OT Tomlinson released by Chargers

Submitted by HelloHeisman91 on

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.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4936783

Steve Lorenz

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.

MGoKereton

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.

WoodleyIsBeast

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.

mgovictors23

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.

bluebyyou

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.

samsoccer7

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.

stankoniaks

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.

mgowin

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.

pistonsfan133

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

V-Link

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.

wishitwas97

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.