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Be An NFL GM Contest: Tomlinson Vs. Johnson

Authored by Andrew Perna - 10th August, 2006 - 7:36 pm

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If you?re talking about the best running backs in all of football Larry Johnson and LaDainian Tomlinson are undoubtedly two of the first names you mention. Both young and extremely talented, it seems as though they?ll be enjoying success in the NFL for years to come. Realizing that is easy, but picking which one of these two elite running backs you?d rather have to start a team is a much harder question.

The Case For Johnson

Johnson did more the in second half of the 2005 season than most running backs did all year, and he doesn?t look like he?s done terrorizing the AFC yet. Having finally surpassed Priest Holmes on Kansas City?s depth chart, offensive glory seems to be Larry?s for the taking. It?s scary when 2,000 yards doesn?t seem out of the question for a 26-year old running back.

The Case Against Johnson

Although Johnson has passed Holmes on the Chiefs? depth chart, the fact that Priest, though barely, is still in the picture can?t make Larry feel entirely secure in his position. The hiring of Herm Edwards as the new Kansas City coach could also mean bad things for Johnson, as their offensive philosophy could change significantly.

The Case For Tomlinson

Tomlinson has never run for fewer than 1,200 yards and scored less than ten touchdowns in his five-year NFL career. That?s a pretty impressive statistic. Add in the fact that he?s also caught one hundred passes in a season, and that he threw three touchdown passes in 2005, and you have yourself a well-rounded franchise cornerstone.

The Case Against Tomlinson

He?s still young so it?s hard to form a legitimate case against Tomlinson at this point in his career, though you could make an argument that Antonio Gates could have just as easily been the San Diego representative. The only thing I could come up with against LT is that the Chargers have run him too much too early, and he could have a shorter career than most elite running backs do.

The choice is yours ? Who will make it to the third round?

Vote on our NFL main page to have your voice heard!

Also, submit your daily choice to Andrew.Perna@realgm.com in order to enter yourself in the running for a Mitchell & Ness Retro NFL Jersey from DistantReplays.com (a $300 value!).

You can also win one of the nine remaining spots in my RealGM Fantasy Football Challenge League.

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