Tomlinson released by Chargers

[Big Mick]

Tomlinson released by Chargers

By John Clayton
ESPN.com
The San Diego Chargers released running back LaDainian Tomlinson Monday afternoon.

Tomlinson played nine seasons in San Diego, but at the age of 30 and with declining numbers, Tomlinson has been anticipating his release for the past month.

"This is a part of the business that I hate, and it's particularly hard when you're dealing with someone I consider a friend," team president Dean Spanos said, according to Chargers.com. "Change involving great players is never easy. I respect LT as much or more than any player I've ever known. And no one appreciates his contributions to this organization more than I do. That is why this is such a difficult announcement for me to make."
Tomlinson rushed for 12,490 yards in nine seasons and rushed for 138 touchdowns during his career in San Diego. He caught 530 passes and scored 15 touchdowns through the air.

A former first-round pick, Tomlinson rushed for only 730 yards in 14 games last season and had a 3.3-yard rushing average. He struggled on first down during the Chargers playoff loss to the New York Jets.

Still, the Tomlinson years were some of the best in Chargers history.

Tomlinson immediately established himself as a star during a rookie season in 2001 when he rushed for 1,236 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. His ability to run, make big plays and score touchdowns helped allow quarterbacks Drew Brees and Philip Rivers to develop into Pro Bowl stars.

The Chargers reworked Tomlinson's contract last offseason to give him one more chance to re-establish himself as a top running back. He was scheduled to get a $2 million bonus in March and a $3 million base salary under the restructured contract.

At 30, Tomlinson will have to find a new team to restart his career.

 

[abpanther]

Bout time

 

[Broncodr01d]

Source: ESPN, link here.

Chargers release Tomlinson

This is big news and IMO deserved it's own thread. If that's not the case, by all means move it to the allocated off-season thread.

Here is a snippet from the linked article:

"This is a part of the business that I hate, and it's particularly hard when you're dealing with someone I consider a friend," Chargers president Dean Spanos said in a statement. "Change involving great players is never easy. I respect L.T. as much or more than any player I've ever known. And no one appreciates his contributions to this organization more than I do. That is why this is such a difficult announcement for me to make."

Tomlinson ranks eighth on the all-time rushing list with 12,490 yards. His 138 career rushing touchdowns rank second, and his 153 total touchdowns rank third.

He was the NFL's MVP in 2006, when he set NFL single-season records with 31 touchdowns and 186 points. Tomlinson won the NFL's rushing title in 2006 and '07.

A former first-round pick, Tomlinson rushed for only 730 yards in 14 games last season and had a 3.3-yard rushing average. He struggled on first down during the Chargers playoff loss to the New York Jets.

I will always cheer for a champion, I learnt my lesson with Keiran Perkins. I wrote him off, he won from lane 8 in one the greatest sporting moments I've ever witnessed. I hoped with all hope that LT would prove doubters wrong. He didn't. Some here picked it, it's sad it rang true as I would've loved to see him finish a Charger for his entire career as my football idol Dan Marino did.

Where to now? Back up role? Split carries and form a 1-2 with another RB?

 

[Ron Jeremy]

LT > Raiders

 

[Broncodr01d]

This from ESPN INSIDER (I cannot provide the link as you need to be a member to access it so I have chosen to post the article below):

The prevailing speculation this offseason has been that LaDainian Tomlinson's tenure with the Chargers would come to a close. That became official on Monday afternoon, according to the team.

As for Tomlinson's next team -- if he does go the Emmitt Smith route and look for employment elsewhere -- we know the Steelers can likely be crossed off the list based on a report from beat writer Ed Bouchette a couple weeks back. But there could be some interest around the league for teams that need a backup with receiving skills. We previously speculated on some teams that would use LT in a complementary role (including the Vikings, Jags, Titans, Packers, 49ers), but is there a team that would use him even more than that? The Lions need such a player, although Tim Twentyman of the Detroit News notes that Tomlinson -- although better than some other options -- isn't a great solution for a team that is more than just a running back away from respectability.

How about the Texans? They need some backfield help, but AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky isn't convinced it's a match:

 

[Jono078]

Holy sh*t imagine if the Vikings got him. That could potentially be scary for other teams and make Peterson lift his game if his fumble continue next season.

 

[Broncodr01d]

Well if Chester Taylor is as expected moves on, there is a move that makes some sense. A LOT to work out there though. A LOT again hangs on Brett Favre and what he will be doing. If he goes, there will be a lot of money thrown at a FA QB IMO (McNabb for example).

 

[Jono078]

I think the Packers are in with a good chance too. He will see them as a real contender for next season and add something to that position on the team.

 

[Russell Crowe's Band]

yeah depends on favre.

i would say if he retires they go after mcnabb.

as for LT. sad that it all ended like this. great charger though.
chargers draft a RB in the first round now for sure.

 

[Jono078]

Another scenario could be a trade with the panthers who have 2 quality RB in Williams and Stewart, they could make a play for Williams there.

 

[abpanther]

Threads merged...

