Terrell Davis defends LT

[Black96WS6]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/jim_trotter/01/23/tomlinson/index.html

The comments nearly had Terrell Davis jumping through his plasma screen. Like Sanders, Davis is an NFL Network analyst. Like Sanders, he is a former player. Unlike Sanders, he understood just what Tomlinson was going through.

Davis played running back for the Broncos in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and he struggled with knee injuries at the end of his career. That's why he had no problem slipping into Tomlinson's cleats.

"I've played with broken fingers, I've played with separated shoulders, cracked ribs, even turf toe," Davis said. "Those things you can kind of get away with. But when you're talking about the knee, it just ain't the same. I've had games where I've tried to do the same thing that L.T. did. I went out there and I told myself, I told my teammates that I was going to play. That was my mindset. I was trying to encourage myself to believe that I could go out there and play and be effective. But the moment of truth is when you start getting hit and you're in a game and the speed is faster and people are grabbing at your knee and twisting it.

"If it's not responding, there's nothing else you can do but just sit yourself down. I would have hated to see L.T. go out there and continue trying to play in that game and look the way he looked. You had a better chance with (Michael) Turner in the game because he gives you 100 percent of something."

"I'm saying, 'Deion, how do you forget what it feels like to have an injury?'" Davis said. "Deion's point was that L.T. told him all week, 'I'm 90 percent healthy and I'm going to play.' And then he goes out there and plays for three touches. But Deion felt that you lied to us, you lied to me. I'm saying, wait a minute, man. I'm sure L.T. had every intention of trying to finish that game. He was trying to finish that game. That's the biggest game of his career thus far, and you think he's going to sit on the sideline for some mental reason? When he's on the sideline, I understood how he felt. He felt so embarrassed because he couldn't contribute.

"People say, 'Why wasn't he up talking to Turner or speaking to the running backs trying to give people insight on what he saw from the sideline and trying to encourage people? That's not L.T.'s role. L.T. has been a leader because he's been doing it on the field. When you can't do it, you feel like you've got the measles, the mumps. You feel like you've got a disease because people look at you like you're crazy. You feel like you're an outcast sometime. It's the strangest thing in sport now: When people get hurt, your teammates look at you funny. But I understood the way he felt."


"I always felt like this," Davis said. "You can question my playing ability. You can kill me in the media for how I'm playing. But never question my integrity or my heart. And when they started taking shots at my character, that I wasn't tough enough when I was trying to come back from knee problems, it was like, 'Hold up, man. You have no clue what I'm going through. Nobody wants to play more than me.' Nobody wants to be in that game more than L.T. But you're either able or you're unable. Then you have people say, 'Well, go in there and give it a try.' Sometimes that's not the best answer for your team. If I'm in the game and I'm hobbling, if I can't explode, if I'm turning potential 10-yard runs into 2-yard runs, what good is it?
"It is a huge difference if you cannot perform to the level that you're capable of performing at. We don't need a lame L.T. We need a healthy, able L.T. The Chargers didn't have that. No one should be questioning him. This man has shown he's as tough as they come."

[bronco militia]

bahhhh...it's more fun to pick on LT to piss off Charger fans

;D _i_O_i_ :stirstir: :poke:

[Smiling Assassin27]

i was right with TD up until the last statement. has he really shown that he's as tough as they come? the guy hasn't had any extensive rehab, never had to undergo season ending surgery, never had to come back from any substantial ailment (which is a credit to his preparation in the offseason)et al. hey, it's not a crime to not be considered 'tough'. some are 'tough', others are 'speedy', others are 'gifted', and others are 'warriors'. the world needs non-tough guys too, LT.

[oubronco]

bahhhh...it's more fun to pick on LT to piss off Charger fans

;D _i_O_i_ :stirstir: :poke:

I agree with you militia fuuuckkk em all

[TheReverend]

i was right with TD up until the last statement. has he really shown that he's as tough as they come? the guy hasn't had any extensive rehab, never had to undergo season ending surgery, never had to come back from any substantial ailment (which is a credit to his preparation in the offseason)et al. hey, it's not a crime to not be considered 'tough'. some are 'tough', others are 'speedy', others are 'gifted', and others are 'warriors'. the world needs non-tough guys too, LT.

We don't know if he's never had a substantial ailment or not... considering he plays RB and has been starting and taking a substantial amount of carries and abuse, I can guarantee you he's played through SIGNIFICANT pain.

[BroncoBuff]

Excellent commentary by TD.

[Atwater His Ass]

Finally some real perspective from someone who's been there. The guy (LT) had a feaking bum knee and people around act like he was sitting because he had a hang nail.

