LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers / Photo: Newscom

The Chargers are a team to watch in the AFC right now. They’ve won seven straight games and even though LT isn’t the threat he used to be (nor as popular—LT currently ranks fifth among running backs in the AFC Pro Bowl voting), he is surrounded by a lot of talent and even in a more limited role, he can still be a very effective player.

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LaDainian Tomlinson Fastest to 150 TDs

It was like icing on the cake for Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson’s incredible rookie season. AD walked away with Pro Bowl MVP honors today after ripping through the AFC defense for 129 yards and two TDs in the NFC’s 42-30 win. It was the first 100-yard rushing effort since Marshall Faulk (180 yards) and Chris Warren (127 yards) reached the mark in 1995. This award was on the heels of AD’s being named the NFL’s Rookie of the Year last month. And I learned that he brought every Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman with him (although G Steve Hutchinson and C Matt Birk were there courtesy of the NFL as Pro Bowl players) as a “thank you” for their help in his 1,341 yard season. I can’t wait to see what Adrian has in-store for next season. As long as he can stay injury free, there’s no limit to how good this guy can be.

As for the Pro Bowl game, it was pretty much as expected — a lot of offense. In fact, the teams combined for 48 points in the first half, tying a Pro Bowl record. The defense is at a real disadvantage in this game with not being able to play up on the receivers (outside of the five-yard-line). And they aren’t allowed to blitz. Obviously that rule is in effect to cut down on the risk of injury in a totally meaningless game, but it really puts the D in a bad position.

There were a lot of good individual efforts besides Adrian Peterson. Terrell Owens had eight catches for 101 yards and two TDs. T.J. Houshmandzadeh caught two TDs as well. Antonio Cromartie had two picks. And Antoine Bethea was in on nine tackles.

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Adrian Peterson Wins Pro Bowl MVP Award, Offenses Shine as NFC Beats AFC 42-30

It was nice to see Marshall Faulk’s number 28 retired at halftime of the Steelers/Rams game tonight. In all my years of watching football, I can honestly say that Marshall was one of my favorite players to watch run with the football, especially in his younger days with the Indianapolis Colts, but obviously also in his great years with the Rams. He was poetry in motion with his fluid style and just plain sick with those jaw-dropping jump cuts. As part of his short speech, Marshall said:

“My jersey is not hanging there because of me. It takes 11 guys on one side of the ball and 11 guys on the other side of the ball to make special what we did here ….. Last but not least I’d like to thank you the fans. You made this place home for me and the rest of my teammates. You made it a great atmosphere. You made every game feel like a playoff game and every playoff game feel like a Super Bowl.”

As the catalyst of the Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” assault of the late 90s and early 00s, Marshall made that offense run like a well-oiled machine. Along with the ‘98 Minnesota Vikings and probably this season’s New England Patriots, those Rams teams were the among the best offenses I’ve ever seen. No one will ever wear #28 again as a St. Louis Ram and that’s the way it should be. His contributions to that team were beyond measure.

Marshall and Kurt Warner were the top two offensive players in the league from 1999-2001, with Marshall winning the MVP award in 2000 and being named the Offensive-Player-of-the-Year all three seasons. Kurt was the NFL MVP in 1999 and 2001. I remember asking Kurt during a conference call who his top fantasy pick would be if, in fact, he played fantasy football and he said, without hesitation, Marshall Faulk. If there were a fantasy football Hall of Fame, Marshall’s a no-brainer. He’s fourth on the NFL’s career list with 19,154 combined yards from scrimmage. And his 6,875 yards receiving are the most ever by a running back.

I really miss watching Marshall play. The “glory years” just went by too quickly. And that’s unfortunately the short life story of a running back in the National Football League.

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Marshall Faulk Has His Number 28 Retired