The Chargers to release or trade Tomlinson

[coach]

There has been whispers, rumours or what ever you want to call them in recent days suggesting that the Chargers may look to unload LaDainian Tomlinson.

The following article appeared in todays issue of the San Diego Union-Tribune

Spanos' words to Tomlinson: 'Don't jump to any conclusions'

Kevin Acee (Contact)
Thursday, January 15, 2009

Chargers president Dean Spanos spoke with LaDainian Tomlinson on Thursday and then addressed the furor surrounding his iconic running back.

“We talked about the situation and I just tried to explain everything that must be considered,” Spanos said on the team's Web site. “I told him we haven't even started our discussions and won't for awhile, so don't jump to any conclusions. And I told him I would call him personally to make sure he's aware of everything that's going on.”

Spanos declined further comment. Tomlinson, who is traveling for another opinion on his injured groin, did not return a phone message.

According to a source, Spanos expressed to Tomlinson that the team has not decided anything and won't do so for several weeks, after Spanos and his top lieutenants return from the Pro Bowl the second week of February.
The Chargers are, for a combination of reasons, considering releasing or trading Tomlinson after eight record-breaking seasons.

Tomlinson is due $6.725 million in 2009 and has a salary-cap number of $8.79 million that would be just $2.066 million if he were no longer on the roster.

The Chargers have many young players they will try to sign in the next year, and they have about $15 million in cap space. The almost $7 million they would clear by parting ways with Tomlinson could help them keep running back Darren Sproles, sign free agents and allow them to more freely deal with quarterback Philip Rivers and others whose contracts are expiring after the 2009 and '10 seasons.

The Chargers could see what trade market there is for Tomlinson, though that is expected to be only a second-day or perhaps a conditional pick. Out of respect to the future Hall of Famer, if they decide not to bring him back, they likely would release him and allow him to find the best deal for himself elsewhere.

With Tomlinson about to turn 30 and coming off two consecutive seasons in which he suffered serious injuries, the Chargers are trying to evaluate his viability for 2009. Additionally, the running back has expressed discontent with the direction of the offense, which has shifted to be centered around the passing game.

"That's not going to change,” Tomlinson said in an interview last week. “I'm not going to have 300 carries anymore."

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/15/chargers-notes-spanos-tomlinson/?chargers

 

[coach]

Wouldn't surprise me one bit if they traded him. For as a great a runner he has been, that is in the past. He is 30 years of age. Often the age that running backs start showing the signs of decline. Plus his body has taken a real beating over the years.

 

[nyfg89]

I think they will keep him for 1 more year.
Sproles is small and a nice change of pace, I don't think he can play the whole season as the featured back.
The Chargers window is still open next year with LT on the team and you can't replace a Hall of Fame RB just like that. JMO.

 

[Jono078]

As they've been saying on the American shows.

This guy has been the face of their franchise for years now and one of the premier players in the league for many years.

After one mediocre year you can't just give him the boot after all he has done.

He'll be around for another year, at least IMO.

 

[Monk]

yeh, no way they will trade LT

 

[Raider_69]

I can certainly understand that the chargers would be assessing their situation with regards to LT, given his injury concerns which based on my research seem to spring up at bad times, its worth looking at a trade or release, but i think ultimately they'll give him at least one more year. As said, he's the face of the franchise, he's a future HOF'er, you dont part ways with that sort of quailty easily.

Sproles was awesome for them though

 

[Selachimorpha]

Whether they trade him now or not they definitely need to be planning for a future without LT. Running Backs are like Pornstars, they age very badly. Once they hit the wall it's pretty much over, Shawn Alexander's the most prominent recent example. He went from MVP to washed up in a year, pretty much all the elite RB's fell off hard at some point, and it may be that point for Tomlinson. He probably has one year left at best.

 

[Jono078]

Re: Alexander

The Seahawks did lose the best guard in the game in Hutchinson, many put his demise down to that as well.

With LT though it looks like wear and tear has caught up with him.

 

[coach]

Running backs do age very quickly. You can be great one season and poor the next. The peak years for a rb are there early years. By the time they get to 28 or 29 they are starting to decline.

You also need to look at LT's workload in recent seasons. In 2005 he had 339 rushes, 2006 he had 348, 2007 he had 315 and this season 292. Thats a lot of carries and the older you get the harder it becomes.

Another stat that shows a rb declining is his average gain per rush. In 2005 LT's average was 4.3, 2006 it was 5.2, 2007 it was 4.7 and this season it was 3.8.

Not saying he still can't be a good running back, just that I don't believe he will be as great as he once was.

 

[Big Tim]

If they are thinking of trading him, he is more value now than he will be in a year. Regardless of how his season goes.

 

[Russell Crowe's Band]

it will be a tough decision.

in LT's favour is

*they traded turner last year. no GM would turf a hall of fame running back the year after turfing a starting running back. foolish.

* sproles isn't an every down back. also, if he becomes number 1 runner in San Diego he wont be returning kicks any more. this is a disadvantage for us.

* he still made over 1100 yards ith a toe injury. also if you have watched any of the chargers this year..he gets less touches and norv is an up the guts running guy. LT's is at his best when he can break to the left or the right. he's not a basher.

* the chargers are trying to get a new stadium. if they were to trade the face of the franchise and the best player we have ever had..a player that lifted us out of decade long mediocrity and the ryan leaf debacle...the fans would have a fit..and the city would be less willing to do the deal. (having said that..they have hit many a wall in getting a new stadium)

Not in LT's favour

* 30. running backs dont go well at this age and after. also..he carried the team for 8 years and is probably suffering burnout.

* his contract is 8 million. its a big hit. sproles needs to be re signed..Merriman and Rivers contracts are up soon and there are younger players that need re signing.

* he has been injured in 2 post seasons. there are some (morons, like Deion "glass" Sanders) questioning his toughness
i see this as an iunfortunate occurance. he was fine in 06..ran for 120 yards 2 TD's and 60 odd yards recieving but we lost because the Defense had a series of disgraceful plays in the second half (Marlon Mcree. For f**ks Sake..you hold that pick and we win the game. oh my god)


i woould say they will re structure his contract and keep him an extra year.

if he has a good year next year all will be forgotten. if not i say he might retire.

however the chargers have a history of butchering relationships with great players (Junior Seau, Rodney Harrison..others in the 80's etc)

 

[Tigers_are_Pro]

Chargers suck, they should get rid of that redneck hack Rivers before he drops a superbowl for some southern fried chicken and banjos.

 

[Russell Crowe's Band]

thank you for your intelligent and insightful opinions.

 

[Big Tim]

Hes a Ponies fan.... Of course he hates Rivers.