New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson was a guest on Showtime’s Inside the NFL and boy did he expose just how dysfunctional the Jets were this season.
Tomlinson said that quarterback Mark Sanchez is “a bit pampered because he has no competition” and that Sanchez’s problems with receiver Santonio Holmes is “as bad as I’ve been around.”
Tomlinson disagree’s with one Jets player’s opinion that Sanchez is “lazy” and indicated that they need to bring in a good back up to push him.
“He has no real threat to say this guy may take my job,” Tomlinson said.
Tomlinson said that the Jets locker room got more dysfunctional as the season went on and by the end of the season, it was really bad.
“It is as bad as I’ve ever been around, honestly,” Tomlinson said about the relationship between Sanchez and Holmes. “You know it was at the point where I think the players could no longer do anything about it. There was nothing that the players could do. So when it gets to that point there are certain changes that need to happen. Can it be fixed?… I think absolutely it can be. But they’re going to have to make some tough decisions.”
Tomlinson was asked how he thinks the Jets could repair the relationship between Sanchez and Holmes.
“I would really have to sit down with them and see if they can co-exist,” Tomlinson said about how the organization can repair the relationship. “I mean that is a decision that I really have to make. And if I really feel like they can’t, then you have to make a move….. There are some things that obviously (Holmes) needs to work on as far as being a leader.”
Tomlinson said that the only reason Holmes was a captain was because of head coach Rex Ryan, the players had nothing to do with it.
“The players had nothing to do with that vote,” Tomlinson said of Holmes. “Coaches vote on the captains with the Jets.”
The problems in the Jets locker room didn’t surprise Tomlinson at all.
“They (the organization) created this,” Tomlinson said. “This is the type of football team that they wanted. Mike Tannenbaum (and) Rex Ryan are both brash, in-your-face type of style, say whatever you want, just get it done on the field. And then it leads to other things (like) guys are calling each other out and saying I’m not getting the ball or whatever it may be.”
Tomlinson didn’t understand why the Jets got away from the pounding the football with the run game.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Tomlinson said. “ So a team that was coming off two straight AFC Championship games relied heavily on the run. My opinion now, why would you just totally switch up your identity at that point?”
TOmlinson seemed to get sick of all the talking Ryan did week in and week out.
“I would prefer him not to say it as much as he did,” Tomlinson said. “I don’t mind every now and again saying we are going to win a championship. Maybe at the beginning of the year just saying, ‘Hey, our goal is to win a championship.’ But at the same time every week if you are calling out a team on certain things, I think it puts a little extra on your team. Guys really want to go out there and say, ‘Let’s shut this guy up. Let’s shut these Jets up, just end their season.’ I think that adds to that when Rex speaks up like that because, you know, everybody doesn’t like that type of style, and they’re not supposed to. But at the same time there are certain things that you can do to not have it come off like that.”
Well, after all that Tomlinson has said, I doubt he’ll be back with the Jets next season.
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LT is a class act and a lock as a Hall of Famer. If he is saying it Rex and the entire Jets organization better listen or they’ll be going down a path they will never be able to return from without blowing it up and starting over, a move nobody in NY wants. As good as a player as Santonio is, it seems he is as bad of a teammate. It’s hard to get tossed out of Pittsburgh, an organization that is built on loyalty to both players and coaches. LT should give it 1 more year……..with the EAGLES!
First let me ask the question, and address this to every nfl player. whats happening to all of you? what happen to the love of football you had playing Popwaner, when you could’nt wait to get out there on the field, how you rushed you parents to hurry so you would’nt miss the kickoff. is it now all about money and egos, or is it too, about who gets more props as far back as i can remeber football was about competting and having some fun. but it seems aparent today it’s something else. it breaks my heart to see and hear and read of the things that are going on in locker rooms and on the field. you men are great gladiaters, how many young men dream of one day they may have the opportunity to play professional football. gentlemen i plead with you be the men and examples in your profession to whom young boys and men can respect. remeber this, it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a team to win championships and there is no “i” in team be men and work it out.
Your right Dennis. The game is just changing its all about money and commercials and stats. Few teams have heart anymore they few that do are the only ones that make the playoffs every year.
Remeber all of that. Be a village! Raise cildren. Plant trees and never forget about the days when football was football and played with the foot and so on
I lost all respect for Santonio Holmes in the eagle game. Lt is a class act if he says something like that it is truth. The Jets better get hold of things quick or they will be the joke of the NFL. Draft a Left Guard/ Tackle for the Offensive Line, resign Bart Scott, Get a young explosive Running Back in the draft or get one in free agency and for go sake toss holmes out on his ***. he is cancer in the club house. Pats tossed moss out on his *** and are a win away from the superbowl. bengals tossed out ochostinko and owens and made the playoffs. Bakc up QB is necessary yall…Love LT to death!!! Git R DONE and shut up!!!!
Holmes is a cry baby Ryan is an idiot for keeping his mouth open and as often as he did it puts to much spot light on the team.
Anyway, in short, I’m happy to see the Jets self destruct in such a public fashion.
I’m not a Jets fan but maybe this will help. I still want them to lose but there are some good players and quality people on that team who don’t deserve to go down with the ship.
My Opinion is:
1. Holmes should go immediately.
2. As others have said adding 1 or 2 quality backups my help Sanchez
don’t know.
3. Get Ryan to shut his yap. I mean really just shut up do your talking on the field and keep it in the locker room.
LT, we need you in Atlanta. Come on down and help the southeners…..the Atlanta Falcons!
LT comments are, just a player speaking the truth. I don’t see why he would not return to the JETS if they take heed to what he said and are ready to ‘fix’ what is broken this year… the news conference that Rex and Mike had leaned toward repairing what LT has said… The man is a leader and great player… the JETS should make a special effort to get him back next year for a running game next year. Him and Greene should be the stars of the JETS… As a JET fan since Namath was the QB, I say get the best O line you can get for run and pass blocking. The D only needs to be tweeked and we’ll be on our way to a Super Bowl…
Both Dennis and Kyle are right however as fans maybe we need to tell everyone — from the football teams to big business — that “we” the fans are not going to put up with it anymore from paying more for game tickets to the products that some of players do commercials for. Right now most of the teams are safe with ticket sales but the business community is open season. The key words are “we” and “loyality” and one thing that “we” have is loyal fans. Thanks
Unlike the Jets, LT is a class act. Maybe it is time the ownership of the team starts to listen to him. If you want to truly understand what is wrong with the trenches, ask someone who is in them, not someone who stands on the hillside telling those in the trenches exactly how they should be digging them!
LT, I have always enjoyed watchin you work on the field. For years, you have had the responsibilty of the burden of carrying a team, and dealing with that pressure. Would enjoy having you come work a year or two with your old team mates (Brees & Sproles) down in New Orleans, and see how a team works together too share the load.
L.T Needs to stay with the JETS because i have the L.T jersey and dont feel like buying a jersey again! for another team.