NFL: Is 30 The New 50?

Go ahead and add Brian Westbrook and Ladanian Tomlinson to the list of banged up running backs that have been thrown to the curb.  30 must be the new 50 because it is becoming a growing trend in the NFL for successful halfbacks to be cast aside for fresher meat.

On Tuesday the 30 year old Westbrook was released from the Philadelphia Eagles. He has been a fixture of that organization for eight seasons and was a major dual threat for years.  Every Eagles fan and fantasy football owner knows that Westbrook has had more than his share of injuries.

There have been reports that his left knee is so damaged he may not even pass a physical for other teams.  If I were a general manager I would take a chance on him.  He is obviously not an every down back anymore, but still has the athletic ability to be one hell of a football player.

While Westbrook may have trouble finding a team to play for, Tomlinson should have no problem.  Toward the end of the season L.T. was showing signs that he still has some football left in the tank.

Just like Westbrook he is no longer an every-down back due to the ass-kicking he has taken over the past nine years. A team would be wise to pick him up if they are looking for that experienced goal-line guy.

Look for the Patriots to make an offer to L.T.  New England has a history of taking chances on running backs that other teams no longer want (Corey Dillon, Fred Taylor, Kevin Faulk).

The beginning of the 21st century has given us some great running backs, but where have they gone?  Let us take a look at players still trying to resurrect their careers and who has dropped off the face of the earth.

Jamal Lewis

The 30 year old, nine year vet was recently released by the Cleveland Browns with one year left on his contract. He sat out the final weeks of the season due to post-concussion symptoms.

Lewis’s agent was quoted as saying, “Jamal went to Cleveland with the hope he’d be successful and go to the playoffs and beyond.”

Really, Jamal?  Apparently he may have had some post-concussion symptoms leaving Baltimore that made him delusional and unable to make rational decisions.

The Browns needed a whole lot more than a washed up running back to make a run at the playoffs.  He still has hopes to play next season but is in the process of evaluating his future in the league.

Larry Johnson

The long-time Kansas City Chief showed that he can still play in this league with his late season audition as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.

LJ did not get a lot of touches for the Bengals since they were already stacked at the position.  The one game Larry did get his chance to show he still has it was against the Browns in week 12.
He had 22 attempts and rushed for 107 yards while splitting the load with Bernard Scott.  LJ could end up in a similar situation as LT with a team looking to take the load off of their lead back.

Edgerrin James

Does anyone realize he plays for the Seattle Seahawks now?  Yeah, me either.  Edge is buried in the depth chart for Seattle behind Julius Jones, Justin Forsett, and Louis Rankin.

James needs only 18 more yards to move into the top 10 rushers of all time and only 88 yards to move into 8th all time, passing Jim Brown and Marshall Faulk.  Therefore, there is no doubt he will lace up the cleats next season and try to climb the list.

Shaun Alexander

Seattle’s all-time leader in touchdowns did not play last year and career most likely has come to an end.  This is a prime example of why LT and Westbrook may want to ride off into the sunset with their heads held high, rather than returning and being criticized for another year.

Here is another good trivia question to ask your buddies when you are sitting around pounding some Busch Light.  Who did Shaun Alexander finish his career with?  Alexander finished his career with Washington, playing in only four games and rushing for a whopping 24 yards.

Rudi Johnson

Remember this guy?  The Bengals thought they found their running back of the future.  Like many Bengals players he became a big time bust.

He came in and quickly set the Bengals single-season rushing record.  Then decided to lose some weight to become quicker, which turned out to be a horrible decision on his part.  His numbers quickly went south and was released to play for the 0-16 Detroit Lions.  At least he can say he ended his career on a record setting note, playing for the worst team in football.

Who would you most want your team to sign?