtful)," Ryan said at the time of Tomlinson's status. "He wants to go as badly as it gets. I want to make sure that he has protection from himself. I'm not going to force the issue, that's for sure.""
LT unlikely to make Mile High trip
November 16
New York Post
 
"All indications are the Jets will not have running back LaDainian Tomlinson for tomorrow night's game with the Broncos. A source said the Jets had not officially ruled Tomlinson won't play as of last night, but "it looks that way." Tomlinson sprained his left MCL in Sunday's 37-16 loss to the Patriots. Tomlinson did not sound optimistic. "I will tell you if the game was Sunday, I don't think I'd have a problem playing," Tomlinson said. "That it is a short week adds a little bit more pressure and it's a little bit more difficult to do. If I don't play this game, I absolutely will play against Buffalo [on Nov. 27].""
Source: LaDainian Tomlinson won't play against Broncos due to MCL sprain
November 15
New York Daily News
 
"Rex Ryan confirmed a Daily News report on Monday that LaDainian Tomlinson suffered a MCL sprain to his left knee in Sunday's loss to the Patriots. Although Ryan remained uncertain about Tomlinson's availability for Thursday's game against the Broncos, The News has learned that Tomlinson won't play in Denver. Rookie RB Bilal Powell will be active for the first time this season. (Ryan said that LT would be a game-time decision if he travels with the team on Wednesday). Tomlinson's injury is similar to the MCL sprain he suffered to the 2007 playoffs. "It's the same knee," Tomlinson said after practice today. "It's not as serious as the one in the playoff game. The one in the playoff game was"
LaDainian Tomlinson's knee sprain puts a strain on Gang Green's running back corps
November 15
New York Daily News
 
"The Jets' backfield may be short-handed for Thursday night's game against the Broncos. The Daily News first reported on Monday that LaDainian Tomlinson suffered a MCL sprain to his left knee during the 37-16 loss to the Patriots Sunday night. An MRI Monday revealed no serious structural damage. The veteran running back was injured on a six-yard run with less than two minutes remaining. Tomlinson suffered a sprained MCL to the same knee during the 2007 playoffs. He had just two carries in the Chargers' loss to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game that season. A source told The News on Monday that Tomlinson's knee felt better after the current injury than it did back in January 2008."
LaDainian Tomlinson injured in loss
November 14
New York Daily News
 
"Running back LaDainian Tomlinson will have an MRI on his left leg Monday after suffering an injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the Patriots. "My leg just got hit low and I fell on my leg," said Tomlinson, who had his leg wrapped tightly from thigh to calf in an Ace bandage after the game. He walked off the field on his own power and there was no noticeable limp as he walked in the locker room. "I will go for more tests (Monday) because I really don't know what it is." Tomlinson, 32, said he was not sure if he would be available Thursday when the Jets are in Denver to take on the Broncos. "I won't speculate yet. I can't do it yet," Tomlinson said. "I'll just wait and see"
Chargers GM tweaks Tomlinson as 'not the guy'
November 4
New York Post
 
"Their game is almost two weeks old, but the Chargers and Jets continue to spar off the field. After hearing LaDainian Tomlinson called Chargers QB Phillip Rivers "distracted" and "it's hard to be that guy," San Diego GM fired back Thursday at his former star running back. "I agree with what LT said about it's hard being the guy," Smith said, according to SignOnSanDiego.com. "But I think it's a lot harder when it's no longer your team, and you're not the guy.""
LaDainian Tomlinson says NY Jets have unwavering swagger, thanks to Rex
October 26
New York Daily News
 
