So, who wants Tomlinson?

[outofplace]

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/21/chargers-draft-homework-under-way/?chargers

Sounds like LaDainian Tomlinson may be on the way out of San Diego whether he wants to go or not?

 

[JC]

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/21/chargers-draft-homework-under-way/?chargers

Sounds like LaDainian Tomlinson may be on the way out of San Diego whether he wants to go or not?

My money would be on the Patriots.

 

[93Devil]

Not being a wise-ass, but I think he would be a nice fit for a team looking for a part-time back, like Cleveland.

 

[hockeybeat]

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/21/chargers-draft-homework-under-way/?chargers

Sounds like LaDainian Tomlinson may be on the way out of San Diego whether he wants to go or not?

A.J. Smith should have dealt Tomlinson after last season and re-signed Michael Turner. What's the old saying? Better to trade a player a year too early than a year too late.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/21/chargers-draft-homework-under-way/?chargers

Sounds like LaDainian Tomlinson may be on the way out of San Diego whether he wants to go or not?

Only A.J. Smith would be this foolish.

Tomlinson needs a lot of rest, perhaps some rehab/therapy work. Now that Smith doesn't possess ample options on his own team, dumping Tomlinson now would be a mistake. Intriguing when one still had the option of keeping Michael Turner. Not so when the options are Darren Sproles - a nice little player, but not capable of 350-400 carries a year - and whatever might be in the draft or free agency.

Do you think, for one moment, that Tomlinson isn't becoming increasingly motivated by the story/rumor to come back as strong as he possibly can?

Now, assuming Smith does deal him, where does he go? Well ... there's Seattle (don't see them thinking Julius Jones is a major upgrade over Shaun Alexander). If he'll restructure his deal, New England and Philly just might jump in. Kansas City needs help, assuming Pioli tells Larry Johnson to take a hike, but doubt Smith is silly enough to help a division rival.

 

[poindexter]

I'd like to see where anyone actually posted or wrote keeping Turner over LT one year ago.

In hindsight, it looks brilliant. A year ago? That would take some hellacious balls for a gm to do it.

 

[JakeandElwood]

After seeing how quickly Shaun Alexander fell off, I wouldn't invest too much in someone who seems to be on the decline. I think the Chargers should keep him and see if he can stay healthy. If he can, he could be close to what he was.

 

[mustangj17]

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/21/chargers-draft-homework-under-way/?chargers

Sounds like LaDainian Tomlinson may be on the way out of San Diego whether he wants to go or not?

My money would be on the Patriots.

I don't know if I could see that. Are they going to have the cap room after having to carry to No.1 quarterbacks next year?

Besides they already are paying Maroney first round money and Sammy Morris has proven himself to be a worthy backup. Faulk is also good for depth. Unless they get a great price. I don't see it happening. Unless they plan on Maroney getting hurt again, which could happen. He seems to never be healthy.

 

[hockeybeat]

I'd like to see where anyone actually posted or wrote keeping Turner over LT one year ago.

In hindsight, it looks brilliant. A year ago? That would take some hellacious balls for a gm to do it.

I'm not sure that anyone wrote it (in newspapers or websites or on the board) or said it on the air. But after injuring himself against the Colts and not being able to play in the AFC Championship Game, would it not have behooved Smith to investigate what Tomlinson could have brought back in a deal?

 

[slappy4428]

Lions. Lions. Lions.

 

[93Devil]

He might have another 400-600 touches in him with proper rest and health.

 

[Oz]

I'd like to see where anyone actually posted or wrote keeping Turner over LT one year ago.

In hindsight, it looks brilliant. A year ago? That would take some hellacious balls for a gm to do it.

I'm not sure that anyone wrote it (in newspapers or websites or on the board) or said it on the air. But after injuring himself against the Colts and not being able to play in the AFC Championship Game, would it not have behooved Smith to investigate what Tomlinson could have brought back in a deal?

Probably not much. The perception would have been the Chargers dumping a player who can't play, who's washed up. I can't imagine Chargers fans being happy had Smith traded Tomlinson on the cheap.

Also, Michael Turner would have been put in a really tough spot.

 

[Dignan]

Whoever takes LT is going to be paying a lot of money to a guy on the downside of his career and who can't be counted on to play in big games.

 

[Armchair_QB]

Lions. Lions. Lions.

Detroit. Where careers go to die.

 

[Diabeetus]

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/21/chargers-draft-homework-under-way/?chargers

Sounds like LaDainian Tomlinson may be on the way out of San Diego whether he wants to go or not?

Only A.J. Smith would be this foolish.

Tomlinson needs a lot of rest, perhaps some rehab/therapy work. Now that Smith doesn't possess ample options on his own team, dumping Tomlinson now would be a mistake. Intriguing when one still had the option of keeping Michael Turner. Not so when the options are Darren Sproles - a nice little player, but not capable of 350-400 carries a year - and whatever might be in the draft or free agency.

Do you think, for one moment, that Tomlinson isn't becoming increasingly motivated by the story/rumor to come back as strong as he possibly can?

Now, assuming Smith does deal him, where does he go? Well ... there's Seattle (don't see them thinking Julius Jones is a major upgrade over Shaun Alexander). If he'll restructure his deal, New England and Philly just might jump in. Kansas City needs help, assuming Pioli tells Larry Johnson to take a hike, but doubt Smith is silly enough to help a division rival.

KC isn't going to waste a draft pick(s) on LT. Running backs are dispensable. LJ needs to be disposed of already.

 

[mustangj17]

Lions. Lions. Lions.

We both know that would just fill Detroit fans with false hope. Barry Sanders in his prime with weapons all around only created a team powerful enough to win one playoff game. And the next week they got destroyed by the Redskins.

 

[Piotr Rasputin]

Whoever takes LT is going to be paying a lot of money to a guy on the downside of his career and who can't be counted on to play in big games.

He CAN be counted on to sulk during those big games. How many players have cemented greatness by playing a big game on one leg?

He is 29 years old. He is Eddie George five years ago. Earl Campbell 27 years ago. Shaun Alexander three years ago. He has clearly hit the wall, and is finished being a star. Can he still be an effective back? In the right offense, with the right players and coordinator, probably. But not for long, and not as the injuries continue to pile up.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

I think it's telling how quickly the top running backs fall off the map. It makes you appreciate the guys like Emmmit Smith, Marshall Faulk and the other guys who can be productive for more than 10+ years.

As much as a **** as Smith is, I'm not sure you can fault him for keeping LT over Turner. He can be faulted for getting rid of the best FB in the game and not trading Turner when he had the chance.

I'm guessing they will be hoping Beanie Wells is there at No. 16. Moreno will be long gone.

They should keep Sproles, but anybody who thinks he can be an everydown back is a fool.

 

[DirtyDeeds]

Seriously, guys? I know the guy had a bad year (for him), and he was banged up. Quite a bit. But "washed up" and a "part-time player" because he didn't get 1,500 yards this year? I understand the concerns about his missing the playoff games and the shelf life of most NFL backs, but come on. The guy had a pretty serious groin injury this year and a knee injury last year, if I recall correctly, that most of us wouldn't even be able to walk to our cars with, much less play in an NFL game. I agree with Sam that he's going to come back highly motivated and (hopefully) healthy, and while he might not be the back he was in '06 (who is?), I think he's still legit. The comparisons to George and Alexander are a bit premature, I think.

 

[Simon_Cowbell]

I'd like to see where anyone actually posted or wrote keeping Turner over LT one year ago

After the AFC title game he sat out?

The ONLY reason people would have wanted Tomlinson was because of salary-cap hit with his being dealt.