I'm sure it tore LT up not to be able to contribute to his team in the biggest game of his life and SD's biggest game since their last SB.

[Smiling Assassin27]

Finally some real perspective from someone who's been there. The guy (LT) had a feaking bum knee and people around act like he was sitting because he had a hang nail.

I'm sure it tore LT up not to be able to contribute to his team in the biggest game of his life and SD's biggest game since their last SB.

i heard it was an ingrown toe nail, not a hangnail...:wiggle:

[lex]

Its too bad that the NFL Network is now trying to be like E!SPN by having analysts get on the air and say something like this. Deion Sanders was a cornerback and one who had a rep for avoiding contact. LT is a running back. Deion might was well have been a kicker when it comes to calling out a running back who is as productive as Tomlinson has been.

[Mr Chatterboodamn]

i'd say terrell davis has more credibility on these issues that deion. that's really hillarious that deion would throw LT under the bus like that. Just a couple of years ago, LT was derided for playing hurt to the detriment of the teams. Although LT isn't exactly Jamal Lewis when it comes to physicality at the end of runs, any running back is basically meat that's gonna fall off the bone from time to time. I hope it's not anything career threatening... I honestly think they need to keep Turner. LaDananian is reaching the age where these sorts of injuries start creeping up and no 60 minutes top secret kettlebell routine will reverse father time.

[lex]

BTW, Terrell was on Sirius this morning and Moose Johnston said that Terrell will make coaches cautious about over-using running backs. Uh, Terrell was injured not from too many carries but from a freak play when he was making a tackle. I get tired of hearing this myth perpetuated, especially by those who "know".

[epicSocialism4tw]

TD is a classy guy, and I wouldnt expect him to try to pile on a frat brother, but we all saw the doctors clearance and we all saw LT pouting on the sideline.

Its one of those things that has already happened, and cant really be taken back.

The avid sports fan has seen great examples of perseverance over the course of their fandom. Many of which didnt get glamorized. Heck, get in a time machine and travel back to the early 60's when NFL guys were REALLY tough. Guys like LT would have been ostracized for sitting on the bench in a game like that. They would have never respected him again.

[Beantown Bronco]

Heck, get in a time machine and travel back to the early 60's when NFL guys were REALLY tough. Guys like LT would have been ostracized for sitting on the bench in a game like that. They would have never respected him again.

And he'd probably never walk again.....just like most of them.

Gotta love the good old days and those big, tough guys who are all either dead or wish they were because they're in such pain now and can't do anything they want to do.

[Bronco LB 59]

i'd say terrell davis has more credibility on these issues that deion. that's really hillarious that deion would throw LT under the bus like that. Just a couple of years ago, LT was derided for playing hurt to the detriment of the teams. Although LT isn't exactly Jamal Lewis when it comes to physicality at the end of runs, any running back is basically meat that's gonna fall off the bone from time to time. I hope it's not anything career threatening... I honestly think they need to keep Turner. LaDananian is reaching the age where these sorts of injuries start creeping up and no 60 minutes top secret kettlebell routine will reverse father time.

A.J. Smith has clashed with his share of veterans and replaced them with younger players. He didn't seem to care that Donnie Edwards could still play at a high level in 2006. I wonder how long he will stay loyal to LT before 86ing him.

[Northman]

It was a sprain for crying out loud. It wasnt like he had any tears or a blown out knee. lmao

[BroncoBuff]

LB52 .... what gives with all those helmets? (Make it brief, I'm a busy man.)

[boltaneer]

A.J. Smith has clashed with his share of veterans and replaced them with younger players. He didn't seem to care that Donnie Edwards could still play at a high level in 2006. I wonder how long he will stay loyal to LT before 86ing him.

Here's my understanding of the Donnie Edwards issue:

Edwards was brought in by John Butler. When he signed here, he was given a verbal agreement by Butler that they would re-do his contract next season. Butler then passed away and AJ Smith took over. Smith wasn't aware about this verbal agreement and he told Edwards that they wouldn't re-do his contract at the time.

Edwards became very disgruntled towards management but kept a good public face and kept quiet for the meantime. But eventually he started speaking up. The strange thing was that he started b****ing to fans at training camp and other events about the situation and then towards the end he started airing it out in the media, when it got a little ugly.

There are a few big issues here. The first thing was that it was all about money. He was already being paid a pretty good salary for an inside linebacker but he wanted Ray Lewis/Brian Urlacher money. The second thing was that he was 100% a Marty guy and we all know about the AJ-Marty feud. The third thing was that (especially later on) he just wouldn't drop the issue. It was nearing a point where it was becoming a big distraction to the team.