"The swagger is just part of the DNA of the Jets now, LaDainian Tomlinson said. Wins, losses, no matter the record, the Jets are going to have that swagger. "Our coach is Rex Ryan and they say you are a product of your head coach. We certainly are. That confidence is never lacking," Tomlinson said. "When we lost three straight, we had to check ourselves a bit, but I think the confidence is still there and we are set up perfectly heading into the second half of the season.""
Like Chargers, LT ends game feeling not so well
October 24
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"With all the fanfare you'd expect of the Big Apple – well, the Big Whatever across the Hudson – the last player introduced in puffs of smoke Sunday was the last player added to the starting lineup specifically for the Chargers' visit. All the salutations LaDainian Tomlinson will receive – and richly deserve – when enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame might not be as as effusive as the praise raining down on LT as he came bounding onto the MetLife Stadium field to face the very team with which he earned his ticket to Canton. Save one second-quarter reception that led to the Jets' first touchdown, however, Tomlinson was not a huge factor in New York's comeback win over the Chargers."
LaDainian Tomlinson fights illness to play against San Diego Chargers
October 24
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"LaDainian Tomlinson had chills and nausea and all the unpleasant flu-like symptoms. But he was piped full of IVs and medicine before today's 27-21 win against the San Diego Chargers, determined not to miss the rematch with the team for which he played nine seasons. Before leaving late in the third quarter, the Jets' veteran running back was able to start the game, touch the ball eight times and get the closure he said he still needed — with a dose of "satisfaction" from the victory. "Officially, I can really close that chapter, and really move on," Tomlinson said. "Just because I was able to face them, play against them, and to win certainly helps. It feels good.""
Tomlinson transforms for Jets' pregame pep talks
October 23
New York Post
 
"Before every Jets game, LaDainian Tomlinson experiences an out-of-body experience that helps inspire and motivate his teammates. If you're at the Jets-Chargers game today and you notice a pregame pow-wow with Jets players gathered around Tomlinson in one of the end zones, this is a regular occurrence, not a special occasion with Tomlinson's former team in town. In that scrum, Tomlinson channels his inner Ray Lewis, violently screaming messages of inspiration to his teammates minutes before they're about to go battle their opponents on the field. "It's just something that comes over you, like you become a different person just for a minute or two and then you go back to being who you are,""
Jets' LaDainian Tomlinson says it's possible he'll one day retire as a Charger
October 21
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The first nine seasons of LaDainian Tomlinson's future Hall of Fame career were played in San Diego. Now with the Jets, the running back said he may one day retire as a Charger. "It's possible," Tomlinson said. "I don't hold any bones toward the organization or have any ill feelings toward ownership. I think (team president) Dean Spanos is a great guy, I had a great relationship with him while I was there. So I mean, it's possible that I could.""
Tomlinson to start for Jets against Chargers
October 21
New York Post
 
"Nearly everyone around LaDainian Tomlinson thinks Sunday's game with the Chargers will hold special meaning for the Jets running back. Jets coach Rex Ryan said Tomlinson will make his first start of the season. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said facing your former team always holds special meaning. Teammates expect to see vintage Tomlinson. But the man himself? He downplayed his first game against the team that drafted him and unceremoniously cut him loose after nine years. "I'm not a guy who holds grudges or tries to prove anybody wrong," Tomlinson said. "I don't have time for that. It's nonsense. I had a great time there, a great nine years. And I won't make it more than"
LaDainian Tomlinson to get start against the Chargers
October 21
Pro Football Talk
 
"The Jets' stale running game needs a spark, and Rex Ryan is hoping that a motivational ploy could do the trick this Sunday. Rex Ryan announced that LaDainian Tomlinson will start against the Chargers in his first game against his old team. It appears the starting nod is basically "ceremonial" rather than performance-based. Shonn Greene will still have his usual workload."
Jets see room for running backs Greene, Tomlinson vs. Patriots defense
October 7
New York Daily News
 
"Santonio Holmes' belief that the Patriots' defensive numbers "speak for themselves" isn't entirely accurate: Their 18th-ranked rush defense may actually be worse than the statistics reveal. New England's high-octane offense has masked glaring defensive holes through the first four weeks. Tom Brady has helped disguise the deficiencies of a defense giving up 4.8 yards per carry. Bill Belichick's team, which ranks last in total defense and pass defense, has led at halftime by an average of 9.5 points. The Patriots' winning formula is maddening for opponents: Get an early lead and force them to abandon the run."
Jets struggling running the ball with Greene, Tomlinson behind struggling O-line
October 5
New York Daily News
 
