OT Tomlinson released by Chargers
I realize players come and go but this just seems so strange to me. Maybe I am getting old but it seems like yesterday LT was the most dangerous back in the league and tearing it up and now he is looking for another job at 30. When I see things like this I understand even more why guys that are a lock to get paid leave school early. You are extremely lucky to get paid to play for 8-12 years.
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.
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:19 PM ^
Lions need to snatch him up if they think he can stay healthy
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:22 PM ^
This isn't the same LT from a few years ago. He's lost that extra gear and behind the Lions O-Line, he would have trouble averaging over 4.0 yards per carry.
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:32 PM ^
Although the Lions O-Line blows, I think he is an improvement over Smith. I doubt the Lions will sign him, though, and I hope they don't. No real reason to do it.
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:34 PM ^
LT had a terrible season, and I really think he is washed up at this point. I agree that we shouldn't sign him, though.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:51 PM ^
Maybe by his standards. He still had 12 TDs or so.
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:40 PM ^
Don't you mean 3.0 ypc? (He was at 3.3 ypc last season.)
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:42 PM ^
No I think he can get over 3.0, but not by much.
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:47 PM ^
With the Lions?!
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:56 PM ^
True, but Kevin Smith averaged over 3.0 right? I'm not sure, couldn't really watch that much games last year. LT should still have his vision, which should get a solid 3.1 ypc.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:03 PM ^
Smith averaged 3.4 ypc.
"solid 3.1 ypc" = LOL
LT's had a great career, but he's going to be 31 next season. That's over the hill for most RBs. Better to get a young one that won't cost as much.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:10 PM ^
I completely agree, but I would prefer they went defense, offense line in this draft. Kevin Smith should be good enough until they can spent a high round pick on a super RB next year.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:45 PM ^
Oh, I wasn't saying that the Lions should draft a RB - just a general comment about young RBs vs old.
Draftwise, I'm generally for picking the best player available.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:14 PM ^
I don't think Tomlinson is toast, but Detroit needs to focus their efforts on developing a young core. I wouldn't put it past them though, despite the fact that LT would have to be desperate to come here in the first place.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:53 PM ^
Based on his statement that his number 1 priority is to get a ring, I would seriously doubt that he ends up on the Lions.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:03 PM ^
I never said he would go to the Lions, just saying there's no reason for him to go there or the Lions to look at him. I would say that just because he wants a ring doesn't mean some contender is going to come knocking on his door. There's this assumption he's going to go to NE but if you remember right there was some bad blood between him and BB.
EDIT: I just realized I repeated a bunch of stuff that's already been said on here. My bad.
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:57 PM ^
Just wait until he goes to the Pats.
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:30 PM ^
Maybe it was because the Lions' secondary had to be one of the worst defenses I've ever seen, but the o-line didn't look too bad at times (note, the key word is "too"). I really wouldn't put it past them to pick up LT with Jones seriously injured (and never really wowing anybody). Any big name to keep the pressure off of Calvin Johnson might just work to our advantage, though. Who knows.
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:49 PM ^
I think that's who you meant. Sorry for being that guy.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:41 PM ^
Dumb mistake by my part. Thinking Smith but said Jones. Good catch!
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:35 PM ^
It's all about the 2 back system. There's really only 1 guy that gets all the carries in a game, and that's Steven Jackson. Even Maurice Jones-Drew and Adrian Peterson get spelled from time to time. Kevin Smith has crazy skills, but with another premier guy, KS could really flourish. Competition between backs breeds success and we could certainly use LT. If not him, the Leos will make a move to get a threat. Not Maurice Morris. Not T.J. Duckett.
February 22nd, 2010 at 7:58 PM ^
Jones-Drew flourished in a 2 back system before and I think they will try to pickup LT. It's just a wild guess, but if he doesn't return to SD he will wind up in a system where he isn't the feature back, but isn't a backup either.
