LT Hard at Work on a Grand Finale to the RS
Posted by on December 17, 2010 – 8:37 amThe 1,000-yard mark is in sight for LaDainian Tomlinson, but he’s paying it no mind. Tomlinson, who has rushed for 837 yards in his first 13 games with the Jets, needs to average 55 yards a contest over the final three outings to reach the 1,000 plateau for the ninth time in 10 pro seasons.
“People always remind me of how close I am to 1,000, so that’s when I think about it. The other times, I really don’t because I’m just so focused on trying to win the game,” he told me this week on “Four Quarters.” “I really don’t care about the stats, the numbers, anything like that. What’s most important to me is winning the games. I want to get to the playoffs and have a shot at winning the championship.”
Tomlinson, who gained at least 55 yards in each of the Jets’ first nine games, has not accumulated 50 yards on the ground in any of the past four.
“In this business when people scout you, they look at you and say, ‘OK, what do these people do the best?’ For us they look at what we do the best and the say, ‘OK, this is what we need to take away.’ People are good at doing it, so it’s tough for us,” he said. “But at the same time, we have to keep chipping away at it. People try to stop us and what we do best. We have to worry about ourselves and make them stop it.”
The Jets will be in Pittsburgh Sunday and the Steelers stop the run better than anyone in the NFL at 60.1 yards per game. Then the Bears, with a defense that is ranked second against the run (87.9 yards per game), follow in Week 16. If Tomlinson needs a strong close to get to the century mark, he’ll face a Bills defense that he torched for a season-high 133 yards in Week 5 and that allows a league-high 165.8 ypg.
“We have our hands full with both of those teams, starting with Pittsburgh. We take pride in running the football, so we would have it no other way to have their strength against our strength,” said Tomlinson when asked about the Steelers and the Bears. “This is a time when competitors need to step up. Myself and a lot of the guys on the offense, we need to step our game up and I think we will.”
Pittsburgh is a well-coordinated crew on defense and the Steelers are not lacking for talent when you consider NT Casey Hampton, LBs LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior and James Harrison, and a fabulous safety.
“Dick LeBeau is one of the best of all time at calling the defense and really getting his guys to do what he wants them to do — blitzing, run blitzes and different schemes against different teams,” said Tomlinson, an underrated blocker who paces the Jets with 49 receptions.
“We have to be prepared for Troy Polamalu, who’s around the box all the time and coming, so we have to really know where he’s at, at all times. If we’re able to really keep our eye on him, I think we’ll be just fine because he causes a lot of havoc — interceptions, fumbles and all that kind of stuff.”
And when the Jets reach scoring territory, they have to finish. The Green & White rank 30th in red zone TD efficiency at just 36.8 percent and 17th in third-down efficiency at 37.5 percent while the Steelers rank fourth in red zone defense (41.2) and third in third-down defense (33.1).
“Our tempo has been a little off and we haven’t played quite as well as we usually do. Particularly third downs and in the red zone when it’s critical for us to try and score points, we haven’t played that well,” Tomlinson said. “It’s on all of us to get it better so we can score points when we get down in the red zone.
“You kind of feel the pressure sometimes when you do get in the red zone, like, ‘Oh my goodness, we need to score.’ That pressure may get to you a little bit because you are thinking about it. For us, I think we need to quit thinking about it being red zone and play like it’s just another part of the football field and I think we’ll be just fine.”
The offense will be without the services of RT Damien Woody, who left the Dolphins game in the first quarter and had arthroscopic surgery on his knee this week. Wayne Hunter, who replaced Woody last Sunday, will start in his place at Heinz Field.
“On the offensive line Damien is a stable guy you can always count on, so that loss is obviously going to be big as far as the leadership, his ability and all the things he has seen in his time playing football,” Tomlinson said. “And also, he’s played against this Pittsburgh Steelers team a lot, so you’re going to miss that part of it. But as we talk about, when one man goes down, the next man has to step up. Obviously Wayne is up this week and we have a lot of confidence in Wayne that he’s going to do a tremendous job.”
LaDainian Tomlinson plans on having a busy January for the fifth consecutive year and his first in New York. He’s not concerned with 1,000 yards or any other individual milestones as the season winds down.
“I think we will be in the playoffs. This team is put together to make a playoff run, and we’re so talented that I don’t see us not being in the playoffs,” he said. “We’ve put ourselves in great position to make the playoffs. We’re 9-4 with three games to go. They’re tough games, but they’re also winnable games. If you tell me we can’t win at least two games of the next three — that will be very disappointing.”
Tags: Damien Woody, Dick LeBeau, LaDainian Tomlinson, PIttsburgh Steelers, Wayne Hunter
Posted in Eric Allen | 24 Comments »
By IRA on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
LT said it perfectly. It will take 2 out of the next 3 games to get in. Can’t hope for other teams to lose. Not after starting 9-2. I think they can get it done this week especially now with TP out and Miller a good chance of not playing.
LT has had a very productive year up until now. I felt going into the season he need to be limited to about 200 touches combined. Right now he is already at 244 with 3 games and hopefully some playoff games to go. Respectfully so that is too much and has taken its toll. They need LT bad but if they are going to go anywhere they need Greene to get the bulk of the carries.