"Panic hasn't set in yet, but the Jets' sub-par rushing attack is certainly a cause for concern. Gang Green's ground-and-pound game that paved the way to two consecutive AFC Championship Games has been MIA through the first four weeks of the season. Rex Ryan's team uncharacteristically ranks 30th in rushing (71 yards per game) and rushing average (3.1 yards per carry). A year ago, the Jets averaged 5.1 yards per carry through the first four games. Also, Shonn Greene hasn't made an impact in his first season as the team's feature back, and the once dominating offensive line isn't consistently opening holes."
Tomlinson in no rush to be starting running back
October 2
New York Post
 columnist Mark Cannizzaro
"Much of my hourlong car ride from the Jersey Shore to the Jets training facility in Florham Park yesterday was spent formulating a plan for the Jets to ignite their dormant rushing attack. By the time I arrived, I had a plan: Start LaDainian Tomlinson. When the Jets offense takes the field for the first time against the Ravens tomorrow night in Baltimore, line No. 21 up behind Mark Sanchez in the backfield as the starting running back. This plan was not meant to be an indictment of starter Shonn Greene, who has rushed for just 134 yards and a 3.3-yard average through the first three games, but merely a shake-it-up tactic -- even if it is just for a week."
Tomlinson in no rush to be starting running back
October 1
New York Post
 
"Much of my hourlong car ride from the Jersey Shore to the Jets training facility in Florham Park yesterday was spent formulating a plan for the Jets to ignite their dormant rushing attack. By the time I arrived, I had a plan: Start LaDainian Tomlinson. When the Jets offense takes the field for the first time against the Ravens tomorrow night in Baltimore, line No. 21 up behind Mark Sanchez in the backfield as the starting running back. This plan was not meant to be an indictment of starter Shonn Greene, who has rushed for just 134 yards and a 3.3-yard average through the first three games, but merely a shake-it-up tactic -- even if it is just for a week. The Jets rushing offense is"
LaDainian Tomlinson: Still the Raiders' tormentor
September 26
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"There's nothing like the sight of LaDainian Tomlinson back in the Black Hole to get Raiders fans pumped up - and Tomlinson, too. "It was good to come back," he said. "Coming out, I got what I thought I'd get from the fans. They weren't happy to see me. But I was happy to see them." The 32-year-old running back, now in his second year with the Jets, shook off a linebacker - a distressingly familiar sight to Oakland fans - and ran 74 yards with a short pass to set up New York's first touchdown Sunday. He also scored from 18 yards out on a fine pass by Mark Sanchez. The touchdown was the 160th of his career (26th against the Raiders). Only Jerry Rice (208) and Emmitt Smith (175) scored more."
Jets' LaDainian Tomlinson joins Hall of Fame company with 160th touchdown
September 26
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"LaDainian Tomlinson said he did not know about the milestone he set Sunday: with an 18-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter, he joined Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith as the third player in NFL history to record 160 career touchdowns. "It really doesn't matter," Tomlinson said after the Jets' 34-24 loss to the Raiders. "It is bittersweet. But it's something I don't even think about." Tomlinson was a bright spot for the 2-1 Jets as they lost their first game of the season. The 11-year veteran recorded 154 total yards, including 116 yards receiving on five catches."
Jets' Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson hope to rack up yards against Raiders again
September 23
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Shonn Greene was smiling. For once, he wasn't talking about a time when the run game was sputtering, or when he'd break out as the featured back. Instead, he was talking about the first time he stepped foot in Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Leon Washington had just broken his leg and Greene, just seven carries into his career, came on during that October 2009 game. He finished with 144 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, a mark that — nearly two years later — still stands as his finest in an NFL game. As the costumed monsters whistled and howled at him from the Black Hole, Greene kept churning, eventually earning a game ball."
Jets haven't shown commitment to run, while Greene and Tomlinson struggle
September 21
New York Daily News
 