 

[Broncodr01d]

Cheers, my bad. At work and missed Big Mick's post (obv didn't look too freaking hard lol) ;-)

 

[Gengis Khan]

Sand Diego need to get rid of the brat mentality. Rivers needs to be controlled and Norv is not the man for the job, they act like spoilt children everytime something goes wrong.

LT going to the Niners or Titans would be insane and I believe both teams would benefit the most, if I was LT I would rather have Gore or Johnson to run with, AP fumbles too much.

 

[Jono078]

Lol rather run with someone else because ap fumbles too much? LOL!!!!

He's gonna go where the best chances are to win the superbowl and where he will get as many carries as he can. Not because the bloke he's running with can hold onto a ball...

 

[Broncodr01d]

Lol rather run with someone else because ap fumbles too much? LOL!!!!

He's gonna go where the best chances are to win the superbowl and where he will get as many carries as he can. Not because the bloke he's running with can hold onto a ball...

Just a little defensive ffs :lol:

LT with the games best back in Chris Johnson would be scary. Damn scary. The Titans could be a team on the rise not to mention a team a little concerned with the work load placed on CJ this season. Some really good backs have dropped off after the amount touches he had this season, his numbers will drop, why not best manage his work load whilst subbing in a HOF'er in LT?

Interesting to see where he lands.

 

[Jono078]

Lol nah I wasn't defensive at all.

I just thought what he said was that stupid.

RB's dont go to a team that has a good RB already and say oh he must be fun to run with. RB's are pretty selfish and want to do it all themselves.

But as I said, in Tomlinson's case he's gonna want to go somewhere where he can possibly get 100+ carries and be a real shot at winning the Superbowl.

 

[andrew057]

Sand Diego need to get rid of the brat mentality. Rivers needs to be controlled and Norv is not the man for the job, they act like spoilt children everytime something goes wrong.

They need to get rid of Norv turner before they worry about anything else.

 

[abpanther]

L.T. now aims for a championship

Posted by Mike Florio on February 22, 2010 9:16 PM ET
With his long-expected release finally coming on Monday, Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson is now focused on his next move.

"It was a longtime coming, but I knew it was coming," Tomlinson told Jim Trotter of SI.com. "Now that it's official I can kind of look to the next step in my career and playing football for someone else."

Though he named no teams, Tomlinson said that his primary goal "is to try to win a championship."

"That's my No. 1 goal," he said. "That's why I still work hard and train like I do, because I still believe there's a chance of winning a championship. I can think of a few teams off the top of my head, but that's what my agent is for."

The only factor Tomlinson articulated is the presence of a "proven quarterback."

Trotter points to the Eagles and Patriots as teams that could use help at the position. After a playoff loss in January 2007, Tomlinson teed off on the Pats and coach Bill Belichick, but Tomlinson has since explained that he and Belichick mended fences. Or bridges. Or whatever the hell the cliche is.

Meanwhile, various remaining employees of the Chargers franchise have talked about the development, with partial transcripts of the remarks available at SportsRadioInterviews.com.

Said quarterback Philip Rivers on XX 1090 in San Diego, "It's always tough any time you lose a teammate, whether that be a trade, free agency or in this case after an unbelievable nine-year career here with the Chargers. L.T., what he's meant to this organization and this community, is really unmatched. What he did on the field speaks for itself, and the No. 21 jerseys and the kids and people that he's affected, unbelievable. I'm sure those No. 21 jerseys will continue to be rampant in that stadium for many, many years."

Former teammate Lorenzo Neal predicts that Tomlinson will have a major impact wearing No. 21 in a new city.

"Think about a cat," Neal told XX 1090. "They're always running, they don't like it. But if you get a cat and you push him in that corner, and that cat's got a fight. Oh my, be careful. Wrap up your hands because you're going to come out with some scars and some cuts. I think LaDainian now, he's pushed in a corner.

"Everyone's looking at him. LaDainian, is he done? This is a man that lives for that type of moment. And I think that you will see LaDanian come back from in the corner from the beginning, from the opening day, and I think that this guy -- given the right opportunity, going to the right office that suits him and believes in his passion -- I think LaDanain Tomlinson will finish in the top five to six in rushing this next year, if that right opportunity presents itself, and barring injuries."

The big question, in our view, is whether Tomlinson will properly match his financial expectations with his opportunities. Too many aging players want to be paid for what they have done, not for what they can still do. And the praise that comes with a great career often makes the player too proud to be paid like a middle-of-the-pack performer.

Even if he now is.

****************

I could definitely see him at the Pats...

 

[Broncodr01d]

Pats? Yeah. What an offensive line-up there, three certain HOF'ers in Brady, Moss and LT. Add Walker to the mix with some unsung heros ... interesting to say the least.

What about Indianapolis as an AFC option?

Houston?

 

[dragonfire]

Saints will probably let Mike Bell go freeing up the #21 jersey. There was speculation they were looking to trade for him last season and his good friend and proven QB Brees is at the helm. If Tomlinson wants to go to a contender than he had better be ready to split carries as most contenders would already have a pretty good line up at RB.