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He's entering his 9th year in the NFL and is 28 years old, how much time does he have left before he starts to decline or just retires?

He was on ESPN sunday conversation and he was saying how the criticism he got from not playing injured against NE was just added motivation for the "few years hes got left in the league."

He's considered the top RB right now, but how much longer will that be and when do you think he leaves the game?

I watched that too, and when he talked about not wanting to be "the old guy that needs to get kicked out of the league", I thought he was losing it. I think he's got 5 more stellar years in this league, which would most likely put him on top of Emmitt.

I wouldn't be surprised if he pulled a Barry or a Tiki, but if he thinks he'll completely fall off in the next few seasons, even with this injury, he's starting to lose it.

1-2 more seasons as an elite back, a guy you would consider among the best in the game. Probably 1-2 beyond that as a good starter and more limited touch back.

magicfan4life05 wrote:He's entering his 9th year in the NFL and is 28 years old, how much time does he have left before he starts to decline or just retires?

He was on ESPN sunday conversation and he was saying how the criticism he got from not playing injured against NE was just added motivation for the "few years hes got left in the league."

He's considered the top RB right now, but how much longer will that be and when do you think he leaves the game?

It's hard to believe he is going into his 9th years as an NFL running back. It seems like just a couple years ago he was putting on a Chargers jersey. As a Lions fan and football fan in general, I loved watching Barry Sanders as a running back and I think he will always remain the best regardless of who passed him in yardage, but Tomlinson has been to be the most exciting running back to play the game since Sanders retired and I hope he continues to have at least a few more elite years in the league.

I'll say 2-3 more years as an elite back. He'll still be a good back after that. I wouldn't be surprised to see him retire in 5 years.

Icness wrote:1-2 more seasons as an elite back, a guy you would consider among the best in the game. Probably 1-2 beyond that as a good starter and more limited touch back.

Pretty much what I'm thinking.

I doubt he'll stick around being a backup, like Marcus Allen did as a '3rd down specialist.

He's got 3-4 more years in the league, tops.

I'm gonna say about 4 more years, and than after 4 years we will see the Shaun Alexander decline.

bigrich88 wrote:I'm gonna say about 4 more years, and than after 4 years we will see the Shaun Alexander decline.

If you see it that way, then LT's decline would start this season, being as Shaun was drafted a year earlier.

If you see it that way, then LT's decline would start this season, being as Shaun was drafted a year earlier.

they ae different players, Alexander is more of a power back LT is more finesse which makes a big difference. Plus Alexander was basically the only one that got carries Tomlinson had Turner behind him and now Sproles.

P.S. Its Tomlinsons 8th season not 9th.

LdT entering his 9th season, Shaun is entering his 10th.

LDT drafted in 2001
2001 season-1
2002 season-2
2003 season-3
2004 season-4
2005 season-5
2006 season-6
2007 season-7
2008 season-8th season

I officially can't count anymore. Thanks AP Stat exam...

It's hard to believe he is going into his 9th years as an NFL running back. It seems like just a couple years ago he was putting on a Chargers jersey. As a Lions fan and football fan in general, I loved watching Barry Sanders as a running back and I think he will always remain the best regardless of who passed him in yardage, but Tomlinson has been to be the most exciting running back to play the game since Sanders retired and I hope he continues to have at least a few more elite years in the league.

Barry Sanders is the best RB to ever play the game of football.
LT is huge b****. He chokes in the playoffs son. He's a great regular season guy and he led the league in rushing yards(though he did have more touches). He has 2-3 years left as a decent RB. With the first 2 being an elite.

AIizdaking wrote:

It's hard to believe he is going into his 9th years as an NFL running back. It seems like just a couple years ago he was putting on a Chargers jersey. As a Lions fan and football fan in general, I loved watching Barry Sanders as a running back and I think he will always remain the best regardless of who passed him in yardage, but Tomlinson has been to be the most exciting running back to play the game since Sanders retired and I hope he continues to have at least a few more elite years in the league.

Barry Sanders is the best RB to ever play the game of football.
LT is huge b****. He chokes in the playoffs son. He's a great regular season guy and he led the league in rushing yards(though he did have more touches). He has 2-3 years left as a decent RB. With the first 2 being an elite.

Jim Brown says hi