"For all the talk that the Jets are a run-first team, they haven't adhered to the ground-and-pound philosophy through the first two weeks. Whether it's Mark Sanchez's evolution or the coaching staff's desire to better utilize the options around him, the commitment to the run has been lukewarm. Gang Green is tied for 17th in the league in rushing attempts after finishing first and second in that category the past two seasons. The Jets' running backs, of course, haven't made the most of their opportunities. Shonn Greene has gained just 75 yards and averaged 2.9 yards per carry in his first two games as the feature back. After leading the NFL in rushing in 2009 (172 yards per game) and"
Greene, Tomlinson, New York Jets unable to establish running game vs. Cowboys
September 13
New York Daily News
 
"he ground-and-pound approach of the Jets' offense, a punishing, ball-moving scheme that has led the team to consecutive AFC Championship Games, fizzled Sunday in the season-opening win over the Cowboys, unable to counter the Dallas charge. "Obviously we thought we were gonna run the ball more than we did," Rex Ryan said. "They kind of took that away from us." The Jets attempted 44 passes to just 16 runs, an uneven play-call sheet dictated by Ryan's twin brother, Rob, the new defensive coordinator for Dallas, and his display of blitzes and stunts the Jets never saw on film before taking the field. Instead of exploding through gaps, tailback Shonn Greene, who rushed for 26 yards on 10"
LaDainian Tomlinson excited to prove his 'doubters' wrong this year
September 9
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"After just 11 carries for 20 yards this preseason — the lowest of any current roster running back — the Jets' LaDainian Tomlinson said he's primed for another opportunity to prove that age has not caught up with him yet. "That's fine, it's great to hear the doubters in preseason and change their mind when the game gets going and they see you making plays for the team," Tomlinson said. "But then the question is going to be: 'Well, is he going to wear down toward the end of the season?' So, I can't win for losing but at the same time, I'm going to do my part.""
Tomlinson high on offense
August 20
Bergen Record
 
"Veteran LaDainian Tomlinson believes the Jets can have a dominant offense this season, although he admits the unit is a work in progress. "I think we can be the top offense in the league, honestly," Tomlinson said Friday. "But with that said, we still have a long way to go." Tomlinson added, "It's going to take many more practices and even game situations for us to jell and get comfortable and find out our roles in this offense, and what ways Schotty [offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer] is going to use all of us." As for now, Tomlinson will start Sunday against Cincinnati, with anointed starter Shonn Greene sitting out because of a skin infection on his right foot. The Jets are"
LaDainian Tomlinson believes Jets can be No. 1 offense in NFL
August 20
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"LaDainian Tomlinson believes the Jets can be the No. 1 offense in the NFL - but admits the unit is still very much a work-in-progress. "I think we can be the top offense in the league, honestly. But with that said, we still have a long way to go," the veteran running back said. "With the additions we've added, and guys finding their roles, and different things (offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer) is going to do with us. The way he's going to use us; the different personnel we are going to use. It's going to take a little time to get where we want to go, being the No. 1 offense in the league. But I think we definitely have the potential."

Rex Ryan runs down the"
Shonn Greene misses time with skin infection, Jets turn to veteran LaDainian Tomlinson
August 20
New York Daily News
 
"As of noon Friday, Rex Ryan had yet to see starting tailback Shonn Greene at the team's facility. Held out of practice due to a low-grade skin infection on his right foot, Greene was told by trainers to elevate his leg to reduce swelling and maintain treatment by antibiotics. He spent yesterday in the training room. On the field, meanwhile, the rotation at running back went on without him in practice. "We're blessed," Ryan said. "We're about as deep as it gets at running back." Greene, the embodiment of Ryan's ground-and-pound approach, will sit out Sunday night's preseason game against the Bengals at New Meadowlands Stadium. In his place, third-down tailback LaDainian Tomlinson, last"
Details of restructured contracts for LaDainian Tomlinson, Calvin Pace and Bart Scott
August 10
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Last week, Jets owner Woody Johnson praised the players who agreed to take pay cuts - without naming their - and thanked them for the sacrifice they made for the team. Those players were running back LaDainian Tomlinson, outside linebacker Calvin Pace and linebacker Bart Scott. How much of a cut did each take? Here are the details, which recently became available, according to records on file with the NFL Players Association. Tomlinson had been due a base salary of $2.425 million in 2011. He will now earn $1.125 million, a reduction of $1.3 million. His new salary is fully guaranteed, so he is guaranteed to make the roster. Pace and Scott each took $1 million cuts."
LT hoping 3rd-down assignment helps bring Jets a title
August 6
New York Post
 