I was a huge Donnie Edwards fan and I was hoping he could finish out his career here but the main thing for me was that he was asking for too much money.

But there's a big difference between letting Donnie Edwards and someone like LT. Donnie is a very good player but he's not a player on the level of LT and the circumstances for letting Edwards go was not just a youth movement (though that was part of it). There were a number of issues there that are not present today with LT.

There will come a time when they may have to make a tough decision with LT. I don't see it happening for a few years but LT has said that he doesn't see himself continuing to play when he is not at the top of his game, like Emmit Smith did. But LT is not a selfish person and he may see things differently later on and be willing to become a role player, like Fred Taylor or Deuce McCallister have become. So the decision may not be as sticky as one would think.

[kmartin575]

Well Jim Brown was on the radio with JT the Brick and he said in a kind way that he didn't agree with LT sitting out. He said he has played with a broken wrist and a broken toe before but he never sat out.

[OrangeShadow]

Yeah jim rome did something on this on his show yesterday

[2KBack]

BTW, Terrell was on Sirius this morning and Moose Johnston said that Terrell will make coaches cautious about over-using running backs. Uh, Terrell was injured not from too many carries but from a freak play when he was making a tackle. I get tired of hearing this myth perpetuated, especially by those who "know".

Lot's of people also forget that the knee that forced TD to retire (microfracture knee) is not the one that had the torn ACL.

[Pendejo]

Lot's of people also forget that the knee that forced TD to retire (microfracture knee) is not the one that had the torn ACL.

TD retired because of severe arthritis in both knees. I'm sure the work he had on both knees contributed to this though.

Edit: After a quick yahoo search. He has degenerative arthritis in both knees. That sounds friggin' awful.

"A succession of knee injuries and surgeries since 1999 — along with degenerative arthritis in both joints — made Davis' decision inevitable."

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/broncos/2002-08-18-davis-retires.htm

In any case...if a guy says he can't go...he can't go. LT is turning into a bit of a sniveler, but I don't know that it's fair to question his toughness.

[Natedogg]

Lot's of people also forget that the knee that forced TD to retire (microfracture knee) is not the one that had the torn ACL.

Ditto. I believe TD had "degenerative knee condition" aka being run to the ground like moose said. Both knees were fked. And like 2k says, the knee which ultimately forced TD out was not the one Lepsis ruined.

I added the last two words solely to get a rise out of maners. I really like Number 78.

[lex]

Lot's of people also forget that the knee that forced TD to retire (microfracture knee) is not the one that had the torn ACL.

He was doing ok though until the first injury. If he could have played 2 or 3 more productive years which the first knee injury denied him, the discussion of TDs career changes drastically.

[Bronco Jamus]

Excellent commentary by TD.

I agree

[2KBack]

He was doing ok though until the first injury. If he could have played 2 or 3 more productive years which the first knee injury denied him, the discussion of TDs career changes drastically.

TD is by far my favorite Bronco, but he was run into the ground plain and simple. The guy had over 450 carries in 1998, his last healthy year. Maybe he gets another year or two in without the acl accident, maybe not. He still has a point that RBs get abused in the NFL, and he knows first hand.

[Xenos]

TD is a classy guy, and I wouldnt expect him to try to pile on a frat brother, but we all saw the doctors clearance and we all saw LT pouting on the sideline.

Its one of those things that has already happened, and cant really be taken back.

The avid sports fan has seen great examples of perseverance over the course of their fandom. Many of which didnt get glamorized. Heck, get in a time machine and travel back to the early 60's when NFL guys were REALLY tough. Guys like LT would have been ostracized for sitting on the bench in a game like that. They would have never respected him again.
Yeah, I bet you saw LT pouting on the sidelines with his dark visor on. I also bet you also saw LT just sitting there doing nothing.

Oh wait, you didn't. You chose to imagine he was pouting. Instead, he was doing what all good teammate did when they couldn't play, which was to talk and encourage his fellow players. Players like Michael Turner and Darren Sproles. Not to mention that you can't get it through your head that it takes real guts to put away pride and competitive drive to do what was best for the team.

And no the doctors and coach didn't clear him to play after he was hit.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Yeah, I bet you saw LT pouting on the sidelines with his dark visor on. I also bet you also saw LT just sitting there doing nothing.


LT's body language sent a loud and clear message. One that has already been understood by most outside observers without the biases of a Chargers fan scraping to salvage some dignity for a player who has proven himself to have limits.

[Atwater His Ass]

Some people are reaching so far with this issue it's embarassing. People have been looking so hard for so long for something to bash LT on and now that they have one itsy-bitsy piece, they are latching onto it for their lives. Ridiculous.

And wow. LT has limits? You mean he's, like human or something? Whoda thunkit?