GO JETS!!!!!!
By Alex.G on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
if the JETS get back to the run Game L.T can have his thousand yards and a WIN this Sunday!!!!! lets go Jets……… I am pulling for ya L.T lets get the win and the 1000 along with the PLAYOFFS.
By scjoe on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Cimini nailed it when he said Sanchez has to make sure he does not throw the ball in the same zip code where Palamula is. In my opinion, and I am sure in a lot of others as well, Palamula is the best defensive player in the NFL, hands down! He does it all and he does it consistently. Along with a few others, I have said repeatedly that this team needs an elite pass rusher and a play making safety to get to the next level. If anyone can disagree with that, take a long look at the Steeler defense this week with Harrison, Woodley, and most of all Palamula. As I have always contended, games are won and lost for the most part, by the players on the field, the talent on the field, on defense just as well as offense.
By scjoe on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
WOW! Just read a story on NFL.com that Palamula may not play. Of course we will have to see it to believe it, but that can be HUGE!!! As you can tell from my previous post I think the world of that guy and I hope he isn’t seriously injured, but a week off, this week would be to die for. I do remember him limping after a play last weekend, but he did go back in and finish the game, so lets see where it goes.
By Tom Spicer on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Frank, This is how much you dont know what you are talking about.. 2nd year numbers for the QB’S you named. Ryan yards 2,916 23 total TD’S & 16 total turnovers. Freeman 2,708 yards 17 TD’S & 8 TO’S. Eli 3,244 24 TD’S & 20 TO’S (sat a year actually 3rd year). Rivers 3,152 22 TD’S & 21 TO’S (sat 2 years actually 4th year). Ben 2,385 20 TD’S & 10 TO’S. Flacco 3,613 21 TD’S & 14 TO’S. Mark Sanchez 2,852 18 TD’S & 13 TO’S. & he has 3 games left. His numbers compare well with all of these guys by the end of the year he could top all of them. By the end of the year he will have more passing yards than all of them but Flacco & he may beat him. By the end of the year he will have more TD’S than all of them but Eli & Ryan & he may beat them.
By Tom Spicer on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Also PLEASE go double check my numbers so you can see for yourself! The ONLY guys that crush him in there 2nd year that were named were Rodgers & Romo but Rodgers sat for 3 years so it was actuallly his 5th year & Romo sat for a year so it was actually his 3rd year. I will compare Makrs numbers with any QB in the NFL you want his numbers are right there with all of them.
By Luis from Olathe KS on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Yep, this is a most win game, and LT is right we have to win two of the last three games. We have all the tools to beat the Steelers, and running the game will be the key to defeat them. I just hope Sanchez shows up for the game, it should not be what the team can to for wonder boy, but what can 50mil wonder boy can do for the team. It will help if our receivers, and tight ends block better for the running game, and avoid penalties, it seem Hartsock name comes in mind in killing drives with penalties. LT you should run for over 100yds this game!!!!!!!
By Tom Spicer on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Al so this year Mark will have between 3,452 & 3,752 yards. Between 21 to 27 TD’S. Next year when he has close to 4,000 yards & close to 30 TD’S. ALL YOU GUYS JUMPING OFF THE BANG WAGON YOU ARE NOT WELCOME BACK. i AM TAKING DOWN ALL THE NAMES I HAVE A GREAT MEMORY GET READY TO GET CALLED OUT!
By hdizzy 12 year jet fan on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Tom thanks for those stats mark doesn’t look all that bad given that info imagine if we wouldn’t of been shut out in a few of those losses… his numbers would most likely be better and take off two picks from that green bay game,remember the balls were ripped from our recievers when they were down!
By Jets Fan Tom for a Long Time on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
scjoe, nobody should feel great about Polamalu not playing for PIT, especially because it’ll lead to the same “we backed in” talk as last year if we win. Spicer, thanks for reminding us of those stats but that’s not the whole story. A lingering doubt that’s understandable is MS’s lack of college experience, as it goes against Parcells’ “draft 4-yr starters” rule. The other thing is MS looks so bad on basic stuff at times that folks are bound to complain. Rushing him with a HC’s constant talk of the SB and an OC’s insistence on asking him to line up as a WR several times a game doesn’t help. I also still wonder sometimes if I was right when I watched him at USC and told you guys that he didn’t throw accurately enough, especially over 20 yds.
By Christopher on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Maybe we should start Clemens this week, he has never lost to Pittsburgh :)
By Paul on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Write my name down Tom, though I’m not jumping off the band wagon, I was never on it to begin with! Sanchez was too young in the draft, lacked college experience and was not worth trading up to get. Stats at this stage of the game are useless and if Quarter Backs were judged soley on stats, Joe Nammath would still be trying to get into the Hall. Sanchez has had the same fundemental problems since he was drafted and doesn’t seem able to correct them. His footwork is terrible coming out from under center, he dances in the pocket (not allowing for proper weight transfer during a throw), though young he hasn’t been able to trust his offense line, he tends to SEE pressure and he panicks! cont.
