Transcript: RB LaDainian Tomlinson, 8.27
On the importance of QB Mark Brunell to Mark Sanchez and the rest of the offense…
I think a guy that plays as much football as he has on a high level, Pro Bowls and all that kind of stuff, is a guy that can help out a bunch. Not only out there on the field when Mark comes off the field, but also in meetings, going over film and that type of thing. Don’t forget (that) he has been with (New Orleans Saints QB) Drew Brees the last few years so obviously he’s helped Drew out tremendously, so he’s going to do the same (for Mark Sanchez).
On where the offense is right now…
Well, I think one thing people need to understand is (that) we have been very vanilla this preseason. We have run basic plays and I know at times it doesn’t look like we’re doing very good, but these are basic plays we’re running so we’re executing them. We won’t really game plan until the season starts, so we’re doing fine. I think we’re going to be fine.
On the turnovers today…
We’re just trying to make plays out there. Sometimes the defense makes a great play. We definitely don’t want to turn the ball over in any case, but sometimes things happen. For us, that’s when we’ve got to get it back. When we turn the football over we realize as a unit that we’ve got to get points back, so that’s always our mindset.
On the importance of the running game if turnovers remain a problem…
We’re going to try to be balanced. I think that’s our approach. We understand that you need to be able to do both in this league so that’s going to be our focus.
On the offensive line…
I think you guys saw it (for) yourself. The holes that we had to run through today were tremendous. I’m not sure as a group, what the yards per carry were, but I’m pretty sure it was pretty high. Those guys, they’re the best in the league. Last year, they were the best in the league and I think we’re going to continue to be the same.
On whether this is the best offensive line he has ever had…
No question. Absolutely. These guys are as good as I’ve ever been around.
On his 43-yard run…
It was a zone scheme and I cut it back. The line did a great job at pushing everybody by. Once I cut it back, I had the safety coming downhill and I knew he was coming too fast to be able to tackle me once I made a move on him. I made the move on him and kind of hit (into) my receiver a little bit (while) trying to get behind him and I kept my balance and was able to get up the field for 43 yards.
On his nine-yard gain on third-and-nine to keep the touchdown drive alive…
That was a big play. We obviously needed to put points on the board. Anytime you get in third-down situations we’re thinking first-down to continue the drive. I knew the guys had kind of gotten out of there and they were going to leave me room to work. Once Mark threw it to me I turned around and saw a couple of guys but I was able to get to the first down marker before I got tackled.
10 Responses to Transcript: RB LaDainian Tomlinson, 8.27
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Looks like the defense will have to carry them in early season. I think the offense will come around, but it may take some time. Slaussen looks pretty good- Ducasse must be kept off the field or quarterbacks may be in short supply.
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As I said on a prevous thread, LT looked terrific. If he can play like this deep into the season—without running out of gas—then our run game is going to be even better than it was last year (when we had the #1 rushing O in the league), especially if Shonn plays the way he did last night, like a battering ram. It’s like SG is his own FB, knocking defenders over, and running right through them. And LT has monster ability to cut on a dime, find any hint of a hole, slip right through it, juke and dance and keep his balance, and accelerate down the field.
Gotta love this rushing attack. Which should open up the passing game. We just need Rex to ride Sanchez the way he did late last season—color code, Friday night pizza sessions and all—so that Rex gets inside the kid’s head, and he starts making better decisions. If Rex does that, we’ll start to see Sanchez play the way he did down the stretch and in the playoffs.
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In that case Rex will have to give up some of his D coordinator responsibilities like play calling and spend more time in the O meetings again and in Sancho’s back pocket. I don’t think he wants to be like that, besides that’s why we brought in M.B. isn’t it…
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Yeah, well look at the performance of Sanchez during these three preseason games when Brunell was helping him, and compare thar to MS’s performance last season down the stretch and in the playoffs when Rex took the reins of this kid QB.
In the first instance (during the preseason), Sanchez has played very poorly. In the second instance (last season down the stretch & in the playoffs), MS played great.
So if we let Brunell be the only one reining in Sanchez, forget about a SB, forget about the playoffs—we’d be lucky to be a .500 club.
With Rex taking the reins over Sanchez the way he did late last season, we could have an elite offense this season.
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IF the Jets use Greene/LT at 60% – 40% (or 50-50) they should bother be fresh for the entire season, barring injury.
If LT performs like this it will be a net gain over Leon and Thomas Jones.
Did you guys notice Cromarties tackle of the Running Back (I for got which one)? He seems like an adequate tackler.
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A couple of disturbing things in LT’s comments about his leadership skills (his running’s fine):
1) This team dearly needs a BU QB who can play if Mark’s gonna take shots like VD caused last night; if we’re stuck with the No.2 being just Mark’s Personal Assistant, we’re in trouble.
2) This is the third time this morning I’ve read the “Vanilla Excuse.” They don’t seem to get it. If you can’t execute on the g-d Vanilla package, WTF are you gonna do with Schotty’s f@#*ing complex Tutti-Frutti?? This is the time to sweat the simple stuff.
3) NO, YOU DID-N’T!!!!!
“…but sometimes things happen…”
G-D it, LT, you’re a G-D Hall of Famer!! You’re looked up to in that locker room. You’ve got to be up in somebody’s face! Call guys out! Somebody’s not earning their G-D money! You did your job last night — make sure everybody else is doing theirs!! This is no time to go all California on these guys. They sucked, and they need fire — especially from those of you actually busting your butts out there.Let there be no doubt — TJ would be shoving half his fancy car collection up somebody’s butt this morning. NOT ACCEPTABLE!
4) LT’s not paying attention. On the OL, “Those guys, they’re the best in the league.” Run blocking? Yeah, not too bad so far. Pass protection? Oh, please!! It’s bad enough that Slauson & Ducasse are yelling “Ole!!” at the DL rushing by them, but Woody & Brick are racing to see who turns Sanchez into goat cheese first. So far, this looks more like the storied 2007 OL than anything we saw last year. LT is good at picking up blitzes — he shouldn’t have to pick up standard 4-man rushes by himself.
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Bent says: Slauson has been fine in pass protection. I’m less worried about him after yesterday.
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He’ll come along, no doubt. I like what I saw last year.
The atrocious play of Brick & Woody is what is unnerving me more.
Seeing Woody trying to fend off a speed rusher around the end this year is simply sad to watch. Thought he might be a tad quicker with the weight loss. But, no…
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i love LT he is my favorite player every one says look at peterson no LT is way better then him i dnt care what any one says i compared LT’S 3 year stats to peterson and peterson was off my 100 yards doesnt matter LT HOLDS the record for most touchdowns in a season plus his stats; a future hall of famer oh and peterson holds the record for oh yeah fumbles.in that case LT is going to have a great season. (LT’S #1 FAN)
LT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The lone bright spot on an otherwise dismal O.