Final sign that its an end of an era in elite fantasy tailbacks

This is a sample of what's to come in Thursday's fantasy football column in the Journal-Standard

I haven’t owned LaDainian Tomlinson in three years, including this season.

And for the last two years, I’ve been glad that I haven’t.

Ever since San Diego coach Norv Turner took over the offense, the tailback hasn’t been the same guy. But this year, you can no longer blame the coach, the scheme or an injury for why LT has looked average.

Last Monday night against the Oakland Raiders of all teams, one thing was proved: Tomlinson is no longer an elite fantasy back. At this point, he’s a No. 2 back or flex option. ...

(W)hat other tailback can do what Tomlinson once did? Look at today’s top running backs from a year ago and look at the first week’s finishes.

Hardly impressive.

It’s just another sign that elite running backs just aren’t as pletiful — the end of an era. During LT’s prime, guys like Priest Holmes, Marshall Faulk, Jamal Lewis, Edgerrin James, Tiki Barber, Shaun Alexander, Fred Taylor and Clinton Portis (just to name a few) were can’t miss players that you’d like to take in the first two rounds.

Today, half of those players are out of the NFL, while the other half are shells of themselves.