Let's try to look at these arguments and figure out the fallacious reasoning. The question is, which guy is better right now. First, let's define better. The guy that gives you the best chance to win.
Sure, I'm with you on that. Would you agree that that's a combination of reliability, versatility, and efficiency?
Simply because Woodhead is not an every down back does mean his value is diminished
Well, that didn't last long. The lack of versatility absolutely diminishes his value. Now, if he's far more efficient than Tomlinson in his diminished capacity, then he can certainly make up for it...
unless Tomlinson could add above-average production in what Woodhead does not do. For example, any rational being would take Devin Hester over a full-time Laurence Maroney. Hester may not "be asked to do as much", but his value is irreplaceable.
Well, that's a pretty nonsensical analogy, for starters. How does Woodhead-Tomlinson equate to Hester-Maroney? Maroney's issue isn't that he performs in bulk rather than efficiency; his issue is that he isn't very good by any measure. That's just disingenuous to claim that the same point is being made in either case.
Let's apply this to the question at hand. Tomlinson, regardless of what he's asked to do, is a slightly above average running back on 1-2 down and an average, at best, running back on third down. You could easily replace him with about 50 running backs in the league and get the same production at either role; the fact he is asked to do a lot means very little in terms of his overall replacement value.
And this is where we disagree. You think there are 50 RBs who could do what LT does? No way: name 25. The only reason why he's not a top-10 RB right now is because the Jets stupidly wore him down with 250+ touches.
Woodhead is currently perhaps the best third-down back in the NFL.
Absolutely not. There are a whole lot of guys who are better specialists than Woodhead. In fact, they're so good that their teams choose to play them in an every-down role, so that they can have more of an impact on the game (kinda flies in the face of your first point, doesn't it?)
Examples: MJD, Matt Forte, Ray Rice, Darren McFadden, Adrian Peterson, LeSean McCoy, Jamaal Charles, Peyton Hillis, Knowshon Moreno, Jahvid Best... that's just off the top of my head. Woodhead isn't even close to the best RB in the league at his role. For the role that he plays, I'd take most of the guys listed above over him without a second thought. He's the best third down specialist who isn't talented/versatile enough to have a more substantive role in the offense.
What you're claiming is like saying that the best sixth man in the NBA is one of the truly elite players in the league, because he offers something 'irreplaceable'. It's also why baseball teams don't make a habit of taking their best starter and converting him into a closer. The closer position is reserved for talented players who, for one reason or another, are not capable of being an exceptional starter, much like 3DRBs vs. every-down RBs.
If you were the GM of a football team, this is a guy who you'd shell out money for, not Tomlinson, because he cannot be replaced by a JAG; you can easily go out and get a 1-2 down back while still keeping a nice spot on the team for DW.
LaDainian Tomlinson 2010 salary: $6,731,630
Danny Woodhead 2010 salary: $391,240
Now granted, that's not entirely fair. Woodhead will get paid a lot more when it's time for an extension. Let's look at, say, Kevin Faulk instead:
Kevin Faulk, 2010 salary: $2,007,280. Even if you take his previous contract, which paid about $3 to $3.5 million per year for the
best third down specialist in the NFL, it's pretty clear how GMs feel about the relative importance of a good every down back vs. an excellent specialist. The proof is in what they pay.
The simple fact is that a good every-down RB will always be paid more than an excellent third down RB, for the same reason that pretty good tackles are paid more than excellent guards, and pretty good cornerbacks are paid more than excellent safeties: because they're in a position to have a far greater impact on the game.
So, to answer the question, Woodhead is certainly a better player right now. The Jets could sign a plethora of players like LT, or perhaps two guys that are better at specific roles (one for 1-2 down, one for third down), and potentially improve. With the way Woodhead is playing, the Pats really couldn't upgrade his role right now, and bringing in a strong 1-2 down running back would not affect his value.[/QUOTE]