[epicSocialism4tw]

Some people are reaching so far with this issue it's embarassing. People have been looking so hard for so long for something to bash LT on and now that they have one itsy-bitsy piece, they are latching onto it for their lives. Ridiculous.

And wow. LT has limits? You mean he's, like human or something? Whoda thunkit?

His reluctance to man up and play when the team had an opportunity that they had never had before has given a glimpse into his priorities.

[Orange_Beard]

This is such BS. If you want to play Doctor, take your girlfriend, wife or boyfriend friend down to the basement and do it.

The guy dressed, went on the field and could not go.
WTF is he supposed to do?

[Arkansas Bronco]

No one here knows how bad he was hurting. I know dude felt very embarrassed and he knew people would look at him as a p*&&y so hell yea he was down.

[DivineLegion]

i was right with TD up until the last statement. has he really shown that he's as tough as they come? the guy hasn't had any extensive rehab, never had to undergo season ending surgery, never had to come back from any substantial ailment (which is a credit to his preparation in the offseason)et al. hey, it's not a crime to not be considered 'tough'. some are 'tough', others are 'speedy', others are 'gifted', and others are 'warriors'. the world needs non-tough guys too, LT.

Hes a running back in the NFL he goes through those procedures every week. Hes constantly rehabing working to keep himself from further injury. I would say the fact that he hasent had any long term injury would be a testiment to his toughness because it reflects his ability to avoid what about 85% of NFL running backs cant, that takes alot of work in the weight room and alot time with the trainers. You dont avoid injury just by luck.

[Atwater His Ass]

His reluctance to man up and play when the team had an opportunity that they had never had before has given a glimpse into his priorities.

And that glimpse was that he was hurt while Turner (a starter caliber back) was 100%.

I think you're blowing this way out of proportion.

[Orange_Beard]

And that glimpse was that he was hurt while Turner (a starter caliber back) was 100%.

I think you're blowing this way out of proportion.

Agreed.

[epicSocialism4tw]

And that glimpse was that he was hurt while Turner (a starter caliber back) was 100%.

I think you're blowing this way out of proportion.

I guess we'll have to see if he proves me wrong.

[Peoples Champ]

http://images.sportsbybrooks.com/b/9/b9293ac398bd26a0dd3432070deeeda6_tomlinsonactionfi gure.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/McFarlane-NHL-16-Tomlinson-Chargers/dp/B000YN55T4)

Notice choking hazard

[snowtrx]

Mr.Tomlinson. Funny vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0wTZKiFLfk

[Xenos]

LT's body language sent a loud and clear message. One that has already been understood by most outside observers without the biases of a Chargers fan scraping to salvage some dignity for a player who has proven himself to have limits.

See using that logic, I can just as easily say that Jay Cutler's body language on the sidelines (when the camera is on him) is that of a guy who doesn't really care about the game. After all, where are the shots of him encouraging his teammates, talking to coaches about plays, and focus on the game. Instead, it just looks like he's just standing down not really paying attention to anything.

Oh, and the entire team voted LT as their MVP the day after the loss because they aren't so easily manipulated by what the media tells them.

[SureShot]

His reluctance to man up and play when the team had an opportunity that they had never had before has given a glimpse into his priorities.

The Llama talking about "man-ing up". Hilarious.

[2KBack]

See using that logic, I can just as easily say that Jay Cutler's body language on the sidelines (when the camera is on him) is that of a guy who doesn't really care about the game. After all, where are the shots of him encouraging his teammates, talking to coaches about plays, and focus on the game. Instead, it just looks like he's just standing down not really paying attention to anything.

Oh, and the entire team voted LT as their MVP the day after the loss because they aren't so easily manipulated by what the media tells them.

He's listening to his IPOD, leave him alone

[goldengopher1976]

I've always thought that the distinction between being "hurt" and being "injured" is helpful in situations like this. I think all of us can agree that a player in the NFL should be able/willing to play "hurt" and play through pain. I would have thought, as well, that all of us would be willing to make concession for a man who cannot play because he is "injured", but apparently I came with too much credit for some of our posters.

Personally, I don't care how much money he's getting paid, or how much revenue the NFL generates, or how important the game is within the context of the season, if a player is asked or expected to go back into a game at the potential cost of long-term damage and diminished quality of life in retirement, the decision to remain on the sideline should not only be accepted, it should be supported. How many crippled, deteriorating, brain-damaged ex-players is it going to take for us to realize that there is something wrong with the machismo of "get back in there!" The NFL is entertainment. Football is a game. We do not "deserve" anything more as fans than to be entertained by people playing a game, they do not owe us their lives or their bodies.