If reports are true, we could be seeing these two guys together all season in 2010.
"The Minnesota Vikings could have one high-profile backup running back.
LaDainian Tomlinson is going to visit the team on Thursday, a source confirmed to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. SI.com first reported the visit. Tomlinson was released by the San Diego Chargers last week and has scheduled a number of visits with potential teams."
Obviously, Minnesota already has one of the league's premier backs in Adrian Peterson. In just three seasons, he's racked up almost 5,000 yards and was the widely considered the best player player in the league before last season, when more fumbling trouble and the emergence of Chris Johnson muddled his title of "Best Running Back."
Tomlinson also had a chance to stay in the discussion before the 2009 campaign. Instead, he dealt with injuries, a reduced role in San Diego's pass-first offense and the continued emergence of Darren Sproles as a backfield option. Despite a career that ranked Tomlinson eighth on the all-time rushing list and third on the touchdown list, the end was near. And after a season where he gained just 3.3 yards per carry and only 730 yards on 223 rushes, the Chargers cut him loose.
Back then, we wondered who would take over in San Diego. Now, we're playing the same game with Tomlinson.
If the reports are true, it's a move with great potential for Minnesota. Sure, they have Peterson, but backup Chester Taylor signed a multi-year deal to be a starter in Chicago and Tomlinson seems determined to land with a team that has title hopes. It makes sense for him, but only if he can accept playing behind Peterson.
It also makes sense for the Vikings. I touched on the void left by Taylor's departure, but there's also that pesky fumbling problem AP can't seem to shake.
Despite those huge rushing totals in his first three years, Peterson also leads the league in fumbles lost since entering the NFL. After losing six more in 2009, he's turned the ball over 13 times - one more than Tomlinson has in his entire nine-year career. And while Peterson's fumbles have gone up, Tomlinson lost five in his his rookie season and just seven in the remaining eight years.
In 2007, he rushed for 1,474 yards on a 4.7 average and NEVER DROPPED THE BALL. Oh, and he hit the end zone 18 times. I think Vikes fans might feel a little safer knowing they have a reliable runner in the wings.
If Brett Favre comes back and Tomlinson signs up, Minnesota will have one of the more interesting teams in NFL history. There were already plenty of stories about Favre showing young receiver Percy Harvin the ropes, and now two of the game's legendary backs could join forces - the up-and-comer in AP and the veteran in LT, looking for his shot at a ring.
Will it happen? Should it happen? One thing's for sure: If it does, you'll be watching, and so will I. It'll also make for a Vikings team that's hella fun to play with in Madden 11, especially if LT gets his swagger back. And of course, Rivalspot is home to the best online gaming community, with everything from Madden 10 to FIFA 10 and NHL 10 for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Hit our gaming arenas to get in on the action and show us what you've got.