By Paul on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
His ball handling skills are horrible, carrying it often in one hand exposed, even though he has been coached about it back to his college days. Again he’s young but his read’s of NFL defenses has been slow to come around. I admire the kid, he’s got guts, but he’s not a FRANCHISE quarterback. This Jet team is in trouble down the stretch. Next season promises very little because the core of this team disinegrates in the offseason, even if the organization wanted to keep it together, it surely won’t pay out the money it would require. This team was put together to win THIS year! Will be rooting for the Jets, ready for Brunell to come in, but Sunday is going to a tough one!
By Frank on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Nice try Spicer we are talking about their first 30 games and guess what none of those guys were handed the keys to a championship team(supposed) with the talent level this kid was handed. He has the worst mechanics and size of the group and he has the worst completion and QB rating by a long shot, inhibiting scoring and the ability to sustain drives of all the aforementioned. The only guy who was in a similar position (team wise) won a super bowl in his second year and that was Ben.
By Jets Fan Tom for a Long Time on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Just for the record, Paul, QB play was very different back in Joe’s day and for awhile after, especially in the pre-merger AFL. Most QBs threw downfield a lot more than during this awful dink-and-dunk era that I hope we’re reaching the end of. But in the AFL guys like Joe, Hadl, Dawson, Lamonica, Kemp, and others threw a lot and threw long A LOT, so there was less stigma attached to throwing 2, 3, or even 4 INTS and comp percentage was much lower. Same for the more explosive NFL QBs like Kilmer, Gabriel, Meredith, Tarkenton, and others. Joe’s stats were great for his day, especially the astounding 4,007-yd season in only 14 games, which is up there with anything Jim Brown did. Plus the rules back then allowed CBs to be much more brutal.
By Tom Spicer on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Frank WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? The numbers posted above are for there 2nd year starting in the NFL & if they didnt start right away I posted it as such. SO AGAIN YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT! This is what you do before you post do some research so you dont I dont make you look like a fool so easily OK.
By Tom Spicer on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Frank a persons size means nothing Bress is 6 feet tall even. What makes this a championship team? Cause Rex said so & everyone bought it? We were 9 & 7 last year & got hot in the playoffs. If Nate Keading doesnt miss 3 field goals under 40 yards we lose at the Bolts. As far as QB rating 2nd year Ben 98, Flacco 88, Freeman 87, Rivers 82, Ryan 80, Eli 77 & Mark 74. I fail to see where all of these guys are blowing him away. YOU JUST MAKE THIS STUFF UP AS YOU GO ALONG DONT YOU!
By SOCALJETFAN on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Hopefully LT will get his 1000 yards soon,also SANCHEZ will be ready for the Steelers,And for all of you on here talking about the The Quarterback,ALL I got to say is REMEMBER LAST YEAR WHEN THE JETS WERE IN THE PLAYOFFS.ONCE YOU’RE IN ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.
LET’S GO SANCHEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!! LETS GO JETS!!!J-E-T-S- JETS-JETS-JETS.
By Mike Jet Vet on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Tom Spicer I admire your loyalty for M-S I same as you stated his #s are as good as any in his second year ..But I always said stats are for loses and time for reality to set in where M-S is concerned last year without our #1 ranked running game believe me there be no playoffs ..This year we can’t run the ball so Schotty has tried to put it on M-S he failed sorry Bud he can’t get it right for some strange reason 30 someodd games under his belt M-S should be reading defences far better then he has .. he lost his confindence looks lost and alone on the sideline ..If I were going to battle I need someone with alot more tiger in the tank ..Hes not that good maybe next year not this year my friend
By Frank on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Spicer you are hilarious….massage the numbers all you want he still has the worst completion percentage and QB rating of every talented young QB in the league playing for a better and veteran team than any of the others and he is stinking it up especially because he is REGRESSING and playing worst than a rookie at this point. He has laid a giant egg at home scoring 15 points in 3 home losses that is shameful. No matter how you try to spin it he is not physically strong enough to be a top flight QB in the NorthEast. He has already shown he can’t play with elite defenses we’ll revist his numbers in the next few weeks especially after playing the Steelers and Bears in the cold.
By Tom Spicer on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Paul, I didnt know you coached in the NFL where you can say for sure after a year & 3/4 of Mark’s career you can say that his is not a franchise QB welcome to our site coach!
By scjoe on Dec 17, 2010 | Reply
Spicer, remember this, people may be writing your name down too, and next year “if” Sanchez don’t come close to those numbers you have predicted, they may be calling you out. For me personally, I don’t think he comes remotely close to those numbers you through out. I will go out on a limb here and say, had he not been a high 1st rd pick he would be on the bench as we speak. All those stats you through out about other QBs at the same stage mean squat! We are talking about his stats, this year, and how he either helps or hurts this team, THIS year.
By Jets Fan Tom for a Long Time on Dec 18, 2010 | Reply
Yes, SOCALJETFAN, anything can happen — and something better start happening soon, like the scoring of points.
By matt on Dec 19, 2010 | Reply
I’m with you, Spicer. Get Sanchez a real OC and he’ll be better than fine.