Is LaDainian Tomlinson Going Shaun Alexander on Us?

Over the past four seasons, Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson has emerged as the face of the ever popular fantasy football, but there are many fans out there who are beginning to doubt whether the five-time pro bowler can continue his reign as the top running back in the National Football League.

After an eye-popping rookie season in which he ran for over 1,300 yards and scored 12 touchdowns, there are many people who feel that Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is set to become the new king of fantasy football. Peterson was so dominant as a rookie that he was selected to the Pro Bowl and nearly led a quarterback-less Minnesota Vikings team to the playoffs in a very competitive NFC North division.

While both players are certainly elite running backs, their vastly different styles of play may actually signal the fact that Tomlinson is still the league’s top running back.

While Peterson is a hard-nosed runner who puts his body through some brutal collisions, Tomlinson smartly avoids the unnecessary hits that come with being an NFL running back. Tomlinson’s natural instincts have allowed him to be so consistent throughout the years and remain on the field. Because of this, he has never missed a regular season game due to an injury, whereas Peterson has missed time in college with a high ankle sprain and a broken collar bone and has also missed two games during his rookie NFL season.

Because of their injury histories, I find it strange that people are already beginning to give Peterson, or Purple Jesus as Vikings fan call him, the title as top NFL running back. Tomlinson missed one playoff game last season against New England, and people are already pointing to a Shaun Alexander like decline. Injuries are unavoidable as an NFL running back and the fact that LT has never missed a regular season game due to an injury is a truly remarkable feat. If anything, he’s one of the least injury-prone players in all of the NFL.

On the other hand, Peterson has shown signs of being an injury-prone player due to the way in which he throws his body around. Every single year since 2005 he has suffered through some sort of injury that has caused him to miss a few games. Franchise players can not throw their bodies around the playing field in such a reckless manor.

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade played in a similar manor as Peterson, as he threw his body around on the court. Now, two years after the Heat’s NBA championship, Wade has battled through multiple injuries, causing him to miss significant playing time. I see Peterson headed on a similar path as long as he maintains his reckless style of play.

Therefore, when it’s time for your fantasy football draft his July or August, remember how LT has largely stayed injury free during his NFL years while Peterson has had some nagging injuries over the past few years. You can pick whoever you want, but if I have the number one pick I am definitely taking LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers.