The life of a running back is short, sweet, and to the point. With most backs, if you don’t succeed early, then you don’t have much of a chance later on in your career. Taking bone-crushing hits week after week, backs in the NFL fare for an average of around 8 years before retiring and are usually left with more injuries than can count. Charger running back LaDainian Tomlinson is one of the few backs that have survived a lengthy, successful career in the NFL, all 127 games of it.

Debatably the best running back to ever play the game, Tomlinson has a lot expected of him as he enters his 9th season. And last year’s short downfall of a season didn’t help with the expectations much either.

“I think I will continue to be a very explosive player. You guys saw me last year where I was banged up all year, played with a hurt toe and obviously with the groin injury. I’ll be back to full strength and to being the LT that you guys are used to seeing.”

Not living up to the hype, LaDainian Tomlinson had what was called a down year in 2008. Yet, if your down year consists of more than 1,100 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns, then you know you’ve had a good career.

However, when a running back turns 30, people begin to doubt the amount of potential left in the player and turn to a more youthful back. In this case, Tomlinson was looked down upon because of his underachieving year and fans looked to a younger back, Darren Sproles, to take over in the backfield. Though, there is still hope for Tomlinson, as there is a history of backs that, despite criticism, ran a successful career past 30.

All-time Bears’ running back great Walter Payton was surprisingly successful later in his career, rushing for 1,684, 1,551, and 1,333 yards in three seasons after he turned 30.

Tony Dorsett, playing for both the Cowboys and Bears, rushed for more than 1,100 yards in two seasons after he turned 30.

Hall-of-fame Lions running back Barry Sanders ran for nearly 1,500 yards when he was 30 years old.

Former Cowboys back Emmitt Smith rushed for more than 1,000 yards three times while he was in his 30’s.

So, don’t be surprised if Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson rushes for thousands and thousands of yards over the rest of his career. Not only does he have an amazing supporting cast in the Chargers, but also a new contract to work with. Signing a 3-year 17.88 million dollar contract, Tomlinson doesn’t have to worry about leaving the Chargers any time soon.

As LaDainian Tomlinson runs into his 30’s, I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt. I’m guaranteeing that any year that he stays injury-free, he will rush for at least 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns. He obviously has the talent do it, but the main thing is his drive to succeed. When a running back turns 30, it usually means bad things, but not for this Charger.