Is it time to deal LaDainian?
As hard as it is to believe, LaDainian Tomlinson is going to hit his decline one of these years. The trick for keeper and dynasty owners is knowing when to deal him. After seven seasons and 2,918 touches, the moment is closer than some may think.
If I owned Tomlinson, I would put feelers out there to see what type of bounty he'd bring in. I would plan on keeping him one more season, then dealing him, but would keep my mind open to being blown away by an offer.
I participate in only one keeper league, an insanely deep 16-team dynasty league with 45-man offseason rosters and eleven IDP starters. The league's defending champion is the best fantasy football owner I've ever seen. He's ruthless, active, and a great judge of talent. And he just dealt LT2.
Every running back must decline, and it's often a swift one. Tomlinson is only a year away from his age-30 season, although you'd have to look hard to see evidence of a slowdown at this point. I'd only deal him if I was getting a younger true RB1 in return, but those deals should be available. It is hard to let go of a player that has carried fantasy teams for most of the decade, but Tomlinson's value will never be higher than it is right now.
Comments
Gregg, care to share what the LT owner in your dynasty league got in return for him? It's hard to gauge his value at this point because he has been so good and so consistent for so long. If I were the LT owner, the only back I'd consider straight up is Peterson, but if were and ADP owner, actually, LT's value long term isn't enough. Just curious about the price. Thanks.
Posted by: Greg | March 12, 2008 12:13 PM
I remember a guy who dumped Emmit just before his decline for a rook named Tomlinson.
LT is so,so,so high mileage, that I agree and would deal him for the top 3 other RB keepers(ADP, Jackson, and 1 or 2 others) depending on rules. In a dynasty league, I would look for package deals that would include a stud RB/top WR combo.
Posted by: Doug | March 12, 2008 01:34 PM
We are a PPR league. He's a great owner but I was surprised he didnt get a bit more at RB coming back but it was a fair trade.
He gave up LT2 and Hines Ward and got back Reggie Bush, Andre Johnson, Dallas Clark, and a late first-round rookie pick. I can see the deal from both sides, but I would have wanted more. It doesnt hurt he was flush at RB.
Posted by: gregg | March 12, 2008 03:37 PM
Wow gregg,
I view you as a great judge of football talent. However your skills seem to be lacking in judging Fantasy talent. Not only did he not get what he needed at RB he also got a receiver who has had problems staying healthy, a tight end who won't live up to last year, and he had to give up a decent WR to get it done. I wouldn't have made that trade for just LT, and I definitely wouldn't have thrown in another wideout in a league where depth is so important.
Posted by: John | March 12, 2008 05:33 PM
In a dynasty league, the difference between AJ and Hines Ward is enormous. Ward is close to done. Basically he believes in Bush in a pure PPR league. I can't go that far but Bush was the RB6 in our avg. weekly scoring last year. like i said, i would have wanted more, but I suspect he wont regret the trade a few years from now.
Posted by: gregg | March 12, 2008 05:54 PM
Do you think LT2's trade value is diminished at all by his injury late last season?
If I traded LT2 and Ward for AJ, Clark and a RB it would have to be somebody other than Bush. I think asking for AP, Westbrook or Addai is crazy, but what about having Lynch, McGahee or Gore as the RB portion of the package?
Posted by: CdnFan | March 12, 2008 06:39 PM
Sure LTs injury hurts a bit, nothing crazy. And I dont think asking for anyone is crazy including the 3 you mentioned. Its LT. The first-round rookie pick counts too.
Posted by: gregg | March 12, 2008 10:25 PM