"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."
Jets' Tomlinson says he'll play beyond this season
August 6
New York Post
 
"Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson is about to begin his 11th season in the NFL, and he does not plan on stopping there. "I will say that this is not the last year that I will play football," Tomlinson said. " I hope I continue to play here. This won't be my last year playing." Tomlinson rushed for 914 yards last year for the Jets. He said he doesn't want to retire before he's given everything he has. "What I don't want to do is retire too early and still have, you're going to have that fire anyway because we've been doing it so long, but I don't want to have that urge or emptiness where I feel like, man I just didn't get it out of me," he said. Tomlinson said he is fine with being a"
Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson expects to be around through 2012, at least
August 6
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson said he doesn't foresee anything that can keep him off the field next season. "No. 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," he said. After the CBA was officially ratified a little after 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Tomlinson ? who restructured his contract to give the team some more cap flexibility ? was finally able to practice. Quarterback Mark Sanchez calls Tomlinson his security blanket, and was excited to have his most frequent check-down target back into drills. Tomlinson couldn't wait either. It gives him yet"
New York Jets tailback LaDainian Tomlinson eyes playing beyond 2011
August 6
New York Daily News
 
"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"
Shonn Greene ready to step up and carry workload as LaDainian Tomlinson will have reduced role
August 4
New York Daily News
 
"At 5-11, 226 pounds, Shonn Greene, the soft-spoken, hard-running tailback for the Jets, embodies coach Rex Ryan's ground-and-pound running game. Equally capable of shedding tacklers and shooting through gaps, Greene grabbed the starting tailback position in the offseason, insisting he is refreshed and fully confident. "You know me, I love to fire a fresh back at ya," Ryan said. "But to start with, I'm thinking the plan is you're going to get a heavy dose of Shonn Greene." Opportunity is afoot for Greene. Ryan intends to increase his workload as 32-year-old LaDainian Tomilnson, the Jets' leading rusher last year with 914 yards, sees a reduced role, mainly on third downs. Tabbed the starter"
LaDainian Tomlinson takes pay cut for team
August 1
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The Jets had lofty goals in free agency: bring back Santonio Holmes, sign an elite cornerback opposite Darrelle Revis and get a No. 2 receiver, preferably one with good size. As they attacked their list, they needed some help from the players already on their roster to make the finances work with the return of the salary cap. Among them, running back LaDainian Tomlinson, a future Hall of Famer, agreed to take a pay cut. "The thinking was, I really like this team, and I felt like we had a great opportunity to win," Tomlinson said. "That was the No. 1 thing in my mind, to be somewhere where you have a chance to win a Super Bowl. I've said that all along, now I guess I have to prove the words"
Giants rookie running back Da'Rel Scott learning from his idol, the Jets' LaDainian Tomlinson
July 15
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Da'Rel Scott was very eager for the chance to work with LaDainian Tomlinson - not just because of the teaching lesson the five-time Pro Bowl selection would provide but also because Tomlinson was Scott's favorite running back growing up. Except Scott left that last part out. "I didn't tell him that," the Giants' rookie running back said with a laugh today after a workout at TEST Sports Clubs in Martinsville. "We're kind of like buds now. I can't tell another man that, so I keep that to myself. "It was just a blessing, just having him help me out. He's a great back, a future Hall of Famer. I was just very blessed to be there." Scott should feel blessed to be working with a proven NFL runner"
Jets' LaDainian Tomlinson says team-building 'more of a challenge' with training camp at home
June 30
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"In his first season with the Jets, LaDainian Tomlinson appreciated the trip to upstate New York for training camp last summer. The veteran running back felt his new teammates unify and bond in the small town of Cortland, N.Y. - and worries the team-building may not come so easy this year, as the lingering NFL lockout has forced the Jets to stay home at their Florham Park facility, if and when camp begins. "I think it will be more of a challenge, yes," Tomlinson said today in Times Square, at a promotional event for USA Network's new TV series "Necessary Roughness," which premieres tonight at 10. "Guys have more access to things that they really know: bigger city, their homes, whatever. So"
LaDainian Tomlinson wants to be NFL's best third-down back, not lead ballcarrier
May 4
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Last season for the Jets, running back LaDainian Tomlinson had 219 carries for 914 yards, and started 13 games. This year, he doesn't want those numbers to be so high. "I would really love to just come out of the backfield and run routes," Tomlinson said today after a practice at Jets West, the week-long camp organized and run by quarterback Mark Sanchez. "I don't want to carry the ball as many times as I did last year. Hopefully that role goes to Shonn Greene and some of those younger guys, where I can really create match-up problems out of the backfield." Coach Rex Ryan said after the draft that third-year running back Shonn Greene is ready to be the "bell cow," i.e. the lead"
Tomlinson is willing to be 3rd-down RB for Jets
May 4
New York Post
 
