Chargers' Running Back La Dainian Tomlinson Closes in On Records

Chargers' Running Back La Dainian Tomlinson Closes in On Records

In 2008, San Diego Chargers running back La Dainian Tomlinson can pass Pro Football Hall of Famer ERIC DICKERSON and become the only player in history to begin a career with eight consecutive 1,200-yard rushing seasons.

Tomlinson can also extend his streak of consecutive seasons to start a career with at least 10 rushing touchdowns to eight.

With nine rushing touchdowns, Tomlinson (currently 115) will pass Pro Football Hall of Famer MARCUS ALLEN (123) to move into second place all-time.

Atlanta Falcons running back MICHAEL TURNER, who served as Tomlinson’s understudy for four seasons in San Diego, observed Tomlinson’s attributes firsthand.

"L.T. maximizes his talent by using his football smarts," says Turner. La Dainian Tomlinson's "quickness and ability to cut on a dime make him special. He is the most decisive runner I have ever seen and that's what makes him special."

In seven seasons, Tomlinson has scored 129 total touchdowns. Tomlinson needs 17 touchdowns to surpass Terrell Owens (131), Cris Carter (131), Marshall Faulk (136) and Marcus Allen (145) to move into third place all-time.

Tomlinson has gained 2,000 scrimmage yards three times in his seven-year career. With one more 2,000-scrimmage yard season, Tomlinson will tie Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk and Walter Payton (4) for the most all-time.

Tomlinson has gained 2,000 combined yards three times. Tomlinson needs one more 2,000-yard season to tie Tiki Barber, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk, Dante Hall, Brian Mitchell and Walter Payton (4) for the most all-time

Tomlinson has four 200-yard rushing games in his career. Tomlinson needs two to surpass Tiki Barber (5) and tie O.J. Simpson (6) for the most all-time.

La Dainian Tomlinson Statistics & Accomplishments NFL 2007

In 2007, San Diego Chargers Running Back LA DAINIAN TOMLINSON led the NFL for a second year with 1,474 rushing yards and an NFL-leading 15 touchdown runs on 315 carries averaging 4.7 yards / carry.

Tomlinson also added 60 receptions for 475 yards and three touchdowns to help the Chargers achieve an 11-5 record and the third seed in the AFC.

Baltimore Ravens All-Star linebacker RAY LEWIS:

    "I always appreciate playing against L.T."

    "He truly has a passion for the game and he makes his teammates and opponents want to be better players. It’s not just his talent, but also his focus and drive that make him what he is. L.T. is a natural born leader, who not only leads with his words, but also with his actions. He is one of my favorite athletes, and I love competing against a man that brings out the best in other men."

La Dainian Tomlinson:

  • Became the 23rd player in history with 10,000 yards rushing, tieing Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame Running Back Emmitt Smith as the player to do so in the fourth-fewest games (106);

  • Passed Walter Payton (110) for third on the all-time career rushing touchdown list with 115;

  • Passed Jim Brown (126)for seventh on the all-time career touchdown list with 129;

  • Joined Eric Dickerson as the only players in history to rush for more than 1,200 yards in each of their first seven seasons.

  • In 2006, Tomlinson set the single season record for touchdowns (31 TDs) and rushing touchdowns (28 TDs). The previous records of 28 TDs overall & 27 rushing TDs was set by Shaun Alexander in 2005.

NFL Players with the most consecutive seasons with 1,200 rushing yards to start a career:

PLAYER

YEARS

CONSECUTIVE SEASONS

Eric Dickerson

1983-89

7

LaDainian Tomlinson*

2001-07

7

Eddie George

1996-00

5

Earl Campbell

1978-81

4

Clinton Portis

2002-05

4

Barry Sanders

1989-92

4

* = Active

La Dainian Tomlinson Playing Career

LaDainian Tomlinson played college football at Texas Christian University (TCU Horned Frogs).

As a sophmore (1998 season), Tomlinson helped the TCU Horned Frogs win their first bowl game in 41 years against the University of Southern California in the Sun Bowl.

As a junior season in 1999, he set an NCAA record for yards in one game with 406 against UTEP. Tomlinson ended the year with an NCAA-leading 1,850 yards rushing to go along with 18 touchdowns.

In his senior season in 2000, Tomlinson led the NCAA for the second time with 2,158 yards and 22 touchdowns while piling on 354 yards receiving. He won the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back, and was a finalist for the Heisman, but came in fourth.

'LT' completed his college career with 5,263 rushing yards, ranking sixth in NCAA Division I history.

The San Diego Chargers selected Tomlinson with the fifth overall pick of the 2001 NFL Draft.

The Chargers traded the overall number 1 pick that year to the Atanta Falcons for the 5th overall pick in return. The Atlanta Falcons drafted Michael Vick.

Tomlinson is a five-time Pro Bowl selection (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007) and was the NFL's Most Valuable Player in 2006.

LaDainian Tomlinson Career Statistics

RUSHING

Year

Team

G

GS

Att

Yds

Avg

Lg

TD

20+

1st

2001

San Diego Chargers

16

16

339

1236

3.6

54

10

7

67

2002

San Diego Chargers

16

16

372

1683

4.5

76

14

12

90

2003

San Diego Chargers

16

16

313

1645

5.3

73

13

12

81

2004

San Diego Chargers

15

15

339

1335

3.9

42

17

6

68

2005

San Diego Chargers

16

16

339

1462

4.3

62

18

8

71

2006

San Diego Chargers

16

16

348

1815

5.2

85

28

12

81

2007

San Diego Chargers

16

16

315

1474

4.7

49

15

13

75

TOTAL

  

111

111

2365

10650

4.5

85

115

70

533

RECEIVING

Year

Team

G

GS

Rec

Yds

Avg

Lg

TD

20+

40+

1st

2001

San Diego Chargers

16

16

59

367

6.2

27

0

1

0

12

2002

San Diego Chargers

16

16

79

489

6.2

30

1

2

0

20

2003

San Diego Chargers

16

16

100

725

7.3

73

4

5

2

26

2004

San Diego Chargers

15

15

53

441

8.3

74

1

3

3

16

2005

San Diego Chargers

16

16

51

370

7.3

41

2

4

1

15

2006

San Diego Chargers

16

16

56

508

9.1

51

3

4

1

22

2007

San Diego Chargers

16

16

60

475

7.9

36

3

6

0

21

TOTAL

  

111

111

458

3375

7.4

74

14

25

7

132

La Dainian Tomlinson Closes in On Records