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:37 PM ^
Well he has definitely lost many steps he will not want to come to the Lions. He will probably want to go somewhere where he can be a change of pace guy on a contending team. Not going through 2 and 3 win seasons with the Lions.
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:43 PM ^
I can see LT being picked up cheap( 1 or 2 year deal) by the Patriots and hope that he can put together a solid season sharing snaps with Maroony.
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:56 PM ^
He was pretty vocal during sideline-gate. I doubt BB gives a shit, but LT might.
February 22nd, 2010 at 5:56 PM ^
Too many carries, too many hits. It happens to everyone in the NFL. As hard as he worked, he is lucky he had nine years. I hate to think what his body will feel like as he ages. Lots of Advil moments.
Although none of us want to see players leave college early, if you are able to play in the NFL, I would go at my first available opportunity. You can always make up the 30 credits, but you subject yourself to injury and another year of hits. Considering how long (or really, how short) many NFL careers turn out to be, your gravy train isn't in the station long.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:16 PM ^
I thought there was some talk of the Lions looking at T. Jones from the Jets, who might be expendable b/c Leon Washington should be fine after his broken fibula (admittedly a nasty one) and Shonne Greene making a name for himself in the playoffs. I would take Jones over LT.
February 22nd, 2010 at 7:42 PM ^
Leon Washington is a free agent i thought, I know he was supposed to be unless he signed an extension or something
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:25 PM ^
LT is a future hall of famer. With that being said, he has drastically dropped off the last couple years and has definitely lost a step or two. His days as the feature back are definitely over, and I'm not sure if his ego would allow (and if he'd even contribute much) to be a backup.
It kind of reminds me of when Emmitt left the Cowboys or when Edgerrin James left the Colts. They were done at that point. Edge did break 1,000 yards a couple of times with the Cards, but look at his YPC. He never broke 4.0 with the Cards, he basically got those yards by getting 300+ carries for a couple years. Last year he was terrible for Seattle. Emmitt of course had a sharper decline with AZ.
It'd of course be ironic if AZ signed LT.
February 22nd, 2010 at 6:43 PM ^
The league has shifted away from the higher profile backs. Most teams have figured out with a good line and decent passing games that they can get production without having to pay a top-tier RB. I would like to see a comparison of RB salaries compared with the average NFL salary now and 10-15 years ago, I'm willing to bet that the position has went down in value.
I've always been told (but have not seen the stats) that a RB's production declines after a set number of hits has been taken. Supposedly, most all great RB's production fell off after they hit this magic number, regardless of running style/size. So, I would guess that the Lions money would be better spent elsewhere.
February 22nd, 2010 at 10:06 PM ^
You'd think Denver's success with guys like Olandis Gary and Mike Anderson would have been a wake-up call for teams dropping mad money on RBs.
February 23rd, 2010 at 12:00 AM ^
was an exception to the rule, not the norm. RB by committee would be best to help extend RB shelf life in the NFL by a couple years or so.
February 22nd, 2010 at 7:45 PM ^
One thing that LT has said he wants to be is the featured back, which is one reason most people thought he would be released or traded this offseason. There arent many teams that would be able to do that for him, so if that is indeed a huge part of who he signs with then the Lions could have a shot at him if they want him. And on a 1-2 year deal i would like bringing him in, I dont think there is any question that he is better then Kevin Smith still, and the Lions shouldnt draft a RB in this draft, and probably not next year either. Would be a solid guy to fill in until we draft our RB of the future so to speak
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:08 PM ^
There are always exceptions, but the rule of thumb is RBs production falls dramatically at age 30 due to the wear and tear of the NFL. LT seems like another casualty. Lucky for him most teams are trending towards a RB-by-committee.
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:11 PM ^
He was overused for the entire career with the exception of last year. He was used a lot as a runner and receiver that his body took a beating in nearly every play. He was the first back to catch the ball 100 times and rush for 1000 yards. That is the kind of workload that coaches don't want a RB to have especially when they have a low life shelf in the NFL.