It seems like San Diego fans are split on their feelings about LaDainian Tomlinson.

Our sound-off question was: Do Chargers fans side with Tomlinson and think he didn’t get enough carries in 2009 or do you think he has simply lost his ability to be a primary back?

I received many responses to the question. Some thought Tomlinson was underused and some thought that he has seen better days.

Last week, in an interview with a San Diego radio station, the Chargers legendary running back admitted he did not like his role in 2009. Here is what Tomlinson had to say about the subject:

“No I wasn’t. I wasn’t happy. No one is going to be happy with the least amount of touches in my career. I don’t know any running back that would be happy with that. Absolutely I wasn’t happy with not touching the ball as much as I thought I would.”

Tomlinson, 30, had 730 yards on 223 carries in 2009. He averaged 3.3 yards per carry. He was solid at the goal line as he finished with 12 touchdowns. But it was clearly Tomlinson’s least productive season of his career. He didn’t have one 100-yard game all season.

I agree with the fans who think Tomlinson’s best days are behind him. He just isn’t a primary back anymore, in my opinion. Below are some of your responses. Thanks to everyone who participated:

Tony from Chico, Ca.: I'd have to say i agree with LT. I mean yea he's lost a step, but i don't think a guy like LT drops from 1,000 to 700 yds in a season in the blink of an eye. I mean there were games he didn't even reach double digit carries, that's kind of absurd. These past two seasons were the only time he hasn't gotten at least 300 carries, plus last year he had 90 more than this year and had a 1,000 yd season. sometimes it looked like he couldn't get a rhythm running either because norv wouldn't run consecutively that much. I'm just sayin maybe the lack of carries is a bigger factor in his production than we think

Paulos from San Diego: Hey Bill, I agree with LT, to an extent. I think that the chargers'inability to run the football comes from Norv Turner's lack of desire to run and the organization's countless attempts to mimic the Indianapolis Colts offense. I think LT was a victim of a system that moved away from his style of running, with the departure of Shottenheimer went the power run game and any chance of LT being a focal part of the offense. That being said, i think LT needs to stop the crying about his role and stop denying that with his given opporitunities he hasn't produced, plain and simple. Football has changed, the days of the workhorse running back are almost over, they're too expensive and too risky an investment. LT probably still has another 1000 yd rushing season in him but it'll have to be with a team built to run the ball, that is NOT the Chargers.GO BOLTS!!

Randy from Redding, Ca.: Tomlison was, I repeat, "was" a great back for many yrs. but he is done as a "starting" rb. The running game is what kept Chargers out of NFC Championship. Non existant vs Jets and most of season. He might be able to keep job as a 3rd down or situational type back but of course he still thinks he hasn`t lost it so more than likely San Diego will release him unless he agrees to a lesser role. Look for Chargers to draft rb and also damble in the FA rb pool this off season.

Jared C. from San Diego: Bill,In response to the LT interview, I side with Norv Turner. I'm sure Norv knows his own football team better than anyone including where they fall short. Obviously, he sticks to the passing game over the running game because it is more effective than the team's running game. For selfish reasons (all NFL players want the ball), LT wanted to touch the ball more and get more opportunities to make the big play. News Flash: LT never made big plays. You can blame the offensive Line, you can blame LT but the bottom line is the running game could never get it going this year. Why should Norv continue to unsuccessfully run LT when the team is much more successful throwing the ball? I don't blame LT for wanting the ball but I side with Turner on why he didn't get the opportunities he is used to.

Allen from Kingston, Pa.: In regards to Tomlinson being upset with the amount of touches he got in '09 I totally agree with him. I have been a Die Hard fan of the Chargers forever, and have watched and recorded every game since Sunday Ticket came out. I watched every game this year at least twice breaking them down for my teenage football son, so he could see how to properly play the game and learn to break film down, well the best you can with tv coverage. But the point is, I think he was a 1400 yard back with Minn or Ten or the Jets. His blocking was atrocious, and the play calling for running was very poor and very easy to read. They rarely ran with more than 1 receiver on the field and telegraphed the run, and then pounded him between the guards with 8 or 9 guys within 5 yards of the line. Tomlinson can still be very productive, if the coach could be half as creative with the run as he is the pass, and letting him go is going to be a huge mistake as he will rush for 1400 yards next year.

