Tomlinson's test

If the NFL was the food pyramid (the original one, not the new one) players like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Adrain Peterson, and Larry Fitzgerald would be at the bottom. They would be the bread, the base; the foundation of the entire league.

Ladainian Tomlinson would be right there with them.

For the last eight years, L.T. has been one of the most dominant players sports has ever seen. Since coming into the league in 2001, Tomlinson has carried the ball more than 2,500 times for nearly 12,000 yards, while scoring 141 touchdowns. Since his rookie year, the annual Pro Bowler has lost only 5 fumbles, and averaged more than 4.5 yards per carry.

Simply put, L.T. has been the best.

But last year, Tomlinson had his worst season as a pro since 2001, his rookie campaign. Injuries were the primary reason L.T. wasn't his usual dominant self, but some wonder if the 30 year-old is following in the steps of so many runningbacks before him, who lost production when they hit the big 3-0. His situation was made even worse over the offseason, when some speculated that he wouldn't be back with his career team, the Chargers, after contract disputes and the emergence of backup Darren Sproles.

I think it's sad that potentially the best runner in NFL history could be on the decline. If he is, then I think it will be further proof that the lifespan of runningbacks in the NFL is shrinking quickly, because if L.T. is nearly done at 30, everyone else will be too. But if L.T. still has some gas left in his tank...opposing defenses better watch out.