Ed Barkowitz: Chargers' Tomlinson among the fantasy heartbreakers

THIS HAS BEEN such a tough year for first-rounders that even LaDainian Tomlinson is breaking hearts.

Draft picks who looked like Angelina Jolie on Labor Day have turned into Carrot Top by Thanksgiving. Tom Brady couldn't get through the first quarter of the first game. Joseph Addai, Brian Westbrook, Steven Jackson, Marshawn Lynch and Larry Johnson all have been disappointments, and the stud wide receivers - you know who you are - have flopped. The only stud proving his worth is Adrian Peterson.

But back to Tomlinson.

LT's numbers are way down from last year and well below the standard for a consensus No. 1 overall pick. Instead of leaving defenders in his wake, Tomlinson has left a trail of fantasy owners dragging sub-.500 records.

"I am hugely disappointed with LT and he has likely cost me a playoff berth," reader Scott Smith said. "I seriously considered Adrian Peterson, but went with the 'safer' pick. I think it is realistic to say he has cost me four games. Instead of being 5-6, I could be looking at 9-2."

A number of factors are behind Tomlinson's decline, though none will soothe your basic irrational fantasy football maniac. LT has been slowed by a toe injury. The Chargers lost backup Michael Turner to Atlanta through free agency. But perhaps most important, veteran fullback Lorenzo Neal, Tomlinson's bowling ball for the past 5 years, left for the Ravens in the offseason and was replaced by rookie Mike Tolbert.

"Mike is a young guy, so it's hard to measure him [against] Lorenzo," Tomlinson said after rushing for 57 yards against the Steelers on Sunday. "Lorenzo was a 15-year guy. Mike is a 10-game guy. So, obviously, we miss [Neal's] experience."

The Chargers' defense also is getting pushed around a lot more. So instead of grinding out wins by running the ball at the end of games, San Diego has often found itself playing from behind.

Tomlinson's numbers are down across the board, especially touchdowns. After averaging nearly 22 over the last 4 years, Tomlinson has six this season, which puts him on pace for about 10 for the year.

There is a glimmer of hope, however. Of San Diego's six remaining opponents, five have run defenses that are ranked 22nd or lower. Not that that means much to fantasy owners who are already way behind, thanks to the Chargers and Tomlinson's inconsistency.

Solicitations are now being accepted for the annual Thanksgiving list. Send an e-mail to

fantasyfootball@phillynews.com or a fax to 215-854-5524 with something you are thankful for this fantasy season; maybe you passed on drafting Tom Brady, or perhaps you grabbed Roddy White off the free agent list, or maybe you were going against the Steelers defense when they got robbed of a touchdown Sunday against the Chargers.

We'll publish a handful of submissions next week and award fantasy football shirts to three randomly selected participants. Entries should be submitted by noon on Tuesday and include your name and hometown.

* Derrick Ward, Giants running back: Could be next year's Michael Turner if he leaves Big Blue for a starting job elsewhere. Certainly something to consider for those in keeper leagues.

* Warrick Dunn, Buccaneers running back: Has a good remaining schedule and is worth a pickup down the stretch. Those in deep leagues that reward touchdowns might also want to think about fullback B.J. Askew, as a potential short-yardage vulture.

* Jamal Lewis, Browns running back: A hamstring injury figures to limit backup Jerome Harrison and open the way for Lewis to get 20-plus carries for the first time since October.

* Brian Westbrook, Eagles running back: Managed only 60 yards rushing against a Bengals' run defense that came into Sunday's game ranked 25th, and injuries to his knee and ankle kept him from practicing again yesterday.

* The Raiders: Oakland hasn't scored an offensive touchdown since the Sunday before Halloween - a span of 13 quarters.

* Lee Evans, Bills wide receiver: Was shut out Monday night for only the second time in his career. However, Evans is worth a gamble as a No. 2 receiver Sunday against the Chiefs, who have given up at least 28 points in five of their last six. *

Daily News sports writer Ed Barkowitz, who doesn't have LT in any of his leagues but is still fighting for his playoff life, also is a fantasy football consultant for CBS3's Sunday morning Eagles pregame show. Send e-mail to

fantasyfootball@phillynews.com.