"The temperatures pushed the thermometer over 90 degrees in the Southern California sun yesterday and there was LaDainian Tomlinson grinding it out with a group of younger Jets teammates on Mark Sanchez's high-school football field in a voluntary passing camp. In a show of leadership, Tomlinson was the first to sign up for Sanchez's "Jets West" weeklong camp at Mission Viejo High School. What's more, he showed his willingness to take a step back from his role as the Jets lead back — saying in a mini-bombshell that he would accept being the third-down back if it will help Gang Green win the Super Bowl. This team-first approach is coming from a player — to borrow a phrase from Bill Parcells,"
LaDainian Tomlinson ready to pass torch to Greene
May 4
New York Daily News
 
"LaDainian Tomlinson has one more personal goal he'd like to fulfill in the twilight of his Hall of Fame career. After leading the Jets in rushing last season, Tomlinson is ready to pass the torch and transition into a role in which he believes he'll be more valuable for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. "I would love be the best third-down back in the league," Tomlinson said at the Jets West Camp Tuesday. "I've been the best running back in the league before. Now, at the end of my career, I would love to be the best third-down back." "I would really love to be able to come out of the backfield and run routes," he said. "I don't want to carry the ball as much as I did last year. Hopefully"
RB, KR picks ominous for Tomlinson, Smith
May 1
New York Post
 
"The Jets raised some questions as they searched for answers on the final day of the NFL Draft. They took players in the fourth and fifth rounds who could lead to interesting roster decisions. With their fourth-round pick (No. 126 overall), the Jets selected Louisville running back Bilal Powell, adding to an already crowded backfield. One round later, they picked TCU's Jeremy Kerley, a kick return specialist. The addition of Powell to LaDainian Tomlinson, Shonn Greene and Joe McKnight could mean the Jets are thinking of parting ways with Tomlinson, who has one year left on his contract. The selection of Kerley might be a sign the Jets do not believe they will be able to re-sign Brad Smith,"
Jets make tenders to Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie, LaDainian Tomlinson will likely return
March 2
New York Daily News
 
"With the NFL's collective bargaining agreement set to expire at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, the Jets extended qualifying offers to nine players with four or five years of service. The restricted free-agent tenders may be moot under the rules of the new CBA, but teams have been wise to tender players in case they are ruled RFAs under the new agreement. Santonio Holmes and Antonio Cromartie were tendered at the first- and third-round level - the highest possible - which means that any team that signs them to an offer sheet would forfeit those two draft choices."