Bruce Sims from San Diego, Ca.: Yes, LT is no longer a 'primary back'. Watched all season long and the peripheral vision and cuts from that vision simply weren't there. AND the assistance he received from LoNeal he doesn't seem to recognize.I would like to see him remain a charger but he won't accept less money.Chargers also need to figure out why they can't run effectively on a consistent basis. If Indy ,which had the 32nd run offense, can put up over a 100 against the Jets, why couldn't the Chargers? LT needs to think about that.

Zachary J from San Diego: Lt has lost a step, But he is still usefull. We need a power runner for between the lines, Like the Burner was for us, I dont think he should be complaining about his role, when on 1st down he cant get more than 4 yards at most. He no longer can fit through the tiny holes he used to. Maybe he just needs time to realize that, But you dont get the work load if you cant handle it, And hes shown since 07...He cant handle it. I just fear hes going to turn into shaun alexander from the seahawks, Mvp/carrer year.. Then falls off the face of the earth.

Will Floyd from San Diego: It pains me greatly to even write this, but I think we saw the last of LT in a San Diego uniform on January 17th, as he trotted off the field sad and bewildered that his great run had ended as such. But much like it must have made Giant fans sick when Wille Mays but on that ugly New York Uni for one last hoorah, I think Tomlinson will be suiting up elsewhere if he's to play at all. If we're going to give Rivers a semblace of a play action, running game to add to our ferocius pass offense it's clear we need fresh legs. I'd love him to be our Tony Gwynn and only wear 1 teams colors ever, but pro sports is no place for fairness. I'll miss him, but just like I missed Brees...until the next great one comes along.

Daylon from Wyoming: Initially was set to agree he probably should have been used more. I was thinking during the season that they were trying to keep his mileage down so he would be fresh for the playoffs. He got 12 carries in the playoff game and only had 24 yards. Granted it was against a tough D, but I think it comes down to production. He didnt produce therefore he didn't get the carries. He averaged 15 carries per game and if he could have brought his avg up to 4.3 (from 3.3) he would have almost had a 1,000 yard season. Sorry LT, no matter what you have done, this is a what-can-you-do-for-me-now league.

Matt from Kingston, Ontario: Tomlinson is clearly having difficulty accepting that he is simply not the player he used to be. In fact, at this point in his career he is not even an average NFL back. He seems to indicate that his poor rushing totals this season are a result of not getting enough touches, when it is obvious to everyone that his lack of touches are due to his ineffectiveness on the touches he does receive. 3.3 yds per carry whether it is on 60 carries, 223 carries, or 350 carries is unacceptable. L.T. would be well advised to retire before he diminishes his legend by hanging on too long.

Christian from San Diego, Ca.: You get the ball when you're effective with it. Does this mean it's LT's fault? Not entirely. LT's the type of runner that needs his O-line and FB to open things up for him. The departure of Mike Goff and Lorenzo Neal, both critical blockers to his touchdown record setting year in 2006, really hurt the Chargers run game. Vasquez still has to mature as a run blocker, and the loss of Hardwick for much of the year further deteriorated the running game. However, the Norv and Shelmon should also be partly responsible for not devising effective running schemes all year long. We've constantly seen plays where they rush up the middle, even though there was no Hardwick, and Dombrowski/Vasquez were inexperienced as RG.

Mike Pisciotta from Henderson, NV: LT still has plenty of gas in the tank. That's why he was still money down at the goal line. Norv Turner under utilized him all year. The line didn't run block well all season, so to say that falls on LT is garbage. I hope he's back as a Charger and given the opportunity to show he can still be productive.

Ryan from Hagerstown, Maryland: It's simple. LT is done. I watched all and attended a few Charger games this year and LT's time is done. He spends more time tripping over his own feet than he does actually getting tackled. He has lost any move he has ever had, the amazing stiffarm and cuts, all gone. I hate to say it but LT must go, I just wish he would realize it and retire a Charger without ever suiting up for another team.