LaDainian Tomlinson insists his downturn was due to a change in playing style by the San Diego Chargers, and vowed to prove he still has what it takes for the New York Jets next season.
New Jets running back criticises Chargers for changing style
LaDainian Tomlinson insists his downturn was due to a change in playing style by the San Diego Chargers, and vowed to prove he still has what it takes for the New York Jets next season.
L.T is the eighth-best rusher of all time, but his production slowed in what turned out to be his last two seasons in San Diego, leading to him being released in February after nine years as a Charger.
At 30, and coming off the worst season of his career, many were happy to call time on Tomlinson's career as a star NFL running back, but he insists he can still be a big weapon.
Tomlinson has penned a two-year deal worth $5.2 million in New York, and he says that it was San Diego's switch to a pass-happy team under quarterback Philip Rivers that led to his falling numbers.
"The things that happened in San Diego, everything was taken away from me," Tomlinson said. "There wasn't an emphasis on running the football anymore, my best fullback was gone, the linemen were pass blocking, and it was a passing quarterback and a passing coach.
Time to go
"To be honest with you, I felt like last year was going to be my last year in San Diego. After the problems we had the previous year with the organisation, I knew it was time to leave. The transition wasn't as hard because I kind of prepared myself for it, and I was ready to kind of move on to something else."
Tomlinson will certainly have a chance to prove himself as he joins the league's best running team from last season, who came within a game of reaching the Super Bowl, and he is already training with his team-mates.
"At this stage of my career, I've got to outwork everybody else and prove that I can still play," he added.
"I think the most important thing is getting here and working out, having guys see how I work. You build a chemistry through the offseason by lifting weights and running. Guys see how you work and judge it from there."
Tomlinson hopes to form a fierce partnership with second-year back Shonn Greene, who will get the start in New York, where L.T already feels at home and relishes the chance to face AFC East foes New England.
"It's going to be fun," he said. "The Patriots have always been one of them teams that, it's hard for me to swallow that pill of losing to them, so it's going to fun to play them twice a year. And, it's going to be one of my main goals to beat them twice.
"Shonn and I work well together. Hopefully we're like (Michael) Jordan and (Scottie) Pippen."
